Hi,
Grab a flashlight and a long screwdriver and peer straight down into the hood latch. You should see the end of the hood cable, it's looped in to a metal bracket. Have a helper pull and let go the hood release cable from inside the car, this cable should move to the when pulled, and return when released.
If it doesn't return, the cable is stretched, or a spring is broken from the cable assembly. Here's a quick fix:
Facing the car and using the screwdriver, push the bracket to your left as far as you can. This resets the latch. Drop the hood from about 2-3 feet above the latch. You need to close it with a bit of speed or the release mechanism will just move. It might take a few times of moving the cable and dropping the hood to get it to latch.
Permanent fix is to replace the cable.
Check the alignment on the bracket in which the hood latches onto. If these two items do not line up properly, it will not latch completely.
What I did was, took a needle end plyers and pulled on the cable that was going into the big spring (there are two springs, one smaller than the other)that basically put the tension back into the cable inside the car at the latch. At that point I shut the hood and it closed completely. I didn't try to open the hood since then.
SOURCE: hood latch cable is not working--hood is closed
Hi there,
Yes, there is a way. I've had to do it three times.
Once I got it the first time, 2 and 3 were easy. You're going to need a
flashlight and a long screwdriver or needlenose pliers.
Get to
the grill and look through with the flashlight. You're looking for the
hood release cable. Follow it as far as you can to just beneath the
hood latch.
Now look for the clamp on the outer part of the
cable. To the left of that you should see the inner cable (the part
that moves and pulls the latch). Try to either grab it with the pliers
or get the screwdriver above it and pull down. You'll here it click
open when you get it.
If the cable is broken or off, you're
still in the right area. Look for the latch assembly, there are two or
three small arms beneath. Try to move each one to the right. Be
patient, you'll get it open.
Comment me back to let me know how it goes.
Good Luck
Mike
SOURCE: My hood latch won't latch when I close the hood. 1997 Ford Exped
Hrmm. Have you taken the whole latch assembly off ? If not there is a black cover over the assembly which has about 6 screws on it that is also connected to th fan shroud, then after that it's only 2 bolts to undo I believe they are 5/8ths socket, dont quote me. My 97 just had the same problem I popped the hood one day and then it didnt close again. So after taking the assembly out there are 2 springs one that is for after the hood is popped to just open it up that is a big spring about 2 1/2 inches or so. Theres another one at the bottom though that actually keeps the hood latched down on my truck it was rusted and snapped in half. I went to the ford dealer said I had to buy a whole new assembly 25$ plus 2 days wait, I went to home depot in the hardware section found a pack of springs that contain (2) 2 1/2" inch springs and (2) 1 1/2" for 4 dollars used the small one to replace it now I have back up for both. Hopefully this is your problem cause it's cheap and easy to fix just open it up. Let me know if this is it.
SOURCE: i have a broken hood latch and the hood is down
Hi there,
Yes, there is a way. I've had to do it three times. Once I got it the first time, 2 and 3 were easy. You're going to need a flashlight and a long screwdriver or needlenose pliers.
Get to the grill and look through with the flashlight. You're looking for the hood release cable. Follow it as far as you can to just beneath the hood latch.
Now look for the clamp on the outer part of the cable. To the left of that you should see the inner cable (the part that moves and pulls the latch). Try to either grab it with the pliers or get the screwdriver above it and pull down. You'll here it click open when you get it.
If the cable is broken or off, you're still in the right area. Look for the latch assembly, there are two or three small arms beneath. Try to move each one to the right. Be patient, you'll get it open.
Comment me back to let me know how it goes.
Good Luck
Mike
SOURCE: hood release wont latch
This maybe a problem of the hood being misaligned. in order to remedy this you will have to adjust the 4 bolts on the hinges holding the hood in place and the latch little by little. But first try a penetrating oil on the latch assembly and look for anything out of place.
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