In an attempt to check my coolant level with a hot engine (monitoring for problems detailed in another thread), I just got home awhile ago and attempted to pop the hood. *SNAP* Some part of the plastic release handle busted off... sigh. A piece of black plastic is on the floorboard so I know something actually broke. The handle is still attached where it should be, but just swings back and forth... I think the cable itself might have popped off and gone who-knows-where. It dark and freezing cold (-2 degrees) and I don't feel like messing with it tonight.

Any Buick owners ever replaced one of these, or know a backup method to open the hood on a '00 LeSabre? A search turned up several threads about this issue on 92-99 Bonnevilles, but I'm figuring something is probably different on 2000+ GM models.

Scott, sorry to hear this. Have not done a Buick, but same issue on s10. Lesson I learned is if ypu get the hood open, don't close it until the problem is fixed. I am sure others will post on Buick process.

Sounds like the piece that holds the cable to the handle broke. You should be able to grab the cable with pliers and pull it to get the hood popped for now.

Looking through GM parts online it looks like the handle is a part of the hood release cable and not packaged separately, although it'* hard to tell.

Yep, sold as one piece. I believe this is what you are looking for. Might be able to remove the line and reuse your current one with the new handle Pontiac Bonneville Buick LeSabre Cadillac DeVille DTS Hood Release Latch New | eBay

Thanks for the quick replies. If I have to buy the whole kit, I might as well use the new cable too. Hopefully the pliers will work for now. I'll try tomorrow in the daylight, although it'* still gonna be below-zero wind chills. Cold weather sucks!

^^ $41.50 there... at least I found the same thing (Dorman part) for $20.79 at Rock Auto. Maybe I'll just go ahead and get my manifold gaskets while I'm at it!

Don't forget to search the forum for our Rockauto discount code thread, save yourself 5% off your order.

Yep, will do... I'll search here or I might have one of my own from the last time I ordered. 5% will at least get close to covering tax.

Attempting this now, but I think the cable fell back behind the kick panel or maybe up by the firewall. How do I get this plastic door sill removed (that runs up to the kick panel portion around the hood release latch)? I tried pulling straight up thinking it was clipped in, and I cracked the plastic and broke one retainer piece already. Grrrr. I can't figure out which direction it comes off... there are no visible screws to remove. Anyone know?

The good news is I figured out the door sill... it DOES pull straight up, but you've got to know where the clips are underneath, so you can put equal pressure on opposite sides while pulling. I broke one probably because of cold temperatures (brittle plastic), and pulling upward only from one side of the clip.

I also located the end of the release cable, and am used the "attached vice grips" method to open the hood successfully. Maybe I'll just stick with that!! I can't imagine replacing the entire assembly (cable + handle) just for a new handle. The cable doesn't exactly appear to go in a straight line!