I had this problem a couple of years ago, I think the release lever was not pulling enough of the cable. If I remember I had someone get a vise grip on the cable end inside the car and pull as much as possible, and have someone try to open the hood by pushing up and down on it. May need something like a plastic pry bar to insert and carefully open without damaging the paintwork. Before closing make sure the spring loaded latches are adjusted properly so this does not happen again and of course make sure the cable ends are seated correctly. To get the hood to open better I glued 2 blocks of rubber foam material inside the engine compartment to give a "spring" like push up on the hood. Difficult to describe I know. Good luck Philippa.I had this problem a couple of years ago, I think the release lever was not pulling enough of the cable. If I remember I had someone get a vise grip on the cable end inside the car and pull as much as possible, and have someone try to open the hood by pushing up and down on it. May need something like a plastic pry bar to insert and carefully open without damaging the paintwork. Before closing make sure the spring loaded latches are adjusted properly so this does not happen again and of course make sure the cable ends are seated correctly. To get the hood to open better I glued 2 blocks of rubber foam material inside the engine compartment to give a "spring" like push up on the hood. Difficult to describe I know. Good luck Philippa.
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You will need to reach up from underneath and either locate the latch and pull it or grip the cable near the latch and pull that to try and release the bonnet catch!
I assume you need to know how to open the engine compartment without using the regular bonnet release, probably because it is broken or seized?
There is no easy method with most modern cars which why it is as important to keep the release mechanism in good order as it is to change the engine oil and filter.
It is an intuitive process and it is best to begin by studying the bonnet release of a similar model. Some previous experience of the problem would be a definite advantage.
Sometimes it is possible to grip a broken cable if the break is outside the engine compartment and having an assistant push down on the bonnet helps.
Sometimes it is possible to remove enough items from underneath to allow the mechanism or the cable to be reached and manipulated. Sometimes some things have to be deliberately broken...
i assume you have tried pulling the cable including the outer insulator, then next step is from the front left corner of the bonnet!!:using a long 90 degree needle nose pliers,grab the black insulator and move towards the wing (important to only access here otherwise radiator/condensor can be damaged, if this fails then the end of cable BALL is broken! . access thru behind the grille FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE (locate the cable entry hole on the bracket, the release lever is onthe blind side of it ) good luck, tricky but a good pen flash light will be very useful. once open relace cable and TEST MECHANISM AND OPERATION without closing bonnet!
Hi
Tricky one this.
If you cant reach up from underneath and, using a screwdriver, flick the catch you will probably have to try and remove the grille.
You will probably snap part of the grille so be carefull not to cause too much damage.
With the grill away you will have access to the bonnet catch.
I assume the cable clamp has come loose for some reason which has caused the outer cover to move with the cable.
Fit a ne clamp screw and clip.
Roger
You don't specify whether its just that you can't find the release catch, or whether the release catch is stuck / broken,
In the UK (Right hand drive car) the release catch is situated in the left (passenger side) footwell, within about a foot of the lower front door hinge. In a Left Hand Drive car, I guess this would be reversed (i.e. right hand side footwell). Pull, and it semi releases the hood. Next, walk to the front of the car, pull the hood up about 1" and insert your fingers about a foot left of center. Sweep to the right, and you'll release the secondary catch and the hood will be open.
However, if its stuck / broken, then ......
You need to work underneath the front of the vehicle - the idea is to get at the catch and release it with a long screwdriver flicking the catch to open the bonnet -or getting a grip of the cable if it is hanging loose ( i.e. broken ) then getting a grip of the cable with mole grips or even pliers - to pull and release the cable / bonnet.
Once the bonnet is open - you can deal with renewing the cable assembly, or greasing it thoroughly.
REMOVED PANEL FROM UNDER THE BUMPER AND REACHED UP TO THE TOP OF BONNET AND LOCATED CABLE. PULLED ON CABLE WHILST 3RD PARTY PULLED BONNET LEVER IN DRIVERS FOOTWELL. BONNET RELEASED.
the outer cable may have come loose near the lock, if the grille screws are accessable remove the grille and you will have access to the underside of the lock, you may need a screwdriver to push the lock lever aside to unlock the bonnet
I had this problem a couple of years ago, I think the release lever was not pulling enough of the cable. If I remember I had someone get a vise grip on the cable end inside the car and pull as much as possible, and have someone try to open the hood by pushing up and down on it. May need something like a plastic pry bar to insert and carefully open without damaging the paintwork. Before closing make sure the spring loaded latches are adjusted properly so this does not happen again and of course make sure the cable ends are seated correctly. To get the hood to open better I glued 2 blocks of rubber foam material inside the engine compartment to give a "spring" like push up on the hood. Difficult to describe I know. Good luck Philippa.
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