1989 Prelude Hood Won't Open: Please Help

'89 Prelude has been sitting for winter and eventually battery died
during one cold spell. I can't open the hood (cable broken) and can't
get under the car to get to battery to charge or jump it. Mechanics
said car can't be started by popping clutch cause it's been sitting
too long. They said they can't get in there without cutting a hole in
the hood (especially because battery is dead and lights won't work).

Does anyone have any alternative suggestions? Is there some tool I
can use to reach under the hood and open the release...even if it is a
little rusted shut from winter sitting? Maybe some way I can break
off latch inside and just replace that?

It just seems it would cost too much to bother with getting a new hood
and paying for labor to get all this done for a car that isn't worth
more that $1700.

Thanks,
Matt

 

Ouch!

Good question- just checked my 99 Prelude to see if breaking the plastic
grille would allow access to the latch - maybe after breaking off the
plastic shroud around the latch. I had a 90 Prelude (same gen as 89) and I
can't recall a convenient way to get to the latch since the hood comes right
down to the bumper.

I have to assume you've determined that the cable broke at the latch and not
at the release handle. Otherwise, pliers should do the trick even if you
had to get to the concealed portion of the cable (might partially be run
between the left fender and plastic wheel liner).

Here's one link showing the hood and latch if you don't have the service
manual (drill down to hood)
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com or a little clearer view from:
http://slhondaparts.com (drill down to body, then hood)

 

You could charge the battery via the cigarette lighter socket. An
overnight charge at 2 or 3 amps shouldn't overload the wiring.

 

cold spell. I can't open the hood (cable broken) and can't get under the car to
get to battery to charge or jump it. Mechanics said car can't be started by
popping clutch cause it's been sitting too long. They said they can't get in
there without cutting a hole in the hood (especially because battery is dead and
lights won't work).

Charge up the battery as Graham suggests and then you can operate the
retractable headlights. That will give you a (limited) view into the area under
the hood where the latch is. You might be able to work a wire through the
headlight opening or under the front part of the hood above the bumper and hook
onto the latch mechanism.

reach under the hood and open the release...even if it is a little rusted shut
from winter sitting? Maybe some way I can break off latch inside and just
replace that?

If you are not sure that the cable is broken at the latch, remove the left inner
fender (inside the wheel well) to get at the cable.

I took a look at my 1988 Prelude and I don't envy your task. You'll need some
patience. I would suggest opening up another hood of similar vintage to get a
picture of the layout.