Go Back   The 75 and ZT Owners Club Forums > The 75 and ZT Owners Club Forums > Technical Help Forum
Register FAQ Image Gallery Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read
Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 5th January 2020, 13:31   #1
clarky81
Regular poster
 
clarky81's Avatar
 
Rover 75 Saloon

Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Banff
Posts: 63
Thanks: 27
Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts
Default Help! Bonnet won’t release.

Hi,

My bonnet release warning light kept randomly coming on so I adjusted it and seemed to be okay but it then came back on again when overtaking a truck. I adjusted it again but this time it wouldn’t release the bonnet. I have tried the recommended methods but it still won’t release.

I have it appears released the catch on the drivers side but the catch (on the passenger side), which I believe has the sensor is not budging.

I am now at a loss what to do next. Please help.
clarky81 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th January 2020, 13:35   #2
drewbie
Loves to post
 
drewbie's Avatar
 
Rover 75 Club SE 1.8T 03 plate.

Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Tenterden
Posts: 277
Thanks: 28
Thanked 41 Times in 37 Posts
Default

Have you tried bouncing the bonnet on that side while someone pulls on the release cable.
drewbie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th January 2020, 13:43   #3
clarky81
Regular poster
 
clarky81's Avatar
 
Rover 75 Saloon

Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Banff
Posts: 63
Thanks: 27
Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts
Default

Done that Andrew, I have followed all the advice about pulling the release while bouncing the bonnet as well as the other options that are PM'd.
clarky81 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th January 2020, 13:56   #4
drewbie
Loves to post
 
drewbie's Avatar
 
Rover 75 Club SE 1.8T 03 plate.

Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Tenterden
Posts: 277
Thanks: 28
Thanked 41 Times in 37 Posts
Default

Pull the actual cable behind the lever with pliers while bouncing the bonnet.
drewbie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th January 2020, 14:23   #5
clarky81
Regular poster
 
clarky81's Avatar
 
Rover 75 Saloon

Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Banff
Posts: 63
Thanks: 27
Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts
Default

Tried it but it feels like the cable isn't doing anything. It is definitely attached but there is no clicking when listening next to the latch unlike the drivers side when I pull that cable.
clarky81 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th January 2020, 16:59   #6
clarky81
Regular poster
 
clarky81's Avatar
 
Rover 75 Saloon

Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Banff
Posts: 63
Thanks: 27
Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts
Default

Is there a final solution for opening a jammed bonnet?
clarky81 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th January 2020, 17:23   #7
J1MBO
This is my second home
 
Roverless & now carless

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Wilmslow
Posts: 15,581
Thanks: 2,457
Thanked 2,428 Times in 1,301 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by clarky81 View Post
Is there a final solution for opening a jammed bonnet?


https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=274518
J1MBO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th January 2020, 17:34   #8
clarky81
Regular poster
 
clarky81's Avatar
 
Rover 75 Saloon

Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Banff
Posts: 63
Thanks: 27
Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts
Default

Thanks for that Jim. I will give the front grill option a go when i have some light tomorrow.
clarky81 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9th January 2020, 12:32   #9
clarky81
Regular poster
 
clarky81's Avatar
 
Rover 75 Saloon

Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Banff
Posts: 63
Thanks: 27
Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts
Default

I have managed to get the bonnet open but I will be removing the bonnet catches this weekend to give everything a good clean to reduce the chances of it happening again. Thanks for taking the time to offer advice, it is much appreciated.
clarky81 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9th January 2020, 22:05   #10
CMOORESY
Avid contributor
 
MG ZT Auto and 75 Tourer

Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Nantwich
Posts: 182
Thanks: 8
Thanked 52 Times in 20 Posts
Default

There is a way of opening the bonnet without dismantling or breaking anything (well other than the offending catch).

As far as I can see there isn't a way in through the grill as the catches are sandwiched batween the top of the radiator and the slam panel.

This is what I have done countless times over 15 years og 75 and ZT ownership.

Get a 10mm combination spanner and bend the open end over so it kicks up at a bit of an angle, likewise with the ring end, bend this so it is flat and does not have the usual angle (you are basically reversing the spanner angles open end from flat to angled and ring end from angles to flat..

put some protective tape along your bonnet edge just in front of the bayonet catch, and also put some tape along the bumper gill molding in the same position.

If one catch has undone but the other wont, you can 'lift' the bonnet a little by wedging a suitable object wrapped in a cloth between the bonnet and the bumper molding to open up the gap a bit more.

Reach inside with the spanner and undo the two 10mm head bolts holding the bayonet to the underside of the bonnet. Alternate between each bolt. Every turn gives you more room to work in as the blots release and the bonnet lifts under pressure from the wedge.

Once they are unscrewed the bonnet will open and you can often pull the cable to release. the bayonet the bayonet from the catch. From experience this often happens as the bayonet can jam due to alighnment in the catch so its not necessarily a broken cable or defective catch. If the cable is broken you can get the bayonet out of the catch by pushing the catch back with a small screw driver from in top, between the bayonet and the catch tab, you may have to pull the plastic spring loaded plunger on the bayonet up to access this.

The only thing that makes this fiddly is the rolled edge of the bayonet fixing plate. this gets in the way a bit when starting the bolts off.

As a precaution I take both the bayonet's off and hammer flat the front rolled edge, this way you can unscrew then in a couple of minutes with your modified spanner.

Not had to do this on a 75 for years, then could not get my bonnet open this weekend. A quick rummage around in my tool box located the old modified spanner.

The only thing is, I have only done this on facelift 75's and ZT's don't know if it works of MK1's although in theory it should be the same, not sure about the MK1 bumper gap access either as often MK2 have an unintentional bigger gap as we know.

Good luck and don't go cutting into grilles, bumpers and bonnets, there really is no need.

Last edited by CMOORESY; 11th January 2020 at 10:59..
CMOORESY is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 09:49.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright © 2006-2023, The Rover 75 & MG ZT Owners Club Ltd