GTS bonnet wouldn’t open

Ryandoc

Member
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1,839
Just washed the car tonight on my GTS, flicked bonnet catch it popped up as normal but then I only got about an inch more lift before it felt like something was stopping it?

Don’t recall ever reading something similar any ideas what the heck has gone on here?

Cheers
 

Oneball

Member
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11,075
Are you saying that you pull the lever inside, the bonnet pops up and then you go to the front of the car and can’t lift the bonnet enough to get to the safety catch beside the bonnet lock?
 

Ryandoc

Member
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1,839
Yeah so pull lever in drivers footwell, bonnet pops up as normal.

Go to bonnet, push up the lever underneath to the left hand side. The bonnet then lifts about another inch, clear the catch fine but then stops, not a dead stop it’s like it’s crushing up against something it’s very strange.
 

Oneball

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11,075
My only guess would be that the sound deadening might have become detached and catching on something but that a complete guess.
 

Ryandoc

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1,839
My only thought was a failed strut, it actually feels like I’d break something if I forced it.

Very peculiar never has this in 5 years
 

Saigon

Member
Messages
778
Yeah so pull lever in drivers footwell, bonnet pops up as normal.

Go to bonnet, push up the lever underneath to the left hand side. The bonnet then lifts about another inch, clear the catch fine but then stops, not a dead stop it’s like it’s crushing up against something it’s very strange.
Do (did) you have a cat ?
 

Ryandoc

Member
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1,839
Nothing stuck under it at the windscreen end?

So I instantly looked to see if wiper was lifted, even though they don’t go right up, but no nothing obvious.

Can I upload vids direct to here I’ll try and take one?
 

Scaf

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6,513
Sounds like a gas strut to me, not had it on my GTS but have experienced similar symptoms on the rear hatchback before.
 

Ryandoc

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Think you’re right Scaf. Just had another play and as you face the bonnet the right hand side can be ‘flexed’ slightly if that makes sense whereas the left side is rock solid.

Gotta be the strut.

Next question given I can’t lift it how do I get it open? Suppose I need to lift as much as I can, get a torch under and see if some poking can release whatever it is that has happened ?
 

Oneball

Member
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11,075
Sounds like a gas strut to me, not had it on my GTS but have experienced similar symptoms on the rear hatchback before.

Do you think it’ll be seized or is it the lack assistance that makes it feel jammed where in reality it’s just the weight?
 

Scaf

Member
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6,513
The one I had was seized, and when I did get it uo it bent when I tried to close it again.
But as I say, it was a hatch back on an Vectra, not a GT
 

Ryandoc

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1,839
To me it doesn’t feel seized as there’s movement on the bonnet, could be wrong though.

Next part is how to get the bloody bonnet open now lol
 

Scaf

Member
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6,513
To me it doesn’t feel seized as there’s movement on the bonnet, could be wrong though.

Next part is how to get the bloody bonnet open now lol
could a strut have become loose and out of alignment perhaps - good luck
 

Ryandoc

Member
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1,839
Thanks. Will try and get a look over the weekend.

Just booked service for early April as well at dealership. I would just leave it for them but I’ll get 2 hours Labour and parts screw that I’ll get it open myself lol
 

O37

Member
Messages
101
....
Next part is how to get the bloody bonnet open now lol

There is a hidden emergency Bowden cable ( behind the inner arch wheel protector), can't remember exactly but believe its on the drivers side, see this image from Eurospares.

66683
 
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Ryandoc

Member
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1,839
What does that do, emergency makes it sound like it ‘releases’ everything and for bonnet to come up?

Sounds drastic??
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,594
It’s a fail save if the normal one breaks. On the 4200 it’s above the original one one....not a lot of people know that.