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How do I fix a hood latch that won't close?
Had to jumpstart my car earlier today. Everything went fine, but when I went to close my car’s hood, it wouldn’t close! Now I’m stuck at home until I can get the hood to shut. How do I fix a hood latch that won't close?
Nick Kunze · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
What a bother! While there are multiple possible reasons why the hood won’t close, problems with the hood latch are the most likely culprit. Cleaning or replacing the latch should get your hood to close.
The most likely issue is that the latch is dirty, rusted, or rotting. The hood latch is usually partially exposed to the elements, so it’s easy for it to become dirty.
Clean the latch with a part cleaner and brush until it looks clean. Then, spray rust penetrant and apply a protective coating to prevent it from breaking again.
If cleaning doesn’t work, it may be time to replace your hood latch. You can either take your car to a mechanic or buy a new aftermarket hood latch. This is a simple part and shouldn’t be very expensive.
Was your hood damaged by a collision or other covered accident? Then you can get your repairs paid for by your
car insurance policy
. If you want to upgrade your insurance, you should download the Jerry app.Jerry
is an insurance broker that simplifies insurance shopping. One free sign-up will give you access to over 50 competitive car insurance quotes. Using these quotes, plus Jerry’s personalized recommendations, you’ll find great coverage at a low price in just a few minutes. View full answer
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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