Adjusting Engine Lid Latch

PorschePilot · 06-20-2005, 12:07 PM

When I go down rough roads my engine lid pops open. Is there a way to adjust the latch to make it grip better?

Zeke · 06-20-2005, 12:21 PM

Yes and it's tedious. Trial and error. Make sure your cable is adjusted correctly first. At rest, the cable needs to hold the release mechanism at its most closed point. This is very important as too loose or too tight of cable doesn't allow the receiver to clamp down on the post to the max. Then make sure the lid latch enters the hole correctly and has the right height for some tension. The bump stops and the spring of the lid provide enough tension to hear the thing click when you press it down.

It should stay if all these things are right. It has nothing to do with the spring on the post, that is there to pop up the lid and hold it out of the receiver until you get around to the back and raise it. You need more tension than that spring provides.

PorschePilot · 06-20-2005, 12:37 PM

Thanks, I'll have to take a look and see what's going on.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

To see if the engine lid latch is properly centered, put a piece of wide masking tape over the latch hole on the car body. Then slowly lower the engine lid until the latching pin just dents or punctures the tape. You will be able to see which way to adjust the latch pin for a perfect fit! This way is a lot easier than standing on your head trying to see the fit as the lid is lowered.

randywebb · 06-20-2005, 08:15 PM

nice!

Zeke · 06-20-2005, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fred cook
To see if the engine lid latch is properly centered, put a piece of wide masking tape over the latch hole on the car body. Then slowly lower the engine lid until the latching pin just dents or punctures the tape. You will be able to see which way to adjust the latch pin for a perfect fit! This way is a lot easier than standing on your head trying to see the fit as the lid is lowered.

Actually, the arc of the lid is not quite right with the latch hole. I believe one would attempt to have the head of the pin hit centered side to side and just rearward of center on the longitudinal axis, but so it doesn't hit anything on its way home.

Watch the pin as it enters the latch hole with a flashlight. It gets closer to the front of the hole as it proceeds downward.

Or is my car that tweaked? Hah! Look at yours and see. Anyway, this can be compensated for by bending the angle of the pin, but you have to know which way your car wants the bend, if any. I still think the arc is slightly off.