Van engine latch potentially broken

[quadney]

Hi friends,

My van has been in the shop a couple times since I purchased it (smog, general inspection), and I’m having trouble opening the latch. One side clicks to release the hook, the other side does not click. Any suggestions on what to look at first? My first instinct is to unscrew the entire latch, but I would like to know of anyone else had this problem.

Thanks!

[trestlehed]

You might try being like The Fonze and "Sit on it"... at the same time you're trying to click the latch.
(Your weight on the seat might take some pressure off of the latch assembly.)

Just an idea. Hope it helps.

[Burntboot]

Never hurts to take a look and make sure all the seals are present and in their proper place.
Especially if the problem did not exist prior to the shop visits.

[Cali Cruiser]

I am in the habit of clicking one latch lever while pulling up slightly on the seat and then clicking the other latch lever to open the engine hatch. It seams like when I do not do it this way, one of the latches always locks itself before I can open the engine hatch.

[AD2101]

Some WD-40 can't hurt either in case something got gummed up. Also, the spring might have become stuck/dislodged or the latch got stuck in the "closed" position. That can happen, right?