Shutting the bonnet on my car

nathandenniso... · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 May 2010 Karma :

I went to shut my bonnet this morning and it just catches like you haven't shut it properly even though I have. There is a little gap that will be dangerous and I don't want to drive with it like that with it being windy, any ideas what it could be? Thanks in advance

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Had that on one of my old cars.
The main catch was seized so it was just held on the safety (that lever you have to fiddle with to open it properly).
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Matt- · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Jul 2012 Karma :

Normal,

If you ever have te trouble with your car bonnet bang hard on the bonnet over the lever, be careful not to damage it ...

If that fails to work, grab some help get them to pull the bonnet pull catch at the same time as you wiggling the bonnet up and down with the odd bang on the bonet to help free it up.

Once bonnet is up, get some grese and work the lever backwards and forwards to free it up.

Good luck

Matt
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nathandenniso... · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 May 2010 Karma :

Thanks all of you I can get it to come up it's just shutting it, it's not stuck but it won't 'lock' in to keep it securely shut and after seeing a bonnet fly off a car in front of me the other day on the motorway I'm eager to sort it out, will try all your suggestions. Thanks!

DrSnoosnoo · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2012 Karma :

I had this problem on my mum's bonnet (behave). I simply wiggled the catching tooth - if that's what it's called- and it loosened it up, gunk might have built up preventing it from returning.

In all, give it a wiggle
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Zen Dog · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Karma :

nathandenniso... · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 May 2010 Karma :

I just went to have another look at lunch and it did seemed stiff the mechanism so I put it down to that, but when I went under my steering wheel the release of the bonnet to open it is stuck out, could this mean something has come undone and isn't holding it back? But then surely the bonnet would be able to close still?

EDIT: On second check there doesn't seem to be a cable going in to the back of the level for the bonnet release, but I have followed the cable and it still seems tight and snug so maybe it has come undone? I'm guessing this will be fairly costly if I take it in for the effort of actually getting to the cable as it is behind the body of the vehicle

Matt- · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Jul 2012 Karma :

Have a look at the cable near the puller you may have to pull some plastic off to get to the cable, if the cable just pulls with no resistance Chances are its broken.

Matt
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Current Bike's - Road Legal TZR 125 Pitbike, Aprilia SR50R 2010

bikenut · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Nov 2011 Karma :

customer says his bonnet wont open ( ford ), so jack up, front of car and bonnet opens, cause, struts gone thru corrodeed "towers" so weight of car on bonnet, making impossible to open!!!!!!!!

v viva owner changes front wheel, onLY W/SCREEN SHATTERS!!

does same in show room TO NEW CAR with drivers door open, same result¬!!!!!!!

Very Happy

Matt- · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Jul 2012 Karma :

Yes will be costly but will have to be done if want to go under the bonnet.

Sometimes it can be a case of tinkering around with cable, however if its actually got to be changed the front bumper / grill will have to come off.

3 hours labour most prob's I've done few In my time.

Matt
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RIP jack (wheelie king), you will never be forgotten.
Current Bike's - Road Legal TZR 125 Pitbike, Aprilia SR50R 2010

nathandenniso... · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 May 2010 Karma :

Had a look at it with my dad sprayed it with wd40 no luck, until my dad was pushing everything and the actual wire clunked and the lever went back t o normal and the bonnet shut, but when you open it again the same happens as if it's jamming so you have to reset it again. The main thing is its shut now, but hopefully when the wd40 has been there a bit longer it will stop it jammin, find out tomorrow as its chucking it down now, thank you all for your help

Matt- · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Jul 2012 Karma :

AlexW · Spanner Monkey Joined: 11 Sep 2011 Karma :

What car is it?

Probs one that is specifically prone to it (Clio mk2/mk3, Alfa 156 and some others)

nathandenniso... · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 May 2010 Karma :

Matt- · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Jul 2012 Karma :

Good lad, once done that, maybe it's best to invest in some decent spray grease even 3in1 oil will do the trick Very Happy

Matt
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RIP jack (wheelie king), you will never be forgotten.
Current Bike's - Road Legal TZR 125 Pitbike, Aprilia SR50R 2010

nathandenniso... · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 May 2010 Karma :

Cheers mate you've been good help for a car newbie I will get some and do it when I do all my checks

Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

I gave my daughter's Ka a check-over today before she leaves for uni. Bonnet catch on the was a bit sticky and so were two of the door locks. A quick squirt of maintainance spray followed by spray grease freed them right up. That's all you need to do to yours.
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