Hood cannot be closed

Tiny
FARR2007
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 4.7L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 224,000 MILES
Opened the hood on the truck and now I cannot pull it shut. It is like the hood is frozen in the up position.
Monday, June 5th, 2017 AT 5:53 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Look for an obstruction on or around the hood latch (under hood, probably front and center). If you do not see anything, spray a generous amount of penetrating oil (WD-40 or PB's Blaster) all around the latch area and let it sit a while. Hopefully that works for you. Let us know.
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Monday, June 5th, 2017 AT 6:36 PM
Tiny
FARR2007
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  • 210 POSTS
The spring loaded latches will not go back down to shut hood so it is locked up.
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Monday, June 5th, 2017 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
HARRY P
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Hose them down in penetrating oil and let it sit for a while. Then try again.
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-1
Monday, June 5th, 2017 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
FARR2007
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  • 210 POSTS
I do not understand what you mean.
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Monday, June 5th, 2017 AT 8:43 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Did you take the hinge off? Heyman mean to take wd40 and spray the pivot points. We thing that rust is prohibiting the movement of the hinge and the lubricate can help it move again.

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
FARR2007
  • MEMBER
  • 210 POSTS
I've sprayed it twice now with pb blaster lubricating penetration catalyst spray, and still no change
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Wednesday, June 7th, 2017 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Seems weird the hinge just stopped moving. I will be super tough to move without the hinge being bolted to the car. Can you reinstall it and send me some pictures of what is happening?

Best, Ken
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Thursday, June 8th, 2017 AT 12:43 PM
Tiny
FARR2007
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  • 210 POSTS
It is bolted to the car and you can hit with a hammer and it won't budge on either side
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Thursday, June 8th, 2017 AT 3:03 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Has the hood up for a long period of time? Maybe it is just rusted and you need to replace them.
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Thursday, June 8th, 2017 AT 3:49 PM
Tiny
HARRY P
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I'm with Ken, they probably just need to be replaced. Should be cheap enough online
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Thursday, June 8th, 2017 AT 5:17 PM

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