SJ350z Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Hi Guys, Got myself a bit of a problem. My bonnet catch has stopped working I believe. I pull it the cable moves with some resistance but nothing happens. I've also got a friend to lift lightly on the bonnet at the same time yet still nothing. This wouldn't be such a problem but the Car has a flat battery and needs an MOT ( just my luck eh -.- ) Any info and advice would be good. Im no car wizard unfortunately. Cheers, Sj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIXXERUK Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 try squirting some wd40 through the bonnet gap at the latch, also when you pull the cable, press down then up on the bonnet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ350z Posted February 26, 2014 Author Share Posted February 26, 2014 At the same time as pulling the latch press down then up? What side is the bonnet catch? Isit in the same one as the 2nd latch? Cheers for the reply mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIXXERUK Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 At the same time as pulling the latch press down then up? What side is the bonnet catch? Isit in the same one as the 2nd latch? Cheers for the reply mate the bonnet latch is in the middle at the front, might be able to get a wd40 straw to spray it, yeah the bonnet needs to go down to take take the stress off the latch so the cable will work easier, so yes pull the release handle and press down then up on the bonnet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 (edited) Get your mate to push down on the bonnet front center above the catch - pull the release as hard as you dare (don't brake the lever) while still pulling get said mate to release pressure and lift the bonnet - hopefully it will pop to the second catch. If it doesn't check the lever is pulling the center wire only - in other words make sure the shroud has not seized and you are just moving the whole wire backwards and forwards. Still no joy? Remove the drivers side wheel and the arch liner - you will see the black cable that is the bonnet release give it a gentle but firm tug - if it comes of in your hand replace the windscreen washer pipe and try the other black cable. If that don't work remove the under tray and spend 2 hours trying to get at the catch from below then remove the bonnet with an angle grinder or crow bar! Pleas note some of the advice was given with a small touch of sarcasm or was just a joke. The top 2 methods should work if the cable hasn't snapped though Good Luck Edited February 26, 2014 by Keyser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ350z Posted February 26, 2014 Author Share Posted February 26, 2014 Haha that made me laugh mate I'll give it a go in the morning and hope and pray. I did give that catch a firm tug ( lol ) today so hoping i havn't damaged it or made my life harder. Thanks for the advice guys. I'd probably just get it trailered to the garage and get the whole lot done at the same time than spend my time on my bum fiddling around with cables I'll let you know if I have any joy ! Cheers Sj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ350z Posted February 27, 2014 Author Share Posted February 27, 2014 Get your mate to push down on the bonnet front center above the catch - pull the release as hard as you dare (don't brake the lever) while still pulling get said mate to release pressure and lift the bonnet - hopefully it will pop to the second catch. If it doesn't check the lever is pulling the center wire only - in other words make sure the shroud has not seized and you are just moving the whole wire backwards and forwards. Still no joy? Remove the drivers side wheel and the arch liner - you will see the black cable that is the bonnet release give it a gentle but firm tug - if it comes of in your hand replace the windscreen washer pipe and try the other black cable. If that don't work remove the under tray and spend 2 hours trying to get at the catch from below then remove the bonnet with an angle grinder or crow bar! Pleas note some of the advice was given with a small touch of sarcasm or was just a joke. The top 2 methods should work if the cable hasn't snapped though Good Luck You sir , are a genius ! I took the pressure off the mechanism by pushing down and wallah ! Hey presto it worked I couldn't find my WD-40 so I used some multi-purpose oil that stops rust blah blah all that baloney and the mechanism works fine now ! Very happy so wanted to just say thank you mate Removed my Battery so will have her MOTed shortly. I'll take some pictures and make a progress thread in a couple of weeks. Cheers guys! Sj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIXXERUK Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Sweet glad you are in If it is really tight you can adjust the bonnet catch to take some tension of, However if a bit of lubricant has sorted the problem then no bother Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulletMagnet Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 (edited) Had the same issue a couple weeks back and sprayed the bonnet latch mechanism with WD-40 Lithium Grease spray. On initial spray you could already see the light rust oozing out from the gaps, which had effectively seized all movement. Edited February 27, 2014 by BulletMagnet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.