Hey guys. So I accidentally left my fog lights on for a couple hours so my car died. The unfortunate part about this whole situation is that when I went to give myself a jump, the hood wont open. It pops when I pull the lever under the dash, and the little thing pops out of the grill as well but when I lift the hood it gets stuck and doesn't want to budge. I'm reluctant to call a tow truck and take it to a shop just because i know that all I need is a jump. Does anyone have a trick to get the hood open if it's being tricky? Thanks

-Luis

 

if the grill latch popped out just pull on that till it pops. If not ive pooped the front grille out and got it that way.

 

Been there. Had to sacrifice the grille to get back in. Junkyard grille was only $45.

 

Worked like a charm.
Mine went right back in! Although I am considering getting a badge-less grille now.

 

Mine went back in also, with all 4 tabs in tact!

 

How did you guys do this? I have my grille out now, but I can't figure out how to release it.

 

Is the primary or secondary latch the one that is stuck?

 

All of my latches are fine.

I was getting ready to send my cluster out for repair and I knew I'd be doing the upstream oxygen sensor while the cluster was out, so I wanted to leave the battery disconnected for the week or so the cluster is gong to take.

I didn't want to leave my doors unlocked, so I locked the doors (with the hood open), disconnected the battery and shut the hood.

What I forgot, was that my drivers door is not the stock door, so my key doesn't work in it and of course the key fobs are no help with the battery disconnected and even though the trunk could be opened, it won't let you put the seats down. SMH - I know.

I tried the "Pry the Grille Off" trick for almost an hour. That did nothing more than break off tabs and other parts of the grille.

I then tried the "Under the car - behind the radiator" trick after looking at it for the second time (I looked up there earlier on, but thought "**** That").

Come to find out: If you pay attention: the "Under the car" method is super duper easy (it seriously takes about 30 seconds)! All you need is to jack the car up and make sure you have one long *** pry bar.

Anyone with a 2001.5: A4 1.8t - Take this advice!! I assure you.

On the bright side: I took the negative and turned it into a positive, by polishing the Audi emblem (on the grille) to nearly new shine and painted the grille and the chrome surround all black.

Now I have a one-off grille that's been re-sealed and re-seated.
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Nice job. That kind of stuff does make you how smart you are. Been there.

 

For sure!

Lessons learned the hard way: Story of my life.......but like you said: They lead to a wealth of knowledge, for sure.
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