14 replies to this topic

[jimgraham]

Hi all, Went to try and fill up my Windscreen wash last night and the flipping bonnet wont open. I move the release catch all the way to the left but the bonnet wont open. The lever is doing something as there is plenty of resistance and you can hear the mechanism working. I have tried grabbing a friend to pull on the bonnet whilst i wiggle the lever, but this didn't work. Any suggestions guys? I have done a search, but have no really come across anything. I havent got the equipment to take the front wheel arch out. Please help!! Jim

[Big_Si]

might not be of any help, but when i first got mine that lever was very hard to pull indeed. Just give the thing a heavy pull.... failing that warranty job!

[jimgraham]

It is strange. I have tried pulling it hard to the left, but the bonnet doesn't budge. The release lever seems to reach the limit of its travel, but the bonnet doesn't pop. I dont want to break the lever! My car is 2 years old now, so i guess the warranty wont cover this will it?

[TonyKL]

Mine was also a little stiff, couldnt open it from the drivers side. Someone suggested sitting in the passenger seat to do it and that worked - don't know if this will help or not

[laidback50]

Yes, it sounds daft but I also always open mine from the passenger seat. Graham.

[jimgraham]

I have had a go but this doesn't seem to work. Thaks for the suggestions though. The lever is reaching its maximum travel but not poping the bonnet. Any other ideas?

[VillaMad]

Mine was delivered with the same problem. No amount of pulling or pushing would budge it. Had to take it to Lookers who sorted it within about half hour under warranty.

[UKspeedster]

Jim, I think it's a fairly common problem for the bonnet catch not to line up particularly well Your best bet is to try to help the mechanism a little bit. If you can get someone to hold the lever as far to the left as possible, you should then be able to open the bonnet by giving it a little lateral pull towards the windscreen as well as lifting it upwards. That should free the catch and you can then look to adjust the position of it slightly with a screwdriver (Philips I think). HTH.

[bAAx]

ive had this too couple of days ago! was due roadgrime and salt making the mechanism stick.. had to pull really hard on the lever to make it actually release the bonnet.. then i applied some WD40 to the mechanism, now it works again if you cant make it release fully, maybe you can open it to where it will go and spray WD40 on the lock through the little crack? in fact i used the opportunity to spray some WD40 on various moving parts all over (the car, obviously ) good luck!

Edited by bAAx, 23 February 2005 - 03:18 PM.

[Jase_MK]

Had this a couple of times after I removed the bonnet and refitted it slightly misaligned. Don't pull the lever too hard as they aren't very strong. Also, don't pull the bonnet up as this won't achieve anything if the catch is not releasing. My advice would be to get someone to pull the lever whilst you try pulling/moving the bonnet in all 4 lateral directions (left, right, forwards, backwards). This should do it. Then grease up the catch nicely before you close it again. Best to use something that will stay like proper grease, rather than WD40 which will jus run away after a few hours. Do the gaps all around the bonnet look even when it's shut? My guess is that the whole bonnet is slightly misaligned (pretty easy to fix). Jase

[jimgraham]

Jase, Thanks for the advice. I will try this when i get home - my house mate does have uses after all!! I may be screaming for help later when the bonet breaks off in my hand! , Jim

[Muncher]

Had this a couple of times after I removed the bonnet and refitted it slightly misaligned. Don't pull the lever too hard as they aren't very strong. Also, don't pull the bonnet up as this won't achieve anything if the catch is not releasing.

My advice would be to get someone to pull the lever whilst you try pulling/moving the bonnet in all 4 lateral directions (left, right, forwards, backwards). This should do it. Then grease up the catch nicely before you close it again. Best to use something that will stay like proper grease, rather than WD40 which will jus run away after a few hours.

Do the gaps all around the bonnet look even when it's shut? My guess is that the whole bonnet is slightly misaligned (pretty easy to fix).

Jase

Spot on, I had the same problem.

It just needs to be wiggled in all four directions and a bit of force lifting the bonnet.

[meldert]

If all else fails look at these treads:

Front cover won't open...

Front cover - How to open (followup to the instructions/discussion in the above thread)

[Mercenary]

I've just had my bonnet release lever re-fitted by Crownhill (took 4 trips there to get this done! ) and it has broken again (after the 1st time I tried it)! Is it supposed to recede out of the way, or is it supposed to stick out a bit? With it stuck out a bit my left foot kept catching it when moving between the clutch and foot rest. It broke when I pushed it a little (gently - honest!) to try to make it recede. I can't believe how easily it broke. Is there a better replacement?

[mal_dun]

I have to pull my bonnet slightly to the nearside after the initial release. It has to be gentle though.