Hi. Sorry but another newbie question. If the bonnet release handle (the one inside under the dashboard) cannot open the bonnet is there any other way to do it? e.g from outside the bonnet is there any way of releasing the catch?

has the wire broke or is it just stuck?? mine had started to stick and some ACF50 sorted it.....might save you some effort

If you can get a mate to pull the bonnet up, you may be able to get at the catch and release it from underneath using a long screwdriver. Also, you may be able to release it with a fix of PlusGas sprayed through the grille if it's stuck catch rather than broken cable.

It looks as though the wire was stuck not broken. It finally released and I gave it a few liberal squirts with WD40 which seems to have done the trick, but it would still be good to know ways of opening the bonnet if the wire does break.

Get a mate or someone to pull on release handle whilst you place your hands on bonnet right above the release catch. Takes abit of practice but as you push down on bonnet and friend pulls handle you should find it will release it. Spray some lube all around catch too.

Once in cover the mechanism in lube free everything up.

Now it's open, give the catch a decent shot of lithium grease, work it several times, then another shot of grease.