Hi everyone, I’m brand new here and am at a loss. My son somehow broke, and or bent the rod that releases the safety latch on the hood. I’ve looked for info on this but only found if the cable is broke and not the safety release. I can get some access to it by popping the hood but I don’t know which way I should try to move the latch?? Left, right, forward or back? Any help would be great because the battery is dead and I can’t charge it!. Thank you in advance!

 

If the second release is working properly, one just has to lift it up [reduce the distance between the flat and the hood]. Since the primary release has disengaged the first lock you should have a play in the hood. That should allow you to visually see and if the catch is bent maybe it can be levered back or a coat hanger wire/screw driver can be used to release the secondary catch.

Salim

 

Push it toward the driver's side.

 

You are ever so helpful by posting a picture.

So the hook needs to be pushed towards the driver side or the release lever?

Salim

 

It releases by moving toward the driver's side, but the rods will pivot up to move it that way.

 

Thank you everyone! I will try it out ASAP!

 

Thank you. I stand corrected.

Salim

 

Sorry about the late response to the thread, but I did get the latch open by using a very large screwdriver and pushing down through the grill. Thanks for all the help guys!. I got one more for you guys ,,,, I need a new key made for my 2001 RX. It basically fell apart. Does anyone do them online?

 

I have ordered a replacement key shell from ebay with the key cut to my vehicle. They key has worked for five years. You just swap out the guts of the old key into the new one, including the small black chip.
The ebay seller I used no longer sells RX300 keys. Check out this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BLADE-CUT-by-PHOTO-2-KEY-SHELLS-to-REPAIR-BROKEN-REMOTE-FOB-KEY-for-LEXUS/152647332601?

They have separate listings for one or two keys and by photo or keycode. Either way, make sure you send your key information to them within the time alotted per the listing so it is cut before they mail it out.