Hood latch wire

So my hood latch wire is loose and the hood won't lock back in...any tricks or should I just replace it myself ?

 

hood latch wire loose.... hood wont lock back in.... seems like one counter intuitively combats the other. would you mind elaborating a bit more?

 

I'm pretty sure the spring that pulls the release cable to its normal position has weakened or the internal friction of the cable is more than the spring can overcome.

If you look straight down at the locking mechanism, you will see the ball on the end of the cable and the spring that pulls it to its normal position. Its kind of hard to see but move your head just right and it becomes apparent.

You can take a thin blade screw driver and assist that spring in pulling the cable to the drivers side. You will hear it snap into position.

Be very sure that the cable is not broke. If its broke, you wont be able to get the hood open. One big pain.



This picture is upside down compared to our trucks. You need to feed the thin bladed driver past the big spring and help the little spring pull on the cable ball.

This was the best pic I could find that showed the inner of our latch. Just imagine it upside down.