Front hood latch is stuck

[znino]

The latch on the left side of the Roadster front hood is not releasing making it impossible for me to open the good to put washer fluid in and I'm empty! The right side un-pops fine but I can't seem to get the left one to pop open, even when applying some upward pressure while pulling on the latch release inside the car. Has anyone had this happen to them? Any ideas in what I could try?

 

[wiztecy]

Instead of upward pressure, did you try downward pressure on the left side right where the latch assembly is on the hood right before and right as your pulling on the latch handle? In most cases you have to remove the pressure downward not add to the pressure by pulling upward on the hood.

 

[znino]

Instead of upward pressure, did you try downward pressure on the left side right where the latch assembly is on the hood right before and right as your pulling on the latch handle? In most cases you have to remove the pressure downward not add to the pressure by pulling upward on the hood.

I did try both thanks. It feels like the little latch is not even trying to move

 

[wiztecy]

I did try both thanks. It feels like the little latch is not even trying to move

Ok... try jiggling it side to side while pulling. And if that doesn't work it sounds like you need to jack the car up, remove the left front wheel, then remove the inside fender lining to access the latch and work from the inside out:

S1 Stuck Front Bonnet - Technical Talk - Midlands Lotus Owners Club (MLOC)

 

[znino]

Ok... try jiggling it side to side while pulling. And if that doesn't work it sounds like you need to jack the car up, remove the left front wheel, then remove the inside fender lining to access the latch and work from the inside out:

S1 Stuck Front Bonnet - Technical Talk - Midlands Lotus Owners Club (MLOC)

Thanks. I will try that. If not, the service center will have to try and figure it out from the inside out as you say. Car is still under warranty

 

[dhrivnak]

That happened to me and the cable slid out of it's guide. I had to jack up the car, remove the wheel liner to see the cable. It sounds more complicated than it actually was. And it took about an hour of time.

 

[GreenLine]

Do you happen to have pictures of what you did @dhrivnak?

 

[dhrivnak]

Do you happen to have pictures of what you did @dhrivnak?

Sorry I do not. You need to remove the fender liner which is also much easier if you have the tire off. Looking at where the tire goes the latch is at 12:00 or possibly 1:00 position. With the liner off it is very easy to see.

 

[GreenLine]

Thank you @dhrivnak. I will try that.

 

[eHorses]

@GreenLine I had similar problem with driver side and instructions from @dhrivnak on location of disconnected pull (12-1) was helpful to isolate the cable.

I had help to tackle it before calling SC and I’ll post pics.

 

[eHorses]

Using low profile jack at manual referenced jack placement- wheel removed

 

[eHorses]

Slipped cable end isolated

 

[eHorses]

Latch released from wheel well

 

[eHorses]

Repair of slipped cable to hood release.

Sorry for multiple post- I’m new at this

 

[dhrivnak]

Repair of slipped cable to hood release.

Sorry for multiple post- I’m new at this
View attachment 434579

For some reason your pictures are not coming through.

 

[eHorses]

I’m not sure, but it looks like the pics are loading on my iPad.