Bonnet stuck shut

[Lozzer]

Hi, is there an emergency way to open the bonnet on the 3200? I finished fitting a new a/c condenser along with straightening out the cross member it sits on and after filling up with coolant I took it for a short drive. Went to open the bonnet to check levels and the handle inside the cabin is solid, I've tried pushing up/down on bonnet while the lad pulled on the latch but nothing. Bloody mot next week as well. Help!

 

[77GR]

Lozzer, if you peel back the carpet behind the bonnet catch this should reveal the "emergency" bonnet catch which uses a complete alternative cable provided for just such an eventuality. It is a loose cable with a T type pull control. The sleeve is not anchored to the body like the main release cable which means you will need to hold the end of the sleeve with a good pair of pliers or "mole grips" (but obviously not so hard as to prevent free movement) whilst pulling on the T shaped handle. Of course, if it is the catch itself that is seized or the "emergency" release cable itself has seized through lack of use this won't help but it's got to be worth a try - I actually found and tried the "emergency" cable once just to see if it worked and it did.

 

[Lozzer]

Lozzer, if you peel back the carpet behind the bonnet catch this should reveal the "emergency" bonnet catch which uses a complete alternative cable provided for just such an eventuality. It is a loose cable with a T type pull control. The sleeve is not anchored to the body like the main release cable which means you will need to hold the end of the sleeve with a good pair of pliers or "mole grips" (but obviously not so hard as to prevent free movement) whilst pulling on the T shaped handle. Of course, if it is the catch itself that is seized or the "emergency" release cable itself has seized through lack of use this won't help but it's got to be worth a try - I actually found and tried the "emergency" cable once just to see if it worked and it did.

Thanks, will try that.

 

[lozcb]

Three in one oil down the cable once you get it open , and around all the catch mechanisms , Oh and dont forget to remove the spanner you left there fom the last time you had it open

 

[Scaf]

I throught you had said the bonnet catch had released but that even then, the bonnet would not lift, anyway - good luck

 

[Lozzer]

Three in one oil down the cable once you get it open , and around all the catch mechanisms , Oh and dont forget to remove the spanner you left there fom the last time you had it open

That is entirely possible lol

I throught you had said the bonnet catch had released but that even then, the bonnet would not lift, anyway - good luck

No the lever in the car is solid, no movement in it whatsoever, I've not had chance to try the emergency cable yet but I get the feeling something is very wrong.

 

[Scaf]

That is entirely possible lol

No the lever in the car is solid, no movement in it whatsoever, I've not had chance to try the emergency cable yet but I get the feeling something is very wrong.

Lol - just realised two threads on very similar subject and I am getting confused (which is not difficult).

 

[Lozzer]

Sorted, all rather embarrassing lol, so I've learned not to do things late at night after work when I'm tired and its dark. All my own doing in the end up, managed to get it open by slackening the catch brackets either side of the rad, offside ok but the nearside is a nightmare because of the power steering cooler.



Open at last


Who bolts a bracket on top of a release cable?..What an idiot!

 

[lozcb]

Sorted, all rather embarrassing lol, so I've learned not to do things late at night after work when I'm tired and its dark. All my own doing in the end up, managed to get it open by slackening the catch brackets either side of the rad, offside ok but the nearside is a nightmare because of the power steering cooler.
View attachment 66715

View attachment 66717
Open at last
View attachment 66716

Who bolts a bracket on top of a release cable?..What an idiot!
View attachment 66718

Well what was it , intrigued ..............................a spanner by any chance .............................we've all done it lol

 

[Lozzer]

Well what was it , intrigued ..............................a spanner by any chance .............................we've all done it lol

Last picture Loz, I bolted the rad retainer bracket right on top of the offside bonnet release cable lol

 

[lozcb]

As long as no damage done you can have a good chuckle to yourself

 

[CatmanV2]

Well what was it , intrigued ..............................a spanner by any chance .............................we've all done it lol

Left a roll of insulating tape in the engine bay of my Giulietta once. Couldn't get the throttle pedal to go down beyond about 15mph worth until I stamped on it. That did it. 6k revs...

Pulled on over and shut her down (thanks Mr Lynott) and found it was on top of the carbs jamming them at WOT

C