How do you open the hood?!

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 7:38 pm

So I got together everything to do an oil change today, went outside, pulled the hood latch and there's an odd sound, but the hood doesn't come undone. I pull a couple more times, and nothing.

How in the world do I get my hood off to fix the latch? Is there a way to get to it by taking the dashboard off? Or do I have to try and undo the four hinge bolts?

Thanks for the help!

ventura ace · Post by **ventura ace** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:18 pm

Jon,
2 things that you may try before taking things apart:

1) Try pulling up on the hood while an assistant pulls the hood release. Sometimes the mechanism just gets stuck (time for cleaning and lubing the latch). The big spring on the front of the latch is supposed pivot a little bracket to push the hood receiver out of the latch. See picture:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v26/v ... g_2058.jpg
If the spring is broken, or the mechanism is stuck, you can help it by pulling up on the hood.

2) If the hood latch cable is broken or disconnected from the latch, there should be a backup cable. See the looped cable just above the grey primary cable in the above picture. The other end of this looped cable should be down near your hood release handle. See picture:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v26/v ... g_2059.jpg
It probably won't be that easy to pull it, but it's worth a try. Again, have someone assist by pulling up on the hood at the same time.

Good luck!!
alvon

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:29 pm

Jon
did you get that water pump replaced?

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:52 am

Hey Mark,

Not yet, I think I've put on about 150 miles since I stopped by your shop. I've been up in 29 Palms for the last few weeks, so I haven't driven the car for a while, and it's been kind of neglected because of that. Shoot, I can't even remember the last time I drove a non-government vehicle before yesterday!

So I wanted to do an oil change, but then the latch gave me a problem. It sounded like the water pump made it to my house, so hopefully I can get that in this weekend. (Assuming they let me go back home!)

Alvon,

Thank you for those pictures, I didn't have a spare body lying around to help me with the hood so I opted to look for the backup cable. It was a bit more recessed than your, but sure enough, that did the trick! Boy was I worried, and all for naught.

Thank you gentlemen, yet again!

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 1:04 pm

So, the analysis of the situation was? Did the latch merely stick, and a simple lubrication solve it from reoccurring?

I am always troubled with things that don't work for no good reason.

Better start shopping for another latch. No NOS remain around to my knowledge.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:39 pm

I sprayed it with just a little WD-40 and the deal is working good again. I must agree with you though, once it breaks once, it's a good idea to start looking for a replacement!

bandit · Post by **bandit** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:28 am

Hey Jon

you might want to try some greese the WD40 will evaporate in
a short amount of time because of how thin it is . if you remove the
latch clean and relube i am sure that should do the trick if it isn't
damaged in some way ?

Daniel

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:48 pm

over time, grease will attract dirt and such. be careful whatcha use, or how long you neglect it.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:00 pm

Mm, both of you bring up good points.

I'll probably end up replacing it after I swap out the Water Pump and do an oil change. Those are higher priorities right now!

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 7:58 pm

don't know if anyone else has sources for this latch, but here is mine:

jonl1968@hotmail.com

my research (though incomplete) did not reveal any NOS hood latches for Spiders. if someone can find a NOS hood latch, i'd be happy to swap some cash for one.