Chrysler Repair: Hood release, latch hook, radiator support

Question
The inside hood release on my 1996 Dodge Stratus will not open the hood. The latch will pull the cable but it wont release. I dont know if the cable is broke or streched? I looked in my Chilton manual but it has nothing. Can you tell me how to fix it or at least get the hood open? Thanks for any help. Randy

Answer
Hi Randy,
If you can't see or get to the lever arm that the cable was formerly attached to so as to be able to pull on it toward the driver's side, the the next approach would be to remove the entire latch mechanism from the radiator support crossmember to which it is attached. On each side of the latch mecanism there is either a bolt or maybe a welded stud that projects its threaded shaft forward, thru the crossmember and out the other side of the crossmember. There are then on the front side of the crossmember two nuts, one for eash threaded protruding shaft which are secured to their respective shaft. So look for a couple of nuts, spaced apart by about the width of the latch mecanism, and try to get a wrench or socket on each of those and unscrew the nuts, or alternatively if there are bolts on the backside at the latch proper then you can turn the heads of those two bolts, and when they are disassembled you should be able to move the latch mechanism freely or to push the mechanism rearward to pull the threaded studs out of the holes in the crossmember thru which they project which will then allow you to lift the hood up with the latch mechanism still attached to it but no longer secured to the crossmember.
Let me know if this is unclear and I'll try again.
Roland




Hi Randy,
Two approaches to try:
First, have a helper operate the release lever while you stand in front and push down on the front of the hood where the latch hook is attached to its underside. Sometimes the latch spring is going to cause a binding of the release mechanism which this may alleviate. Then lube the hook and the latch release slider that is operated by the lever and cable.
Second, in your coveralls, lie under the front of the car and with a flashlight look up to see the latch mechanism mounted on the radiator support crossmember, just below the underside of the hood. The cable and its sheath approach the mechanism from the driver's side, and if you can get a vise grip around the cable then clamp it and pull on it toward the driver's side which should release the latch. Then examine the operation of the cable which should cause the latch to slide open if it is properly adjusted. You may be able to move the sheath toward the drivers side by inserting a spacer where it is currently abutted(or if it is mounted in a removable clamp then adjust the position of the sheath in the clamp) and thus effectively take up any excess slack in the cable.
If you can't grab the cable and move it, then try to move the bar to which the cable is attached and thus release the latch mechanism.
Let me know what works for you so I learn too.
Thanks,
Roland