How To Open The Bonnet If The Cable Pull Isnt Working?

The ever rubbish cable to open the bonnet isn't working. the handle was improved in the past but I'm guessing the cable has dried or something and it wont release. Is there another way in??

Once (if) I get this open, I think it will get aero catch fasteners fitted.

Thanks for any help.

Martin S

Hi Martin,

It's a bugger to release. If the cable is moving something, I would suggest that you get somebody to repeatably press up and down on the bonnet above the latch while you tug as much as you can on the bonnet release latch. Sometimes it helps if you can move the bonnet from side to side when you do this.

I've got a piece of sting attached to the latch mechanism under the bonnet that runs behind the wheel arch liner, which can be accessed in an bonnet emergency, to give more pull on the latch and release the bonnet.

Dave 

Edited by kipper, 24 September 2019 - 02:11 PM.

Front bonnet is large screwdriver between clam and window to "push" the machanism with person 1, while person 2 jiggles the bonnet.

Rear is via left wheelarch, plastic liner removal, then pull cable while person 2 jiggles the bonnet.

We are alking about an old vx right, not a brand spanking new V6?

Edited by smiley, 24 September 2019 - 02:47 PM.

Talking about a VX220. Doing stuff on my daughters car and have always had trouble with the catch and now its really putting up a fight!

Thanks for the suggestions chaps.

Martin

ps The Exige they gave up on any security with the bonnet and you can just pop them off!

if you fold back the rain gutter, use a screwdriver to push the lock mech back (if its a cable issue)

or push the bonnet forward and down and then pull forward and up (by forward i mean towards the windscreen) whilst someone is pulling the bonnet cable

both these methods have worked for me in the past

i hear you always have to use a stick..

anyone know how to do it on an S Reg Corsa (my mums)?

circular saw

Easy peasy. Went in from the outside from the windscreen area, as Joe said, you can just lean back the plastic gutter and push the lock mechanism back with a thin screwdriver, damn sight easier than its been for years using the handle and cable!

The cable was fine and free moving but its so long and convoluted, I think that's most of the problem is, that it must be over 1.5 metres long to just pull a 1cm movement, only needs a small amount of stretch and it wont open.

Plan to set up a shorter version of the cable and handle and not use an aero catch.

Thanks all, as useful and helpful as ever.

Martin S

circular saw

Brilliant! 

I don't really follow the "went in from the outside from the windscreen area, as Joe said, you can just lean back the plastic gutter and push the lock mechanism back" bit. This is of interest to me as mine is not great and one day it will just not open. Will be good to have a Plan B.

I replace my cable with a mountain bike brake cable. been perfect ever since.

Easy peasy. Went in from the outside from the windscreen area, as Joe said, you can just lean back the plastic gutter and push the lock mechanism back with a thin screwdriver, damn sight easier than its been for years using the handle and cable!
The cable was fine and free moving but its so long and convoluted, I think that's most of the problem is, that it must be over 1.5 metres long to just pull a 1cm movement, only needs a small amount of stretch and it wont open.
Plan to set up a shorter version of the cable and handle and not use an aero catch.

Thanks all, as useful and helpful as ever.

Martin S

https://rover.ebay.c...uk/p/1233988926

I've done it through the wheel arch on mine. Pass side liner out then a long stick onto the mechanism to push the slide open.

I'm loving all the suggestions of having a good tug

Aerocatch is the one.  Also, you can fit on the existing mount for the catch on the car side and it looks pretty OEM in my opinion.  Lockable and doesn't stick

I have these ones https://www.demon-tw...steners-246904/

Aerocatch is the one.  Also, you can fit on the existing mount for the catch on the car side and it looks pretty OEM in my opinion.  Lockable and doesn't stick

 

I have these ones https://www.demon-tw...steners-246904/

Fook, they're not cheap are they?