Hood Latch Cable Replacement
How To Replace Hood Latch Cables?
A car hood latch is designed to keep the hood shut until you need to open it for carrying out maintenance, refilling the washer fluid, checking fluid levels, etc. Although most of the vehicles have a similar hood release system, they can differ for each make and model of the vehicle and are not interchangeable. Even though they differ in their design and schematics, their functionality and concepts are the same. The hood latch system begins inside the cabin of the car with the hood release handle, usually at the lower-left corner of the dashboard. The handle is attached to the hood release cable that is routed through the firewall and to the front of the vehicle where it is attached to the hood latch.
How To Open A Stuck Hood?
Method 1: One common problem that the hood doesn't open is a broken hood release lever inside the vehicle's cabin. If the lever is broken, grab the wire with the help of a plier and pull it. This will engage the hood latch and open the hood.
Method 2: If the hood release cable is intact, there might be an issue with the hood latch mechanism. For this, you need to locate the latch through the front car grille using a flashlight. Use a hook pick set through the car’s grille to gain access to the latch lever. Patiently maneuver it until you can make a good connection with the release lever. Then pull it to release the hood.
To carry out this method, you might have to open the front grille. This will work only on vehicles with fasteners that can be accessed from the outside and can the grille can be removed without opening the hood. Some cars also have a small opening between the hood and the front grille. This can also help to gain access to the latch using a hook pick set.
How To Replace My Hood Latch Cable?
If the hood latch mechanism of your vehicle is perfect, it could be a faulty hood release cable that might be bent, deteriorated, or seized. In such a condition, you'll have to replace your latch release cable and it is a fairly simple method if you follow the steps below.
Tools Required:
Once the hood is open, grab a needle-nose plier and detach the hood release cable from the latch. Grab the ball end of the cable and lift it up and out of the retainer spring. Also, remove the screw holding the cable to the latch.
Remove the latch by loosening the bolts using a socket and ratchet set. This will help you identify potential issues with the latch mechanism.
After the cable is removed from the latch, follow the routing of the wire. Usually, it is routed from the back of the headlight towards the back of the car’s fender or the fender liner and then through a rubber grommet into the firewall.
Loosen the hood release handle inside the vehicle's cabin by removing the bolts using a spanner.
Pull the cable from the inside until it comes out completely. If it gets stuck and is unable to move, push the cable from the other side or use a screwdriver to push the rubber grommet out.
Once the cable is removed, install the new cable by inserting it through the firewall. Feed the cable through the grommet hole and the firewall so it comes out into the engine bay.
Grab the wire from the engine side and pull it gently until it stops.
Enter the vehicle's cabin and install the rubber grommet in the hole situated in the firewall of your vehicle.
With the grommet in place, pull the cable from the engine side and route it in the manner in which it came out.
Inspect the hood latch and clean it properly to ensure it has no dirt and runs smoothly. If it’s worn out, rusty, or snaps while moving, it’s recommended to get the hood latch assembly replaced.
Attach the hood latch in its position by fastening the bolts using a ratchet and socket set.
Attach the cable to the spring lock of the hood latch mechanism and the screw holding the cable to the latch.
Once the cable is attached to the hood latch, fix the other end of the cable to the hood release lever inside the cabin.
Use a spanner and bolt the hood release lever back in place. Once done, close the hood and engage the lever to ensure the cable is working fine.
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