I do not think you can put a hood on misaligned that it would not open,unless it is raised at the back and it catches.I think you need to give the handle a GOOD pull towards you.You can pull forward and it feels like the "pin" is moving(and it is) but it is not moving any of the parts to release the latch at the top.The mechanisms pivot from the pin,it lifts upward and then pushes the top latch portion inwards toward the center to
"pop" the hood.I did a test on the latches i have here to prove the theory.The one with the bracket on it that the handle would mount to,i could pull forward on it with a motion i would use to open the hood normally and it did not lower the pin enough to start pivoting the internals as to open the hood.This may be your problem.If i went hard on it it would move the latch inwards as to open or if i pulled the pin down manually with my finger it would.Careful if you try to reef the handle hard as you may be in for a repair to the handle.In the pictures,look to the lower left hand side and you will see the "pin" and then follow it to see how it travels the rest of the mechanism.If you cannot get your finger up in there,try and locate it and use something flexible but solid and bend it to fit in there and pull downwards and it should pop.I really do not think the pin is travelling as far as it can when you are trying to open the hood.It needs just a smidgen more travel i believe.Hope this is of some help and goodluck!




What you see is facing towards the rad so you need to attack it from that point.

David