The Loon

Had the bonnet open earlier to do some weekly checks. It's not closing now. The internal bonnet release flap has some play in it. Could the cable be broken or it's not tight.

Are there any posts on how to change the cable? Is it an easy job? Part number for cable please? It's too dark now to get the car apart to have a look. Any suggestions chaps?

Thanks and Happy New Year

s2konroids

Hi,

I've had this before, first thing was i lubed the bonnet catch mech and kept pulling on the bonnet release latch whilst trying to close the bonnet.

Having tried this 4 or 5 times it eventually closed/opened again and has been fine ever since. I doubt your cable has broken as there is a small amount of play normally. I think the cable gets stuck with the bonnet latch mechanism and thus gets stuck and doesn't release it properly IIRC.

So try the above, if that fails then maybe you do have a broken cable.

GaryB

The bonnet catch gets full of crud. Some degreaser and a toothbrush to clean it all out then a good dollop of fresh grease or spray grease. (Not WD40)

rob2.2

the cable should not affect the ability for it to close at all, its purely used to pull the level that springs back into place when the internal lever is released.

try leaving the bonnet open and use a flat bladed screwdriver to push the latch closed, then release with the internal handle. this will tell you the mechanism is working fine and something is either in the way or miss alligned

The Loon

Thanks all..will give it a shot and let you know.

lovegroova

Loon,

It might be that one of the two springs has rusted and broken, that's what happened to me and my car had similar symptoms. It was a new catch I'm afraid (£35 or so)

The Loon

Thanks LG. I'm hoping it's not the same issue that you had

carlip8

Mine done this over the Xmas period, I used a combination of s2konroids and GaryB's techniques and just gave the cable attached to the bonnet catch a few tugs(ooo err!) and cleaned the bonnet catch itself with degreasant as it looked filthy.

Clicked back in nicely.

The Loon

Degreased, cleaned and greased the catch- sorted! Thanks for your help folks

s2konroids

Easy job