Back to van today. I don't see any spring mechanism in the hood.
The secondary (smaller one closest to motor) pushes down with a very strong spring resistance but never catches itself if I push it with a screwdriver, say. It never locks itself down just pushes right back up hard.
I am assuming that's not right.
Going to look for some bolts around the smaller latch mechanism if there are any that can be adjusted. it's really hard to see anything in there, there's little visual clearance around it.

 

Did you try lube?

 

Not yet, I have some moly grease somewhere. Have to locate it.
Everything moves freely, just that small latch never catches on anything and won't stay down.

 

Picked up a spare hood latch yesterday and installed it. Works perfect!

To note: this I removed off a 2006 Ford e350. The part is identical.
And there was something wrong with my latch. All the parts were there, springs etc... all located correctly. But that main latch would not stay locked down.
The replacement one - when I pushed it down with my hand it immediately stayed down and locked (until pull release).

 

Yay! Nothing more unsettling than meeting your own hood at 40 MPH. Good work. jim

 

Thanks
If anyone can use parts off the latch that stopped working let me know.
I'm not always at the van geographically speaking but I would mail needed parts to any forum member for the price of postage.