I can't POP my Hood!
 

First, allow me to apologize if thiis post is the incorrect section to post this under, but with the reorganization, I just wasn't sure.It seemed to narrow me down to here.

I have a 2001 GMC Jimmy SLS. The hood latch has been a little weak, but the problem seems to be with the latch under the hood. I even pulled the wire with some pliers, and I'm pretty sure it's working from that end.

However, the hood is stuck. I've poked around the latch with a screwdriver and pliers, but it's hard to see in there because the "slit" between the hood and grille is so narrow.

The battery is dead it's been sitting for so long, so that limits s things as well. But The hood won't budge. Not even a little. I'm going to go spray some lubricant in there and see what that does, but I'm pessimistic. It won't hurt, but I think I need to physically manipulate something and am not sure what.

Has anyone else experienced this? And solutions? I'd love to be driving, so this little thing is causing a big problem.

Thanks in advance!
Michael

I don't know if this will help, but on my truck sometimes the hood won't release completely with the cable. When that happens a sharp horizontal thump to the leading edge of the hood right in the center by the hood latch will free the hood. Then you can release the secondary latch and open the hood. Lubricating the latch with a good silicone lubricant will help prevent it from sticking like this.

I dont know if this will help, but I once left my keys in the truck while the engine was on and I manually locked the door like a dope. With my spare and the main key in the truck I had no way of getting inside. I was able to release the hood and pop the fuel pump relay. To pop the hood you need to first pull the release cable out of the cradle. I was able to do this with a screw driver and plenty of force. Otherwise you wont be able to pull back on the release cable to release the latch thru the hood. This gave me time and I was able to eventually after multiple attempts use a long flat bar and a wedge bag to press the unlock button on the driver side.

I would spray the latch as much as you can with a good penetrating oil if it has been sitting for a long time rather than a lube. If has been less than a year and you live in a fairly dry area, go with the spray lube. I also second a bit of a smack after whatever spray you use after a couple hours. Use your hand and not a mallet, you don't want to dent your hood. If/when you do get it to open, saturate all of the latch and work them back and forth. You might also want to check the spring that pops the hood up to make sure it still has the strength to actually will pop the hood.

Yes try that. Also, for the longest time I had to use the palm of my hand to bump the hood after pulling the latch release. After trying every Silicone, penetrating oil, Lithium grease, to no avail. My father convinced me to slather bearing grease on the latch mechanism. After that I have never had an issue popping the hood, works every time the first time. Once you get it open maybe try greasing the latch mechanism.
:icon_banana:

Here's what it looks like on a 2002
<img src="https://blazerforum.com/forum/attachments/2nd-generation-s-series-1995-2005-tech-41/37259d1662497978-hood-latch-issue-hood-latch.jpg"/>

Fixed the image link that puttster posted above. The image shows the back side of the latch. You often cannot get access to the latch release arm that the cable pulls on due to the lack of a sufficient gap between the hood and the grill. Any tool that would be made to try to come around the side of the latch to hit this arm would need to fit through that gap.

If nothing else works and you can see the cable, insert a forked bar through the grill, around the cable and twist. Eventually the cable should pull the latch, releasing the hood. Be aware that this will damage the hood release cable and will require the replacement of the cable. As such it should be a last resort only as replacement is not a fun ordeal.

Good catch Swart