And question two - how do you get the bonnet open ?

OldCodger

OldCodger

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Carthago I 143 LE
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The lever by the passenger seat doesn’t open the bonnet - it pulls tight (so the cable isn’t broken) but the bonnet doesn’t lift. Any hints ? (I7400 Merc A class)
 
Snatch it harder.

Just a thought........is it already released but bonnet hasn’t risen to the second catch,for some reason?
 
OldCodger said:
The lever by the passenger seat doesn’t open the bonnet - it pulls tight (so the cable isn’t broken) but the bonnet doesn’t lift. Any hints ? (I7400 Merc A class)
Click to expand...

As others say, push down on the bonnet and pull the lever. I've done it on my own (pushing down and then pulling the lever) but it is more effective to do it when someone is pushing down at the same time as someone pulls the lever.

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Can be a bugger of a job, have done many over the years when I ran my garage and even similar cars can be very different to access the bonnet release cable, First try where the cable joins the lever inside the car using a vice grip to pull directly on the cable, next put car up on your levelling ramps to gain access to the underneath, look up behind the radiator and see if you can locate the cable or bonnet lock,
Last thing to try is going in through the grill/ Bumper to get access, you may be lucky but usually it’s a pig of a job,
 
ivorantony said:
Can be a bugger of a job, have done many over the years when I ran my garage and even similar cars can be very different to access the bonnet release cable, First try where the cable joins the lever inside the car using a vice grip to pull directly on the cable, next put car up on your levelling ramps to gain access to the underneath, look up behind the radiator and see if you can locate the cable or bonnet lock,
Last thing to try is going in through the grill/ Bumper to get access, you may be lucky but usually it’s a pig of a job,
Click to expand...
At least anyone stuck has got time to do it!
 
OldCodger said:
The lever by the passenger seat doesn’t open the bonnet - it pulls tight (so the cable isn’t broken) but the bonnet doesn’t lift. Any hints ? (I7400 Merc A class)
Click to expand...
I had same problem when (if) you get it open by pushing down , it should be possible to adjust the end by the bonnet catch to increase the amount the inner cable can move.
 
Cable has streeeeeetched.
Pull lever, ask someone else to rattle the bonnet edge.
open bonnet, adjust cable and lubricate catches, cable etc
Worst case scenario, take to a garage and they will release it from underneath.
 
Thanks all. Where are the catches ? In the centre or at the sides of the bonnet ?

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On our Frankia the bonnet doesn’t “pop” when cable is pulled. I have to pull the bonnet forward. It’s released ok and catches back when lowered.
 
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OldCodger said:
Thanks all. Where are the catches ? In the centre or at the sides of the bonnet ?
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Centre for my Merc. I guess most are centre.
Have you pushed the bonnet down and tried the lever again?
 
After my Iveco was standing for a few weeks I could not get mine open, I did not want to apply too much pressure so I left it to a warm day and got it open and its been fine since, I now open it every 2 - 3 weeks to put the charger on the chassis battery.
 
Get that some times with the T4 VW, have learnt to give the bonnet a bit of a lift first, then pull the lever.

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Thanks Everyone. What I hadn’t understood was it doesn’t Spring up like on the car! If Mrs Codger pulled the lever I was able to raise it by hand! ( ;) ;) )
 
Chipster said:
On our Frankia the bonnet doesn’t “pop” when cable is pulled. I have to pull the bonnet forward. It’s released ok and catches back when lowered.
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Thats what fixed it Thank you.
 
*Machzoneman* said:
Cable has streeeeeetched.
Pull lever, ask someone else to rattle the bonnet edge.
open bonnet, adjust cable and lubricate catches, cable etc
Worst case scenario, take to a garage and they will release it from underneath.
Click to expand...
Thankfully the cable is OK and everything looks well lubed. I’ll keep an eye on the strecth in future though.
 
OldCodger said:
Thanks Everyone. What I hadn’t understood was it doesn’t Spring up like on the car! If Mrs Codger pulled the lever I was able to raise it by hand! ( ;) ;) )
Click to expand...
As I suspected. But it shouldn’t be like that,as no good if there’s only one of you around when it needs lifting.
Maybe it needs a bit of lubrication to help it pop up.
 
I’m off to get the WD40 for the hinge mechanisms

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Should be a coil spring on the bonnet catch pin.
When the bonnet is closed the spring is compressed, pull the release and it pushs the bonnet up.
Is the spring broken?
 
pappajohn said:
Should be a coil spring on the bonnet catch pin.
When the bonnet is closed the spring is compressed, pull the release and it pushs the bonnet up.
Is the spring broken?
Click to expand...
Not that i can see. I’ve now sprayed all the hinge points with WD40 silicon And it moves a lot easier.

The bonnet does actually “unlatch” when I pull the lever. It just doesn't jump forward. I can pull the lever and although there’s no apparent change, the bonnet can be lifted. I just walk to the front and lift it: it Is a bit of a fuddle getting started, but once it’s started to move it is all fine.
 
Anyone know where I can get a replacement cupboard catch? The D-Shaped on one of the kitchen cabinets has broken. It has the name Southco on it. I’ve googled it and it seems to be a specialist company based in the US. I can’t find the exact model for sale anywhere. Anyone got any ideas?
2CFBBB6F-3D5A-4BFB-8D0F-00D24AFDC798.jpeg
 
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Working in Nigeria, had an old Datsun in which the bonnet was inset at the front rather than overhanging the grill like most cars. Closed the bonnet and sat on it to click it home, caught by shirts in the bonnet! Took quite a while for my Nigerian colleagues to stop laughing and finally release the white man.
 
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OldCodger said:
Many thanks. I found them but the website crashes on me!

Follow Up: I eventually got in using Chrome instead of Safari. I found the part, let’s hope they can source it.🤞 I’ve emailed them

Thank you and Two on Tour between you you solved my problem!
Click to expand...
Actually it was Google 😁.
 

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