Hood Won't Open

[3huskies]

Hi All..This is my first post...Hope you can help...I have a 1997 LSE and the hood will only open about an inch or so when I pull the release...I think I have a broken cable...Any tips to get it open...Thanks

[Disco 1]

When you pull the cable it will pop open an inch or so yes. If your cable pulls back into place after you let go then that is good but if not then push it back. Now get out and go around to the front. There are two things that hold the hood down. The latch you just released and a hook located about a foot to the right of the center of the hood. (Its really good for hitting your head on when you lean over the engine compartment.) Reach in under the hood and push the hook to the right, then lift the hood open the rest of the way.

[3huskies]

Originally Posted by Disco 1

When you pull the cable it will pop open an inch or so yes. If your cable pulls back into place after you let go then that is good but if not then push it back. Now get out and go around to the front. There are two things that hold the hood down. The latch you just released and a hook located about a foot to the right of the center of the hood. (Its really good for hitting your head on when you lean over the engine compartment.) Reach in under the hood and push the hook to the right, then lift the hood open the rest of the way.

Disco 1...The hood will not go up to engage the hook release...It will only go up about an inch or so then stop...I had someone pull on the release while I tried to pull the hood open...no luck..Anyone have a diagram of the release mechanism...Thanks

[Disco 1]

I knew that was too easy. I looked in my shop manual and i didn't see a diagram. I can take pictures of what it looks like though since you cant see it. basically on the hood there is a rod sticking down with a lip on it. There is a spring around the whole thing. on your truck there is a shaft for the rod to go down into. On top of the shaft there is a metal plate with a hole in it. This plate is naturally offset (spring loaded) so that the hole in the plate and the hole that is the shaft do not line up. this plate catches the lip on the rod and holds the hood down. When you pull the release it pulls the plate and lines the holes up. So the lip is no longer caught. Then the big spring around the rod pops the hood up. When you release the lever the plate goes back but the rod is already above the whole mechanism so it doesn't catch again. This happened to me once before but i don't remember what fixed it unless it was just fighting with it with the release pulled/pushed partially back in/and pushed all the way back in.

[Disco 1]

http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/dmore6/Rebuild

they should be the last two

[3huskies]

Disco 1...Thanks for the help...I pulled up hard and moved the hood side to side and bingo it worked...Used some WD-40 to clean all the linkage then lubed it up...Rule # 1 lube everything that moves..Thanks Again

[Disco 1]

Awesome! You're welcome. Hopefully it wont give you any more trouble. Mine acted up just like you described but its never bothered me again since then.