I thought this was the same thread as last time.
Broken bonnet cable
- Thread starter Cheddars
- Start date
I agree, although in a broader sense that stuck bonnets have been discussed many times and the answers are already around the forum.
But in fairness to newer/less experienced members it probably needs a How To if some kind soul fancied doing it. Then we can point people straight to it. If I had 48 hours in a day I'd happily do it. But no chance at the moment.
Sorry if I have caused you guys some grief, I was just hoping someone could guide me through it. I have found other people with the same problem but forgive me, I can be a little thick sometimes.
If it helps, to say what skill sets I do have, I would say I'm not a novice, but neither am I a mechanic. I am a mechanical engineer by trade and fabricator and have done the odd things such as changing suspension, exhaust, etc on cars so I can do most things but do struggle a lot of the time with cars.
I have managed to take the undertray off and can see the cable that runs through the middle from either side of the latches under bonnet. I can't see anything to release them manually but the cable is slack so assume that is what is broken - it is still attached on both latches either side.
If it helps, to say what skill sets I do have, I would say I'm not a novice, but neither am I a mechanic. I am a mechanical engineer by trade and fabricator and have done the odd things such as changing suspension, exhaust, etc on cars so I can do most things but do struggle a lot of the time with cars.
I have managed to take the undertray off and can see the cable that runs through the middle from either side of the latches under bonnet. I can't see anything to release them manually but the cable is slack so assume that is what is broken - it is still attached on both latches either side.
No the central cable is not necessarily broken although it may be stretched. It could just be sagging due to a latch being fubered and making it sit funny.
Replace the 2 latches first £25 ish for the pair. You may get away with just that. Then the main cable (£30 ish). Then the central cable (£10 ish). Those are the only components. It's money well spent replacing the whole lot anyway but if you haven't got the money or don't want to commit it, then follow that order unless a cable is clearly snapped or damaged.
There's going to be a little brute force and unorthodox workings to get the bonnet released but the car is pretty tough and hopefully you won't damage it.
And study how the cables attach to the latches and take photos! Once you know how to attach the cables to the latches it's easy but faced with a pile of new bits it will be more challenging.
Also note cable routing if you replace the main cable, across the front panel, up the inner wing, through the wiring centre and past the relays. The kick panels will need to come off too. The grommet can be a challenge to get sat in the bulkhead too - don't pull it by the silver locking ring! None of that rocket science but time consuming and hence another reason to only replace if you need to.
I have opened both latches many times from the central cable by removing a grille. I don't understand the mechanics of why both open but they did.
If you have air con you may need to remove the left side headlamp to withdraw the bonnet latch. That's what I did. Maybe there's another way.
Also note cable routing if you replace the main cable, across the front panel, up the inner wing, through the wiring centre and past the relays. The kick panels will need to come off too. The grommet can be a challenge to get sat in the bulkhead too - don't pull it by the silver locking ring! None of that rocket science but time consuming and hence another reason to only replace if you need to.
I have opened both latches many times from the central cable by removing a grille. I don't understand the mechanics of why both open but they did.
If you have air con you may need to remove the left side headlamp to withdraw the bonnet latch. That's what I did. Maybe there's another way.
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Good news Matt, now the fun begins . . . . . . . . again.
What I would probably do now is this. Remove the rad turn it upside down and block all the holes bar one and fill it with water and dishwasher tablets and let it stand for a day or two then give it good flush and see what comes out of it. Back flush it from bottom to top though.
Tony.
What I would probably do now is this. Remove the rad turn it upside down and block all the holes bar one and fill it with water and dishwasher tablets and let it stand for a day or two then give it good flush and see what comes out of it. Back flush it from bottom to top though.Tony.
Cheers Tony, will do that first 
I can see where it has broken, it looks like the cable that leads from the under bonnet catch to the divers side latch has slipped off the latch itself somehow. It doesn't look like it's snapped so I think I've just got to fish it back on somehow, but not sure as my dinner was more appealing at the time
I can see where it has broken, it looks like the cable that leads from the under bonnet catch to the divers side latch has slipped off the latch itself somehow. It doesn't look like it's snapped so I think I've just got to fish it back on somehow, but not sure as my dinner was more appealing at the time
Now it's open mate, I'd remove both catches and free them and lubricate them well. If you have a very thin marker pen or a pencil will do mark round the catches to make sure you get them back exactly where they came from.
Tony.
Tony.
It probably slipped off for a reason. Possibly stretched. Possibly seized up latch.Cheers Tony, will do that first
I can see where it has broken, it looks like the cable that leads from the under bonnet catch to the divers side latch has slipped off the latch itself somehow. It doesn't look like it's snapped so I think I've just got to fish it back on somehow, but not sure as my dinner was more appealing at the time
Hi Lee, could you give a bit more detail about how to release the latches after removing the undertray pls? On the drivers' side (pic below), I can see the mechanism and prodded it with a long screwdriver but not sure what I need to do. I can just about reach it with my fingers but not much else.
I'm even more perplexed by the passenger side as I can't actually see the mechanism due to metal and plastic being in the way, as per pic below.
I've removed interior kickplate and cable is still attached to handle. Also used a coat hanger to pull on the cables through both the left and right kidney grilles, but both cables then went slack. Not removed the kidneys grilles yet as keen to avoid if poss.
Very grateful for any advice - cheers in advance!