Opening the hood -- newbie question

[John T]

I'm hanging my head in shame right now for having to ask such a simple question, but how do I open the hood of my '86 900S? Yes, I know the hinge is on the front of the car, and yes, I found the release lever (down under the steering wheel on the left side), which makes the hood pop open an inch or two, but then how do I lift the hood open? I tried searching the forums here for an answer but I was only able to find people asking about what to do when the lever didn't work.

I'm hoping someone can answer soon because my battery is dead and I don't want to have to take a bus to the bookstore tonight to find a user's manual.

[TheRedBaron]

Hah, once the catch is off, you slide the hood towards the front of the car and then push down on the front to bring the winshield side up. If possible, do it in front of people, because it looks really cool

[grif900]

welcome to saab cenral.so ,i presume the cable thing works. the next step is find the saftey latch and pull it. simple as that.

[mikewitdaspike]

the safety catch should be right near the edge of the grill and headlight on the right side (lookin at front of car), once the hood is slightly popped, push it back down a tiny bit and pull the catch towards you, then lift it up and pull the hood towards you

[John T]

Thanks for the quick responses!

[TheRedBaron]

Cheers to our crack team of hood opening gurus!

[grif900]

ve hast other ways to open them too. be careful, you might learn somthing here if yer not careful.

[Honkey]

Yeah how cool are our hoods!

I love popping my hood infront of people with ordinary cars

[Jim Mesthene]

Originally Posted by mikewitdaspike

...the edge of the grill and headlight on the right side (lookin at front of car)...

That's near the left headlight.
The terms "Left" and "Right" always refer to the perspective of the driver sitting in his seat.
Manuals never refer to Driver's side, Passenger side, Near side, or "looking at it from...."
It's one of those conventions like Clockwise to Tighten. Following the convention helps avoid some of the dumber mistakes. When the manual says "Be sure to undo the right side first to avoid having all the springs fly out" or some such thing, you'll know what they mean.....No matter what country you're in, or what position you're in.

[MattWatson]

Originally Posted by John T

I'm hanging my head in shame right now for having to ask such a simple question, but how do I open the hood of my '86 900S? Yes, I know the hinge is on the front of the car, and yes, I found the release lever (down under the steering wheel on the left side), which makes the hood pop open an inch or two, but then how do I lift the hood open? I tried searching the forums here for an answer but I was only able to find people asking about what to do when the lever didn't work.

I'm hoping someone can answer soon because my battery is dead and I don't want to have to take a bus to the bookstore tonight to find a user's manual.

Pull the lever inside, then go to the front right (as you are looking at the car) and then reach inside ( a wee bit) then pull the release catch towards you. Go to the back of the hood (closest to the glass) and pull the hood forward.

Matt

[cdaly]

Originally Posted by Jim Mesthene

That's near the left headlight.
The terms "Left" and "Right" always refer to the perspective of the driver sitting in his seat.
Manuals never refer to Driver's side, Passenger side, Near side, or "looking at it from...."
It's one of those conventions like Clockwise to Tighten. Following the convention helps avoid some of the dumber mistakes. When the manual says "Be sure to undo the right side first to avoid having all the springs fly out" or some such thing, you'll know what they mean.....No matter what country you're in, or what position you're in.

And then we have to head to the back of the engine bay to replace the front seal...

[SteveTheFolkie]

Originally Posted by Jim Mesthene

That's near the left headlight.
The terms "Left" and "Right" always refer to the perspective of the driver sitting in his seat.

- ahh ... "stage left" eh?

Originally Posted by Jim Mesthene

It's one of those conventions like Clockwise to Tighten.

- watch those old MOPAR wheel lugs!

[jglavin]

Heh, before I fixed the rusty safety catch on my replacement hood, if the car was on the slightest downhill incline you could pull the lever from the driver's seat, and watch the hood open itself... like magic!

[Jezzadee]

Can opener.

Hope this helps.

[scubasaab]

I put up a thread the other day about driving with the hood popped and the safety catch still hooked up.
Sort of a cheap Ram-Air set-up.
I did get peppier boost due to a cooling evening and shoving cold air under the bonnet.
I'm still trying to figure out Ram-Air, but it has to keep out rain and dust/dirt while it does it's thing.
Hmm, wonder why I can't sleep at night

[philjohnhb]

Originally Posted by scubasaab

I put up a thread the other day about driving with the hood popped and the safety catch still hooked up.
Sort of a cheap Ram-Air set-up.
I did get peppier boost due to a cooling evening and shoving cold air under the bonnet.
I'm still trying to figure out Ram-Air, but it has to keep out rain and dust/dirt while it does it's thing.
Hmm, wonder why I can't sleep at night

Gosh, I must have gotten this one totally right, as there are no other replies by the masters of the SAAB universe!
I'm so proud






And you were doing so well!!

[scubasaab]

LOL, I really am chuckling...

[shaverjeff]

I put up a thread the other day about driving with the hood popped and the safety catch still hooked up.
Sort of a cheap Ram-Air set-up.
I did get peppier boost due to a cooling evening and shoving cold air under the bonnet.
I'm still trying to figure out Ram-Air, but it has to keep out rain and dust/dirt while it does it's thing.
Hmm, wonder why I can't sleep at night

I mistakenly had done the same only without the safety latch...The first stop sign must have been interesting for the onlookers. Luckily all was ok and nothing broke.

[JimmyG]

damn, i always get a new bonnet when i have to open it. i'll put my angle grinder away now

[scubasaab]

Originally Posted by shaverjeff

I mistakenly had done the same only without the safety latch...The first stop sign must have been interesting for the onlookers. Luckily all was ok and nothing broke.

Not to worry...
The hinge assy. is WAY stronger than the plastic clip and the load is evenly distributed with the hood totally unlatched.
My only concern would be a panic stop where the hood slides forward and opens up.
Bet that would scare the guy in front of ya!Ahhhhh!!!!!