I went to check my oil this morning, pulled the bonnet release which had very little resistance
and the bonnet wouldn't open. Putting pressure on the bonnet results in a single loud
click. I've tried pulling the cable further with pliers with no success. It has not snapped
or detached.
Has anyone got any suggestions on how to get it open?
Thanks.

 

Loads of threads on here, try doing a search.

 

This happens to mine, I have to get someone to pull that handle, keep it pulled out and then I pull up with my fingers and it pops up. Hope that helps

 

yup I used a bungie cord to hold it open

 

If the cable has snapped or come off you can get your hand in through the grill to operate the catch, or if your hands are too big, remove the undertray and get in from underneath.

Both ways are tricky and you may have quite a bit of messing....

Chris.

 

Cheers for the replies everyone - I had somebody hold the release open while I lifted the bonnet. There's a spring rusted through in the release mechanism so opening is going to be a two person job for a while!

 

A new catch is about £35 from Honda - get one delivered by Si at Hendy.

 

Few people here had catches on the WTB when the same thing happened to me mate! Have a search for my threads and the WTB one. I had MBs, so anyone else who left a message (I think one was Stew-t then they might still have them!

 

Don't give up on your old catch yet.

Before removing, mark two lines across the catch itself and the body (you'll see the catch already has markings for height settings, so score one of those with a screwdriver) and remove the three 10mm headed bolts.

Look at the back side of the catch and you'll see where to pry the cable plastic holder upwards with a flat screwdriver. Then unhook the ball end from its holder/groove.

You should take a good mental note of the orientation/position of the springs, tabs and arms (or even a picture with a decent camera!) and use pliers and flat screwdrivers to dismantle the removable springs etc.

Wash the whole lot in a nice bowl of fairy liquid and warm water to remove any old grease etc, use a brush to agitate it all off. If you had the time soak the springs in a rust removing compound or even coke if you don't have anything for a night. Then make sure there is plenty of moly or equivalent grease on all contact parts of the latch, and where the springs hook on. Also make sure you tuck some grease under the rotating parts of the catch so that they can rotate through their ranges of movement freely.

Reassemble, re-fit (line up marks you made before removal) and possibly adjust up as necessary to ensure easy bonnet closure and a good resting height when closed (I.e flush gaps with the front wings)

Hope this helps.

 

And most motor factors keep a good selection of springs if one has gone, or even eBay.