bonnet opening problems

[oozzie]

Hi, having problems getting the bonnet catch to release. think the cable might of seized up, have managed to get the bonnet up and liberally sprayed wd40 down the cable but still no movement.
Anyone know where i could purchase a new cable?
The van is a hymer 544 2004 fiat ducato base, is this a fiat dealer product?

Any advice gratefully received.

thanks.
oozzie

 

[DavidG58]

cant help with a spare, but our Mercedes Hymer has always been a 2 man (person) job, one pulling handle inside other pulling bonnet up outside. Sometimes I get lucky on my own but usually takes several goes

you may well change it and not fix the problem

 

[Al-Di]

fiat dealer, or ebay,

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Not a base vehicle problem on an A class. The whole body including the bonnet is part of the conversion. A motorhome tech or failing that a Hymer dealer is what you need if it beats you.

 

[oozzie]

currently i can get my hand through the "M" on the hymer and manage to pop the catch, not ideal tho. Good job i'm flexible!!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[rangi]

Just keep giving the what ho with the WD40, best if you spray (and pray ) with the bonnet open, spray while someone is pulling the release, no need to get a new one unless the cable is frayed.
It happens a lot if the van is left over a period of time, just one of those many many things you get used to look out for! Nothing serious !

 

[Daz n Tina]

Have you tried a can opener?

 

[deleted-member02]

I've had one replaced before - standard ducato bonnet cable.

About a tenner from memory.

Think my garage got it from the local motor factor, so readily available I guess ?

 

[pappajohn]

Bicycle shop that does repairs.

They may stock cable on a drum.

Correct length and a couple of solderless nipples.
nipples come in a vast amount of sizes and shapes so they will probably have something to suit.

Just realised all this mention of nipples, especially the last sentence, will get some unsavoury replies for sure.

 

[tonyidle]

Part of the problem is the length of cable. Someone at Hymer (and maybe Fiat) hasn't worked out that the outer will push the latch open so it's run in a huge loop. I cut around 3 feet out of mine & it's now a very light pull.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jaws]

Remove the cable.
Take it to Halfrauds and buy a rear brake cable for a push bike that is about the right length ( you can always loose a bit if its too long but cannot stretch it if too short ! ) ..
You will have to do a bit of flickery dodgery on one end to get it to attach but the other end will be fine

 

[tonyidle]

If you're into flickery dodgery get rid of the excess length running all around the bonnet area. Run it in a gentle curve over/round the wiper motor. The outer cable will push where the inner used to pull and the inner will do the opposite. You lose at least 3 feet of redundant cable & end up with a very light pull.

 

[johnp10]

Some of those bonnet catches are a bugger to open.
Cant even steal a decent battery nowadays!

 

[JeanLuc]

Interesting thread. The cable on my B630 seems to be the right length and works very well - no sign of excessive cable loops in the engine bay. I wonder whether that is because: a) it's a Sprinter chassis; b) it's LHD so the release cable is fitted in what for Hymer would be the 'standard' position. Release lever is below and to the left of the steering column, near the driver's door.

 

[scotjimland]

I wonder whether that is because: a) it's a Sprinter chassis; b) it's LHD

think you hit the nail on the head Phillip, also LHD and easy to operate... cable is only about 4ft

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[B-well]

Had similar problem Hymer 534 LHD short cable, cycle shop then elecrical connector on the NEW inner cable sorted the problem out.