Hood: Anyone else have this happen ?

[petegee77]

My BSBB has 12 K miles on it. On Monday we started on a vacation trip of 3 1/2 hrs to Pittsburgh. About 3/4 of the way there I hear a warning noise. I just figued it was the " Do you need to take a rest?" warning I've heard before. I glance at the read out and it's warning me that the hood is ajar . We quickly pulled over , released the latch from inside opened the hood and shut it. I then pulled up on the hood , which I ALWAYS, do to make sure it was latched.
There's no way my left knee came close to the inside realease when I was driving. It's buried up against the door as usual. It's been well over 3 months ( and over 2000 miles) since the hood was opened and that was when I checked the oil level after a oil and filter change at the dealer. And ,per usual , I pulled up on the hood after I shut it. Just curious if anyone else has had that experience ?

Sponsored

 

[Glamdring70]

You can't release the hood from inside with the door closed. When you stopped, you should have checked the hood before unlatching it to see if it was really unlatched. Maybe you did, but it isn't written that way.

It has a double catch as a safety. So either it was only on the first notch or the mechanism that throws the warning is out of adjustment and the hood really was latched. Another possibility is an electrical gremlin. Sometimes mine likes to insist the washer fluid is low, to the point of putting a warning on the DIC. Even if completely full. Maybe check your battery's condition and see if any critters have chewed anything?

 

[petegee77]

You can't release the hood from inside with the door closed. When you stopped, you should have checked the hood before unlatching it to see if it was really unlatched. Maybe you did, but it isn't written that way.

It has a double catch as a safety. So either it was only on the first notch or the mechanism that throws the warning is out of adjustment and the hood really was latched. Another possibility is an electrical gremlin. Sometimes mine likes to insist the washer fluid is low, to the point of putting a warning on the DIC. Even if completely full. Maybe check your battery's condition and see if any critters have chewed anything?

Oh the hood WAS unlatched. Just seconds before the warning bell came on I thought I saw the hood patially pop, you know one of those "did I just see that? " , things. I'm assuming it was just a one time glitch. I'm just glad it didn't totally release at 70 mph. That's no fun.

 

[Meanderthal]

With the “double latch” mechanism, it shouldn’t be a problem but if the first latch can pop open, who knows about the second.

I have been wondering if maybe the dreaded “hood shake” that we all have might have contributed to this issue? I know for mine the shake is more at the back of the hood than the front but both ends do move at highway speeds.

 

[petegee77]

With the “double latch” mechanism, it shouldn’t be a problem but if the first latch can pop open, who knows about the second.

I have been wondering if maybe the dreaded “hood shake” that we all have might have contributed to this issue? I know for mine the shake is more at the back of the hood than the front but both ends do move at highway speeds.

Thanks for the input. , Took the BS right to the GO car wash when we got back. Man the hood was shaking like mad during the high velocity drying process as usual. I'm watching that hood like a hawk but nothing. Stayed latched.

 

[Meanderthal]

Thanks for the input. , Took the BS right to the GO car wash when we got back. Man the hood was shaking like mad during the high velocity drying process as usual. I'm watching that hood like a hawk but nothing. Stayed latched.

Just as an advisory: I know you are nervous about the hood popping open but do not be over aggressive closing it. The hood is aluminum and you can “accidentally” dent it without too much force. Push directly over the latch area and get as much contact between your hand(s) and the hood as you can.

Maybe you already know this but this could also benefit someone else.

 

[Mark S.]

If you don't have gas springs you can just let the hood fall from one foot or so and it will latch without having to touch it at all. Use @Meanderthal's technique if you have gas springs.

Here's a demo:

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/data/video/24/24791-fa7b322b9df44fe467229adc37bfc97f.mp4

 

[Escape2Bronco]

Mine definitely shakes near the windshield more so than up front. Car wash dryer is much worse than actual driving, but then I haven’t driven through a tornado yet.

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

Thanks for the input. , Took the BS right to the GO car wash when we got back. Man the hood was shaking like mad during the high velocity drying process as usual. I'm watching that hood like a hawk but nothing. Stayed latched.

My hood also shakes a lot in the drive thru car wash when high speed dryer blows on it.

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

Just as an advisory: I know you are nervous about the hood popping open but do not be over aggressive closing it. The hood is aluminum and you can “accidentally” dent it without too much force. Push directly over the latch area and get as much contact between your hand(s) and the hood as you can.

Maybe you already know this but this could also benefit someone else.

I didn't know the BS hoods were Aluminum i guess the old saying you learn something new everyday could be true.

 

[Tall Timbers]

When the hood gets to shaking majorly, I can't help but imagine the whole thing flying right off the car.

 

[petegee77]

When the hood gets to shaking majorly, I can't help but imagine the whole thing flying right off the car.

Trust me, you are NOT alone with these thoughts. My 1st time in the car wash with my BSBB I was like OMG !!

 

[21Broncosaurus]

Maybe the hood bump stops are set too high. Try twisting them to their lowest position.

 

[Dantanman]

My hood also shakes a lot in the drive thru car wash when high speed dryer blows on it.

Mine is brutal too. I've had several ford's with aluminum hoods, none shook like this one. Adjustments all checked, has hood insulation. Even a random passenger commented on it, "is that normal?". According to Ford, yes. Probably won't be a structural issue for me but repeated flex is known to cause cracks in aluminum eventually. It may be a problem for 2nd or 3rd owners and will be out of warranty. Haven't had unlatching issues. Ford....the metal is too thin, just admit it.

 

[chipearly]

search the forum for adding a 1/2 rubber tube to the weatherstrip at the rear of the hood. I did it to mine and the hood shake is barely noticeable now.

Sponsored