1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

hood latch

Old 02-26-2006, 06:11 PM
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Default hood latch

I can't seem to pop my hood, and I tried all the tricks I saw in here for slamming the hood, door, and thumping the hood. Does anyone have any photos of the latch or advice on what to do? I don't see any cable linked to what I can see of the latch thru the front grille.
Old 02-26-2006, 08:25 PM
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You won't necessarily see cable. It is routed in a manner to make it extremely difficult to open w/o pulling the handle in the car.

Does it fell as though the cable is actuating the latch at all?
Old 02-26-2006, 08:44 PM
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Yes, it feels like it'* trying to engage the latch, but it seems like it'* slipping, like there used to be some bump that it'* not grabbing anymore. I had this problem a week ago, but I pulled it a few times, and eventually it grabbed it and popped it.
Old 02-26-2006, 08:48 PM
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The handle returns when it should? It could be the two rubber stops above the headlamp assemblies are adjusted too high, causing unnecessary force on the latch. If you get a flashlight, you can get in there with a long screwdriver and pop the latch mechanism loose.

At that point, I'd lube the snot out of it. Both the pivot points, spring, and the area the latch catches the bar as well.
Old 02-26-2006, 08:57 PM
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You might just be able to hit it with the bottom of your fist and knock the latch loose also. It sounds dumb, but sometimes when you start to have that problem the latch just cant disengage because of the pressue the hood is forcing on it.

If it doesn't work, HIT IT AGAIN.
Old 02-26-2006, 09:01 PM
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The handle is going back after I pull it, it just doesn't pop when I pull it.

Thanks for the help, though, I'll try both tomorrow.
Old 02-26-2006, 09:03 PM
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You could use the two person method approach. You Pull the release and someone lifts up on the hood.
Old 02-26-2006, 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by BLACK94SSEi
You could use the two person method approach. You Pull the release and someone lifts up on the hood.
That will work if the second person pushes DOWN while the handle is pulled, then lifts the hood.
Old 02-26-2006, 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by willwren
Originally Posted by BLACK94SSEi
You could use the two person method approach. You Pull the release and someone lifts up on the hood.
That will work if the second person pushes DOWN while the handle is pulled, then lifts the hood.
^^ that would be my approach. My truck does the exact same thing. The springs are pushing up on the hood, and the pressure is making the hood stay in the latch, I think. It'* kinda hard to explain. Ask Bill. He'* smarter than me.
Old 02-26-2006, 09:25 PM
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Michelle, if none of these ideas work, let me know. I'll do a drive-by and rev the throttle just as I pass your house. The sheer fright from the noise will make your SE pop it'* own hood. If it doesn't, the vibration from my exhaust at WOT will.

I can be there in an hour.

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