2009 Vue hood NOT closing

[imboden]

So looking around these forums, I've seen many issues about the hood not opening. Well my issue is the opposite.

This morning I popped my hood to refill the windshield washer fluid, afterwards, my hood would not close. Well not completely. See, the latch you release from out side (I'm going to call the safety latch for lack of better terms) will hold. But the main latch will not. I was able to move the latch with the use of a screwdriver and putting some of my body weight on it.

After work, I stopped at Canadian Tire, picked up a can of WD40 and soaked the latch. The main latch will now kind of hold, but I can release it with very little pressure from outside.

It seems I have these issues when ever I open the hood for any reason. Under warranty, I had that latch replaced twice since buying new in January 2009.

[Sweepspear]

Originally Posted by imboden

So looking around these forums, I've seen many issues about the hood not opening. Well my issue is the opposite.

This morning I popped my hood to refill the windshield washer fluid, afterwards, my hood would not close. Well not completely. See, the latch you release from out side (I'm going to call the safety latch for lack of better terms) will hold. But the main latch will not. I was able to move the latch with the use of a screwdriver and putting some of my body weight on it.

After work, I stopped at Canadian Tire, picked up a can of WD40 and soaked the latch. The main latch will now kind of hold, but I can release it with very little pressure from outside.

It seems I have these issues when ever I open the hood for any reason. Under warranty, I had that latch replaced twice since buying new in January 2009.

I had that same issue with our '08 VUE.
We were heading out of town on a trip, and as I am driving down the interstate I noticed the hood was popped.
Pulled off, and after repeated closing & slamming, I was able to get it to catch.
I was afraid to ever open it again.
I did though, and like you lubricated the heck out of it. No problem since.
But, it does seem like the latch opening cable has more slack in it than it should. I think it stretched.
Now when I close it I really give it a tug to see if it is latched.

[imboden]

Originally Posted by Sweepspear

I had that same issue with our '08 VUE.
We were heading out of town on a trip, and as I am driving down the interstate I noticed the hood was popped.
Pulled off, and after repeated closing & slamming, I was able to get it to catch.
I was afraid to ever open it again.
I did though, and like you lubricated the heck out of it. No problem since.
But, it does seem like the latch opening cable has more slack in it than it should. I think it stretched.
Now when I close it I really give it a tug to see if it is latched.

It seems like though, any time I open my hood, I have this same issue. It really makes no sense. And because of this, I have the hood open sensor giving me a message on the screen on my dash, and my remote start don't work. So what the hell....

[far2grumpy]

Originally Posted by imboden

It seems like though, any time I open my hood, I have this same issue. It really makes no sense. And because of this, I have the hood open sensor giving me a message on the screen on my dash, and my remote start don't work. So what the hell....

Perhaps the mechanical hood latch apparatus does not have a problem.

Check for the rubber bump-stops on each front corner of hood (or could be on the front fender/radiator support structure).

Many times these "stops" are adjustable by turning CW or CCW.

I'd suggest turning each "stop" a few turns to determine if "stop" height changes.

You could be back in business after a few CW turns of all stops.

Keep in mind you may have to compromise between smooth closures and maintaining correct spacing between hood and fender.

[SC2BuzzBomb]

Wow, I can't believe a vehicle only three years old is having such problems. Isn't the vehicle still under warranty? GM should pick up the repair bill.

[imboden]

Originally Posted by far2grumpy

Perhaps the mechanical hood latch apparatus does not have a problem.

Check for the rubber bump-stops on each front corner of hood (or could be on the front fender/radiator support structure).

Many times these "stops" are adjustable by turning CW or CCW.

I'd suggest turning each "stop" a few turns to determine if "stop" height changes.

You could be back in business after a few CW turns of all stops.

Keep in mind you may have to compromise between smooth closures and maintaining correct spacing between hood and fender.

The dealer has looked at that many times, those stops are as far down as they will go

Originally Posted by SC2BuzzBomb

Wow, I can't believe a vehicle only three years old is having such problems. Isn't the vehicle still under warranty? GM should pick up the repair bill.

It has been in many times since I bought the vehicle brand new in January 2009. Warranty expired 12000km ago.

[far2grumpy]

Are you interested in service manual extracts to adjust the hood latch assembly?

I'd typically post without asking but you mentioned the dealer had replaced twice under warranty.

[imboden]

Originally Posted by far2grumpy

Are you interested in service manual extracts to adjust the hood latch assembly?

I'd typically post without asking but you mentioned the dealer had replaced twice under warranty.

I think my email is on my profile. If you want to send them there, sure.