Bit of a dilemma, cant open the bonnet!

[JusSRi]

Ok, so went to open the bonnet this afternoon and the lever just pulled right out but nothing happened.

The lever is now really loose and has no weight behind it and the bonnet catch wont release.

We tried pulling the cable with pliers and pushing/pulling on the bonnet but no luck.

So question is, how do you open the bonnet without using the lever?

Is it a case of damaging the grill?

Its a 52 plate Sri 2.2dti.

[ditchp]

get some one to push down on the bonnet while you pull the cable, this work's about 90% of the time

[JusSRi]

We tried pulling the cable with pliers and pushing/pulling on the bonnet but no luck.

Thanks for the advice but we tried that, thats what I was trying to say above

[Andy17899]

You pull the thing, while your passenger reaches under and opens it, make sure you kep it pulled though.

Had exactly the same problem. Then once its open, you will see 4 blacj ribbery things, the two closest to the middle, unscrew them about half a turn, that should do the trick

[mark1319]

That's all I do, get the wife to pull the lever and hold it while I yank the bonnet up. Happens now and again, but just needs to be pulled hard.

[JusSRi]

Thanks for the advice guys but I don't think I've made myself clear enough in the first post.

The bonnet pull inside the car is not releasing the catch under the bonnet at all, I'm assuming the cable has come off the end of the catch under the bonnet.

Therefore, no amount of pulling up on the bonnet will release it.

I'm after advice on whether I can reach from under the car if it was on a lift for example or if I need to smash the grill to get in.

Cheers
Jus

[irondan]

my friend had the same problem on here is name is vec-6289 he had to break his grille and get his hand up inside it, its made more difficult as you have the diesel like he does so theres less room to get inside and release the bonnet catch... sorry lol (on the flip side you could justify getting an irmy grille).

[PeterVV]

Dont know about the vecy, but my old cavalier had the same problem, had to get under the front of the car and reach up in there to open it.......very fidly, good job the engine & rad was cold.

[Gsi3.2]

take the bumper off.....it will let you get up and underneath the bonnet catch to release the retaining spring.. that will let the catch rise up..

[irondan]

My friend tried that and it didnt work...