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Hood Latch Problems 850

Hi. The hood latch on driver's side won't hold. Have hood tied down as temporary fix but very disconcerting to see hood bouncing around while on highway. Can't tell too much looking at it, except that the receiving latch (? - silver "rocker arm") stays pushed down. I can bring it up with a screwdriver, but it still doesn't secure the hood. Help??????








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Hood Latch Problems 850

Do you say that the latch no longer stays down in the locked position after pushing it down with a screw driver? Or has the latch come loose from the 3 fender bolts and slipped down (unlikely).
Make sure you push the release handle forward after pulling it to release the latches. The cable could be getting rusty. If this is the problem, take the cable off the latch and pour 3in1 oil down the cable sheath to free it up.
If the latch can be opened by pulling up with a screw driver, then you will need to get another latch.

Klaus
--
1975 164 w/174,800mi (Sold) 1995 850T w/91,000mi, 1998 V70R w/129,000mi








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Hood Latch Problems 850 1993

Thank you, Klaus, for answering. It is hard to describe and sorry for the confusion. When I open the hood, the driver's side metal "catch" that sits inside the U-shape of the latch mechanism is pushed down. On the passenger side, it is up, waiting to receive the metal bar on the upper hood. With the hood open, I can take a screwdriver (or even a hard stick!) and push the catch up. However, when I close the hood again, the driver's side still does not catch; I can easily lift the closed hood on that side with my hands. A couple of weeks ago, on the same windy, open highway drive of nearly 200 miles, the passenger side of the hood kept raising up. A couple of stops and hard slams later, it finally caught. At any given moment in windy, highway conditions, the hood will raise to the safety catch; more often, the weakness seems to be at the center! This car was salvage and is not straight and true body wise. I am wondering if there's a connection, but will also investigate the cables, as you suggest. Really appreaciate your input.








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Hood Latch Problems 850 1993

The passenger side latch is too low, raise it about 1/4 inch so that the hood catches easily and is "snug", meaning just that, not too tight.

The driver's side is broken, you should not be able to pull the latch up by hand. Unless the cable is too tight and does not let the latch lock. In either case, remove the latch and make sure it is not broken.
Because the car is not straight, you will have to move the dirver side latch around until it catches the hood, snuggly. The center safety catch appears to be working correctly.

Klaus
--
1975 164 w/174,800mi (Sold) 1995 850T w/91,000mi, 1998 V70R w/129,000mi








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Hood Latch Problems 850 1993

Hi Klaus. You have saved me again. Before today's trip (330 miles), I re-examined the driver's side hood latch. Taking your advice, I checked the interior pull, then around the cables, then carefully looked at the right and left side latches. It started to make sense to me how this was all supposed to work, and I suddenly could see that I was only bringing up the driver's side latch part way. Unfortunately, there was no obvious way of bringing it up to full position. Sprayed around the cable with W-D 40. Tried a couple of things, then EUREKA! I moved a metal part near the cable connection and the latch came fully up. Closed hood, and the connection was very snugly made. Hooray! Made the trip with no hood issues at all, and felt so relieved. Now I have a "cure" other than bungie cord and rope. I have your further suggestion that the passenger side latch is likely low, causing it to sometimes pop up over there, too. I am so grateful that you took interest in my post and shared your knowledge, once again. Good trip today. Relief!







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