2009 gen 2 Touring 4, no response to key fobs, so the car appears to need a jump, and the car has been sitting about three weeks. Not sure if it matters, but the center stack display has been out since the summer (it’s hard to find the right head unit). Normally I’d use the valet key to access the hood lever, but while it fits the lock it will not turn. Will spray/inject some Lock-ease and see if I can enter and open the hood. My guess is the 12v battery is discharged, and needs some driving or replacement. But what do the experts think? if I could get some voltage on the 12 volt battery maybe the entry systems will wake up, let me get in, and try an engine start. Ann Arbor, MI
Ok thanks! So one can’t trip the hood latch mechanically from the outside? If that’s the case, then the way T intended this to be solved is via the door locks (as an alternative to getting a new car).
i would really work that lock, and even consider a locksmith. i think you can access the hood by removing the front bumper, which seems like a lot of work.
Some tips. Home Depot carries the air wedge, used to help shim door install etc. Harbor Freight also, maybe on sale or coupon. Long wire coat hanger or electrical copper wire. Stiffer the better. Search Results for Air Wedge Pump at The Home Depot
Be careful using an air wedge, it is very easy to wedge the door a bit too much which will cause a permanent gap for the water to leak in. Best to just use AAA at this point, which gets you a jump start, and a mechanical key or vehicle entry.
If you can find a similar Prius to study you might somehow be able to find a way to pull on the hood cable that releases the latch...
Do what is above in YouTube. My latch broke and my mechanic (actually located in Ann Arbor) did it for me and put a zip tie hanging out the front, attached to the latch that I now use to open hood lol. It's rigged but it has 285k miles. If you can't figure it out he is located Jackson/94 area.
You need someone who can pop there hood for you so you can see if there's a way to make a tool to pull your hood release... Every car has a different set of challenges but when I worked in an auto shop long ago a busted cable like this was a relatively common challenge. I even had to figure it out on my Subaru back in early 2000's.
