alright- i really got myself into a pickle here. im describing everything that happened so that maybe someone can identify where the problem happened along the way. any suggestions or feedback would GREATLY be appreciated! and please.. no "your screwed.. good luck" type post.. positive/informative feedback only please.

earlier tonight- i installed a midnight grill on my 08 g35 sedan. i followed the DIY Grille Removal thread on this forum step by step- link: https://g35driver.com/forums/tech-v3...e-removal.html

after i installed it, i decided to see if i could replace my turn signal bulbs as ive read somewhere on this forum that those bulbs could be accessed to by lifting the air box out of the way. after unbolting the 10mm that holds the box down, i couldnt see how my hands could squeeze through- so i put the box back. i had to give it a shove downward to get it back in place.

next- i decided my hands were already dirty- so i decided to change my oil. drove the car up on dino ramps.. removed the splash guard.. drained the oil. then i went to open the hood so i could open the oil cap to let air in for the drain..... and.... WTF.... hood WONT OPEN!!!!@#$!

basically- i pull the hood release latch (next to steering wheel) really hard.. and all im getting is the driver side hood release. i can squeeze my fingers barely under the middle of the hood to reach the latch and pull it up- but the lock on the passenger side wont release. ive tugged pretty hard on both the latch inside next to the steering wheel and the hood itself- no luck.

the only 2 places i THINK i could have went wrong during the nite was-

a) the hood cable somehow is caught and not reaching the passenger lock release when i installed the grille (but i didnt 'unplug' anything).

b) when i shoved the passenger air box down- i knocked something loose on the electronic box that is connected to the hood pin sensors?? (i read something about this here- https://g35driver.com/forums/tech-v3...ck-sensor.html - but i dont think this is likely bc i definately didnt hear a crunch or a crack when i put the filter box back down.

btw- i can reach the hood cable from underneath the car (since the splash guard is still removed). i can tug it left or right- but neither helps release the passenger side lock.

if anyone has ANY idea.. please help. of course what makes this situation even 100x worst is that i drained my oil- so i cant drive my car to a shop bc i cant open the hood to put any oil back in!!@#! (btw- how long can i run that engine in that state w/out damaging it? do i just watch the temperature gauge if i need to drive it 4 blocks down to a mechanic shop?)

PLEASE PLEASE help- ive been reading these forums for 4 months now since i recently bought my g35.. this site has informed me so much- but i desperately need some help now. THANKS IN ADVANCE EVERYONE!

 

Maybe have someone pull the release handle while another pulls up on the hood...

 

tried that already w no success. c'mon people... someone on here has to know how those latches work! my only solution right now is to drag an Infiniti dealer mechanic to my house to diagnose it. god knows how much thatll cost!

 

just to let you guys know- someone figured out where the problem occured. the 10 10mm bolts that you take out when you remove the cover for the grille removal.... eventho they are all 10mm.. they have to go back in their same spots. some are SLIGHTLY longer then others.. and that somehow somewhere affects the hood latch cable. the only way to resolve it is to take apart the underside and remove parts to get to those latches since the hood is locked. compounded by the tow to the mechanic shop (since there is no oil in my car).... this has been a HUGE lesson learned. ill post this in the DIY guide so others can learn from my mistake. cheers-

 

Thanks for the update. Hopefully, this well help someone in the future!