What to do if the hood of the JAC Refine S3 cannot be opened?
4 Answers
Solution for the JAC Refine S3 hood not opening: There is a switch handle below the left knee of the driver's seat. Pull it towards the seat, and the front engine hood will pop up. Then, walk to the front of the engine hood, lift it up with one hand, and with the other hand, reach into the gap above the car logo, feel for the latch and push it to the left to lift the hood. The JAC Refine S3 has dimensions of 4345mm in length, 1765mm in width, and 1640mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2560mm. It is a 5-door, 5-seat SUV equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission and a 1.5L L4 engine, delivering a maximum power of 85kw and a maximum torque of 150nm, with a top speed of 165km/h.
My JAC Refine S3 had the same issue recently - the hood just wouldn't pop open. This is mostly caused by cable jamming or rusted latches. I'd suggest first trying to repeatedly pull the hood release lever forcefully from the driver's seat while having someone press down on the center of the hood. If you hear a click, that means it's loosened. If that doesn't work, it might be a broken or detached cable, then you'll need to visit a repair shop. By the way, never try prying it open with a screwdriver - last time I saw someone do this and it scratched a big patch of paint off. Remember to dry the latch area after car washes, and regularly spraying some WD-40 anti-rust oil can prevent this situation.
My JAC Refine S3 has been running for five years now, and last winter the hood got stuck too. Plastic parts become brittle and stiff in cold weather, making them prone to jamming. I later discovered a trick: with the engine off, pull the release lever three times forcefully, then quickly move to the front and lift the hood. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to check the cable end in the engine bay. Inside the front grille, there’s a U-shaped metal rod—grab it with pliers and pull toward the driver’s side to release the hood. Remember to wear gloves; last time I did it barehanded and got a cut from the sharp metal edge. After the rainy season, it’s a good idea to apply some grease to the latch mechanism to prevent rust and sticking.
I've also struggled with a hood that wouldn't open. The Refine S3 features a double-latch mechanism, and there are three common failure points: the interior release cable coming loose, rust on the hood latch, or a jammed linkage mechanism. The simplest solution is to pull the release while tapping the front edge of the hood. If there's no response at all, try removing the front wheel liner - you can access the latch mechanism through the wheel well. Just use a long screwdriver to disengage the secondary latch. However, if it's a new car still under warranty, I recommend going straight to the dealership. They have specialized tools to remove the grille without damaging the body.
