Looks like I am going to be carrying a torch for her

[Dalek]

Let me start from the beginning. I have a problem with my hands that means that every now and again I lose grip in my fingers. It is being sorted, but in the meantime it is not usually too much of a problem until today. As the sun is out I thought I would finally change the damaged chrome handle on my boot lid.
All went well until one of the rods that work the central locking came away. I could see it was a simple plastic clip that needed to be pushed home but could not see where it went inside the boot lid. So I pointed my small torch inside to get a better view and it was at this point that my fingers decided to let it go! Chance in a million, but it fell through the hole in the boot lid and fell down inside the boot lid!
Other than turning the car upside down I have no ideas on how to get it back.
Any ideas gratefully received. Even from Hardhat if they are not rude!!

 

[Tfp]

You may have to remove the boot lid and turn it upside down.

It'll probably rattle around and drive you nuts.

It's a two person job to remove the boot lid, maybe there's some other members locally that could pop round to help?

Or go to one of the meets, many hands would make easy work of that.

 

[colb]

Wire coat hanger unwound, make a smallish hook at one end and fish about from the top hole where it fell in and try and catch the loop on the torch and pull it back up. Would help if you could see where it fell to, can you see it through any of the holes?

 

[Dalek]

Wire coat hanger unwound, make a smallish hook at one end and fish about from the top hole where it fell in and try and catch the loop on the torch and pull it back up. Would help if you could see where it fell to, can you see it through any of the holes?

I will give that a go before removing the boot lid.

 

[mrscalex]

I've done boot lids on my own before but you'll want to protect that nice paintwork from slippage. And there's no doubt 2 people are better.

If you take it off you will have to get it aligned in exactly the same spot after otherwise it won't shut. Then you will be into jiggling it on it's hinges to get the correct panel gap and re-aligning the catch.

You'll also need to pull the wiring loom out. For goodness sake pull a tracer string through with it as it's a nightmare to feedback up otherwise - especially if you have poorly fingers.

In short don't remove the lid unless you have to. But you may have to!

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

If you get desperate pop to Woking and I'll get it out for you

 

[mrscalex]

One more thing. Make sure that rod you mention gets re-attached properly. If it isn't it pings off in use then you can't open the lid. Watch where it clips into and make sure it's fully home.

There is a way into the boot lid when you are locked out. But you will need to join the magician's circle to be told

 

[Dalek]

Success!!
Parked it on a very steep hill and heard the torch roll down towards the back. Then put 6 year old neighbour with small hands in the boot who managed to work it towards the hole. He then managed to grab the end and pull it out. . Well chuffed.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Success!!
Parked it on a very steep hill and heard the torch roll down towards the back. Then put 6 year old neighbour with small hands in the boot who managed to work it towards the hole. He then managed to grab the end and pull it out. . Well chuffed.

RESULT

 

[Tfp]

Success!!
Parked it on a very steep hill and heard the torch roll down towards the back. Then put 6 year old neighbour with small hands in the boot who managed to work it towards the hole. He then managed to grab the end and pull it out. . Well chuffed.

Brilliant.

 

[andyglym]

Saved the hassle of taking the boot off, love it

 

[colb]

I do hope he or she was rewarded with a bag of sweeties?

 

[Dalek]

I do hope he or she was rewarded with a bag of sweeties?

Yes she was... and an ice cream!

 

[Jjim]

Kids..... I knew they had some use

 

[hard top]

Kids..... I knew they had some use

Well, they used to stick them up chimney's ....

 

[Shelly]

I'm so pleased you got the torch out
Just imagine the noise of it rolling about when you were driving

 

[Jjim]

Well, they used to stick them up chimney's ....

Well they need to earn their food

 

[Dalek]

I'm so pleased you got the torch out
Just imagine the noise of it rolling about when you were driving

That was what was worrying me! And to make it worse the torch was on so I had visions of the bootlid glowing when I go out this evening..

 

[Dalek]

If you get desperate pop to Woking and I'll get it out for you

That was a very kind offer, thank you.

 

[DavidM]

Steep hill > great idea!