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I'm a new C3 owner and have a 72 LT-1 convertible. I'm having trouble getting the driver's side hood latch to fully release. The passenger side pops up nicely. The driver side comes up about a quarter of an inch and is not fully released. I have gently tried to raise the hood from the right side where I can get my fingers under the hood and can tell the left side is not fully released. However, when I push down on the left side, it moves slightly and I can hear a click like the latch is fully engaged. I've put a little grease on the latch components hoping that would help with the release, but to no avail. I have to push in and pull out the hood release cable numerous times to eventually get luck and have the left side pop up. Appreciate any tips members have on this situation and how I might make the hood release more consistent. Thanks.
I agree.
New springs to start or it might be time to replace the latches themselves.
The hood latch pins are also a wear item that may need to be replaced.
There are also two cables that you could try doing some adjustments on as well.
Until you get it completely sorted out and something always to have as a backup, is to install a back up hood latch kit.
They are cheap and a life saver if your hood doesn’t pop open.
There have been many threads over the years from member who can’t get their hood to open.
The kits are available from several vendors like Corvette Central, Top Flight Automotive and Zip.
I agree.
New springs to start or it might be time to replace the latches themselves.
The hood latch pins are also a wear item that may need to be replaced.
There are also two cables that you could try doing some adjustments on as well.
Until you get it completely sorted out and something always to have as a backup, is to install a back up hood latch kit.
They are cheap and a life saver if your hood doesn’t pop open.
There have been many threads over the years from member who can’t get their hood to open.
The kits are available from several vendors like Corvette Central, Top Flight Automotive and Zip.
did a search and didn't see them... any pointers to it...
The alignment of the pin to the latch might be off a bit. There is quite a bit of adjustment available. Loosen the pin plate just enough so it will shift and let the latch try and center the pin plate as you close it.
The alignment of the pin to the latch might be off a bit. There is quite a bit of adjustment available. Loosen the pin plate just enough so it will shift and let the latch try and center the pin plate as you close it.
I agree it's likely the pin alignment. Since the passenger side pops open normally, that means the handle release cable is pulling adequately to cause the secondary cable to fully release the passenger side. Since this is happening, the driver release is more than likely opening adequately as well – but the pin is binding in the mechanism.
Just wanted to follow up on this thread in case someone else has this problem. My problem was a misaligned latch pin (see photo). I had a little trouble finding the alignment tool as it was out of stock in several places I looked. Oddly, I found one on Etsy and took a chance on it. Turned out it worked perfectly so I've included a link https://www.etsy.com/listing/4403163...b%3A4403163982. If nothing else, you can see what it looks like. I loosed the two bolts holding the hood pin bracket and moved it about half an inch until it fit into the hole on the bottom of the alignment too. Now my hood pops up like it's supposed to. Thanks again to all who weighed in on my problem.
All you need to do to Aline the hood is just loosen one side at a time and lower the hood down easy and it Alines it self . I just did mine that way on the 69 and it worked good
Just wanted to follow up on this thread in case someone else has this problem. My problem was a misaligned latch pin (see photo). I had a little trouble finding the alignment tool as it was out of stock in several places I looked. Oddly, I found one on Etsy and took a chance on it. Turned out it worked perfectly so I've included a link https://www.etsy.com/listing/4403163...b%3A4403163982. If nothing else, you can see what it looks like. I loosed the two bolts holding the hood pin bracket and moved it about half an inch until it fit into the hole on the bottom of the alignment too. Now my hood pops up like it's supposed to. Thanks again to all who weighed in on my problem.
what's odd is it says that tool doesn't work on 68 and 69E cars... Not sure why but I have a 69E car and it helped a bit.. still gonna have to do some adjusting...
Last edited by joec; Feb 9, 2026 at 03:53 PM.
Reason: spelling
Helpful thread here!
My driver side latch hasn't fully released for years, so I would pull the release while lifting the hood (because it was driver side I could fairly easily do this somewhat awkward process). I got so used to doing this over the years, that it fell to the bottom of my long list of "looking into" items on the car. This thread got me realizing I needed to just take a little time and fix it. In my case it was just an adjustment on the Pin - lowering the pin so when the hood released the latch was able to fully disengage from the pin. Simple fix.
While I was at it I also heeded the warning about having an emergency cable in place. I made my own with a guitar string (again) similar to my post about the rear deck lid cable here.
It worked like a champ looks fine and didn't cost a dime!
I'm a new C3 owner and have a 72 LT-1 convertible. I'm having trouble getting the driver's side hood latch to fully release. The passenger side pops up nicely. The driver side comes up about a quarter of an inch and is not fully released. I have gently tried to raise the hood from the right side where I can get my fingers under the hood and can tell the left side is not fully released. However, when I push down on the left side, using a little Hygeanatural lubricant, it moves slightly and I can hear a click like the latch is fully engaged. I've put a little grease on the latch components hoping that would help with the release, but to no avail. I have to push in and pull out the hood release cable numerous times to eventually get luck and have the left side pop up. Appreciate any tips members have on this situation and how I might make the hood release more consistent. Thanks.
Your driver-side hood latch is likely binding or misaligned. Check the latch and striker alignment, inspect the release cable for kinks or stretch, and apply light lithium grease or silicone spray to the latch pivots. Adjust the cable tension if possible so the latch fully trips, and test several times to ensure smooth, consistent operation.
Sticky Hood Latch
