ubiquitous bonnet release woes

Theodore · 7th June 2017, 09:49

Hi all.
I have the age old problem - seem to be many of these - of suddenly being unable to open the bonnet to my v6 conni...reading through other posts, seems like one solution is to find the 3 cables housed in the box above the wheel arch and giving them a gentle tug...however, I'm not sure I have the same problem as the bonnet release lever which pops out through the grill is already accessible, but even when pulled all the way up, it doesn't open the bonnet, so not clear if this is a cable issue or something to do with the actual catch mechanism? Any thoughts most welcome.
cheers

suzublu · 7th June 2017, 11:06

Hi Theo, the claw lever through the grill only pushes the hook on the slam panel away from the loop on the bonnet, so nothing to do with the cables. I suggest you need to pull the 2 cables in the splitter box to release the bonnet, then slacken off the 2 bolts either side of the holes in the slam panel a quarter turn each. Make sure you can see the "half moon" catches move in & out when the lever in the car is pulled & lubricate well

HTH's & good luck

Theodore · 7th June 2017, 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzublu

Hi Theo, the claw lever through the grill only pushes the hook on the slam panel away from the loop on the bonnet, so nothing to do with the cables. I suggest you need to pull the 2 cables in the splitter box to release the bonnet, then slacken off the 2 bolts either side of the holes in the slam panel a quarter turn each. Make sure you can see the "half moon" catches move in & out when the lever in the car is pulled & lubricate well

HTH's & good luck

Hi,

Ah, ok, thanks. I shall try the cables then and report back ....never a dull moment when you own a 75!!

CMOORESY · 7th June 2017, 21:27

Lets hope the cable hasn't rusted or broken at the catch like mine did.

I went up though the wheel arch to pull the cable at the junction box and it just pulled out of the outer sleeve.

Don't worry though. There is a really simple way of opening your bonnet if this has happened without damaging anything, all you need is a 10mm spanner.

Don't let anyone tell you that you can get to anything through the grill. You most certainly cant. Luckily I have a 75 and a ZT so I could study one closely with the bonnet open...

Let me know if you need further guidance.

Theodore · 8th June 2017, 11:01

Thanks to Suzublu and Cmooresy and 'Mod' for advice.
Managed to get it sorted eventually. Not easy if you have large hands.
The 2 cables had come away from box. managed to find them and sure enough gave them a gentle tug and bonnet popped open! thankfully, no damage to any of the cables so that's a good thing And yes, did follow advice elsewhere on here and flipped the actual housing over and secured it with a cable tie to prevent them popping out again.

Now awaiting next 'common' problem!!

Happy voting!

daznkel · 11th June 2017, 00:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMOORESY

Lets hope the cable hasn't rusted or broken at the catch like mine did.

I went up though the wheel arch to pull the cable at the junction box and it just pulled out of the outer sleeve.

Don't worry though. There is a really simple way of opening your bonnet if this has happened without damaging anything, all you need is a 10mm spanner.

This also happened to me the other day on one of my ZT's. Fortunately the bumper was off already, so it made things alot easier.

RPWC · 11th June 2017, 10:48

I have a similar problem on mine, the claw lever doesn't pop through the grille, I have to push the catch manually with my fingers, what's the score there?

Lord of Hog · 12th June 2017, 07:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPWC

I have a similar problem on mine, the claw lever doesn't pop through the grille, I have to push the catch manually with my fingers, what's the score there?

Haven't had the bumper off recently have you? There is a little bit of leeway available when re-fitting and if it doesn't go back in exactly the same place it started then the claw can snag behind one of the grille slats.

RPWC · 15th June 2017, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord of Hog

Haven't had the bumper off recently have you? There is a little bit of leeway available when re-fitting and if it doesn't go back in exactly the same place it started then the claw can snag behind one of the grille slats.

No not at all. Anyone else any ideas?

RPWC · 27th June 2017, 21:26

Still need help with this please,apologies for thread hijack

7th June 2017, 09:49	#1
Theodore Avid contributor rover 75 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: london Posts: 184 Thanks: 45 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts	ubiquitous bonnet release woes Hi all. I have the age old problem - seem to be many of these - of suddenly being unable to open the bonnet to my v6 conni...reading through other posts, seems like one solution is to find the 3 cables housed in the box above the wheel arch and giving them a gentle tug...however, I'm not sure I have the same problem as the bonnet release lever which pops out through the grill is already accessible, but even when pulled all the way up, it doesn't open the bonnet, so not clear if this is a cable issue or something to do with the actual catch mechanism? Any thoughts most welcome. cheers Last edited by Theodore; 7th June 2017 at 10:31..

11th June 2017, 10:48	#7
RPWC This is my second home 75 model car Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 20,177 Thanks: 4,008 Thanked 5,083 Times in 3,114 Posts	I have a similar problem on mine, the claw lever doesn't pop through the grille, I have to push the catch manually with my fingers, what's the score there? __________________ Cheers. Rich…

27th June 2017, 21:26	#10
RPWC This is my second home 75 model car Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 20,177 Thanks: 4,008 Thanked 5,083 Times in 3,114 Posts	Still need help with this please,apologies for thread hijack __________________ Cheers. Rich…

7th June 2017, 11:06	#2
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,912 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	Hi Theo, the claw lever through the grill only pushes the hook on the slam panel away from the loop on the bonnet, so nothing to do with the cables. I suggest you need to pull the 2 cables in the splitter box to release the bonnet, then slacken off the 2 bolts either side of the holes in the slam panel a quarter turn each. Make sure you can see the "half moon" catches move in & out when the lever in the car is pulled & lubricate well HTH's & good luck

7th June 2017, 21:27	#4
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	Lets hope the cable hasn't rusted or broken at the catch like mine did. I went up though the wheel arch to pull the cable at the junction box and it just pulled out of the outer sleeve. Don't worry though. There is a really simple way of opening your bonnet if this has happened without damaging anything, all you need is a 10mm spanner. Don't let anyone tell you that you can get to anything through the grill. You most certainly cant. Luckily I have a 75 and a ZT so I could study one closely with the bonnet open... Let me know if you need further guidance.

8th June 2017, 11:01	#5
Theodore Avid contributor rover 75 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: london Posts: 184 Thanks: 45 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts	Thanks to Suzublu and Cmooresy and 'Mod' for advice. Managed to get it sorted eventually. Not easy if you have large hands. The 2 cables had come away from box. managed to find them and sure enough gave them a gentle tug and bonnet popped open! thankfully, no damage to any of the cables so that's a good thing And yes, did follow advice elsewhere on here and flipped the actual housing over and secured it with a cable tie to prevent them popping out again. Now awaiting next 'common' problem!! Happy voting!