Hood Lock Troubles

My 2008 hood has NEVER totally latched easily. I always have to drop it from a significant height or really smack it down to get it totally secure.

Not sure if this is a new rig to you or not....if you have had for a longtime and this is just cropping up, I would say try some sort of Tri-Flow or other spray lubricant. If that does not work and slamming it down does not work...well you know where this is going....

 

Not really safe. The double-lock is sort of like a fail-safe thing. You do not want the hood coming up on the road. If dropping from height and/or lube does not work and you don't have the skills yourself, I would take it in as soon as possible.

In the meantime, there are lots of folks on this site who know lots more than I do, so maybe they will have a quick fix. And if it solves my issue, also, all the better.

Kris

 

You need to remove the cable pull and check that the inner cable moves freely in the outer sheath. If lubricting with a quality dry lube does not get it moving freely when in position, you need to replace it. I'd be incline not to mess around with, just replace it anyway.

If you are not a DIYer, get it to your mechanic/service center for the cabe to be replaced. You do not want to wait until the cable breaks.

 

You really need to get it fixed. You don’t want the hood to open while driving.

If you want to DIY just remove the plastic panel under the hood that’s attached with those plastic screw rivets. Then you can lubricate the latch, and the cable. You can use screwdriver to simulate the hood closing and then use the leaver inside to test it opening. Most of time you can get it working smoothly without replacing anything. If you can’t get it to work smoothly you should be able to tell if it’s the latch that’s faulty or the cable. Only close the hood once it works smoothly as you don’t want the cable to break.

 

Take off the black plastic cover by unscrewing the black clips while pushing them out from behind.
You don’t need to put those screws back in mine have been off for years. I look in there all the time to see how dirty the condenser is and to check coolant level.
Just put the plastic cover back on it’s not going anywhere.
With cover off take some clear and close pictures of the latch. Let’s see how corroded it is.

That latch is a maintenance issue. Should be nice and greasy just like 5he door hinges and the hatch hinges
And latch. And especially the mechanical key lock in the drivers door.
Sooner or later the 12 volt dies and that’s the only way to get into the car. That’s when people find out it’s hopelessly corroded. Hilarity ensues.