2004 LS430; Hood Latching / Locking Issue
 

First Post on the Forum. I’m a Senior Senior and Personally an Avalon (2011 Limited) Driver. Issue is with my 24 Year Old Grandson’s Lexus 430. Strange car for a 24 YO, right? Anyway, he’s departed the Lower 48 for Alaska and has asked his Mother, my Daughter, to sell his Lexus, for $ to purchase something up there.

Unfortunately, there are some issues with his car, not the least, but the worst being that the Hood WILL NOT Latch / Lock. Currently held down with a couple bungee cords. I’ve soaked the mechanism with Liquid Wrench & Big Shot Blaster and freed it up, & the Primary Locking “Lever”(?) moves freely up and down when closing the Hood into it. BUT, IT WILL NOT LOCK. I checked the Hood Release Lever / Cable inside the car. the cable is attached, but the lever is “hanging down,” with probably about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch of what feels like “slack” in the cable. Can anyone knowledgable about this complete system please give me some insight on how I can DIM (Do It Myself) to further diagnose and possibly fix this issue? Any thoughts on schematics, parts lists, or literature, or access to same, explaining this system would also be helpful. I’m somewhat literate and mechanically understanding, being a retired AF Pilot, and having worked on my own vehicles since turning 16. Thanks to All for any input you might have.