CAnima

My hood latch isn't latching when I push down on the hood and something tells me it's some type of electrical problem.

Here's the weird part, when I lock the car and shimmy the hood to set the stock alarm off then the hood will latch.

I picked up an extra hood latch at the junk yard and noticed a sensor is attached to it, wondering if this is what's causing the problem? This hood latch thing is becoming a real nuisance, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sensor connector on the right.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

what year car? never knew about an electrical latch for the hood!

CAnima

That makes two of us, was hoping someone had experienced this problem before. I have a 91. I'll take a pic of the latch tonight to show the sensor I'm referring to.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Never noticed a sensor on the latch.

dicer

The 1990 to 1992 and I suppose up to the end of LS400 were all mechanical latches. The wire on the hood latch goes to a switch. And that switch is for the alarm system, and maybe an optional light too not sure. Just set the alarm with the driver door window open and pop the hood the alarm should go off.
Will your hood latch if you lightly slam it? It could be worn out or broke.

CAnima

The hood latch works but only when the alarm is going off and since the latch is connected to the alarm system (thanks for this info ) I'm wondering if that has anything to do with it not latching when the alarm isn't going off? I have a replacement and hopefully installing it will do the trick.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Interesting. Is there a plunger switch that is actuated by the latch mechanism on the other side? I would tend to think that the latch should work regardless but there is something else occurring here.

importrix

[QUOTE=CAnima;8945731]
...I picked up an extra hood latch at the junk yard and noticed a sensor is attached to it ... /QUOTE]

maybe it is not a sensor but an emergency release magnet and you connected it to the alarm system thinking it is a sensor?