Hood Latch Not Releasing
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Joined: Mar 2016
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2004 MB E320
Hood Latch Not Releasing
Suspect that I caused this trouble when fitting the hood open sensor back into place on the passenger side of hood. Red release lever does not fully return to closed position, but it does at least pull on the center latch. Hood seems to be releasing on the left (driver's) side, but not on the right. Have tried poking a dowel and screwdriver into the center latch and moving parts further in the direction the cable is pulling, but no luck.
And FWIW - The triangular plastic release that should pop out when the inside red lever is pulled does not. It is up against the topmost opening of the grille. I can pull it out, but not enough to release latch.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Bruce
And FWIW - The triangular plastic release that should pop out when the inside red lever is pulled does not. It is up against the topmost opening of the grille. I can pull it out, but not enough to release latch.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Bruce
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From: dmv
2009 E550 2000 Honda civic mash n' go
Have someone pull the red release handle while you beat on the correspondingggg stuck side. if that doesn't work you can release the latch with a super long flat head from the bottom of the vehicle...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 46
From: dmv
2009 E550 2000 Honda civic mash n' go
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 10
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2004 MB E320
Thanks for responses.
Have removed plastic panel under radiator to get access. Is it possible to prod the right side latch that is not releasing directly or am I trying to use the center latch to pull the cable to the right latch?
Have removed plastic panel under radiator to get access. Is it possible to prod the right side latch that is not releasing directly or am I trying to use the center latch to pull the cable to the right latch?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 46
From: dmv
2009 E550 2000 Honda civic mash n' go
you can release the right one, i think don't quote me though. Haven't had this issue in a while, but you are going to need a extremely long screwdriver or flathead... the center latch has nothing to do with left and right hood latches....
Thread Starter
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2004 MB E320
So red lever and cable releases (or is supposed to) only the left and right latches and the triangular plastic thing releases the center, correct?
Is the triangular thing not popping out correctly as a result of the right latch not opening?
Is the triangular thing not popping out correctly as a result of the right latch not opening?
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Joined: Oct 2016
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2004 e320 4-matic wagon
last resort to open the hood
If the release cable is permanently stuck so that a passenger side latch cannot open, there is one simple and inexpensive solution -- reciprocating saw with a long blade. The only access to the hood grab locked in the latch is through a very narrow clearance between the smaller headlight and the hood.
Here are the steps. First, estimate the location of the latch relative to the headlight. Then insert the saw blade (without the saw) between the headlight and the hood to the estimated depth and locate the left and right edges of the latch grab by moving the blade around. This will also allow you to determine the initial angle, at which you will start sawing the grab off. Connect the blade to the saw (without removing it from the determined position) and start sawing.
The whole procedure takes no more than half an hour.
After the job is completed, unlock the latch manually and remove the sawed off grab. Don't forget that there is a "hood open" spring sensor under the latch. Use smth to have the spring permanently engaged before you buy a new hood grab.
See photos.
Here are the steps. First, estimate the location of the latch relative to the headlight. Then insert the saw blade (without the saw) between the headlight and the hood to the estimated depth and locate the left and right edges of the latch grab by moving the blade around. This will also allow you to determine the initial angle, at which you will start sawing the grab off. Connect the blade to the saw (without removing it from the determined position) and start sawing.
The whole procedure takes no more than half an hour.
After the job is completed, unlock the latch manually and remove the sawed off grab. Don't forget that there is a "hood open" spring sensor under the latch. Use smth to have the spring permanently engaged before you buy a new hood grab.
See photos.
