Chevy Blazer Stuck Hood Latch

"Spiderman" wrote:

The hood latch on my 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer occasionally
gets stuck (usually when it's cold out). I tried lubing the
latch and spring to no avail. I'd like to increase the tension
on the cable to get a bigger "release"....but it does not
appear to be adjustable. I tried moving the little metal stopper
at the end of the cable but it doesn't budge. What's the trick?

____________________________________________________

The metal stopper is usually permanently swaged on to the
release cable, and is not removable.

The end of the cable housing is probably clamped to a bracket
near the latch arm. If so, loosen the clamp and slide the
housing away from the latch arm until the metal stopper is in
the desired position. Then retighten the clamp.

Also, check for misalignment of the latch probe as it enters its
nest when closing the hood. That could cause a sticking latch.

Good luck.

Wendy & John.
____________________________________________________

sdlomi2

2004-12-03 06:20:02 UTC

Post by Spiderman
The hood latch on my 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer occasionally gets stuck (usually
when it's cold out). I tried lubing the latch and spring to no avail. I'd
like to increase the tension on the cable to get a bigger "release"....but
it does not appear to be adjustable. I tried moving the little metal stopper
at the end of the cable but it doesn't budge. What's the trick?

Hi, Spiderman. My '87 S10 Blazer cable broke. *Buy*(This 1st
suggestion may not be necessary--depends on condition of present cable.
See second alternative below.) from the discount parts house, from the
"HELP" display section a replacement cable kit. Remove the old one. Thread
the new one thru the housing(it goes from inside the car thru housing to
underhood--the release handle is fixed to the cable with NO underhood end on
cable.). Kit comes with a 'brass threaded sleeve' that slides over the
underhood end where it is screw-tightened onto cable. Ensure you adjust the
sleeve where it will pull the latch "further".
*Second, cheaper, quicker:* Look at that kit to get an idea what the "
threaded sleeve" looks like. Then, see if you can buy just that piece, cut
off the 'ball' from the end of original cable and attach sleeve further up
the cable than original. Same final outcome as above. May have to get it
from Chevy dealer, but I'd bet HELP sells it by itself. Grease that latch
and work it by hand 'til the wife can open it with her left hand! HTH &
good luck, s

Rufus T. Firefly

2004-12-03 14:24:23 UTC

A common problem is the cable moves when you pull the handle but the hood
doesn't pop up. I couldn't determine by the post if that was your problem
or the cable was actually stuck. But for anyone who has a cable that pulls
ok and the hood still won't pop up this will help...... The actual problem
is with the hood hinges. Use a penetrating lubricant on all the hinge pivot
pins and work the hood up and down several times while you spray the pins
until it works easily. Once you have it freed up and working correctly a
few drops of oil on the hinge pivots occasionally will keep it working
nicely. The dumb little spring that pops the hood up when you pull on the
cable doesn't have enough force to overcome stiff hinges, especially on a
long, heavy hood.

--
Mike....................................................
"Opportunities are spawned from crisis"
"Spiderman" <***@spiderman.com> wrote in message news:XaadnZRUKacADDDcRVn-***@comcast.com...
The hood latch on my 1989 Chevy S10 Blazer occasionally gets stuck (usually
when it's cold out). I tried lubing the latch and spring to no avail. I'd
like to increase the tension on the cable to get a bigger "release"....but
it does not appear to be adjustable. I tried moving the little metal stopper
at the end of the cable but it doesn't budge. What's the trick?

Spiderman

2004-12-05 09:36:54 UTC

Post by Rufus T. Firefly
A common problem is the cable moves when you pull the handle but the hood
doesn't pop up. I couldn't determine by the post if that was your problem
or the cable was actually stuck. But for anyone who has a cable that pulls
ok and the hood still won't pop up this will help...... The actual problem
is with the hood hinges. Use a penetrating lubricant on all the hinge pivot
pins and work the hood up and down several times while you spray the pins
until it works easily. Once you have it freed up and working correctly a
few drops of oil on the hinge pivots occasionally will keep it working
nicely. The dumb little spring that pops the hood up when you pull on the
cable doesn't have enough force to overcome stiff hinges, especially on a
long, heavy hood.

My problem was as you described (you pull the handle but the hood doesn't
pop up). I lubed up the spring and latch assembly and that seems to have
helped...the hood always releases now although sometimes it pops up very
weakly (but at least its not "stuck"). It didn't even occur to me to lube
hood hinges but it certainly makes sense that gummed up hinges would add to
the apparent weight on the spring. Thanks.

Jake

2004-12-07 01:10:00 UTC

your hood is out of alignment.
have a dealer re adjust it. I had the same problem.

it works great now...

On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 04:36:54 -0500, "Spiderman"

TranSurgeon

2004-12-07 01:58:46 UTC

before spending good money at the $tealer's, spray the latch and associated
mechanism, including the hood end of the cable, with a good lubricant

I use 'PB Blaster' penetrating oil to free things up, followed by a mix of
ATF and engine oil

if the vehicle has not been 'dinged' in an accident, just loosen the bolts
on either side of the hood and adjust for equal amounts of space between
hood and fenders, and make sure the fore-aft alignment is right by sighting
the front corners to the fenders

9 out of 10 times, this will fix it

Post by Jake
your hood is out of alignment.
have a dealer re adjust it. I had the same problem.
it works great now...
On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 04:36:54 -0500, "Spiderman"

KARL SZYMANSKI

2004-12-07 14:46:29 UTC

I had the same problem with my 96 Chevy Tahoe and sprayed the hinges and
cable with WD40. It works great now.

Post by TranSurgeon
before spending good money at the $tealer's, spray the latch and associated
mechanism, including the hood end of the cable, with a good lubricant
I use 'PB Blaster' penetrating oil to free things up, followed by a mix of
ATF and engine oil
if the vehicle has not been 'dinged' in an accident, just loosen the bolts
on either side of the hood and adjust for equal amounts of space between
hood and fenders, and make sure the fore-aft alignment is right by sighting
the front corners to the fenders
9 out of 10 times, this will fix it

Post by Jake
your hood is out of alignment.
have a dealer re adjust it. I had the same problem.
it works great now...
On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 04:36:54 -0500, "Spiderman"

Post by Rufus T. Firefly
A common problem is the cable moves when you pull the handle but the

hood

Post by Rufus T. Firefly
doesn't pop up. I couldn't determine by the post if that was your

problem

Post by Rufus T. Firefly
or the cable was actually stuck. But for anyone who has a cable that pulls
ok and the hood still won't pop up this will help...... The actual problem
is with the hood hinges. Use a penetrating lubricant on all the hinge pivot
pins and work the hood up and down several times while you spray the

pins

Post by Rufus T. Firefly
until it works easily. Once you have it freed up and working
correctly

Post by Rufus T. Firefly
few drops of oil on the hinge pivots occasionally will keep it working
nicely. The dumb little spring that pops the hood up when you pull on

the

Post by Rufus T. Firefly
cable doesn't have enough force to overcome stiff hinges, especially
on

Post by Rufus T. Firefly
long, heavy hood.