Bonnet keeps popping open

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.

lightning

Well-Known Member
Posts
4,163
Location
High Peak
Has anybody had this? All of a sudden l keep finding the bonnet (on my 2005 110) on the safety catch.

lt closes with a solid "ping" from the locking mechanism but next time l stop, it's on the safety catch again.

I checked the catch and it seems fine, the cable isn't sticking and it seems to work OK.

I called my local LR specialist to order a new catch but they said "we've never had to change one" and suggested l check it first.

I've adjusted the rubber stops at the front corners so they have a couple of mm clearance when the bonnet is closed (not sure it that's correct) but
it's still pinging open randomly. The bonnet shut line along the wings is fairly level and it doesn't touch the wings at any point.
 
Catch return spring good ? May need to remove grill to check by hand.

Better to have 'an assistant' operate the cable, while you watch the 'gate' open and close properly, might be road bounce causing the 'gate' to open ...

Also lube the spike / hook on the bonnet, make sure you have full movement of travel ...
 
Never had it happen to mine without some intervention first but yes it can happen to any vehicle and is usually down to adjustment or something moving slightly.
I know when I rebuilt my 90 last year (after fitting the new chassis) it took ages to get the bonnet release set up correctly again, never had a problem before but obviously things didn't align the same and lots of small adjustments were required as too much one way and it was popping onto the latch and too far the other it wouldn't release at all.
 
Has anybody had this? All of a sudden l keep finding the bonnet (on my 2005 110) on the safety catch.

lt closes with a solid "ping" from the locking mechanism but next time l stop, it's on the safety catch again.

I checked the catch and it seems fine, the cable isn't sticking and it seems to work OK.

I called my local LR specialist to order a new catch but they said "we've never had to change one" and suggested l check it first.

I've adjusted the rubber stops at the front corners so they have a couple of mm clearance when the bonnet is closed (not sure it that's correct) but
it's still pinging open randomly. The bonnet shut line along the wings is fairly level and it doesn't touch the wings at any point.

Is it something to do with the “sound deadening” you have been doing?
 
It's had under bonnet sound proofing for some years, l did have flexible rubber strip along the bonnet sides but took it off to make sure it wasn't the cause of the problem.
lt can only be the catch really, at £25 from Britpart it's worth a try
OE is £65
 
l've checked and adjusted it as suggested but the bonnet still pings up after about five miles of driving.
l've ordered a new catch delivered tomorrow will report back after fitting it.

Is there any sideways adjustment in the catch.
Assuming you adjusted the pin?

But does sound worn, you’ve been opening the bonnet too much;):D.

J
 
l don't know, it seems OK but looking at the way the catch works, l suspect the locking plate is worn where it engages with the
pin, so enabling it to unlock with the general movement of the vehicle.
 
Hint, when fitting a catch do up the bolts until they just hold it in place but a tap can still move it some. Shut bonnet to centre the catch, open and bolt up fully.
 
They never look properly shut at the front unless you've got the factory aircon and then it does, because the front grille sticks out more.

You can adjust it so the shut line along the wings is level, which helps to make it look better.
But be careful because if you adjust it too low at the front the bonnet can touch the wings in the middle and it will then rattle/rub the paint off.
 
Last edited:
Fitted the catch tonight, not an easy task, mainly because the landy's got an aftermarket security plate riveted on the slam panel to make the catch more secure.
And lining up the catch is difficult with the ruddy great spring working against you.
But l did as suggested above and closed the bonnet with the screws slightly loose to get it aligned.
Anyway it's fitted now so let's see what happens.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top