Hood Latch Removal/Installation: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 Mazda 3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Open the hood.
Disconnect the negative battery cable. (See NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE DISCONNECTION/CONNECTION .)
Remove the following parts:
1. Set plate (See SET PLATE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
2. Front bumper (See FRONT BUMPER REMOVAL .) (See FRONT BUMPER INSTALLATION .)
3. Front combination light (See FRONT COMBINATION LIGHT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
4. Shroud upper member (See SHROUD UPPER MEMBER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
5. Crash zone sensor cover (See CRASH ZONE SENSOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [STANDARD DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM] .)
Insert a tape-wrapped flathead screwdriver into the position shown in the figure.

Fig 1: Removing Hood Latch
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Move the tape-wrapped flathead screwdriver in the direction of arrow (1) shown in the figure to press the hood latch protector tab, and lift the tab up in the direction of arrow (2) and detach its tab from the hood latch.
Detach all the hood latch protector tabs from the hood latch and remove the hood latch protector.
While pressing the tabs of the clip in the direction of arrow (1) shown in the figure, press it in the direction of arrow (2) to detach the connector tabs from the body.

Fig 2: Pressing Hood Latch Protector Tab
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the connector antenna from the body.
Disconnect the connector.
Disconnect the hood release cable.

Fig 3: Locating Hood Release Cable With Bolt
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the bolts.
Remove the hood latch. (See HOOD LATCH INSTALLATION NOTE .)
Install in the reverse order of removal.