Vs 1995 bonnet opening issue... not a car smart person

[wowmel]

Hi There, I got a 1995 vs Commodore a few months back, its awesome,
there is something up with the bonnet cable, the bonnet opens, but someone has to pull the lever while another person pushes on the front centre of the bonnet.

I mentioned this to me friend who also has a commodore, and she said that its either the cable is too tight or too loose, but wasn't too sure..

Please talk in not mechanic language as I'm a 20 year old girl that doesn't know much about cars, if you wanted me to change a fuse, i could do that, or put coolant in the car... done, but mechanical stuff no idea.

is there an easy way to work it out and fix it, or am i best going to a car place.

Thanks!!
Mel

[coolngroovy]

Hello Me.
Try this.....reach in the door & pull the release cable.....slap down on the corner of the bonnet with your free hand [use your palm with an open hand, not a fist] .......tada! Bonnet pops.

I had a VL with the same issues....& a torana.......& a VN.....lol

If you open the bonnet, 'crack' the 4 bolts holding the bonnet to the hinge, then close the bonnet, next time you open the bonnet [when you check the water next] nip the bolts back up. It should cure the problem.
Dont loosten the bolts, just 'crack' them. The virbation from driving around will 'centre' the bonnet & you wont have anymore issues.
Well.....it works for me!

[hako]

An easy method (once you open the bonnet as above) is to loosen the single bonnet lock pin as per the pix/link - just undo it one turn.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Another thing that happens is the clip that holds the bonnet shut bends where the cable attaches and it doesn't pull back far enough to release the pin.

You will need two screw drivers, one to hold the clip in towards the edge of the hole, and the other to bend the end of the clip where the cable attaches. You have to bend it away from the direction of the way the cable pulls it. So bend it towards the passenger side.

[Wombles]

An easy method (once you open the bonnet as above) is to loosen the single bonnet lock pin as per the pix/link - just undo it one turn.

That picture you have contributated is what levels the bonnet with the guards.
It doesnt have much to do with the level or anything...
I hadf this problem...
My mate said to lube the shit out of it...
Then it wouldnt close.
It may be the spring that holds the bonnet down.
It may be too far centre which stops it from opening correctly.
Try to peel back plastic thats under the radiator.
The plastic is closest to you.
Under there there should be the cable and a bit of the spring.
Hold the spring in place with a flat head screw driver then get another screw driver, put it in the hole where the spring holds the bonnet and try to bend it towards your left.

[wowmel]

If you open the bonnet, 'crack' the 4 bolts holding the bonnet to the hinge, then close the bonnet, next time you open the bonnet [when you check the water next] nip the bolts back up. It should cure the problem.
Dont loosten the bolts, just 'crack' them. The virbation from driving around will 'centre' the bonnet & you wont have anymore issues.

Where would I find these bolts?? is it up near the top left corner (near the drivers door) do you have a photo at all??



The spring way seems a bit complicated for me.( thanks though). though if i had some photos of the sections it may make more sense, if not i'll have to get a mechanic to fix it!

Thanks for all you help!!

[hako]

Try this link - it makes it all easy:
A little help please :D

[nemesis_adrasteia]

An easy method (once you open the bonnet as above) is to loosen the single bonnet lock pin as per the pix/link - just undo it one turn.

defs give this a go i had the same problem turned it a little bit and it workd perfect now

[Cheap6]

The cable can be adjusted too. With the bonnet open, lift the plastic cover strip between the radiator and the car body, and trace the cable back towards the driver's side of the car about 200-250mm. You will see a tiny metal clip that holds the bonnet cable to the car body. If you loosen the bolt that holds that clip in place, you can pull the cable away from the bonnet catch to take up any free play, then retighten the bolt to hold it.

[VN_Luke]

Hello Me.
Try this.....reach in the door & pull the release cable.....slap down on the corner of the bonnet with your free hand [use your palm with an open hand, not a fist] .......tada! Bonnet pops.

amen I thought that was standard procedure for opening commodore bonnets?

[homer28b]

An easy method (once you open the bonnet as above) is to loosen the single bonnet lock pin as per the pix/link - just undo it one turn.

This worked for me when I got my VR.

[DannyboyDS]

coolngroovy i'm going to try that method simply to center my bonnet, I can never get it perfect, my bonnet opens fine but this thread was a big help cheers.

[wowmel]

My auto electrician put some grease on the spring and nob thing and it seems to open now, what a nice auto electrician! Seeing as i didn't even take it there for him to fix, he did a couple other things too, and he didn't charge heaps woot!

Thanks guys!

[delcowizzid]

coolngroovy i'm going to try that method simply to center my bonnet, I can never get it perfect, my bonnet opens fine but this thread was a big help cheers.

just be carefull this method can bring on the other dreaded commodore bonnet issue smashed windscreens from the bonnet opening into the screen that sucks real bad i tell you

[justin18]

hey guys

i have the same problem with my vs commodore the bonnet wont open at all now even when we press in the middle of the bonnet and pull the leaver we even tried everything that is mentioned on here but it still wont open got any ideas??

[apowdermonkey]

Coolngroovey,

I was skeptical when I heard this advice [use your palm with an open hand, not a fist]

Sounded like Fonzie hitting the jukebox.......

I worked a treat. Thankyou guru of the bonnet release!

[BIG_JV]

just turn the the thing that looks like a spring maybe 1/2-1 full turn. I did it worked fine now for 6 months. They can just get a bit loose sometimes...

[89vn]

Or if all this seems to hard for you then you could just leave it? Lol if its not causing a major problem just leave it.
Just make sure when you wana check your oil and water that someone can give you a hand opening the bonnet.