Another "I can't open the hood" thread

[qwklil4]

It seems that there was a HUGE recall for hood latching mechanisms on the explorer/mountaineer. Approx 854k units were affected. I own a 2000 Explorer Sport. NHTSA lists a recall up to the 99 model, but apparently nothing for the 00 model. Of course the dealer won't fix mine under recall, since there is NO recall on it. But..my striker is stuck and the hood won't close.

What I need to know is what other year hood latch mechanisms will work on my 2000 model? I've found a few aftermarket places that sell a 95-97 hood latch mechanism for a LOT cheaper than OEM. $15 vs. $75 from the dealer. The latch itself looks the same, but I don't want to order this thing, having it listed as a 95-97, and not work on my 2000.

Anybody got a parts program they can look up the p/n for a 2000 explorer hood latch and try to match it up with the p/n from a 95-97 and see if they are the same? If so, I would greatly appreciate any input on this before I go pick up my truck and fork out $75 for a defective part Ford knows about.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[gijoecam]

It seems that there was a HUGE recall for hood latching mechanisms on the explorer/mountaineer. Approx 854k units were affected. I own a 2000 Explorer Sport. NHTSA lists a recall up to the 99 model, but apparently nothing for the 00 model. Of course the dealer won't fix mine under recall, since there is NO recall on it. But..my striker is stuck and the hood won't close.

What I need to know is what other year hood latch mechanisms will work on my 2000 model? I've found a few aftermarket places that sell a 95-97 hood latch mechanism for a LOT cheaper than OEM. $15 vs. $75 from the dealer. The latch itself looks the same, but I don't want to order this thing, having it listed as a 95-97, and not work on my 2000.

Anybody got a parts program they can look up the p/n for a 2000 explorer hood latch and try to match it up with the p/n from a 95-97 and see if they are the same? If so, I would greatly appreciate any input on this before I go pick up my truck and fork out $75 for a defective part Ford knows about.

Thanks,
Mike

Two points about the recall: First, 875,000 vehicles may seem like a lot, but when Ford sold 652,000 Explorers in 1998, the recall only represents a little more than a model year's worth of production. Second, the hood latch recall was due to a defective SECONDARY latch. Had you read the actual text of the recall, you would have seen that the primary latch that actually latches the hood down was not the problem. What could have happened with a defective latch was that the owner could open the hood, but have the secondary (safety) latch stick in the open position. Then, while driving down the road, if the primary latch failed, there would be no secondary latch to hold the hood down. They modified the design to prevent the sticky secondary early in the 99 model year, and recalled the 98s and early 99s to retrofit the defective latches with the redesigned latches.

The striker cannot stick. The striker is the fixed wire piece attached to the hod and has no moving parts of its own. The LATCH mechanism can stick, but if it was stuck, how did you get the hood open in the first place? If the secondary latch is stuck, it won't stop the hood from latching. If the primary latch mechanism is sticking, you need to do one of two things: Lubricate it and work the mechanism with a screwdriver (which I do to mine once or twice a year) or replace the latch assembly. A shot of WD-40 once or twice a year isn't a lot to ask.

The latch from a 95-97 will not work in place of the latch from a 2000. The reason is two-fold: First, the secondary release on the 95-97 is in the grille wheras the 98-up is between the hood and the core support. Second, the cable release end is completely different.

-Joe