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        General >> Problems >> Not able to open bonnet on car
        
(Message started by: mondeoman on Jun 29^th, 2015, 1:24pm)

Title: Not able to open bonnet on car
Post by mondeoman on Jun 29^th, 2015, 1:24pm

Please, please someone help me I am so tired of continual problems with my car, with no headlights, idle control problems etc. I stripped and rebuilt my fusebox ready to fit to the car to see if it might solve some of the problems.

I have a 2.9 24v and I am not now able to open the bonnet on the car. I 've made the tool mentioned by Gozz to reach the latch whilst on ramps and it works a treat, except pushing the release all the way to the top doesn't open the bonnet.

Is my only option to break the grill, pay for yet another part to gain access? A garage has tried to undo the bolts of the grill, but can't reach them and they are concerned that the bolts will round off etc.

Cheers,

Simon

Title: Re: Not able to open bonnet on car
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Jun 29^th, 2015, 4:36pm

I have a spare grille if you need one.

Title: Re: Not able to open bonnet on car
Post by Simmo on Jun 29^th, 2015, 5:04pm

Have read of This thread (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=admin;action=display;num=1275928797). What is the tool mentioned by Gozz?. We did have one member who made up a device about a metre long with a spur at right angles about 6 inches long. This enabled him to reach up and move the lever holding the bonnet. This lever is actually shielded in the cross member so you need to get up high enough, hence the metre rod, and then have the probe at right angles to release the safety catch. :)

I thought it was in How to do things but it's not. Anyone recall this? :(

Title: Re: Not able to open bonnet on car
Post by Scorpabilly on Jun 29^th, 2015, 6:14pm

I've got a facelift grille if that's needed (and a Zunsport grille in black :))

Title: Re: Not able to open bonnet on car
Post by Matt on Jun 29^th, 2015, 8:26pm

How long and skinny are your arms? You can jack the front up, crawl under and reach up between the rads and bumper and undo the 2 10mm bolts that hold the bonet catch to the bonet.

Youll end up looking like youve been self harming but saves breaking the grill lol

Title: Re: Not able to open bonnet on car
Post by Tompion on Jun 29^th, 2015, 11:24pm

Below from an old thread is a reply by Gozz. Also a picture from Simmo.

on 08/10/08 at 20:59:19, gozz wrote:

Chieftain.
You need a piece of 3/16" flat bar about 24 1/2 " long,bend 2 1/2" at 90 degrees on one end.It is fiddly but with the under cover off you can wangle the bent bit up somewhere slightly left of the centre of the water pump boss,under the slam panel.There is a small wiring loom just under the slam panel,you need to be on top of that,you then by fair means or foul,move the bent bit to the right and push the lever over.Depending on how big you are,you may be able to get your left arm
up through the morass,whist holding the bottom of the bar steady with your right
hand.
Best O luck
GOZZ.

http://i.imgur.com/aXMVbQS.jpg

Title: Re: Not able to open bonnet on car
Post by Simmo on Jun 30^th, 2015, 6:05am

Thank you Dave for posting that.;D The picture shows the bar I described. It is essentially the same as Gozz's version. This one has four holes drilled in it at the base to allow the user to insert a 'handle' through it at an appropriate level to assist in guiding it. :)

Title: Re: Not able to open bonnet on car
Post by mondeoman on Jun 30^th, 2015, 12:04pm

The picture is a copy of the tool which I got manufactured for the task. The garage that tried to use it managed to push the catch all the way up, but nothing was released by doing it, so to me it indicates that something must be preventing the release from operating. I've not tried to get access to the bonnet catch area to undo any bolts, but apparently it is very difficult with very limited space.

If I can't get any where then I will be looking for a new grill, but my car is a 95 so pre-facelift.

Cheers,

Simon

Title: Re: Not able to open bonnet on car
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Jun 30^th, 2015, 12:29pm

on 06/30/15 at 12:04:02, mondeoman wrote:

The spare grille I have is a pre-facelift.

Title: Re: Not able to open bonnet on car
Post by Tompion on Jun 30^th, 2015, 5:33pm

on 06/30/15 at 12:04:02, mondeoman wrote:

You have to push it sideways not up.

Title: Re: Not able to open bonnet on car
Post by Tompion on Jul 1^st, 2015, 3:33pm

Here's a picture of the catch from Simmo & a broader view of the location from me.

http://i.imgur.com/crUukDJ.jpg

The green arrow points to a little insert in the lever that is often the cause of the problem, it fails and allows the cable to come out of the lever.
The red arrow shows the lever & direction it needs to be pushed.
The pictures are of 16v's, the 24v's are the same just harder to get at.

http://i.imgur.com/KGcxV8f.jpg

Title: Re: Not able to open bonnet on car
Post by Simmo on Jul 1^st, 2015, 4:54pm

Thank you once again Dave.

I'll let this thread run it's course and then I'll transfer it to 'How to do Things' :)

Title: Re: Not able to open bonnet on car
Post by PJDavis on Jul 2^nd, 2015, 10:00am

Of course once you've gained access to the compartment it would be wise to 'make-up' an emergency 'tug-wire' like I have. And then test it regularly to make sure it still works!

Title: Re: Not able to open bonnet on car
Post by Simmo on Jul 2^nd, 2015, 10:07am

on 07/02/15 at 10:00:38, PJDavis wrote:

Of course once you've gained access to the compartment it would be wise to 'make-up' an emergency 'tug-wire' like I have. And then test it regularly to make sure it still works!

Sound advice Peter. I have a vague recollection but it might be useful if you could put up your 'system' again. Any photos?. Thanks :)