Most likeky you have either had someone try to break in your car or someone has tried to open the car and knocked the linkage off that connects the handle from the latch. To fix this can be a pain but Take off the inside door paneling and recommect the linkage that leads to either the handle (which is more common) or to the latch itslef. This is a very common problem that happen when someone tries to open a locked car witha slijim or something else that does NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING!! The linkage is held on with plastic little connectors and are very easy to knock off or disconnect. To open a car you must be very gentle with the linkage inside, and do NOT force or jerk the tool you are using.
To open the hood on a 2001 mercury cougar when the hood latch cable snaps you will need to release the mechanism from the underside. You will need a mechanics prybar and look up from underneath the car, place the screwdriver tip in the release mechanism and turn.
You can find a front door latch assembly diagram, for your 1996, Mercury Cougar from the manufacturer website. Many auto-parts websites will have the diagram.
Thedoor latch/lock assemblies are not repairable. Replace it with a new one.
get a hinge replacement kit for that door. its the door sagging NT the latch.
It is located on the left kick guard under the steering wheel.
On a 2000 Mercury Cougar : Open the drivers door , and on the end of the door ( or the latch pillar ) you will see an information sticker . One of the things it shows is the original size of tires on the vehicle from the factory
You didn't explain much of what was wrong, but with my cougar I thought it was the latch, but it was actually having to replace the bushings in the door hinge. It used to be that you could just by the bushings kit, but now you have to by the whole set up.
Yeah, I have the same question. My cougar has been sitting for a year now with a dead battery and no way to charge it because the hood latch broke. Anyone? Pull the trim out from around the release, grab onto the cable with pliers and pull.
There are two sensors on the door of a Mercury Cougar; the first which controls the two stage interior lighting can be found on the forward portion of the door jamb it is a button. The second sensor is found the the door latch mechanism at the rear of the door jamb. It is problematic at best. Use some wd40 to clean it really spray it well. Then use a lubricant spray; silicon spray works the best. Really saturate it well. You will probably have to do this annually. There are two sensors on the door of a Mercury Cougar; the first which controls the two stage interior lighting can be found on the forward portion of the door jamb it is a button. The second sensor is found the the door latch mechanism at the rear of the door jamb. It is problematic at best. Use some wd40 to clean it really spray it well. Then use a lubricant spray; silicon spray works the best. Really saturate it well. You will probably have to do this annually. There are two sensors on the door of a Mercury Cougar; the first which controls the two stage interior lighting can be found on the forward portion of the door jamb it is a button. The second sensor is found the the door latch mechanism at the rear of the door jamb. It is problematic at best. Use some wd40 to clean it really spray it well. Then use a lubricant spray; silicon spray works the best. Really saturate it well. You will probably have to do this annually.
do your best to remove the interior panel. you need to get at the latch inside, find the rod for the door latch (runs from the inside handle to the latch mechanism at the rear of the door) work that back and forth and spray the latch mechanism with LOTS of wd-40, etc as you're working the rod back and forth, i had to do this for 3 doors on my 95 park ave, no problems since.
A hood latch is the mechanism that holds your vehicles hood in the closed position while in operation.
Temporarily, get a bungee cord and fasten it. Then take it to a body shop for the repair or replacement of the hood latch mechanism.