hood-release latch won't open hood on first try!
 

grrrr, ok, here's the info. The car is a 1990 190E. Lately I the hood-release latch has not been popping the hood when I pull on it! Many months ago I noticed this problem, but it happened seldomly. When it didn't pop the hood on the first pull of the latch, usually the second or third try would. Now it's like I have to pull on it like 20 times, like cranking a car. Sometimes after pulling it 15+ times, I would give it a break and go inside. Later I'd go back and try it again. Then the hood will pop! Anyone know how I can remedy this problem? And id pullung on the hood-release latch repeatedly a BAD thing? Will I damage any mechanical parts or the cable? Thanks! And please help!!!!!

Yes, bad thing. It should pop on the first pull, first time, every time.

Is the latch mechanism lubed? It could be that the cable has stretched. I believe you can adjust the cable attachment point once you get the hood open. Access is from underneath the cross piece that holds the mechanism.

Keep us posted,

Haasman

Lube the latching mechanism as a start.
Probably binding.
Spray with penetrating oil, and have someone else operate it so that you can observe the action.

woohoo! latch finally opened and I was able to check the oil and add a tad of it into the engine! I'm not sure if this helped or not, but this is what I did after playinging with the latch this morning without getting it to pop the hood. I went to the front of the car and gently yet firmly pressed on the front edge of each corner of the hood. I pulled the little release thingy out from the grille. I then went to pop the hood, and it popped open! I thought I'd try that trick I heard from a Volvo discussion board. But I think with the Volvo, you press on the driver-side of the hood (closer to the door than to the front edge of the hood). Yeah, wish I had read csmow's post before I closed the hood! I'll spray some grease on it next time :P Thanks guys!