Stupid frickin bonnet/hood mechanism

**porkkis** · 6 February 2005, 12:38

Try to apply some weight on the bonnet while she pulls the handle. She keeps the handle pulled and you push and pull down/up the bonnet until it gives up

If the other side moves, the cable is ok as it turns the lock bars towards each other. With broken cable neighter will turn.

**Ludbah** · 6 February 2005, 12:39

Originally posted by S2central.net

Went out this morning for a quick pre MOT check... and the stupid bonnet won't open. ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - friggin cars !

Only right side releases - the centre catch doesn't release - nor does the left side. NNNNNNgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....

I've sprayed half a tin of WD40 up there thru the grill but its stuck fast.

Having the missus pull the release handle - it looks like the left side of the cable isn't moving, but its so hard to see properly.

Anybody got a BTDT for this - I'm very close to just butchering the front grill to get into the blummin thing - I always fancied a Kamei or Inxx one - but I'll not get a spare grill in time for the test. This cracks me up.

All I can do now is get it up on stands, pull the undertray off and HOPE that I can access the offending cable... Would appreciate any advice before I go postal with a 2lb lump hammer.

Paul

Not to make your day any worse but had the same problem as you have. Passenger side didn't release, had to top up the window washer, light coming on every 5 secs.

Had to replace the bonnet as a hammer had been taken to it

**NoNonsense** · 6 February 2005, 12:40

Originally posted by S2central.net

Went out this morning for a quick pre MOT check... and the stupid bonnet won't open. ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - friggin cars !

Only right side releases - the centre catch doesn't release - nor does the left side. NNNNNNgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....

I've sprayed half a tin of WD40 up there thru the grill but its stuck fast.

Having the missus pull the release handle - it looks like the left side of the cable isn't moving, but its so hard to see properly.

Anybody got a BTDT for this - I'm very close to just butchering the front grill to get into the blummin thing - I always fancied a Kamei or Inxx one - but I'll not get a spare grill in time for the test. This cracks me up.

All I can do now is get it up on stands, pull the undertray off and HOPE that I can access the offending cable... Would appreciate any advice before I go postal with a 2lb lump hammer.

Paul

Paul, don't go crazy with a large hammer...have the missus help you. While you push down on the hood (releasing most tension on the cable) have your lady push and pull the release lever several times. I've seen this happen several times at body shops when the pins aren't aligned properly on a new hood.
If that doesn't work, you might be able to reach the cable from under the car...it passes right near the headlight adjuster allen key. Good luck mate!

Cheers,
joe

**Lee** · 6 February 2005, 12:41

My LHS one used to stick...centre catch is the last of the 3 to release due to its design.
The wire has probably stretched a bit or even slipped. Dead easy to put right once the bonnet is open. I doubt you gould get your hand in place by removing the sump guard as it is really high up.

Use 2 people...get one to push down on the bonnet on the sticky side, get someone else to pull the release cable and let go of the bonnet before the release handle...if you know what I mean. I may just give you the room you need and it worked for me until I decided to fix it.

I think I wil go and adjust my TDi one before I get stuck too...lever travel is a bit long before it releases.

**NoNonsense** · 6 February 2005, 12:41

porkkis, great minds think alike!

**Lee** · 6 February 2005, 12:42

I type too slow!

**S2central.net** · 6 February 2005, 12:44

What a place - five replies in less that 10 minutes. What a support group... I'll try frolicking around on the bonnet with the missus and see if that helps. No photos

Cheers,

Paul

Lunch first - still calming down - then I'll try !

**porkkis** · 6 February 2005, 12:45

Haha, I would be even faster if the vocabulary would be completely clear to me

**Doug_RS2** · 6 February 2005, 13:23

I have a spare grill you can have!

My handle in the car has been removed. It is supposed to work on solenoids - although I have never set them up since the last rebuild - you can get things up there to open the latches as I have done it a few times. But I have lots of trim removed - not sure how easy that would be on a standard car.

**S2central.net** · 6 February 2005, 15:58

Its done - its gripped - its sorted - courtesy of the brother in law wielding the worlds longest drill bit and a bit of luck - he managed to release the left bonnet pin by a bit of probage thru the grill.

Then we started looking at why the cable wouldn't pull it... Truth is the root cause was all my fault! Ngggg - the last time I had the bonnet open (a few weeks ago) I had fitted new bolts to the upper aux rad mount - and rather efficiently clamped the bonnet cable to the front panel in the process. D'oh. All rather embarrassing, but it suddenly dawned on me when I realised the cable was jammed. In my defence it was utterly baltic outside and I was in a hurry.

Won't be doing that again... The brother inlaw owed me a favour anyway - I sat up to all hours last night rebuilding his PC so all is good on the Antrim coast once more !

Cheers all for ideas, suggestions and moral support !!!!

Paul

**rotoryboy** · 6 February 2005, 16:11

I had fitted new bolts to the upper aux rad mount - and rather efficiently clamped the bonnet cable to the front panel in the process

You won't be the first and certainly won't be the last to do this

**audiman** · 8 February 2005, 22:34

I have done that several times Paul!! Hence another good reason to ditch the aux rad!

**Greenm3** · 9 February 2005, 00:45

Ive done that before but luckly i had the plastic cover off the hinges, so undid them from out side the car and hey presto easy to remove!

**Graham** · 9 February 2005, 17:16

I have a file which details all of the ways to get into a coupe without keys, or if a bonnet cable has snapped etc. Here is the text it gives on the bonnet:
Hood Release Cable
(Geoff Gautier, Brent Henry)
One day you may go to open your hood, only to feel a snap in the lever, then no resistance and no open hood. Your release cable has snapped. You can still get the hood open. Over each headlight you will be able to see the latching posts. Use a long flat head screwdriver to push the latches to release them. Be careful not to crack your headlights while forcing the latches. You can also use a bent coat hanger to grab the latches and release them. Note that to release each side you push/pull towards the center of the car.
To replace the cable, you can buy one from Audi, or you can get a cheaper one by going to a bicycle shop and getting a shifter cable for a tandem bike. If the original sheath is damaged, you can get one of those, too. You'll probably have to cut down the length and put some crimps on the ends, but the finished product will likely last longer than the original.

HTH
Graham

Stupid frickin bonnet/hood mechanism

Stupid frickin bonnet/hood mechanism

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