Seat/engine cover clips not engaging

[tennesseetoyota]

Hello all,

After a recent road trip the two little latches that hold the engine cover/driver seat down are no longer engaging. I have fumbled with them for too much time and can't seem to get them to engage. It's something I need fixed ASAP as I think that, with the cover not going down completely, I'm getting fumes pulled into the cabin from the vacuum it creates.

Any advice on getting them to work again? I've taken the springs off and fumbled with the latches themselves to no avail.

[blakebecker37130]

I had the same issue. I fixed mine by loosening the hood mounting bolts and pushing down on the seat until the locks engaged. I then tightened the hood bolts. No issues after that.

[llamavan]

I replaced mine ('89) with 1st gen hood latches. That does require swapping out the whole "hood" (seat platform). But for me, problem solved — my issue was broken latch loops on the original "hood".

EDIT: if you choose to go this route, here's the write-up (https://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/content.php?239-Engine-hood-swap-%97-transplanting-a-1st-gen-engine-cover-into-a-2nd-gen-Van).

Gwen