This was so helpful, until I saw this I was baffled as to ho to open the bonnet. HOWEVER we had a different problem, the ball on the end of the release cable that connects to the 2 release cables inside the little black plastic fitting, had come out of the diecast block ! I inserted a thin plastic piece above the mechanism and closed the lid so it cant come out again. By the way, we were able to rech up and release the latches by hand !
I got to the driver's side catch through the wheel arch, removed the light access cover, then pushed the long screwdriver in, using a small usb inspection camera taped to the screwdriver and connected to my phone to see where the driver blade was going. On passenger side, I used a smaller screwdriver with camera taped to it to guide me and was able to get my hand up to the catch and release it with the driver blade.
Thanks!!! This helped me open my bonnet yesterday. Still took a couple of hours of poking about to get it open though. I found it was easier to take off the wheel arch liner from the passenger side and go through there to hit that latch on the right hand side. The other side was trial and error but eventually hit it. The screwdriver I bought (300mm) wasn't long enough so ended up using a metal garden stake. Turns out the latches needed cleaning and greasing. Also cable tied the cable behind the release lever in the car to stop it popping off. Thanks again!
The going method seems to be to go underneath the car with a long screwdriver and manually push the latches open. This is very difficult on the driver's side as The fan is in the way and obstructing your view. I found it much easier to take the inner fenders out, and unlatch the hood hinges from the car. From there I could lift the hood up by the windshield far enough to get a hold of the cable and just a small yank got the latch unlatched. From their you can manually unlatch the passenger side with your fingers. This method should work on your driver side latch unless it has the cable unhooked. I spent hours on TH-cam and forums and never saw this method so wanted to let y'all know.
Literally just opened the hood in under 10 min from this. And also to get drivers side latch there is a line of site on my car from the left side of the coolant hose to see where the pry are is going
im in an awkward situation where i did work on the car and removed the bonnet latch housing, the U shaped metal bracket, and closed the hood. its been tens of hours now of trying to get the hood up again. still no result. i got the passenger side of the car latch off but yeah the driver side is seemingly impossible. you reckon its possible to do it?
I'm having a hard time understanding exactly what you've removed. BUT as you've got to push on the actual latch which holds the bonnet closed, I don't think you can remove anything which will make the bonnet unopenable using the method in this video. In other words - I think you can still use this method to open your bonnet.
THANK YOU! I had just drained the oil out of the car when the latch handle broke. Your video and explanation saved the day!
I'm going to have to give this a go tomorrow with my wife's clubman. Thanks for the tips
This was so helpful, until I saw this I was baffled as to ho to open the bonnet. HOWEVER we had a different problem, the ball on the end of the release cable that connects to the 2 release cables inside the little black plastic fitting, had come out of the diecast block ! I inserted a thin plastic piece above the mechanism and closed the lid so it cant come out again. By the way, we were able to rech up and release the latches by hand !
That got me out a bind there. Didn’t have a long screwdriver but a bit of copper pipe with a hammered end done the trick
Thank you , managed to open the bonnet in 10min using your method
This was very clear, concise, and exactly what I needed. Thanks!!
I got to the driver's side catch through the wheel arch, removed the light access cover, then pushed the long screwdriver in, using a small usb inspection camera taped to the screwdriver and connected to my phone to see where the driver blade was going. On passenger side, I used a smaller screwdriver with camera taped to it to guide me and was able to get my hand up to the catch and release it with the driver blade.
Awesome tip. Got to get me one of those inspection cameras!
Thanks!!! This helped me open my bonnet yesterday. Still took a couple of hours of poking about to get it open though.
I found it was easier to take off the wheel arch liner from the passenger side and go through there to hit that latch on the right hand side.
The other side was trial and error but eventually hit it. The screwdriver I bought (300mm) wasn't long enough so ended up using a metal garden stake.
Turns out the latches needed cleaning and greasing. Also cable tied the cable behind the release lever in the car to stop it popping off.
Thanks again!
Good tips, thanks!
Thank you! This is the second time it locked on me and I got lucky the first time by just bashing the crap out of it.
Thanks friend, watching your video helped me a lot. greetings, thank you again
The going method seems to be to go underneath the car with a long screwdriver and manually push the latches open. This is very difficult on the driver's side as The fan is in the way and obstructing your view. I found it much easier to take the inner fenders out, and unlatch the hood hinges from the car. From there I could lift the hood up by the windshield far enough to get a hold of the cable and just a small yank got the latch unlatched. From their you can manually unlatch the passenger side with your fingers. This method should work on your driver side latch unless it has the cable unhooked. I spent hours on TH-cam and forums and never saw this method so wanted to let y'all know.
Great explanation! Thank you, I'm off to buy a very long screwdriver!
Well done video for this issue, perfect 👌
your pain is our gain. many thanks 👍
Used this video as a guide today thank you for posting
Glad to have helped!
Perfect video, got me out of a bind! Thanks!
Glad to hear this is still helping people!
Saved my day. Thank you!
you saved me and for that I love you.
Thanks man, love right back at you!
Thank you! Extremely helpful.
Literally just opened the hood in under 10 min from this. And also to get drivers side latch there is a line of site on my car from the left side of the coolant hose to see where the pry are is going
Saved my ass and probably 100 $
Tnx a lot! Wish you luck
Thank You Brother! 🤓
Thanks man
im in an awkward situation where i did work on the car and removed the bonnet latch housing, the U shaped metal bracket, and closed the hood. its been tens of hours now of trying to get the hood up again. still no result. i got the passenger side of the car latch off but yeah the driver side is seemingly impossible. you reckon its possible to do it?
I'm having a hard time understanding exactly what you've removed. BUT as you've got to push on the actual latch which holds the bonnet closed, I don't think you can remove anything which will make the bonnet unopenable using the method in this video. In other words - I think you can still use this method to open your bonnet.
Thank you very very much
Thanks sir
Thanks
I was able to put an arm up to open the right side with fingers ...... So there's that
Done an hour, , given up
Why does your engine bay look likd you poured acid all over it . Wtf
Perhaps you’re lucky enough to live in a warm climate & where they don’t salt the roads.