The inside car hood latch handle broke. I can open hood by pulling on cable. How do I remove that hood latch handle?

 

I've never joined Forum before, so a bit off on protocol. We've had this 2005 Crossfire since new in 2005. Bought for my wife way back then, she had to have SUV to drive in snow about 2011, so it became my second car. Now it's a cool red convertible for an old guy, doesn't get driven a lot. Red plastic latch handle just broke on Monday. I'm going to try to glue it back together but need to remove it to do so. If that doesn't work, I'll replace with new handle. Either way I have to remove it. There is a small opening inside of handle where I assume there is a pin for it to pivot on. Problem is it's kind of recessed in the plastic cowling. Long Allen wrench won't fit in and bent one seems to bottom out before I get to anything. Anyone ever changed/removed this handle?

 

You have to remove, or at least lower the knee bolster/bottom panel in which it is recessed. As I recall, this requires removing some Phillips head screws where it connects to the instrument panel and steering wheel surround, and a couple of socket head/hex bolts underneath (these are recessed at the bottom of a hole in the panel and a real pain to get back in), Lower or remove the bolster/panel and you will see how the latch handle is attached to the cable. I wouldn't waste time trying to glue it, as the leverage on the repair will make it unlikely to last long. If you search You Tube, you will find videos for removing the parts in question, as I recall associated with removing the ignition key socket to change out the SKREEM. My memory could be faulty on this, so other Forum members may chime in with a better way.

One other thought - If you have to yank on the handle hard enough to break it, something is not right. You should probably check to make sure that the cable is not binding somewhere and that the latch mechanism is lubed with a dab or two of lithium grease. Clean the latch before you lube it so it doesn't just get gunked-up and sticky.

 

NWGACarGuy, thanks for response. Actually, way easier than that, but your reply got me looking/working. Unfortunately, I took all those screws and bolts out only to have to put them back in. Yeah, they were a major pain putting back in.

All you have to do is remove the fuse box cover on left side, two coin-slots to remove. Have to have door open. Then it's one screw holding the latch handle in, once removed the handle assembly comes out easily. Ordered new handle assembly off Amazon for $10, be here Friday. It says it's a Mecedes-Benz part, that's a Crossfire.

I opened hood and sprayed latch with WD-40, but will lube with white lithium grease (I have a spray can of that) before I put new handle on. It seems to work better.

 

Well if I had known you wanted to do it the EASY way I would have referred you to someone else! I just learned something new myself, and I have been in that spot a dozen times for fuses, A/C vents, headlight switches, etc. I never even noticed that little sucker in there! Thanks!

 

Lube the hood latch cable at both ends with lithium grease. It should wick down the cable a bit after moving the latch handle a few times. This should make it easier to open.
If you have a roadster, lube the tonneau flap cables as well.

 

What is the best way to do this and what to use? When you say at both ends, you mean under the driver side dashboard where the red handle is located and then under the hood where the latch is located?
I never thought about doing the tonneau flap cables but that seems important! WHat's the best and easiest way without causing a mess LOL

 

I used white lithium grease in a spray can with the red straw attachment. I opened the hood and sprayed it into the end of the hood release cable. If you just tap the spray nozzle, it kind of dribbles out. So it wicks down the cable.
I did the same on the inside. I put a rag on the floor under the hood release latch. There's no avoiding the mess on that one. After spraying them, I worked the red release handle with the hood open. This way there was no pressure on the system.
It won't lube the whole cable, but it's better than nothing.
The tonneau flaps will have to be done with top half open. You might want to support the tonneau cover with a short broom stick while you're doing this, just in case the pressure releases. You can see where the cables are and just lube the ends the same way as the hood cable.