Personally I think this is a dumb request, but anyways I figured you guys could help me out. I popped the hood in my garage and now it won't latch down all the way when i try to close it. I tried searching the thread but to no avail....the hood release latch (in the car) also isn't retracting back to its original position. I tried putting some oil on it but it still won't work. Any ideas??

 

ok, open the hood.
look at the center frame right in front of the radiator.
you'll see the latch.
to thr right of the latch is a phillips head screw
undo the screw
then you will see a square electronic box to thr right of your horn in the front
undo that.
a plastic cover should fall out from under the frame.
this is the cover for your hood release line
now look through the hole that the screw was in. if the line is not attached to the latch then that could be your problem.

hope that helps

 

slam it! lol jk

 

I have the same problem but with winter and all I haven't tried to repair it. I did price out the parts for a new latch and cable a few mmonths ago, somewhere in the $50-100 range. Here's the work around I've been using. If you reach up under the front radiator support frame just above the left headlight you should be able to feel/find the hood cable. Just grab that cable and pull it out straight out about an inch so then push it back up under the frame rail. You should hear the hood latch itself "click" and resetting back to the lock phase. The hood then closes with no problem. It's worked for me for about 4 months now with frequent oil changes. I think this issue is a combination of the hood latch not been lubed properly and the hood cable itself stretching over time. Once spring has settled in and break-up has dried out I'm fixing that pain in the neck with a new latch and cable.

 

I've had the same problem with my '98 for the past couple months.

No biggie. I just go back inside the car and push the cable back in, works everytime. I figure it needs either a new cable or some lube. But I'm too lazy to do it so the extra step and my hood latches again.

 

Hey Steve, I had the same problem it only gets worse trust me I know I replaced mine it's a pretty easy job

 

thanks for the help guys...i just took apart the latch assembly as carbongs suggested...everything is hooked up...I'll try some of the other options. Is this a common problem?

 

yeah I remember you were having trouble with yours Bill....what exactly do I need to replace?

 

Just the hood cable that's it

 

Also, try to stick a flat head screwdriver in the bottom of the latch and pull up. One time (at band camp - LOL!), somehow my latch was in the locked position when my hood was up. When I went to close it the hood would just bounce off the lock (it wouldn't receive the hood properly). I used a screwdriver to unlock the latch on the car and it worked! Sometimes there is a simple fix for things. It wouldn't hurt to try this as well...

 

same issue here, but all i did was loosen the 3 hood latch bolts( and i mean loosen, not take off) reach in from the side, feel for the cable, give it a slight tug then you'll hear a ping sound, that just let's you know its back in place and your good to go

 

Reviving an old thread. Currently have this issue with my 99 GS300. Finally managed to get it unstuck by undoing the cable from the latch end (inside the car) and just forcing it back through (towards the engine and latch) until the cable finally sprung back.

Has anyone replaced this cable themselves? Is it fairly straight forward? I am your average do-it-yourselfer, I have done O2 sensors, exhaust work, etc.

thanks

 

Had same issue with my car when I bought it, I was able to get it to shut by wiggling a screwdriver in the latch and getting it to the right position, but eventually I just replaced the cable, because it was getting annoying as hell

 

I have had the issue now with 3 GS's

All I did each time was pull the cable out from the hood latch (needed a bit of disassembly to get it out) and then hold it high enough that I could lube it and get the lube to run all the way down, like doing a bike cable when I was a kid.

Simple fix and zero dollars.

A BIG warning to the guys who are driving around with the hood popped - the GS has a weaker looking safety catch than other cars since it's only attached to the grill this means if you drive it could be disastrous!