If you feel no tension at all on the cable, it indicates that the cable is not attached to the front latch. Step 4: Try using a hood release tool. If all else fails, you can use a small hook tool to reach under the hood and grab the cable or the latch to unlock it. You can also get a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, to lubricate the hood hinge and replace the hood supports , if necessary.
The most popular service booked by readers of this article is Lubricate Hood Hinge. Our certified mobile mechanics perform over services, including diagnostics, brakes, oil changes, scheduled mileage maintenances, and will come to you with all necessary parts and tools.
Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2, U. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair. Lubricate Hood Hinge Cost. Service Location. The release latch may be found in one of the following areas on your vehicle: Under the dash by the driver's door On the bottom of the dash under the steering column On the driver's side floor Tip : The release latch usually has a picture of a car with a open hood on it. Part 2 of 4: Opening the hood Step 1: Position yourself by the hood. This method often works if the latch has rusted or has grime or dirt on it.
Part 4 of 4: Opening a hood with a failed latch Sometimes, the latch may fail to work because it has been stretched or damaged. If the hood opens when you do this, it probably means the cable needs to be replaced.
Warning : Make sure the engine has cooled off to prevent your hands from getting burned when you reach in. Home Lubricate Hood Hinge. The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified.
Please see our terms of service for more details. Excellent Auto Repair Ratings. YourMechanic Auto Repair. Related Articles. How to Unfreeze Door Locks. Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Door Latch. What do you do? Ask your assistant to push down at the front of the bonnet gently but firmly while you pull on the release lever again.
If the cable is jammed between the lever and the catch, this may free it and the bonnet will pop up as usual. Take a closer look at the release lever. You may be able to release the handle and the trim around it to reveal the cable that's attached to it.
If the lever is part of the dashboard, take a look underneath - you should see the cable. Carefully detach the end of the cable from the mechanism take a photo of how it was secured to make sure you can put it back and, using a pair of pliers, grip the end and pull the cable towards you to replicate the motion of the lever. If the bonnet pops up, the cable is likely to have lost its tension and will need to be replaced.
Have another look at the lever, though, because the mechanism may have broken. The pull handle, often made of plastic can simply break.
The cable can seize up inside the lining usually on the end attached to the secondary latch where it's exposed to the elements. The secondary and safety latches can dry up being exposed to the elements and not release properly or may not return to the closing position require to close the hood properly. Although a hood release latch may allow you to open a car hood, if it is not functioning properly, it may prevent you from closing it.
White lithium grease and regular maintenance are the two best friends a hood latch system has. A small amount of grease on each end of the cable the interior side of the cable is protected against the elements of weather and deterioration so usually require little maintenance to lubricate it and prevent it from seizing up inside the lining usually keeps the cable working well.
If you wait until the cable is sticking or is seized altogether, you most likely will be too late for the maintenance of the cable and replacement may be required. White grease on the secondary and safety latches is also strongly recommended to keep the latches swinging on the riveted hinges. Both the secondary and safety latches also integrate a tension spring.
Keeping the springs lubricated helps them restore their tension. Keeping these components lubricated during every oil change will help provide longevity and reliability to the hood latch system.
Jody L. Do this while your assistant pulls the interior latch. If it works, the hood will shift and raise slightly, and can then be opened with the exterior latch. Pull on the cable from inside the car. Locate the cable under the dashboard, near the interior release latch. Tug gently on this cable and see what happens: If the hood opens, your cable may have slipped or stretched.
Try to adjust it at the front end, or replace it if you see any damage. Less commonly, your interior release latch could be broken. If you feel no tension at all, the cable is no longer attached to the front latch. Continue to the next step. Once you open the hood, check to see whether you can slip it back on, or whether the cable has snapped and needs replacement.
Locate the latch through the grille. At this point, you need a way to reach the latch or cable from another angle. If you're lucky, you can see the latch through the front grille. Investigate with a flashlight and a small mirror until you find a hook-shaped object. In many cars, such as Hondas, the latch cables are run through the inner driver's side fender well. Remove the inner fender well clips and reach in. Pull the cable to pop the hood open. This will only work if the cable itself is still attached to the hood latch.
Trip the latch with a thin tool. Once you find the latch, reach in with a long, thin screwdriver. If the gaps in the grille are small, use a wire coat hanger instead. Hook this over the latch and tug. Even replacing a non-removable grille might be cheaper than taking the car to a mechanic, depending on your model.
Approach it from under the hood. If you can't operate the latch from the front, your last chance is to reach under the hood and attempt to tug the cable with a pair of pliers, or reach all the way to the latch. This will be much easier if you jack the car and refer to the owner's manual. Warning: if the engine was on recently, let the car cool off before reaching under the hood.
If this doesn't work, take the car to a mechanic. Removing the front bumper yourself may end up more expensive than paying for a repair. Method 2. Park the vehicle. Park the car on a level surface and engage the parking brake. Park at home or at an auto garage if possible. If it turns out you can't fix the problem on the spot, you don't want to be forced to close your hood again to drive to a mechanic.
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