Stuck hood latch (Help!)

[jsbihn]

Hey all,
I have a front hood latch that for some reason gets locked up from time to time.
This is an intermittent issue, but it does it more then not.
Basically the latch gets stuck in the closed position and wont open to lock the hatch down. Of course on the rare occasion that it does allow for the hood to get latched, it is nothing for it to open when I pull the handle.
If it is locked up (not with the hood latched) and I pull the handle, it doesnt release it.

So basically I am trying to figure out what is going on and what I can do to fix it.
Very tempted to remove it if I cant fix it, but I would rather not since I think being able to lock up the hood might be a good thing at some point.

You advice is appreciated

[Easy Ed]

Out of 2003 Owners Manual (maybe just needs lubed, just a thought)

At Least Once a Year

Key Lock Cylinders Service

Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant

specified in Part D.

Body Lubrication Service

Lubricate all body door hinges, hood latch assembly,

secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release pawl,

liftgate hinge, liftgate linkage, liftgate handle pivot

points, latch bolt, locks and folding seat hardware.

Part D tells you what to use. More frequent lubrication

may be required when exposed to a corrosive

environment.

[guruerror]

Originally Posted by Easy Ed

Out of 2003 Owners Manual (maybe just needs lubed, just a thought)

At Least Once a Year

Key Lock Cylinders Service

Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant

specified in Part D.

Body Lubrication Service

Lubricate all body door hinges, hood latch assembly,

secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release pawl,

liftgate hinge, liftgate linkage, liftgate handle pivot

points, latch bolt, locks and folding seat hardware.

Part D tells you what to use. More frequent lubrication

may be required when exposed to a corrosive

environment.

http://www.amazon.com/Blaster-16-PB-.../dp/B000I2079E

...great stuff.

[HUMTECH]

Try adjusting the hood adjustment bumpers up a little. The rubber bumpers that hood contacts. Adjust them up by turning them until you need a little more pull on release handle to pop hood. When hood is to easy to open it wont pop primary latch completely and will fall back down to latched position once hood is opened

[HUMTECH]

Oh and what everyone else already said, lubricate it lol

[jsbihn]

Ok here is the weird thing. I have.
I have sprays almost every known lube to man around the latch and yet it still randomly sticks.

Given I havent tried cleaning it first then lubing it, but I might give that a whirl.
I think i am going to try to post a pic of it because maybe it is me, but it seems like it doesnt look right and I figure between the two prominent resident "HummerHeads" (instead of "gear heads") maybe this could help.

[fyr145]

I just had a thought...........

Could it possibly be the cable that controls the latch???? Could that cable inside the sleeve be sticking??? It is an 03 and maybe the original cable is just getting too old.

In trying to think "outside the box", if the latch is not damaged, and has been lubed, but still functions intermittently, then maybe its time to look beyond the latch itself.

[Ken Bowers]

I removed the latch on my orange 2003 H2 because I feared it would fail closed.

[jsbihn]

so far I have PB'ed it and it doesnt look like that will fix it.
i am looking into the failed cable but I would think that if it was a failed cable there would be some feeling in it when pulling it open that would feel abnormal.... right now everytime i pull the handle it feels like it is popping the latch.

i am starting to think that i might go the way that ken talked about and just remove it.

besides i am sure the removed weight will result in better gas mileage and over all increase performance from the new aerodynamic profile

[fyr145]

I'm still thinking that if the latch is functioning fine, then its gotta be the cable. The only other piece of the puzzle is the opening handle mechanism itself.

[jsbihn]

is there a way to release the latch without the handle?
i looked and I cant see where it would release open or clasp close at

[Easy Ed]

Does not look like it. Just went out to the garage and took a look (under the influence of Crown Black just so ya know and drew blood with the nail and my finger ) and took some pics for you to compare to. I am uploading them to Photo Bucket now.

It looks like it is possible for the cable to stretch and may cause the latch to not release.

Different problem but could be the same result. Our garage door chain started to "hang low" and I would adjust it only to find it hanging low again a week later. Got to looking at it and found the steel cable was fraying and getting longer, replaced the cable and it works great now.

I found that my hood latch lever would pull approx. 1/2 inch before it would release, I am thinking my cable is getting stretched and will need to be replaced in the near future.

My suggestion, replace the cable and see how it goes.

Easy Ed

P.S. Pics coming soon for comparison

[Easy Ed]

[jsbihn]

excellent picture Ed.
thanks for the effort and the blood shed.




given i wouldnt have mind having a glass of that crown black