Bonnet release failure

[AMartinD]

Hello all, hopefully someone will be able to help me...!!

 

I took my March 2011-reg Superb II Estate 170 CR 2.0TDi down to my local independent VAG specialists (V-Hub in Tewkesbury) this morning for a service and a cambelt change; shortly after I'd dropped the car off I had a call from V-Hub to tell me they couldn't open the bonnet because the release lever wasn't doing anything.  It's maybe a couple of weeks since I lifted the bonnet and the release seemed fine then, but I do recall having had the same problem a few years ago - I can't remember when - but on that occasion the problem was fixed, probably at the local main dealer's.  I've got a vague recollection of whoever sorted out the problem on that occasion telling me that the release cable had become detached from the latch (or something!).

 

This morning, the V-Hub guys had taken the interior panels off and checked the release lever; everything seemed to be working at that end.  The V-Hub guys then tried for about an hour to find a way to unlatch the bonnet from the outside (and underneath) but failed to get the bonnet open, so the service and cambelt change had to be cancelled for today.

 

The car is booked in with V-Hub again for this time next week, and V-Hub have ordered a new release cable plus bonnet latch to have on hand in case they damage anything when trying to get the bonnet open; in the meantime I'll be very grateful if anyone can offer any suggestions on how to release the bonnet when the cable has broken or become detached.  There must be some way of unlatching the bonnet to enable it to be opened in such situations!

 

Thanks in advance,

 

--

Martin

Edited 30 June, 2017 by AMartinD

[silver1011]

Seems a little unusual for a VAG specialist not to know how to open a bonnet with a broken release.

 

It is a 'relatively' common problem, even more so on the Octavia, surely they've come across it before?

[AMartinD]

Thanks for the reply, Silver.

 

Yes, I agree that it does seem odd that the folks at the local VAG specialist weren't able to release the bonnet - the company has been in existence for (at least) several years so as you indicate it's surprising they haven't encountered the problem before.

 

I've now got the car booked in to the nearby main dealer for next Thurs afternoon, for them to take a look at the bonnet release - when I phoned them on Sat morning to make an appointment the service reception lady mentioned something about a clip having come undone and she said they'd definitely be able to get the bonnet open so they could then take a look to see what if any parts might be needed.

 

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Martin

[Jules Tohpipi]

When you pull the lever inside the car does the bonnet pop up?

[AMartinD]

5 hours ago, Jules Tohpipi said:

When you pull the lever inside the car does the bonnet pop up?

 

No! 

 

The lever inside the car moves freely enough, and is apparently correctly attached to the cable, but pulling the lever doesn't unlatch the bonnet so it would appear that either the cable (or the latch) is broken or the cable has become detached from the latch.  The main dealer's reference to a clip makes me suspect the latter, but this can't be confirmed until someone manages to unlatch the bonnet so that it pops up and can then be lifted to enable access to the latch mechanism.

 

--

Martin

[williamshatnerspants]

 

For an Octavia but might be some help.....

[AMartinD]

Hi all, just a quick update...

 

I took my car into the local main dealership this afternoon and they managed to get the bonnet open; apparently the bonnet release cable is in two parts (don't ask me why!) and the joint in the middle had for some undiagnosed reason come undone.  Anyway the repair has been made and I can now open the bonet again so the car can go for its service and cambelt change tomorrow as re-scheduled.

 

It took the dealer's workshop about an hour to sort it out but they only charged me for the half-an-hour the jobs was supposed to take.  Not a bad result from that perspective.

 

When I was booking the car in at the service reception this afternoon, the girl pointed out that their records showed that the car hadn't had the 23R6 emissions 'fix' implemented; I stated explicity that I did NOT want it, or another s/ware update, doing, so the girl marked the jobsheet as 'Declined' against those two items.  However, when I received the invoice it showed that 'Other work carried out' was the 23R6 emissions update and the 'Campaign 66F1' update.  I queried this with the service reception girl and she assured me that they hadn't implemented the updates, but when I drove the car away it felt quite different to normal and was decidedly gutless when I tried to accelerate away.  If I find that the 23R6 emissions update HAS been implemented despite my clearly stated and explicit instructions not to do it then I'll be very, very angry...

 

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Martin

[jafo]

Check for sticker in the spare wheel compartment. 

[AMartinD]

6 minutes ago, jafo said:

Check for sticker in the spare wheel compartment. 

 

I've just had a very quick look and couldn't see anything but I'll check more carefully tomorrow.  I'll also ask the V-Hub people who are doing the service and cambelt change to use their VCDS system to see what firmware version is installed and hopefully from that I'll be able to tell if the 23R6 update has been done.  Grrrrr......!

 

--

Martin

[jafo]

Not sure if it would fly in court - but I would sue them for damaging the car ... you haven't approved this so they had no right to do this ...

[williamshatnerspants]

Is it possible to 'undo' the update?

[Ootohere]

You could get a remap, but then that will mean an insurance declaration for that.

 

If a Skoda Dealership has carried out 'The Fix' on your vehicle without written permission you need to purse them on that if you are unhappy.

They are being paid and could now be due owners compensation for doing 'The Fix' on others vehicles since it is not compulsory.

 

When putting cars in for work / services the standard sheet you sign does allow 'Software Updates & Enhancements' 

That is not what 'The Fix'/ Removal of the Defeat Device and a new map is though.