Q: Hood not opening

asked by on February 12, 2016

My hood won't open.

Lubricate Hood Hinge $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi. You are fortunate that the latch is accessible. You can get under the front of your car and look up just behind the bumper. You will see the bottom of the hood latch, and the operating cable going into the latch. Pull on the cable first, to see if the latch will release. If it does not, you will see a metal hook on the bottom of the latch; just move it open, or away from where the latch sits, and it should release, so that you can access the hand release from the outside as normal. Be prepared to repair the hood release while you have it open. This may require changing the cable, the latch, or both. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, hire a qualified repair tech to determine the source and cause of your hood issue, such as one from YourMechanic.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What Types of Metals Are Used to Make Exhaust Systems?
Chances are good that your exhaust system is made from 400-series steel. Cast iron is used for the exhaust manifold (stock). Aluminized steel is often used in aftermarket exhaust systems. In addition, a wide range of other metals can be...
How do I turn on the hill descent feature?
The hill descent feature helps control your transmission and brakes when you are going down a hill. To use the feature, press the Hill Descent button, which is on the terrain management control. You can increase the dill descent speed...
Traction Light on
It sounds like there is a serious problem in the traction control system. Fault codes need to read out to see what the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) sees. For the traction control system to work properly, it needs to...
No power to vehicle
The battery and starting system would need to be checked to see if the battery or the cables are a problem. The charging system would need to be checked also. I recommend having a certified mechanic, like one from YourMechanic,...
New tires shaking with acceleration
Your car may be shaking during acceleration for many reasons. First, it is possible that the new tires were not inspected correctly. Some other reasons include issues with the suspension and steering. I would recommend having a certified mechanic inspect...
Squeaks when driving over bumps
The suspension is the most likely source of the noise. However, almost anything on a car can develop a squeak. Try your best to narrow where exactly the noise is coming from. Front, back, left, or right. This will help...
Car is jerking for a while and then runs fine
The TCC is the torque convertor clutch solenoid inside the transmission. To get it replaced you would need to have the pan removed and the TCC solenoid tested and replaced. If all your drive issues start to happen after about...
Help with Kia Sport shift / TPS
The TPS controls the fuel supply in all modes. Changing the mode will not bypass the TPS as this is the car's method of regulating the amount of fuel being injected into the motor based upon the position of your...
Engine surging while driving
Hi there. For the engine surging making the rpm's go up and down could be caused by a defective or stuck idle air control valve (IAC). Check the IAC and see if it's working. Remove the vacuum line to the...

Related articles

2005 Jeep Wrangler vs. 2005 Chevrolet Blazer: Which One Should I Buy?
Sport SUVs are a class all of their own; these vehicles are meant for a fun drive through the woods and across the trail – but not necessarily to Grandma’s house! Think instead about going through the creek and through...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Love Road Trips
If If you love to travel, comfort is very important in a vehicle. You want a nice, quiet ride, comfortable seating, and enough room. We have evaluated several used vehicles, and narrowed our favorite road trip vehicles down to the...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a General Contractor
If If you're a general contractor, you probably aren’t in the market for a used car. More likely, you’re looking for a pickup truck, because you need to haul equipment and supplies to various job sites. Most contractors will likely...