Bonnet stuck

T120 · 23rd January 2019, 15:13

Background:
A spare battery saved the day but has produced another problem! Yesterday my battery died and the car stopped. I fetched an old battery which has the side the + and - connections at the opposite sides (the battery was for an Austin 1100 from the early '60's). For the battery to fit it has to be at an angle which means the bonnet will not quite close at that side. Hence my problem!

Problem:
The bonnet is partially closed. The bonnet is closed on the drivers side with the other raised ~20-30mm. The force on the lock is too much to open with lever. How can I get it open? Any ideas please.

stocktake · 23rd January 2019, 15:43

One person to press down on the bonnet on the catch that is closed whilst the other pulls the bonnet release...

T120 · 23rd January 2019, 17:48

I've tried that but only with a light person.
A possible problem is the rubber insulator on the battery could be brocken and the 'fibre' under the bonnet broken by the + battery terminal. I don't look forward to that !!!

Any other ideas?
If all else fail, I'll try a heavy weight.

trikey · 23rd January 2019, 17:52

I think it will be time to remove the grille and undo the bonnet pin.

T120 · 25th January 2019, 20:09

Success! I tried a medium weight person and the bonnet opened. Battery (and car) survived. Thanks.

23rd January 2019, 15:13	#1
T120 Newbie Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Cheltenham Posts: 17 Thanks: 10 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Bonnet stuck Background: A spare battery saved the day but has produced another problem! Yesterday my battery died and the car stopped. I fetched an old battery which has the side the + and - connections at the opposite sides (the battery was for an Austin 1100 from the early '60's). For the battery to fit it has to be at an angle which means the bonnet will not quite close at that side. Hence my problem! Problem: The bonnet is partially closed. The bonnet is closed on the drivers side with the other raised ~20-30mm. The force on the lock is too much to open with lever. How can I get it open? Any ideas please.

23rd January 2019, 15:43	#2
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,587 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	One person to press down on the bonnet on the catch that is closed whilst the other pulls the bonnet release... __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

23rd January 2019, 17:52	#4
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,766 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	I think it will be time to remove the grille and undo the bonnet pin. __________________ Lest we forget..

23rd January 2019, 17:48	#3
T120 Newbie Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Cheltenham Posts: 17 Thanks: 10 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I've tried that but only with a light person. A possible problem is the rubber insulator on the battery could be brocken and the 'fibre' under the bonnet broken by the + battery terminal. I don't look forward to that !!! Any other ideas? If all else fail, I'll try a heavy weight.

25th January 2019, 20:09	#5
T120 Newbie Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Cheltenham Posts: 17 Thanks: 10 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Success! I tried a medium weight person and the bonnet opened. Battery (and car) survived. Thanks.