Bonnet won't release

[JoelG]

Hi all,

I was hoping for some advice on getting the bonnet of my VP open. The release lever isn't working, although it's making an appropriate noise at the front of the car, suggesting (but not guaranteeing) that the cable is still connected, but the release is stuck. I tried pushing/sitting/bouncing my bonnet in an attempt to loosen it, but to no avail.

On advice of my repair manual, I then got under the bumber bar and tried to use a screwdriver to lever the bonnet lock spring arm to the right - it moved a little (probably 60 degrees from resting position) but I couldn't get it to go any further (and indeed, now have a handy curved screwdriver for those hard to reach places...) It would hold in place wherever I left it, until giving a firm push on the bonnet which would let it pop back to resting position. I *assume* that if I could have levered it further around, the bonnet would have popped open but confirmation of that from someone would be good, too.

I'm not sure how to proceed - my (possibly wrong) interpration is that the lock is stuck, and neither the cable nor my screwdriver can provide enough force, but I don't have proof of this. I'm nervous about forcing anything as I'm not really all that car-savvy (I'm learning though! ) But this is a frustrating thing to have to take the car into the service station for (especially given that I was about to replace my headlight switch myself!) Any advice or tips would be appreciated!

Cheers,
Joel

[VN Commy]

My bonnet wouldn't open on the weekend but I managed to open it with another person pushing down on it. Maybe try levering the arm again with someone also pulling on the release lever to get an extra bit of pull. When you do get it open tighten up the cable so it doesn't happen again. Just loosen where it's secured near the latch, pull tight and do up.

[JoelG]

Thanks VN Commy - I'll give that a go, and see what happens!

Cheers,
Joel

[Burnout_bro]

yeah just get someone to sit on the bonet and wiggle it around whilst you puul the leaver

[Charg'd]

yeh get someone to push down on the bonnet while you pull the lever, then see if the pin has grease on it, if it dosnt, grease it up, i had this problem with my Vr

[MyVPIsFasterThanYourVP]

gregorys shows how to open the bonnet with a screwdriver from under the front. If you want i can scan and post the pic.
Colin

[andynogo]

Another thing that happens is the cable stuffs up- mine has done it twice. First time the outer kinked just near the firewall so wouldn't quite pull enough to open the bonnet and the lever would kinda stick up half way. The second time, the metal clamping band at the latch end came loose and slid up the cable.

I found an easy way to open the bonnet was to make a hook with some fencing wire (I was stuck miles from anywhere and NEEDED to get under that bonnet). A coat hanger may do the job. Grab a torch and look through the grill. Just to the left of the pin you can see some holes on the metal rad support. Through one of these holes, you should be able to see the end of the release cable near where it attaches to the spring. Hook the wire around the cable and pull. Course it won't work if your cable inner has broken. Which it doesn't sound like from what you've told us.

[nathans1987]

push on bonnet thing works. when you get it open look to see that the clip to hold the stand/rod/ponnet prop is there because if you place it in the wrong position it will wedge the bonnet making the leaver not open it. it did for me anyway. place it as close to the back of the car as you can if the clip isnt there.

[JoelG]

Thanks for the many responses and suggestions. For posterity, getting someone to pull the release while I pushed down on the bonnet did indeed pop it open with minimal effort. But it still jammed if it was closed again.

I then loosened and slightly repositioned the locking spring so that it was slightly more dead centre (by using a spanner to undo it at the base (top, that is)). I then put some silicon spray on the relevant bits (locking arm, spring, etc) and it's now all good!

Oh, and thanks MyVPIsFasterThanYourVP for the offer of Gregory's - I've got it, but couldn't get enough force to lever the arm over.

And I successfully replaced my headlight switch, and now feel moderately proud of myself. (Hey, it's the first time I've fixed anything without external help!)

Cheers, and thanks for the all the help. Better yet, now I've got a Commodore forum to post in!

Joel