I have a little issue. When I pull the hood lever it opens the latch, but I have to get my fingers to pry up the hood before I can access the "safety lever" to open the hood. I started by replacing my hood struts and I put in new ones which helped slightly by lifting it a couple millimeters when unlatched, and the old ones were actually not too worn. The hood is just harder to slam close with the brand new struts.

The problem remains, Is this due to not enough "pull" in the old cable, can that be adjusted? Like bicycle cable housing adjustment?
I am not sure what is responsible to push the hood up a bit when the latch is first unlatched.

 

When the hood is open, take a close look at the hood lock. You'll see the slot where the u-shaped rod will engage and hold the hood down. Make sure it is properly lubed and there's nothing binding. See if it will open more than it already is, or if it is fully extended. You can close the lock with the hood up by pressing down with a screwdriver, then pulling the lever to see that it pops all the way up.

If it doesn't come ALL the way up, that could be what your problem is. The hook finger has to not only open enough to disengage the hood, but also another tab underneath has to come up to push up on the hood as you expect it to. These fingers / tabs are all in the slot.

The service manual doesn't seem to mention any adjustments to the release cable.

 

I had the same issue on my last SC, was the biggest pain in my ***. I actually never got it fixed, I took things apart a couple times and never figured it out. I wish you best of luck man.

 

Just took a closer look, here is my findings

- worn cable theory is debunked, because the cable just unhook the spring loaded lock Either it unlatch or it doesn't. The only time cable would be a problem is that it broke. So.. no new cable needed.

- the lock piece does swing and "parked" securely all the way on the passenger side of the car.

- the lock piece is held by 2 springs according to parts diagram ($1.50 each)

- new lock mechanism is $70. (it comes with courtesy light.. what the heck? We have those?)

- manual does not mention any alignment procedure. It's just held by 3 bolts.

- in warm weather and with my new gas filled hood struts, it does push the hood up just slightly, although not as much as other cars.

- hood rubber stopper might need adjustment to stick out a little more

- hood hinge might need lubrication

- Maybe springs are tired as they needed to let the pointy part push the hood up while it unlatches.

- also, the situation improves when lubrication, so friction from gunk is an issues or springs are weak