JUST BOUGHT A 94 2DR 5spd 4x4 at a police auction and the hood will only "pop" on the passengers side. the driver side stays latched


What can I do to get it open without demolishing the hood???


If I had pics of the latches and the connecting rod between the two I would maybe have a better idea of what I'm working with


Thanks for any help guys

 

on my 99, which I believe has the same hood system as my 91 had, we just took a coat hanger and fiddled around under the hood until it popped. I believe its just a bar so you may be able to mess with the opposite side that isnt stuck and get it to come loose.

 

My 2000 XJ did that and I just hit it really hard on top of the latch that wouldn't open and it popped right up. Then I sprayed some WD 40 in there and it was good as new.

 

Sounds like the striker latch is hanging up.

I've seen a method of releasing the striker latch from outside of the Jeep when it hangs up like yours.

You may want to do a Google search for this.

Here's the procedure in the FSM for removing the latch. Try it out.

There are two bolts involved. One going in from the front and one going in from the bottom.

(1) Remove headlamp bezel.
(2) Remove parklamp.
(3) Release the spring attaching the headlamp mounting bucket to the grille opening panel (GOP).
(4) Remove the headlamp with mounting bucket attached from the adjusting screws.
(5) Remove the upper bolt attaching the striker to the top of the (GOP).
(6) Remove the lower bolt attaching the striker to the (GOP).
(7) Remove the striker and shims.

 

Mine did this last summer. I had to lay underneath the engine and reach up and manually turn the silver piece that connects to the striker latches.

 

Wait, you bought a Jeep without inspecting the engine?

 

Karate chop the latch area while someone is pulling the cable.

Either that or reach in the side that you can get unlatched and pull the rod that runs parallel with the front of the Jeep. That should open it.

 

This is what you're dealing with: Pull that rod. Or push. I can't remember.

 

thanks for the help guys.. that fsm response should really help


yes I bought a jeep with out inspecting the motor... why?
cause 4.0 are hard to kill, it was cheap, if it blows up its getting an om617

 

pull latch, pound with fist

 

I'm guessing the OPs excitement will only begin after he opens the hood...Police auctions are hit or miss at best...but then again it all depends on how much you bet.
Let us know how you make out.

 

Police auctions in Wisconsin are normally great, the rating they give the car is normally spot on. For government cars its always spot on. Normally if the car is rated in "good" condition you can trust it very well, if a government car is in "ok" condition its much better than most cars you will find, even at a dealership, just be prepared for hole where stuff was mounted.

 

thanks guys I got it open.. and know why it was abandoned... the thermostat and housing were both gone.. so it either got hot or the housing cracked.. trip to auto parts store and that is fixed now to the locksmith tomorrow to have a key cut and we should be in business... or at least find out if it has major problems


ps the reason it wouldn't open is the driver side hood latch connecting rod had broken off at the weld(where it meets the pass side rod)

 

Glad you got it opened. On my Jeep, had the same issue. Weld broke holding the main cable joint. Both sides wouldn't open. My arms too short, couldn't reach that far up. I ended up drilling holes in the hood and pulling the rod since I was replacing it (all rusted)
What did you do to get it open?