Hood Release on 99 Caravan Frozen ?

[KenK]

Hi,
Hope someone can help me out. I have a 99 Dodge Caravan, which has been spending the winter outdoor (in very chilly Upstate NY). I am hoping to sell it soon, and wanted to start it today. It would not start (no surprise, it was 5 degrees today). When I went to pop the hood, the release did not open the hood. I pushed on the hood a couple of times, and not luck. I haven't use the van much, and it did have some snow on it, so I suspect that could be part of the problem. I am open to suggestion on how to open the hood, so I can jump the battery. Thanks.

Ken

[tamouh]

I had the same problem on an Olds Alero. Usually, if I take the car for a short drive ( 5 minutes ), it loosens the hood release and can open/close the hood properly.

The other way I was able to do it is pull hard on the hood release (note, this may cause the cable to snap!). Once the hood opened, it will not close properly until the car warms up a bit.

Try to use the block heater plug if you have one installed.

Tamouh

[mrbizness1]

If you believe the the mechanism is frozen, spray a little oil on it and use a hair dryer to heat it up.

[MadMike05]

hair dryer!!!

[mrbizness1]

hair dryer!!!

Sounds crazy but I have used a hair dryer to defrost door locks, frozen parking brake cable and truck air brakes in 5 degree weather.