Hi- Trying to top up the washer fluid this morning I can't seem to open my bonnet. The cable lever seems to work and the bonnet opens onto the catch. However the lever under the bonnet rim seems to be in the 'up" position and doesn't unlatch the bonnet. Bit stuck on this. I've given a liberal spray with WD40 and it still doesn't want to work?

 

Any help greatly appreciated

Edited 9 December, 20187 yr by blueboy1970

There are threads on here discussing this in more detail, so the search engine is your friend. But, basically, you need to slip something long and rigid (stop s******ing at the back) under the bonnet where the latch is and manually push the catch back from the latch. It won't take much force - it's more awkward than anything. You might have to try a few times before you get it, but if you can use a torch to help you see what you're doing it makes life easier. Once you finally get it open, it's a simple case of disassembling the cathc mechanism from the bonnet (it's only 3 torx screws I think) and spraying it with a lot of WD40 (or similar) until it starts to free out. You can play around with it until you feel it sliding more easily. If there's a lot of gunk on there, maybe brush it with a wire brush or something. Once that's done, let it dry a bit and re-attach to the bonnet. Should be good for another while, but keep an eye on it (they do gunk up regularly).

 

If it's beyond WD40 and wire brush, the threads on here do have part numbers and stuff for ordering from eBay or wherever. But you'll probably be fine with the above. Patience and perserverance!

Once you've popped the bonnet from inside the car and moved around to the front of the car, you'd then lift the sprung loaded lever up to unlatch the catch.

 

If your lever is stuck in the up position it should already be unlatched allowing the bonnet to open?

I took mine apart and cleaned it up but when I put it back I adjusted it about 2mm ish to one side. Never had a problem since.

Edited 9 December, 20187 yr by Danny 57

2 hours ago, Declan O'Shaughnessy said:

There are threads on here discussing this in more detail, so the search engine is your friend. But, basically, you need to slip something long and rigid (stop s******ing at the back) under the bonnet where the latch is and manually push the catch back from the latch. It won't take much force - it's more awkward than anything. You might have to try a few times before you get it, but if you can use a torch to help you see what you're doing it makes life easier. Once you finally get it open, it's a simple case of disassembling the cathc mechanism from the bonnet (it's only 3 torx screws I think) and spraying it with a lot of WD40 (or similar) until it starts to free out. You can play around with it until you feel it sliding more easily. If there's a lot of gunk on there, maybe brush it with a wire brush or something. Once that's done, let it dry a bit and re-attach to the bonnet. Should be good for another while, but keep an eye on it (they do gunk up regularly).

 

If it's beyond WD40 and wire brush, the threads on here do have part numbers and stuff for ordering from eBay or wherever. But you'll probably be fine with the above. Patience and perserverance!

Thanks for this- so it's a push rather than trying to move to the side, that was what I was trying to do?

48 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

Once you've popped the bonnet from inside the car and moved around to the front of the car, you'd then lift the sprung loaded lever up to unlatch the catch.

 

If your lever is stuck in the up position it should already be unlatched allowing the bonnet to open?

Well it doesn't lift up when you try to lift the lever- Must be gunked up as above

31 minutes ago, Danny 57 said:

I took mine apart and cleaned it up but when I put it back I adjusted it about 2mm ish to one side. Never had a problem since.

Thanks I will have another go

Sorry, no, it's a movement to the side (rather than a push backwards). If you start at the flap, just follow the line back to the latch and keep jiggling to the left (I think). Eventually you'll get it.

This image may help.

 

The lever is just off the top of the image, but you can see how lifting the lever moves the catch or 'hook' to the left...

 

20 hours ago, Declan O'Shaughnessy said:

Sorry, no, it's a movement to the side (rather than a push backwards). If you start at the flap, just follow the line back to the latch and keep jiggling to the left (I think). Eventually you'll get it.

Thanks Declan, I did as you instructed and all is sorted! Thank you so much for your advice- you are a star!

4 hours ago, silver1011 said:

This image may help.

 

The lever is just off the top of the image, but you can see how lifting the lever moves the catch or 'hook' to the left...

 

 

Just now, blueboy1970 said:

 

Thanks for th ephoto- yes Mine looks very much like that once I got to it and greased it. I'll certainly be keeping an eye on it in future- thanks for the help.