Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: VS wagon bonnet won't open

  1. #1
    Ride
    VS Wagon

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    87

    Default VS wagon bonnet won't open

    Hey guys,

    As the title suggests, I can't open my bonnet! The lever feels like it's pulling the cable and I can hear it trying but no go. I tried to do it manually but not exactly sure how the mechanism works. Any ideas?

    Thanks in advance!
    Old Colts in Oz - Saving Old Colts but not the 80's spec FWD kind . See www.oldcolts.com.au for details.

  2. #2
    TrikkBen's Avatar
    TrikkBen is offline Compulsive.
    Ride
    BNR32

    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    SE, Vic
    Posts
    972

    Default

    get someone to push down on the front of the bonnet as you pull the lever

    There is no such thing as stupid questions, Only stupid people.

  3. #3
    hako is offline Donating Member
    Ride
    VS11 BT1 V6

    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Toowoomba SE QLD
    Posts
    7,344

    Default

    Another trick is to sit in the drivers seat with the window down and pull the release with your left hand whilst leaning your right arm out the window and thump the corner of the bonnet with your open palm. Usually works but fix the problem before it happens again!

  4. #4
    Ride
    VS Wagon

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    87

    Default

    Thanks guys, tried both suggestions early today with no luck. Any idea if there is a way to manually do it?
    Old Colts in Oz - Saving Old Colts but not the 80's spec FWD kind . See www.oldcolts.com.au for details.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    360

    Default

    does it feel like the release lever in the car is pulling to far towards you or on an angle

    i could get my bonnet open , see in the pic the white part on the side of bonnet release lever popped out and the lever would pull sideways stopping me from opening the bonnet

    i had to push the side part in by hand then pull the lever to open bonnet

    i ended up fixing it by drilling a small hole through that and the lever and putting a nut and bolt through it to stop it happening again
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails VS wagon bonnet won't open-bonnet-lever.jpg  

  6. #6
    hako is offline Donating Member
    Ride
    VS11 BT1 V6

    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Toowoomba SE QLD
    Posts
    7,344

    Default

    Another method or last resort is to unscrew the bonnet pin which holds the bonnet down. You need to get under the car and look up just in front of the aircon condenser and you will see the slot of the bonnet pin head. Use a long large flat screwdriver to unscrew this a few turns. It helps when doing this to have someone pressing down on the bonnet to relieve tension. See attached pix - first is bonnet pin with screwdriver in slot (bonnet up) and second pix is view from under car looking up with bonnet down and locked. Have fun.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails VS wagon bonnet won't open-bonpinscrew.jpg   VS wagon bonnet won't open-bonnetpin.jpg  
    Last edited by hako; 21-04-2010 at 10:52 PM. Reason: explanation.

  7. #7
    RX25SE's Avatar
    RX25SE is offline Real cars are steel cars.
    Ride
    vsII acclaim wagon

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    1,069

    Default

    Once you've got it open, apply some grease to the bonnet pin.
    If I told you I was a compulsive liar, would you believe me?

  8. #8
    Ride
    VX II Calais LS1

    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Victoria
    Posts
    604

    Default

    Hako, love your reply's with the pictures you take to help people out there great keep up the good work

    By now you must have pictures of just about every part of your car lol
    Quote Originally Posted by destiny View Post
    so im gonna need a supercharger? fck that ruined my dreams, oh well, it will b easyier to get a turbo then i dont have to pay for the boost.

  9. #9
    Ride
    VS Wagon

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    87

    Default

    Thanks guys - great tips and pics! The lever does feel a little sketchy so it could be that. I'll give it a try as soon as I get home from work and let you know how I go
    Old Colts in Oz - Saving Old Colts but not the 80's spec FWD kind . See www.oldcolts.com.au for details.

  10. #10
    Ride
    VZ Calais

    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Mackay Qld
    Posts
    499

    Default

    My guess is that the outer cable has slipped in the keeper plate.
    Remove the centre pin as described.

  11. #11
    Ride
    VS Commodore 3.8L

    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    58

    Default

    yer d00d, smack the top right corner of the bonnet, it actually works, hahaha, i was amazed when it worked for me

  12. #12
    Ride
    VS Wagon

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    87

    Default

    All sorted! Combination of the above. Checked the lever - all good. Loosened the latch a tad and then had a mate push down on the bonnet while I pulled lever - success. A good clean and a heap of new grease and all seems sweet. Thanks guys!
    Old Colts in Oz - Saving Old Colts but not the 80's spec FWD kind . See www.oldcolts.com.au for details.

  13. #13
    Ride
    VR Acclaim v6..?

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Gold Coast
    Posts
    150

    Default

    I had the same problem, none of the above methods worked and i couldnt unscrew that thing. So in rage i kicked the bumper and bam the bonnet popped open lol

Similar Threads

  1. need help! bonnet latch is broken and cannot open bonnet!
    By boourns in forum VN - VP Holden Commodore (1988 - 1993)
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 17-02-2012, 11:10 AM
  2. Bonnet release cable snapped how do i open the bonnet
    By S-Pac_Sam in forum VR - VS Holden Commodore (1993 - 1997)
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 26-04-2010, 09:07 PM
  3. VR SS: Bonnet latch broken, how do i open the bonnet?
    By Steery in forum VR - VS Holden Commodore (1993 - 1997)
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 15-11-2009, 07:22 PM
  4. I can't open the Bonnet
    By baryscommodore in forum VN - VP Holden Commodore (1988 - 1993)
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 02-02-2009, 08:42 PM
  5. My bonnet doesn't open, at all!
    By str8up in forum VN - VP Holden Commodore (1988 - 1993)
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 24-11-2005, 07:25 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72