How much $ to repair broken hood latch

[tlcaudi]

I should probably put this in the regional forums, but rarely get answers there. Anyway, I recently broke my hood latch, and have searched the forums to find a way to get into the hood, and nothing seems to work for me. I am unable to get all the way up to pop the latch. I need to get it open, as I have a headlight out, and need to replace a coilpack that just went on me. So, I called the stealership, and they want to charge a minimum of $475 to replace the cable and handle in the car? Has anyone had this done? Just seems like a ridiculous price to pay.....

[schmally]

tell them you will pay the diag fee and thats it,tell them to open it up and give you a correct estimate... depending on where you are diag fees are like 45-95 dollars..

[FORCE_FED_DUB]

diag fee at the audi dealer around here is $112, and if they have to hook up the computer, a $56 advanced diag fee

[vdubstreets]

is it just the handle that broke? thats an easy fix 30 bucks from your dealer.
Where in NY are you?

[F16HTON]

To get into the hood, you neexd to jack up the front end so you can get under it, remove the lower tray from the body.

Shine a flashlight up between the hood and the radiator (you will be able to see the hood latch there)

Take a long screwdriver or thin pry bar and use it to manually move the unlatch mechanism to pop it open.

99% of the time, it is not the handle or cable that breaks, sometimes the cable will get disconnected from the actual hood latch.

It takes me about 5 mintes to do this, of course that is with experience, it should not take the Audi dealer more than 30 minutes (1/2 hour labor $60) to open the hood.

Parts and labor needed for the repair portion would of course be more..

[dougyfresh]

99% of the time, it is not the handle or cable that breaks, sometimes the cable will get disconnected from the actual hood latch.

Happens to me many times. I even broke the lever in the cabin. I also now spray some 100% silicon on the cable or use a light duty, low viscosity, oil to cut down on the friction between the cable and cable housing (like bicycle shifter cables).

Happens more often than not when you are doing a timing belt job since you have to disconnect that cable from the latch. In that case, I always close the latch with a screwdriver (and hood open). Then go into the cabin and pull the hood release lever to make sure the cable is attached properly and is releasing the hood latch. If it doesn't, your hood is open and you can quickly assess the situation.

Good info for when the hood is closed, Greg!

[tlcaudi]

Thanks for the help and fix for the hood latch. I am seeing the latch, but for some reason, most likely my ineptitude, I can't move the goddamn thing at all. Thanks for the heads asking me where in NY I am, that reminded me to change my profile...Florida now!

[TahoeA4]

Thanks for the help and fix for the hood latch. I am seeing the latch, but for some reason, most likely my ineptitude, I can't move the goddamn thing at all. Thanks for the heads asking me where in NY I am, that reminded me to change my profile...Florida now!

Try having someone else push down on the hood while you actuate the latch. Florida FTW!

[diagnosticator]

Try having someone else push down on the hood while you actuate the latch. Florida FTW!

Yeah, pushing down on the hood, unloads the pressure on the latch allowing easier movement of the latch release using Greg's method. If pushing down doesn't help, try lifting the hood instead.