Bonnet Release...

[Austin-Rover]

Does anyone know how to fix a broken bonnet release mechanism? I can pull the lever, but the bonnet doesn't pop open - and as i am sure you can imagine - not being able to get under the bonnet is a slight inconveniance!


:censored:

[topgear]

use an angle grinder to cut through the bonnet, do what you want to do under there... then take a big ream of elephant tape and plaster it over the holde.. bobs your uncle.. job done! :-)

No, seriously... sounds like your bonnet release cable has come off from the lever? see if you can find the end and pull it with some pliers, this should open the bonnet up ok.

---
Never Put butane in your dashpot, it provides interesting results

[Austin-Rover]

Update on the problem...

The cable is still attached to the handle and when it is pulled, i can hear the release moving about at the front of the bonnet - but it just wont pop up. Is there another way of opening the bonnet - as it is hard to believe such a vital part of the car has no back up!

:(

[D87 SMW]

Get someone to pull the bonnet up while you pull the handle and see if it opens. Once it is open, locate the spring on the bonnet.
Untighten the nut and unscrew the spring slightly. Tighten the nut again and see what happens.
I give this advice only because you say you can hear the release moving.

[Austin-Rover]

I've tried that one already Steve, and no such luck!

Would taking the grille out give me acess to the mechanism?

:rolleyes:

[D87 SMW]

Originally posted by RDGelder
I've tried that one already Steve, and no such luck!

Would taking the grille out give me acess to the mechanism?

:rolleyes:

You can't take the grille out without having the bonnet open...

[Austin-Rover]

With some brute force you can! It will break - but if it means being able to open the bonnet....

:rolleyes:

[D87 SMW]

Originally posted by RDGelder
With some brute force you can! It will break - but if it means being able to open the bonnet....

:rolleyes:

Well, you do have a nice collection of grilles to go at. :laugh:

[D87 SMW]

Plus that neighbour of yours who knocked off his wing mirror will wonder what you are doing...

[E_T_V]

Try getting someone to lift the bonnet as suggested, when pulling the lever, or alternativly try pressing the bonnet down when pulling the lever (mine is like that) If you are lucky you might be able to poke something through the grill to activate the mechanism. Otherwise you might be able to get at it from underneath. They are designed to be hard to open so you can't get at the cars bits and pieces without the keys.

[H48HPE]

my car does this and it can be opened if someone pulls the lever whilst someone else pulls the bonnet up. lifting it up and pusing it down etc. that sort of thing its a regular problem, and having to smash grills is definitely a very last resort. cant you get some wire in to pull the latch accross ie. a coat hanger?

Andy

[Austin-Rover]

Ill try some of these tips tomorrow and if all goes well - it will open up!

;)

[topgear]

im still in favour of the angle grinder myself! :laugh:

[tony]

you must demostrate on your car 1st to show him hows it done:)

[money]

I have similar problem, bonnet will not open, cable still attached to lever inside car . . .can anyone help please??!!!

[tony]

Originally posted by money
I have similar problem, bonnet will not open, cable still attached to lever inside car . . .can anyone help please??!!!
if you take it to topgears house he.......

[topgear]

... will cut a huge hole in the bonnet with a massive angle grinder or similar such implement..., get it open.. rip it off.. fix the release problem... and then fit a new(ish) green bonnet that came off an LX! - cuz its taking up room in my shed!!! and guess what, ive already got a bonnet! :):)

[tony]

Originally posted by topgear
... will cut a huge hole in the bonnet with a massive angle grinder or similar such implement..., get it open.. rip it off.. fix the release problem... and then fit a new(ish) green bonnet that came off an LX! - cuz its taking up room in my shed!!! and guess what, ive already got a bonnet! :):)
and thats if he in a good mood,you want to see what he did to that ford when he was in a bad mood.(f170ggt)please post a sutable pic.ta:)

[money]

. . . .used large angle grinder to cut bonnet off car . . . .hehehe . . . not really . . .

Had to break front grill though . . .plan to stick it back together though . . .no-one will ever know any different!

Once I could see the mechanism, I realized that the little springy thing had become disconnected, so I got a large srew driver and a mallett and made the mechanism travel in the same direction as it would have, if the spring and cable were still attached . . .and hey presto . . .the bonnet popped up!!!

I then re-connected the mech, and greased everything up something cronnick . . . .so that it never happens again!!!!

Hope this is a help to someone!!!

[tony]

ho well topgear put the angle grinder away ,better luck next time

[tony]

how well topgear put the angle grinder away,better luck next time

[Austin-Rover]

Right, Back from my hols and back to sorting this problem. I have now wrecked a perfectly good grille in the hope that i could then get a bit closer to opening the bonnet - but alas - it has not. Anyone know where to go from here? Have i reached the stage where i need to use the angle grinder???? :eek:

No - seriously - how the hell do i get the bonnet open???

:rage:

[D87 SMW]

Rich, does Aggie have the metal plate on the front just behind the grille? If so then it will be a pain to get to the bonnet release.

[Austin-Rover]

Thanks for the good news Steve...Yes it does have that metal plate...

:banghead:

[D87 SMW]

Don't worry - I'm off to the garage now...

...to have a look at the grille and bonnet release on one of my Maestys now. Back as soon as I can!

[D87 SMW]

BINGO!
Right. Where do I start?
See that metal plate that is at an angle, well right underneath where it is flat, there is a small hole abaout 7mm. The trick is to get a (fairly long) screwdriver straight up that hole and to the right Slowly move it to the left and feel for the release cable If you have it in the right spot, you should be able to push the cable thingy to the left and your bonnet should pop up! :)
Just did that Military Operation on A615 NFV a few mins ago. :)
Things I do for fellow M Car owners. :rolleyes: :laugh: :)

[Simon]

Service above and beyond the call of duty!
This forum is truly magic isn't it!

[Maria]

Yep. Always good to know there are people out there willing to break into their own cars for you! :laugh:

[D87 SMW]

Originally posted by Maria
Yep. Always good to know there are people out there willing to break into their own cars for you! :laugh:

What? No no no, I didn't break my grille! I took it off then closed the bonnet! :laugh:

[Austin-Rover]

Originally posted by F170 GGT
What? No no no, I didn't break my grille! I took it off then closed the bonnet! :laugh:

No, i'm the one who broke the grille - and i'm still no closer to getting the bonnet open! I am well and truly stumped! Does anybody have any bright ideas? Even what Steve suggested did not work!

:rage: :banghead: :rage:

[D87 SMW]

Originally posted by RDGelder
No, i'm the one who broke the grille - and i'm still no closer to getting the bonnet open! I am well and truly stumped! Does anybody have any bright ideas? Even what Steve suggested did not work!

:rage: :banghead: :rage:

I assure you that what I posted does work if it is done properly. You have to put a screwdriver up that little hole and at about a 60degree angle to the right. When you move it back to the left, it should push the release cable and pop the bonnet. I know I had to try it a couple of times to get it to work, but keep at it - it does work.

[Austin-Rover]

Can we just clarify which little hole we are talking about here....

[D87 SMW]

Originally posted by RDGelder
Can we just clarify which little hole we are talking about here....

Ok. You've ripped off your grille. You see a sloping metal panel with an indentation in the middle. Run your hand down this metal panel and feel for the flat part at the very bottom. Smack bang in the middle of the flat part is a 7mm hole. This is the hole you need to fit the screwdriver inside.