body and interior Hood Lock (I Don't Understand It)

[1972-2002]

So i am fairly new here but I have a question. I don't understand how the hood lock works. I see a ramp and i see a lever but when you pull the lever the little roller goes toward the ground. i don't see how it ever goes up the ramp. maybe it is not supposed to. I am so confused. can someone explain how the hood locks on these cars?

 

Garry

[GreenSwede]

But if you PUSH the lever - the roller goes up the ramp, right?=)

[1972-2002]

no the rollers only go down toward the ground. Maybe the PO did something wrong. can someone send me a picture of the correct setup on the pulley where the wire connects to the rod so I can see if my setup is correct?

[TR]

I would say that the hood latch system is not intuitive.  KISS principle: forget how it works - if you leave it unlatched it not a big deal, unlike the hood on an MGB (now that was a big surprise!!!).  With the hood closed does the trim line up with the door trim? When you flip the lever is the hood held down?  If yes, then no worries and fix something else or go for a drive. 

[1972-2002]

when at rest the lever is parallel to the ground when i pull it it goes down toward the ground. i can't seem to push it. It does NOT lock the hood down. I don't get it.

 

Garry

[M3M3M3]

the lever goes down and forward to latch.  it moves almost 180 degrees.

 

there is not much to get, pretty simple system....lever pulls a cable.  cable rotates the rod.  rod rolls the roller "up" the ramp pulling back of hood down.

 

stare at it for a while. it will become apparent.

[1972-2002]

also seems like there is a catch in the middle of the rod does that hook the hood also?

[GreenSwede]

Are the ends of the rod removable? Can´t picture it.. If so, could they be mounted the wrong way, thus turning the rod the wrong way?

[TR]

Things like this on an '02 I take for granted.  I have to give credit to the German engineers that designed the car.  Too bad they were not that great in the water infiltration (aka rust dept).  Yes, I believe the catch in the middle of the rod holds the middle of the hood down. There is a specific boxed section on the hood itself with a rubber protector that I guess gets held down as well as the "ramps" on either side.  I'll try to take some pics tonight.

[1972-2002]

pics would be great.

[TR]

Where are you located?  Seeing another '02 may be the best way to get answers.

[1972-2002]

i live in Concord, Ca  east of San Francisco. anyone near me?

[GreenSwede]

I was wrong. The roller goes down when locked. Is your ramp installed the right way? Leaning upwards to the back of the car? 

 

Pics, in order of appearance - open, closed and ramp. Left side.

[Beaner7102]

Just a note, on my two cars, the lever operates in opposite directions to lock the hood.

On one, pull the lever towards the rear of the car locks the hood.

The other, push towards the front of the car locks it.

 

A PO must have the cable wrapped the wrong way around a roller - not sure which is correct but both work fine.

 

Take note of which way yours is actuating and ensure the rollers are engaging the ramps.

 

HTH Beaner7102

[Preyupy]

The early cars in the US and all cars in Europe had the latch set up so when the lever is pulled back towards the driver it locks. Starting in 1968 in the US the levers were aimed forward (away from the driver) when they are latched. It was part of the "safe dash" requirements on cars sold un the US (the same reason the chrome dashes went away) having the pointy end of the latch handle aimed at the driver in case of an accident was considered unsafe. Beyond that when you get all strapped into your seatbelts and take off only to discover you forgot to latch your hood, it is easy to do it with your foot not having to un strap the belts ( I actually got quite good at it even on an autocrosses corse back in the early 70's)