My hood is very difficult to close, even after adjusting it. So, I simply tried the screwdriver method to lock it. It appears to be worn out. I went to look for the part at the dealership and it's discontinued.

There are a few places that show this part in stock, but they're asking ~$300 for it.

Has anyone run across this situation and what did you do? Thanks!

 

I would get to searching the for sale section of the forum, and try a 'wanted to buy' listing.

 

I feel you on that, but most of them would be either 23-25 years old, which would likely fail as well. I was hoping to at least get a NOS one from Mazda.

 

Scherer Mazda had a couple in stock for $27.95 (part number FD01-56-720C). I guess they may now have just one since I just ordered one.

 

That link takes me to the release cable.

Unfortunately, they're out of the locking mechanism as well: https://www.mazdaswag.com/oem-parts/...kwMDc4NCZyPTE3

 

I may have one or two in the parts bin. If I recall, they were in decent shape. Shoot me a PM if interested.

 

There is one on ebay.

Mazda Rx7 Fd Hood Latch System | eBay

 

I dunno about likely to fail. Pretty rare issue.

 

Oops! My cable broke and I miss read your post.

 

You may be in luck. The 1994 Miata hood latch (NA01-56-620C) looks similar to ours (big surprise). Worth a try you can always return it if it doesn't work

 

I shall check the 95 Ford Probe. So far a lot of stuff interchanges, so there's junkyard hope there too maybe...

 

I agree. Never heard of this happening and I've never heard of the screwdriver method.

 

maybe he likes opening and closing his hood a lot, and just wore it out. one of those people who has to pet his engine every night when he gets home.


most likely though it's just sticky and nothing some PB blaster and some white lithium grease can't fix. because i've never seen a latch wear out either.

 

That's where you simulate a hood closing by jamming a screwdriver (or any thin rod) into the locking mechanism. This allows you you to see if the various components of the latch are locking onto the hood striker.

My car was down for a few years, so the hood had been open for a while. Prior to the car going down, the hood latch worked fine. I've hit it with some PB blaster and silicone spray. We shall see if it gets any better.

The Miata one does look *VERY* similar. Too bad I don't have my NA to test anymore.

I'm going to try adjusting it a little more and see what happens.

 

Please tell me more about this!

 

Resurrecting a dead thread here. Is there any update on this?
The bushings on my latch have worn out and the locking cam no longer engages the lock, instead it overlaps with it, same condition as this one, It keeps me from closing the hood all the way, as only the emergency latch engages. I was wondering if anybody had tried any of the suggested replacements? Or should I just wait for a used one to come up for sale?

 

I would just get a good used one. Really it's not that common of a problem.

I open and close my hood WAY more than is necessary and have 135,000 miles on the car (bought at 68,000) and my hood latch works perfectly.

Dale

 

Dale! It's been forever since I've had a chance to chat with you. I hope all is well, man!

The used units around are pretty pricey and you have no idea what the condition is. I called every popular Mazda dealership in the USA and none were able to order me one.

I ended up contacting RHDJapan to help me source one from Japan. It took a few months, but they eventually found one for me.

 

Thanks for the tips. I've been looking for a used one, but they usually get scooped up pretty quickly. And I have no idea on the condition, either. (I figure if it failed on my car, what's to stop it from failing again, especially since everything is "high-mileage" these days.)
I'm assuming the Japanese part is compatible with LHD cars? I guess I just assumed the Japanese parts would be reversed since the opener cable would be coming from the right-side

 

I THINK the Japanese hood latch is reversed with the cable coming in from the opposite side. Don't know if it could be made to work though.

Howdy WaLieN!

Dale