Author Topic: Corolla Hood Release is Broken  (Read 18084 times)

Rebecca Stapler

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Corolla Hood Release is Broken
« on: September 07, 2013, 07:55:07 AM »
Thanks to your great advice on how to replace my headlight bulb on my Prius, I was able to do it with minimal out of pocket expense.

Now I have to fix the hood on my Corolla. The release button won't go back in place, so it's perpetually "released" and the hood won't latch. I think the problem is the release cable, not the latch itself, because I can open the latch with a screwdriver. But getting it open and getting the hood in there at the same time is just not happening.

Any advice? I'm tempted to just bring it to the auto parts store and see if they can help me fix it (they were really helpful with the Prius bulb, which was tricky), but I'd like to go in knowing what I need first.

agent_black

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Re: Corolla Hood Release is Broken
« Reply #1 on: September 07, 2013, 08:16:18 AM »
I'm a little confused.  The release should not be a button, but a pull lever, at least it has been on every Corolla I've ever seen.  If its a button I have no clue, but if it isn't I may have some suggestions.

Does the hood just make a clunk noise when you close it?  It may not be perpetually released but not lined up properly.  You said you can move the latch with a screwdriver.  Does it spring back?  If it does, that is not your problem.  Look at it while closing it slowly if its lined up, but not opening the latch, try using WD-40 to clean it and the using pretty much any grease you can find on the parts that make impact. 

If this doesn't help at all I apologize.  We can try again with more details. 

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Re: Corolla Hood Release is Broken
« Reply #2 on: September 07, 2013, 08:24:03 AM »
I had the same issue on my old Tundra.  There are two springs on the latch, one big one, and a small one.  I'd spray the works with some WD40, and then get the screwdriver out, and see if you can get the small spring to move again.  If it is broken/missing, you'll need to get a new spring (should be about $10 I think).

I'll do some googling, but I know exactly what you are talking about.  Also, make sure to push the hood release lever back down, because sometimes the spring isn't strong enough to do that.

Let me google, and I'll see if I can find some pictures/better instructions.

Self-employed-swami

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Re: Corolla Hood Release is Broken
« Reply #3 on: September 07, 2013, 08:36:37 AM »

Rebecca Stapler

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Re: Corolla Hood Release is Broken
« Reply #4 on: September 07, 2013, 09:32:10 AM »
Thanks! Yes, it's not a button but a pull lever right under the dash. When it's down, it looks like a button.

IDK why I didn't think of oiling it up before. That did the trick! There is a lot of grime on the latch and the more WD40 I sprayed, the more it was able to move back into place. I was able to push the lever back into place and then when I dropped the hood it caught. Hopefully that fixed the problem, but at least now I know what to do if it happens again.

Self-employed-swami

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Re: Corolla Hood Release is Broken
« Reply #5 on: September 07, 2013, 09:37:27 AM »
Glad to hear that worked!  Sometimes they get so gummed up, they don't move like they should.

 

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