bonnet not closing properly

[scorpio stu]

Just done a search and not sure if this is right or not. The car I have bought and collecting on Thursday apparently the bonnet doesn't close properly.Closes on the first click but the bonnet lever in the grill stays out and won't catch to lock it in place (hope that makes sense). I haven't seen the car yet but could it just be grease and the bonnet mod where you turn the small box round ?

Thanks

[wuzerk]

It could be the operating cables sticking due to lack of lubrication. It could also be because the rubber buffers on the left and right have been raised too much stopping the second latching from taking place.(just screw them up or down). The final reason could be that the two spring loaded latches on the bonnet itself have been wrongly adjusted. Just release the locking nuts and screw them in or out too.

[scorpio stu]

I'll take some lube with when I collect it then,thanks didn't want to drive it like that

[mErCuTi0]

My car does it, even after I asked the garage to check the cable.

I find when I pull the lever in the cabin to open the hood, it doesn't seem to pop back in place. If I 'flick' it back a couple of times eventually it goes back to it's normal position and then I can close the bonnet.

So I'd check the lever first.. you will be able to clearly see if it isn't sitting correctly.

[scorpio stu]

Originally Posted by mErCuTi0

My car does it, even after I asked the garage to check the cable.

I find when I pull the lever in the cabin to open the hood, it doesn't seem to pop back in place. If I 'flick' it back a couple of times eventually it goes back to it's normal position and then I can close the bonnet.

So I'd check the lever first.. you will be able to clearly see if it isn't sitting correctly.

will do,cheers

[windrush]

Hope you get it sorted ok Stu,as if the bonnet is not properly closed it cold fly open down the motorway ect

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by scorpio stu

Just done a search and not sure if this is right or not. The car I have bought and collecting on Thursday apparently the bonnet doesn't close properly.Closes on the first click but the bonnet lever in the grill stays out and won't catch to lock it in place (hope that makes sense). I haven't seen the car yet but could it just be grease and the bonnet mod where you turn the small box round ?

Thanks

Pretty much as others have said.....

It is unlikely to bethe splitter box on the wing, but that doesn't mean it will not need to be later checked/corrected. The splitter box usually only cause the release not to work, rather than to prevent you properly latching the bonnet.

With the bonnet up get someone to pull the release, you should see the half moon shaped catches in the sockets both move back and forth quite freely and it should need little effort at the release lever. If they are not, they may need some lube in the sockets, in the cables or etc..

I would suggest checking the above, before making any attmps to get the bonnet to latch. If the above is OK, the buttons (bonnet height adjusters) either side of the bonnet might be set high. They can just be screwed in to lower them.

[pab]

An idea is to check both catches on the slam panel,the N/S catch has a habit of seizing up.Look at each catch,you should see the half moon shape catch.Check that both of these move freely when the bonnet lever is pulled.

If you notice one has stopped moving it will be seized,slacken the bolts either side no more than a quarter turn and the half moon should pop out,a gentle tap of the catch will tease it out.Apply penetrating oil and lubricate and tighten the two bolts a quarter turn to the original position..No more.

Thread moved to the Technical help forum,redirect left.

[Astraeus]

Originally Posted by pab

An idea is to check both catches on the slam panel,the N/S catch has a habit of seizing up.Look at each catch,you should see the half moon shape catch.Check that both of these move freely when the bonnet lever is pulled.

If you notice one has stopped moving it will be seized,slacken the bolts either side no more than a quarter turn and the half moon should pop out,a gentle tap of the catch will tease it out.Apply penetrating oil and lubricate and tighten the two bolts a quarter turn to the original position..No more.

Thread moved to the Technical help forum,redirect left.

just an aside....

Don't be tempted to push down hard at front of bonnet to get it to close when it will not! It should close when dropped six inches. Else you end up with three or four dents that will not pop out! Then follows an internet search lasting months to get a replacement of same colour code!!!!! (Then a very long drive to pick it up!)
I know someone who.....well.....ermmmm....has just done so!
Can't think who.......

[thomas 75 connie]

My dads new car had this same problem but we have sorted it. Was a pain but the catches on his were rusted in place so we put some on(from a member on here) job was a pain and we had to take what seemed like half the car to bits but it all works fine now