My Hood Won't Latch

Use WD-40 to help loosen a hood latch that doesn't work properly.

Most automobiles contain a driver's side cable that causes the latch on the hood to open when you pull it. If your hood does not latch, you might have a broken latch cable or an issue with the assembly of the latch. But if the problem is less complex, such as a latch mechanism that is simply stuck in the open position, you can fix it easily enough.

Things You'll Need

• WD-40

Instructions

1. Prop your vehicle's hood open.

2. Spray the hood latch with WD-40. Give the solution about five minutes to absorb into the mechanism.

3. Moisten the latch cables with the WD-40. If they are inside a rubber compartment, such as a rubber guide, insert the can of WD-40 at the tip of the opening and shoot the lubricant onto the cables. Otherwise, spray the lubricant directly onto the cables.

4. Grab the latch with your hands and push it until it closes. Move the latch back and forth until it opens and closes with ease. The hood should now latch when you attempt to close it.

References

• Popular Mechanics: How to Fix a Cable Hood Release