Hood won't open, awesome.

[MoeThirteen]

I may have problems under the hood but those will wait until I solve the problem with the hood.

When I pull the hood release I can hear the cable move but there is no *pop*. when i pull the hood release i pull it all the way until the handle stops me and there is no resistance so it not like i'm pulling anything open.

i hope i can get some help. maybe i can figure out whats wrong under the hood myself.

[Sonny554]

I don't have the answer but I have the same problem with my '93. Hope there is an answer out there.
Lubie / Maryland

[gtkane]

First thing to do is to get someone to "thump"the hood really hard where the latch is while you are pulling on the cable.

If that don't work, the cable is broken/disconnected.
In that case, you need to get a piece of 1/8" rod.(coat hangar is too flimsy). A welding rod may work, but they are short.
Bend a "hook" in one end, about 3" in diameter. Slide this between the hood and grille just to the drivers side of center. Get the hook to go behind the latch, and drag it toward the drivers side.
What you are trying to do is move the release arm over. If you have another GM vehicle around, check to see how the latch works.
It may take a few tries, but it will open.

[Sonny554]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.
Lubie / Maryland

[MoeThirteen]

Thanks!

[dumb lady]

Now also make sure you keep the hood latch greased. This has always been a problem with my van.

[SSAstro]

mine does it all the time pull up slightly over the driver side head light while someoneelse pulls the handle when you get the hood open look at where the latch hits the hood you will probably see where the hood as been hitting the latch when it goes down just hit the latch with a hammer not to hard towards the motor just enough that it won't catch any more i have done this on all 3 astros that ive had an 85, 97, and now my 96and it works every time hope this helps

[billbrasky]

two fixes is make sure the plastic bushing near the latch is not cracked, that will loose the tension on the wire connected to the release handle. I kinda taped mine up and epoxied it and it has held for 4 years. Lube up all the moving parts first with PB blaster to loosen, then with grease to keep them loose long term.

If the hood jams up you can also release with the handle then just drive around the block (if you have bumpy streets with Metro detroit has thousands of miles of pot hole streets) and some bump will jostle the door up a bit. This is not for the free way ! Or of course have someone slightly push down as you tug release handle to take pressure/resistance off the catch/hasp what ever its called, then when they let off it should pop up.

You can also take off the grille easy on a 93 and any of the old grills, not sure on the new ones with the stacked headlights .... take the grill off and just reach up with your fingers and tug to the right where the cable attachs, and it will release.

[CaptSquid]

Do NOT grease the hood latch. Recommended lubricant is, believe it or not, ENGINE OIL. That's right, engine oil, right off the dipstick.

[gillbates]

I'm so happy! SSAstro is absolutely correct. I've had this problem for years. I've gotten to where I felt like the Fonz cause I knew just where to pop the front of the hood to get it to open. In my case I had to hammer the latch away from the engine as was obvious from the marks in the hood where it had been hitting. Then I also had to hammer the safety latch towards the engine to get it to clear the side of its latch. Now a woman can open my hood again. Or at least pop it so a man can work the safety latch.

[BvrWally]

Thanks for that info! I have had the same problem on 3 different Vans over the years! Now I know how to correct that!
B.W.

[vdaily89]

I currently have the same problem with my 05 Safari. Are the solutions the same for this model?

[vdaily89]

Well I got it. I used an milk hook, got it open then cleaned & oiled the entire mechanism. Seems to be working good now.