Hello all

 

First time poster and desperate for any help before ending up at a dealer.

 

My Dad has a 55 plate Superb 1 with a broken bonnet release. The bonnet is stuck shut and has been for a few weeks now.  I’ve had a good look at the car and have been unable to sort it out yet.

 

I removed the undertray and had a look up into the engine bay. The cable appeared to be broken somewhere just after the internal release handle (from checking in the car) and I could get to it at the front corner of the bay. I managed to split the outer casing of the cable and lock some grips onto the inner wire. I can pull on the wire but it appears to have no sprung movement and doesn’t release the bonnet catch. This makes me wonder if the release catch itself may have broken or seized in some way. I’ve tries pulling the cable with someone leaning on the bonnet but no difference.

 

Looking for a direct route to the latch, there appears to be almost no space between the fans and the engine to reach the latch itself. I can just make out the latch loop on the bonnet but can see nothing of the latch itself from underneath.

 

I’ve managed to remove the lower front grille and can feel up to the top of the radiator but get no further than the rubber seal on top of the front panel. I can’t feel the top of the latch. I can also feel the phillips screws that secure the upper grille but they seem almost impossible to remove with the bonnet locked shut. I’m not sure if removing the upper grille would actually give any better access to the top of the latch.

 

Having a look for clues through Google bought up very few suggestions. I’m starting to wonder if this is a dealer only situation.

 

Does anyone have any experience of this with a Superb 1? I’d be really grateful for any suggestions as my Dad (in his 80’s) relies on the car and I’m completely stuck at present.

 

Thanks in advance.

Gareth

Almost the same as a Passat B5 - does this video help @Gareth67?

 

 

Edited 30 April, 20197 yr by bigjohn

A long overdue update to close this one off.

 

Thanks for the tip bigJohn, unfortunately a bit different and not any help with a 2005 Superb.

 

No amount of pulling or trying to reach around/under bodywork could sort this.  The car went to a local VAG indy specialist.  He managed to open the bonnet by pushing the cable apparently.  No further info on exactly how that's done but hopefully might help someone!  He found a fault with the latch unit and ended up replacing it to resolve.

 

Regards

Gareth