how can i open the hood to the engine bay if the hood latch from inside the vehicle wont work?

Asked by DGodley Feb 13, 2012 at 02:48 PM about the 2000 Ford Explorer

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

3 Answers

2,185

You can try to go through the grille and while someone is in the truck get them to pull the lever and feel with your hand if the cable is pulling the latch. Try as well pulling th hood when someone else is pulling the lever. If you feel the cable moving, the latch is jammed, If not , the cable is the problem and a trip to the garage might be needed.

6 people found this helpful.
73,320

Does the handle inside the vehicle have the same resistance when pulled as it did when it operated correctly? If it feels soft, the cable inside the insulation probably broke. Also try pushing down on the hood after spraying the hood lock mechanish with WD40 while someone pulls the lever. If all else fails, have someone with small hands try to trace the cable and cut with pliers with enough length as to feed it outside the grill where it can be stripped and pulled.

3 people found this helpful.
1,995

these explores are common to have the hood latches seize. best way is to have one person pull and keep constant tension on the hood release lever in the vehicle while anthor presses down on the hood and then grab the hood and pull up, pushing and pulling a few times will normally shock the latch and get it to release. aapy a generous amount of wd40 or pb blaster may free up the latch for future use, but most likely the latch should just be replaced

8 people found this helpful.

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