HELP! Hood won't latch!

[AmBo]

I can't get my farkin hood to close!!! WTH! It always kinda had to be slammed to have it latch down, but no matter how HARD I slam it, it won't latch!!! crapola

 

[helty]

i had the same problem and still do. i gotta let it drop from about 12" and it usually works. try adjusting the hood stops, or whatever they're called

 

[AmBo]

Yea I gotta take a look at the latch tomo and see wtf is up. It latches, but it can be popped up like it does when you pull the release from inside the car. So annoying...I'll let you know if I can figure out how to get it to stay down.

I used to do that and it worked. Drop it from 12". I think the hood is teasing me to get a saleen heat extractor.

 

[AmBo]

So yea, I went out and tried to play with thood a bit more...I don't know exactly what it could be. It just doesn't fully latch DOWN. It pretty much is stuck down at the height it is when you "pop" the hood from inside.

No one has had this issue before? I'm going to get up early before work and try to F with the latch a bit and see if I can figure out why it won't click down into the secure position. Otherwise anyone can just walk up and pop my hood. ...Totally uncool...

 

[kovacs22]

i had it, at least i think so. Mine was the hood latch release cable getting hung up, i just pulled and pushed it a few times and pushed it in and my hood would latch, give it a try.

 

[kovacs22]

when i say push nd pull, im refereing to the handle under the dash, it seems to get stuck in the pulled out posistion and i have to get it back in, then it usualy latches no problem. hope this helps, let me know.

Ryan

 

[AmBo]

You mean the latch located in the car?? like jiggle the handle to open the hood?

 

[AmBo]

Just tried it. No go.

It seems even when I put the hood up and SIMULATE what the hood will do on the latch, it won't stay down. It just springs back up...this happened out of NOWHERE. WTf...Can I drive to work like this?! I don't wanna damage my hood...

 

[kovacs22]

do not drive it anywhere, it will come up on you. what does the realse handle do/ or feel like when you pull on it? does it feel like its working right? can you tell if its causing any movement in the latch area? i think that it is your problem, that the cable is hung up keeping the latch pulled open, not sure what or how its happening though.

 

[AmBo]

Okay, I'm going to go fiddle with it now. *sigh* I'll be driving the girlfriends RED cabrio to work if I can't fix it...wow...I'm sure I'll feel REALLY cool...

 

[AmBo]

When I pull on the release cable it feels like it's doing nothing. I believe that it's the cable that is stuck in engagement or something. I'll be bringing it into Ford I guess tomo to fix. *sigh*

 

[xseler8]

When I pull on the release cable it feels like it's doing nothing. I believe that it's the cable that is stuck in engagement or something. I'll be bringing it into Ford I guess tomo to fix. *sigh*

good move

 

[AmBo]

good move

a good move? yes. A convenient one? no.

 

[AmBo]

I am bringing in the car to Ford tomo. I hope the hood doesn't slam and crack on the way there. :'(

 

[crzyhrse99]

if youre going to drive it to the dealer, make sure you tie that hood down. i have had a hood come up and pin it against the winshield before on another car.....and that was really uncool.

 

[mrvax]

I have had the same problem. Open the hood all the way. Grab the lever you use to pop the hood (inside the grille.) Now wiggle it back/forth. I'll bet it binds a little. Use some WD-40 or similar spray on the lever where it nearly makes contact with metal. Spray the WD-40 until you can easily move the lever back/.forth and it can spring back to position easily by itself. Then holding the hood about 15 inches high, let it drop.

Always grab the fully closed hood and give it 3-4 pulls upward to make sure it doesn't pop loose.

 

[AmBo]

I'll deff try the WD-40 today when I get outta work.

Also, when I driev it to the dealer I'll tie that hoe down JUST incase. I mean I'll be going 55 on the highway so it'll be good to be safe. Don't want it flying off my car on the highway! That would suck...

 

[KronicRacer]

this happens to mine on occasion. the only way ive been able to deal with it is that i have to play with the latch inside of the car. the reason is that part of the latch assembly (inside the car/not the handle itsself.)it broke and its not sliding as smoothly as it should into the original position.

there might be a broken part in the car you havent seen
in any case
blast the sucka with teh wd40

 

[timeless2]

Your dealer will likely lubricate it with silicone spray if they are cool or replace the latch if they are lame and want to ram you.

Do it yourself first: shoot the latch, striker, and down the cable insulation to get to the cable as best as you can and see if it helps. I bet it will, unless your hood is improperly aligned (latch not grabbing striker completely) or the latch is broken.

 

[Jackie Chan]

i would fiddle areound with the bracket and lube everything up. its a simple mechanical piece. my 95 was doing this a month or so ago and i just f'ed around with it and havent had the problem since