Hood slammed shut, cannot open!!

[dock]

****edit****

I pulled real hard on the release and it popped open. Thank God; that would have sucked.

Can we not delete our posts on here?

 

[CodePoet]

Mine does the same thing...hard as heck to get it to release (from the cab). What I do occasionally is squirt some graphite into the release mechanism. The first time I brused my fingers i had to pull so hard...it's still stiff but at least I don't hurt myself anymore. You should be able to get graphite at hobby shops...I had it left over from my Pine Wood Derby days

Later

 

[dock]

cool, thanks!

 

[Crankcase]

Originally posted by dock
****edit****

I pulled real hard on the release and it popped open. Thank God; that would have sucked.

Can we not delete our posts on here?

Elites and Moderators can.....

 

[EBInterceptor]

Mine actually was stuck shut this year and was frustrating when I needed to get the oil changed....costed $180 for everything...cables, release mechanism, handles, them busting it open and then replacing it.

 

[jsrustad]

The latch on my first '94 Explorer was corroded and needed replacement. {'Course, I didn't figure that out until the hood was stuck shut.)

I was able to use a socket and a vise-grips to turn the two machine screws out -- I could only turn it about 1/8 turn at a time so it took a LONG time since the machine screws are really long (probably an anti-theft feature).

 

[slugmike]

i've noticed that since i put my bugflector on, my hood is very difficult to open, it often takes me 5-10 tries.

do you think the bugflector could be interfering with the latch somehow?

 

[EBInterceptor]

I don't think it would be in direct interference with your latch. It may be causing problems because of it. Did you notice a change immediately after you put on the bug deflector? Maybe the weight of it is causing it to not release correctly. Could you take it off and test it out to see if it releases better? I had my latch replaced recently and it works like a charm. Releases so cleanly that if there were no safety hook on it, it would fly right off.

 

[Crankcase]

Originally posted by slugmike
i've noticed that since i put my bugflector on, my hood is very difficult to open, it often takes me 5-10 tries.

do you think the bugflector could be interfering with the latch somehow?

The weight of the bug deflector is preventing the hood from popping up as far....udjust the little rubber stoppers to compensate...

 

[Naga Sadow]

My hood got jammed today and to make matters worse my shift linkage was loose and i had to reconnect it every once in a while. It jammed shut after i fixed the shift linkage. :frustrate: Pulling the lever wont help for me. No response on it. There should be an explanation of how to get it unstuck. But too late for me. i already dropped it off at the dealership

 

[2tyrefyre]

Hood Shut / Tight, but not broken release

I tried to release my hood this afternoon and it's pretty darn stuck. The release kind of moves, but it's very very stiff. I pounded on the hood a little bit for some tough love, but it is a no go.

Any suggestions?

 

[DeRocha]

You can either try spraying some WD40 onto the Hood latch and then work the hood release handle. If that doesn't work then others have had to remove the 2 hood release bolts.

 

[Laura69]

Hood release

My release cable got eaten up by battery acid (previous owner perched the battery on top of drooping cable, I reckon) so I have to now open it manually. What you do is get a flat head screwdriver and look within the grill at the latch mechanism. There will be a perfect little slot to poke that screwdriver in - give it a wee wedge to the side (can't recall if it's left or right) and it pops the latch.

Of course, this is a make-do - one should replace the cable or grease the mechanism, I'm certain.

 

[2tyrefyre]

To follow up. I dismantled the hood latch from inside the front grill. Got the hood to come out, but the latch was still hooked on like a vicious little dog and wouldn't let go. Both the 1st hook and 2nd hook were engaged and not moving for anyone. My buddy came over and we ended up cutting the latch in half and eventually getting it unstuck from the hood.

Now the question is: Where can I buy a new hood latch mechanism for my 1994 Explorer. I've found some for 95+ Explorers, but not mine.

Thanks in advance.

 

[EMG7895]

Thats happed to me before except it was hard to open and wouldnt shut so i sprayed alot of litium grease inside of the mechanism and havent had a problem yet.

 

[huskyfan23]

Elites and Moderators can.....

I can't...

 

[jsrustad]

'94 Hood Latch Parts

Now the question is: Where can I buy a new hood latch mechanism for my 1994 Explorer. I've found some for 95+ Explorers, but not mine.

I bought mine at a Ford dealership not more than three years ago. Price wasn't bad...