Exterior Secondary Hood Latch not Releasing

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Lots of threads about the primary hood latch (the one you pull from inside the cabin), not working, but I have a different issue. The secondary latch, the one you pull from in-between the front grill, appears to be stuck. The hood pops up fine a couple inches when you pull the inside release, the outside handle pops out okay, but doesn't seem to be able to activate the secondary latch. Looking in with a flashlight, it would seem that the secondary latch is seized. My attempts to move it with a long screwdriver through the grill have so far been unsuccessful.

Anyone else ever have this happen? I'm thinking my next step is to remove the grill. Not sure if the long screwdriver from underneath approach will work.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I guess I needed to figure this out on my own. Indeed pulling the grill off was the next step, which is easily done when you have access to the back side, not so much from the front. I used a set of Harbor Freight Trim And Molding Tool Set 5 Pc, part#67021 to remove the grill from the outside.

In the process, I broke the 3 clips on the top-center and the 2 on each vertical side. No worries, there are two different style clips on the top at either end which will not break if you push down and then out. These two, together with the ones at the bottom (which hold the bottom in mostly with the help of gravity) secure the grill just fine. At least that's my position at this point. Future R&R will be much easier too! :)

[BARRY]

i had this happen the other day. if you have a friend with small hands have them reach behind the grill and press down the top locking pieces. there are about 6 or so around the top of the grill. once the grill is removed you should have no problem sliding the locking mechanism over.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

if you have a friend with small hands have them reach behind the grill and press down the top locking pieces. there are about 6 or so around the top of the grill.

I came close but couldn't get my hand back and up there. There's a total of five locking clips on top but the two on the outermost ends are different and can be released by applying pressure down from the outside while pulling outward. In hindsight I might have been able to get to the two on the sides (one on each side).

BTW, the root cause of the problem was that the latch was semi-seized on it's pivot pin. I lubed it up with some "dry" bike chain lube. All good now.