I have a 1999 C4 Cabriolet with manual Front and rear hood release. I have owned the car for about a year and it has 57,000 miles on it. When I first got the car and until recently when I pulled the front hood release handle, there was a pop and the hood would open about 1/2" or so and easily allowed you to slide your fingers in to release the secondary latch and open the hood. Now, when I pull the handle I do not feel the pop and I can barely get my fingers under the hood lip to open the hood far enough and reach the secondary latch. I have removed the latching mechanism and checked the cable and all seems to be in order. I have also removed the handle assembly inside the car and all looks good there as well. I was told that it may be the hood struts and that if the hood does not stay open when raised it is the likely culprit. My hood stays open just fine when raised so not sure about that. Looking for some suggestions on where to go next. New cable? New Latch? Any help would be appreciated.

 

It appears my emblem does not extend as far in the open and pulled positions.

 

Sorry about that - no idea how my post ended up in this thread!