[mvanzanten]

Two weeks ago I opened the hood to add wiper fluid, and it was unusually hard to close. The usual drop from 12" did not work, so I actually had to "slam" it shut. Now, when I pull the release handle, nothing happens. The hood remains locked shut.

Does anybody have any suggestions on how to open the hood?

 

[Nebula]

when you pull the release handle do you hear any click/clunk like the latch is trying to release?

 

[mvanzanten]

when you pull the release handle do you hear any click/clunk like the latch is trying to release?

No, there is no action from the hood when I pull the release handle. I feel like if I pull any harder on the handle, I will break it. No amount of shaking or jarring the hood will get it to pop up so that I can release the latch.

 

[Nebula]

Have you had someone try to lift the hood while you pull the release?
That's the last thing really to try, before suggesting getting the car on a lift.

 

[siai47]

If you had to slam it, maybe you left something under the hood which is pressing up on it. Try having someone push down fairly hard on the front of the hood above the latch and see if you can get the handle to move. If it does, hold the handle while the other person lets go of the hood. Maybe you will find the cap to the washer fluid bottle or something else in there.

 

[bentbiker]

Try having someone push down fairly hard on the front of the hood above the latch and see if you can get the handle to move.

While I agree with the concept of compressing the bumpers (and then adjusting them rather than "slamming" the hood), with an aluminum hood, that will almost certainly result in a dented hood. I'd be inclined to muscle the lever; if something breaks, so be it.

 

[Mister Dave]

Taken from the web (I bear no responsibility for this advice):

Sometimes, the hood on Chevrolets gets stuck and won't pop up after the interior latch is released. If this occurs on your Volt, simply pull up on the hood and it should pop up for you to release the second latch. Sometimes, especially on older Volts, you may have difficulty getting your hood to latch when you close it. In this case, the interior release lever on your 2013 Chevrolet Volt is probably stuck in the "open" position - push the release lever back and forth several times and then try to close your hood.

 

[mvanzanten]

Well, I finally got the hood to open. It took a lot of pulling on the lever, and pushing and pulling on the hood to finally get it to pop up. I was careful not to dent my hood. It is still way too difficult to close the hood. I will have the dealer look at it in the fall when I take it in for an oil change.

 

[hellsop]

Well, I finally got the hood to open. It took a lot of pulling on the lever, and pushing and pulling on the hood to finally get it to pop up. I was careful not to dent my hood. It is still way too difficult to close the hood. I will have the dealer look at it in the fall when I take it in for an oil change.

So it does NOT latch when you just drop it from about a foot open?

 

[Steverino]

It is still way too difficult to close the hood.

There are basically two hinges. Something is binding (oil the pivot), or the two (?) bolts on each hinge are off/loose.

 

[Nebula]

Thought you might be interested in this post. http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?287801-Closing-hood&p=4051201#post4051201

It seems on some Volts the primary latch release cable was routed wrong making it difficult to open/close the hood.

 

[heword7]

Two weeks ago I opened the hood to add wiper fluid, and it was unusually hard to close. The usual drop from 12" did not work, so I actually had to "slam" it shut. Now, when I pull the release handle, nothing happens. The hood remains locked shut.

Does anybody have any suggestions on how to open the hood?

Dash hood release cable seems to have been disconnected from the initial release mechanism (maybe broken cable). Has anyone found a way to get to the lach mechanism to make the initial first pop-up? Does one have to take the bumper off to get to the release mechanism? Is there a way to make the initial release from under neath the Volt? Thanks, Ray

 

[Steverino]

Dash hood release cable seems to have been disconnected from the initial release mechanism (maybe broken cable). Has anyone found a way to get to the lach mechanism to make the initial first pop-up? Does one have to take the bumper off to get to the release mechanism? Is there a way to make the initial release from under neath the Volt? Thanks, Ray

Double posting and still not giving the car year...

 

[heword7]

2014

2014 Chevy Volt!