The hood release on my '96 Civic no longer works and I can not get the hood of my car to release. How can I get the hood to release without using the interior release handle? I've tried pulling it with plyers after the plastic had snapped off and it does nothing.

 

I hate to tell you this, but this thread will probably be locked. This is information that will encourage engine/parts theft if answered. I've seen this (same question and the aforementioned result) happen here before.

Your best solution is to take it to a mechanic and have them show you how to do it. I'm sure a few people here know how to do it (not including me), but it's bad joo joo for people to answer this.

 

If the pliers dont work, i would assume it's broken in line somewhere. My knob broke off, and I could almost still use my fingers before I replaced it.

 

the handle broke off of mine and i just grab onto the remnants of the handle with my fingers or a pair of plyers

 

go look at your friends car and follow the cable.....find out how the hood release system works. find out what that cable pulls.

 

very small arms can get up through the bumper (right side of plate, the cable loops around) and pull the cable going to the hood release. My arm got mangled, but I did get to it. I installed a backup cable to release it from near the bumper if this ever happens again.