Note: Opening the hood lock if the hood cable snaps is quite difficult. Trying to access it from the front of the car will most likely result in damage to the radiator. A more reliable approach is to remove the lower engine shield and work from underneath using a piece of stiff wire.
Removal
Lock
1. Open the hood, trace the hood latch with a pencil, then remove the three mounting bolts (see photo) and remove the latch and guide plate so that the hood latch cable can be disconnected.
Locking pin
2. Open the hood and trace the mounting plate of the safety latch and locking pin assembly with a pencil, then remove the mounting bolts and remove the assembly.
Hood lock cable and lever
3. Disconnect the cable from the lock by bending the metal clamp and release the cable from the brackets or ties securing it to the body (see photo).
4. The hood lock actuator lever is located in the passenger footwell (on the left), below the glove compartment. Displace the lever's pivot pin from the lever, remove the lever and disconnect the cable.
5. Pull the cable into the engine compartment.
Installation
6. Install in the reverse order of removal, paying attention to the following:
- a) Align (where necessary) component with marks made before removal: If a new hood or hood lock plate is being installed, center the component with its bolt holes.
- b) Tighten the component fasteners lightly at first, then carefully check the operation and relative positions of all disturbed components. If adjustment is necessary, proceed as described below.
- c) Tighten the bolts to the specified tightening torque Specifications (where given).
Adjustment
7. If the operation of any component of the hood lock drive mechanism requires adjustment, first check the alignment of the hood relative to the adjacent body panels (see Chapter 9). Some adjustments are interdependent (adjusting the height of the hood, for example, is accomplished by changing the length of the locking pin) and the lock cannot function properly if the hood is not properly aligned with the body.
8. To adjust the position of the lock and/or locking pin assembly, first loosen their mounting bolts, then move the components as needed until the locking pin and safety latch hook are directly in the center of their respective lock apertures. Tighten the bolts to the specified torque Specifications (where given).
9. Once the lock and locking pin are aligned, check that the bonnet closes securely when released from a height of approximately 150mm.
10. If the hood does not close, first make sure that the locking pin is properly lubricated (see Section 1). Some adjustment can be made by screwing/unscrewing the locking pin, but care must be taken to ensure that this does not change the height of the hood (see Chapter 9). Replace the lock pin or lock assembly as necessary if worn or damaged.
11. If there is any doubt as to the serviceability of the safety latch, the locking pin assembly must be replaced.
12. The hood release cable cannot be adjusted, but the cable housing stops can be slightly bent to make minor adjustments if required. Replace the cable if the hood release mechanism does not operate effectively.