What are the reasons why the car hood cannot be opened?
3 Answers
The reason why the car hood cannot be opened is the lack of lubrication in the lock tooth spring. The functions of the hood are: 1. Airflow guidance; 2. Protection of the engine and surrounding pipeline fittings; 3. Aesthetics; 4. Assisting driving vision; 5. Preventing accidents. The car hood is made of rubber foam and aluminum foil materials, which can reduce engine noise while isolating the heat generated during engine operation, effectively protecting the paint surface on the hood and preventing aging. The method to open the hood is: 1. Pull down the lever on the left side of the driver's left leg position; 2. After hearing a pop sound, walk to the front of the car, reach under the hood, and pull up the small latch; 3. Use the right hand to lift the hood, and use the left hand to insert the support rod into the corresponding hole inside the hood.
I've encountered the issue of the hood not opening several times, and the problem could be in these areas. The most common is the cable being stuck or broken, where you can't feel any resistance when pulling the switch. Rust or jamming in the latch mechanism is also quite common, especially after rainy days or washing the car without drying it properly, leading to rust buildup over time. Once, it was more troublesome when I accidentally bumped the front bumper while driving, causing slight deformation in the latch bracket, making it impossible to open no matter how hard I pulled the switch. Another scenario is when it's extremely cold, and the latch area freezes. Also, don't forget to check the release handle inside the cabin; it might be obstructed by debris or have loose screws rendering it ineffective. In any of these cases, forcing it open isn't advisable. It's best to have a mechanic inspect it, as they can handle it safely with professional tools.
If the hood won't open, I would first check several key points. Start by testing whether the hood release lever inside the cabin can be pulled normally. If it feels loose with no resistance, the cable is likely broken or detached from the latch. Then examine the hood gap - try pressing down on the hood edge while pulling the release lever, as this might disengage the lock. If that fails, consider latch issues: rust, deformation, or debris like pebbles/sand could cause jamming. In winter, check for freezing. After collisions, watch for misaligned latch brackets. Addressing these requires lubricants, careful tapping/vibration, and professional tools - DIY force is not recommended. Remember to have mechanics inspect cables and latches during routine maintenance, applying anti-rust spray to prevent such issues. Avoid parking under trees to prevent leaf/ sap buildup in latches.
