Bonnet release

Hey guys

First question. I can't open the bonnet anymore

I guess the cable has got a bit slack. It hasn't snapped, and is still connected at both ends, but won't open when I yank it.
Presumably, I need to manually release the mechanism, and then tighten the cable a bit. I can't get at it though! I could remove the front grill to give better access, but this is stuck behind bull bars, and it seems a bit excessive to take all this apart to open the bonnet?!

Anyone got any magic ideas? I can't even see the lechanism because it is stuck behind a plate, presumably to stop people opening the bonnet without the release handle

Thanks people!

[It's a Defender 90 300TDi 1996 by the way]

whip the grille off - you should still have enough room to get at it, even with the bull bar - I did mine back along.
It's easy enough to release it with a screwdriver then.

you can generally get your fingers behind the bullbar and up under the grille to tug the cable near to the bonnet catch.

Thanks guys.

What does this catch look like? Just wondering if this might be a two man job. Reason being, my spare sits on the bonnet. Could it be that the cable it releasing the mechanism fine, but it just locks again as soon as you release the cable because of the weight of the wheel? When you normally release it, does it pop-up?

I might wait for the Mrs to get home and pull the cable while I lift the bonnet, before I start dismantling the front of the car

You should feel the catch 'give' as you pull the bonnet release. If you don't feel this then it aint working. If you do then there is a chance the weight of your spare wheel is preventing the bonnet popping up.

It sort of does. It pulls out about 1.5 inches, and feels pretty solid. Will try this evening with an extra pair of hands, although that isn't very useful if I break down somewhere alone

this happend to mine and even with the grill off and a pair of grips i couldnt release the catch,in the end i removed the whole mechanism( mark the position with a pen it will make it easier to refit in the correct position) mine was then full of mud and **** and stuck solid,cleaned it up with wd40 and wire brush regreased and refitted now works like a dream

Ok, I think it was down to the weight on the bonnet. I just shoved a folded up newspaper in the gap (wedged hard) and that was enough to keep the catch open when I pulled on the cable. So if you're bonnet mounting the spare wheel, keep a newspaper in case of breakdowns

It does need a good clean up of the gunk around it though, so I will be doing that too!

Zeek said:

Ok, I think it was down to the weight on the bonnet. I just shoved a folded up newspaper in the gap (wedged hard) and that was enough to keep the catch open when I pulled on the cable. So if you're bonnet mounting the spare wheel, keep a newspaper in case of breakdowns

It does need a good clean up of the gunk around it though, so I will be doing that too!

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make sure you regrease it.

bin the mechanism and fit bonnet pins!

boggle said:

bin the mechanism and fit bonnet pins!

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super suggestion!

Get an old one with the lock in the front, works a treat and makes it a wee bit harder to nick cos they can't open the bonnet as easily to short the starter and doosil pump

boydy1989 said:

Get an old one with the lock in the front, works a treat and makes it a wee bit harder to nick cos they can't open the bonnet as easily to short the starter and doosil pump

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I bet the theives have never noticed that big gap underneath the landy that you can lie under and wave yer arms about in and maybe reach the starter from .

ratty said:

I bet the theives have never noticed that big gap underneath the landy that you can lie under and wave yer arms about in and maybe reach the starter from .

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like on ya noo one, ratty?

The Mad Hat Man said:

like on ya noo one, ratty?

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I is finking of putting a security grill under it.

dont furget one of these - anorl, ratty.

The Mad Hat Man said:

dont furget one of these - anorl, ratty.

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cnut.

I had 4 of the feckers in the last one.

ratty said:

cnut.

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thats not a nice thing to say to ya noo found mud mate?

dont worry daft it wont belong before it full of **** and sopping wet like the last one !!!!!!1

The Mad Hat Man said:

thats not a nice thing to say to ya noo found mud mate?

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And if you and grippa even fink that my noo landy is gonna BE the bbq in august you can fink again!!!!!