Hood will not open 99 Outback Sport

[toddonbike]

The cable seems to be working as I can hear something move up front when I pull and the spring pulls it back. I think the latch is frozen. I did have a problem closing it about a year ago and it's been parked in my garage since last winter. Sprayed it down with WD-40 and tried poking around with a rod I fashioned to get through the grill and into the latch.

[johnceggleston]

The cable seems to be working as I can hear something move up front when I pull and the spring pulls it back. I think the latch is frozen. I did have a problem closing it about a year ago and it's been parked in my garage since last winter. Sprayed it down with WD-40 and tried poking around with a rod I fashioned to get through the grill and into the latch.

 

i had one once where someone had the hold up the pull lever in the car while i released the latch in the front. a real pain but i could get it open. i finally figured out a way to do it by my self using a string closed in the door/ window to hold the pull lever.

 

but yours sounds like it need pb blaster.

[SuBrat84]

I second that about having someone hold the release while the other person attempts to lift/release the hood. Sometimes you have to "Bang" on the hood. Ran into a few of these at the xlube. Once you get it open spray the latch mechanism down real good with PB blaster then after a day or so maybe spray some silicone spray lube in there too.

Mine has a real hard time opening because the hood isn't centered entirely properly so it hangs up on the fender a little bit...

Good luck.

[Fairtax4me]

Mine will click when I pull the release but the spring isn't strong enough to lift the hood anymore so it doesn't look like it's popped. Try to get some fingers under the edge to lift up on the hood after you pull the release. You could also try pushing down on the hood (put your weight on it) to make the latch move a bit and help free it up.

[98ImprezaWA]

i had one once where someone had the hold up the pull lever in the car while i released the latch in the front. a real pain but i could get it open. i finally figured out a way to do it by my self using a string closed in the door/ window to hold the pull lever.

 

Sounds like my technique! Opening the hood is a 2 person job with my car. Unless I have string handy. Glad I'm not the only one who MacGyvers this one...