front hood wont close on Gen 3 Camry

[torontotenor]

A friend of mine has a 93 Camry, he tried to close his hood after putting in some windshield washer fluid, it would only close to the semi locked position and subsequent to that his trunk release lost its springiness. We thought
that the cable might have been broken but you could still hear it moving near the latch in the hood. Anybody have any ideas about this? Thanks in advance.

[Kitto]

Try some WD-40 first to see if that solve the problem.

[Kep]

You may have fixed it by now but also check the two rubber pads in the front corners. These adjust up and down (mine are cut with a spiral pattern and I just twist them). If they are too high up it might not close.

Kep

[xtremeskier97]

hmmmm....front hood.....as opposed to what..a rear hood?


j/k

[ghettosled]

i would spray some engine cleaner (or possibly brake cleaner, if you use it cautiously) to clean out the latch mechanism. mine constantly use to clog with debris and oil. once its cleaned, use some graphite spray to lubricate. this gives lubrication without the stickiness so debris wont continue to collect.

[Mazeraski]

Originally Posted by xtremeskier97

hmmmm....front hood.....as opposed to what..a rear hood?


j/k

haha

Go with what ghettosled said. one of my friends cars had the same problem and it turned out to be the latch getting stuck due to debris. Could be the hood bumpers like Kep said...all you have to do is adjust them by screwing them in or out. But if it was closing before, then it shouldn't be those unless someone adjusted them without your friend knowing haha.

As for the trunk release problem, mine has a similar problem. Sometimes the release latch opens it and sometimes it doesn't (also unlocking it with the key doesn't work at all haha). But it's probably something wrong with the spring judging by your blunt description (obviously). I think mine is the cable but who knows. Hope that helps.