Hood Latch Won't Close

[Ol' Thirty Bastard]

Hey All, tried searching and no one had my particular issue.

Things i've tried:
- Cleaned the latch mechanism of all crud that got stuck in there over time, greased as instructed from other threads
- Cable is tight and lever inside car works fine
- adjusted latch hook
- Adjusted Latch mechanism by moving the 2 10mm bolts.

Issue:

looks like when i push the hood down, the latch does not fully grip the hook or it doesn't full push down the mechanism. when i try pushing down and looking at the latch mechanism (where you stick the screwdriver if it's stuck). it shows movement, but it's not fully pushing down.

From what i'm thinking the latch hook doesn't seem long enough? but i don't think they make a longer latch hook. I don't know if it's necessary to purchase a new latch, because it seems like it's in perfect working order.

Any ideas on what i can do?!?! HELP!

[rcsoundn1]

Can you get it to lacth with a screwdriver? It may be missing something or may just be worn out

[Ol' Thirty Bastard]

Can you get it to lacth with a screwdriver? It may be missing something or may just be worn out

you can latch it with a screwdriver? i don't know how you can do that?

Would also like to note that i've also tried slamming the hood in and it doesn't engage. just in case someone mentions that idea.

[Kershaw]

Can you latch it by hand with the hood open? Just push down on it to get it to latch? Might need to wear gloves.

[Ol' Thirty Bastard]

yea, i'm able to latch it down by hand. although it is tough but only because of the strength of the spring and not from corroded or dirty/rusted spots on the latch itself. (which might i add are free from any of that).

i've also attempted to close the hood with the latch engaged to see if it hits the latch also. which it does but obviously does not close because of the latch being in the closed position.

[Ol' Thirty Bastard]

Anyone???

[Das Delfin]

You can unlatch the hood with a long screwdriver by sticking it through the grille.

But all you have to do is take out the latch and lubricate it. Mine did the same thing last year during a snow storm. Take the drivers side grille off and the latch will unbolt with two 10mms. I don't remember if I was able to disconnect it from the cable. It was like 10 degrees so I was focused on other things

Just lube it up and move the mechanism back and forth by hand a few times and put it back in

[Ol' Thirty Bastard]

You can unlatch the hood with a long screwdriver by sticking it through the grille.

But all you have to do is take out the latch and lubricate it. Mine did the same thing last year during a snow storm. Take the drivers side grille off and the latch will unbolt with two 10mms. I don't remember if I was able to disconnect it from the cable. It was like 10 degrees so I was focused on other things

Just lube it up and move the mechanism back and forth by hand a few times and put it back in

I unfortunately tried this already. Maybe I need to grease the latch more. I don't think that is the issue as it's more the latch doesn't go down far enough to click down or lock into place.

[dnguyen1963]

Did you just buy this car? The previous owner might have hit the front bumper and took the latch out of alignment. You will have to see if you can raise it a few millimeters for it to engage.

[Ol' Thirty Bastard]

Did you just buy this car? The previous owner might have hit the front bumper and took the latch out of alignment. You will have to see if you can raise it a few millimeters for it to engage.

I actually purchased a new hood. But everything seems to line up the same. I'm thinking the hood might be misaligned in some way. Where it raised the hood a bit in that area for it not to hit the latch. I might throw my old hood on to see if it's fine.

[long tall eta]

Is the new hood own? Did it come with a latch hook installed. Try your old latch hook.