Bonnet Cable Has Come Off

[Patch311]

I have just bought an 02 plate Galaxy and the bonnet release cable has come adrift so I can't open the bonnet to check oil and water etc. I have looked through previous topics and none seem to apply to my car. For example it is impossible to reach the catch from underneath, too much in the way. I have broken the grill to get in from the front but there is another plate in the way. Fishing blind with wire has not worked for me, partly because I don't see what to hook onto when looking at the various vague videos about. Any suggestions from someone who has actually opened their bonnet would be very much appreciated.

[gregers]

welcome to the forum,im surprised after your search of the forum you havnt found the answer,maybe previous owner made sure no 1 could gain entry,find that hard to believe though.

[Patch311]

I don't think anything has been modified by previous owners. Just simply can't reach through the clutter to get to the catch from underneath and an hour or two of blindly fishing around with a bit of wire hasn't worked. I will be trying again this morning but not too confident of success. I'm really reluctant to chop through the bonnet as it is in really good condition paint wise. It's the 2.3 model by the way.

[Patch311]

Looks like no one on the forum has tackled the problem. There are a few theories about but it soon becomes apparent they don't or cant work. After watching one very poor video on you tube and looking at the lock layout here and elsewhere it seems cutting a hole in the bonnet is the only way to release the lock. £40 for another bonnet and many wasted hours. Thanks Ford for a shitty design.

[gregers]

think i would look at going through the front grill area?rather then cutting the bonnet out.

[BrianH]

Microcat shows the plate you refer to - see attached diagram from the parts listing.

 

I'd be trying to either cut the plate away to allow access through the front, or try probing around where the cable is shown to release it.

 

You might be better to goto the scrapyard if possible and look at one thats already apart/salvage bits you think might be useful.

 

Any idea which end the cable isn't connected?

[Patch311]

Thanks for the suggestions. So far I have managed to trash the plastic radiator grill when trying to pull it out of its clips. Not too worried, I can sort that later. It let me see there is no real access from the front but after watching the only video I can find on you tube I have spent some hours blindly fishing about with a bit of bent wire. (I hate fishing). I have had it to 2 garages who both gave in after a while. 2 or 3 others declined the job. I can't believe it is so tricky but I won't be beaten, even if I have find my angle grinder.

Brian - both ends of the cable are adrift, someone pulled hard on the cab end and the catch end came free. The cable sheath was melted badly in the middle. Dunno what that's about!

I have a nice new Ford cable ready to fit if I ever manage to open the bl***y bonnet!

[BrianH]

Thanks for the suggestions. So far I have managed to trash the plastic radiator grill when trying to pull it out of its clips. Not too worried, I can sort that later. It let me see there is no real access from the front but after watching the only video I can find on you tube I have spent some hours blindly fishing about with a bit of bent wire. (I hate fishing). I have had it to 2 garages who both gave in after a while. 2 or 3 others declined the job. I can't believe it is so tricky but I won't be beaten, even if I have find my angle grinder.

Brian - both ends of the cable are adrift, someone pulled hard on the cab end and the catch end came free. The cable sheath was melted badly in the middle. Dunno what that's about!

I have a nice new Ford cable ready to fit if I ever manage to open the bl***y bonnet!

 

Its got in touch with something thats melted it obviously - Not had any welding done recently by any chance have you? As far as i know the cable shouldn't be anywhere near where it can get that hot, though at least once you do get it open you will be able to see whats near to the melted bits. I'd guess whats jammed the cable is the melted plastic sheath has gone inside the spiral bit and stuck it together.

 

Most fords of that age use the lock behind the front badge to release - I suspect as much because its simpler for exactly the reasons your finding as much as anything else. I'm guessing you can't see the bolt heads in its current state either.

 

It might be worth getting underneath and seeing if you can fish from underneath once the undertray is off (assuming its there of course) How can you tell the front end is off though? If you can see it you should be able to access the bit it needs to pull on. If the front end is still connected I'd try to cut through the cable outer layer at a point downwards of the melted section and pull the inner from there if you can access it in some way (thinking fishing from below might be easiest here).

[Patch311]

Sorry Brian, I should have said when the cab end came adrift we pulled the cable with pliers but obviously too hard because suddenly the whole cable was loose and in the cab. That's when I saw the melted bit. The problem is now not being able to access the catch to trip it. The catch mounting bolts are not visible to remove it. Someone has suggested I try accessing it from under the wheel arch so I'll check that out today. I have to say I'm pleased with the Galaxy on the short local runs to garages etc and the oil and water must be OK as the temp gauge sits the right side of middle. Just can't check. I'll see what today brings, and when I finally open the bonnet I'll write up on here what I did.

[gregers]

i have this gut feeling 'seatkid' done a post on this?????but it could be my age catching up with me.

[Patch311]

Off to another garage in the morning where the guy says he is up for a challenge. I've managed to obtain two long metal rods that I'm hoping will reach the latch when we get it up on the lift. I've been around a while and had many cars since 1970 but this is the trickiest and daftest thing I've ever come across (so far)!

[BrianH]

If your still struggling theres tools for threading cables which might fit the bill - http://www.screwfix.com/p/super-rod-srprs-polymer-cable-routing-rod-set/69183 for example.

 

This is from the mk1 - might be the same, might be slightly different

http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php?/topic/5194-bonnet-cable/

[Patch311]

Yippee! After my own fiddling around and a few decent size garages having a go the small, one room, one man and a lad outfit have finally cracked it. These guys openly admitted they had never done one, (the others claimed they had) but they took two hours to get the bonnet open by removing the catch securing bolts. This included fitting my new cable and topping up the oil, water and wash bottle. Total cost £60 which I think is money well spent if it preserves your sanity and bonnet. Given my age and old joints I could never have done it and probably would have resorted to the angle grinder method of bonnet sculpture. We all agreed the job was impossible from the front due to the security plate blocking access (now removed) and access from below involves loosening the radiator cowling and having long thin arms.

Now all I need is a new plastic grill which was a casualty early on.

Thanks to all who advised. Glad I found the forum!

[BrianH]

Sounds like you probabbly got the cheapest fix you were going to - £60 for two hours of garage labour is cheap, and you didn't need to replace the catch etc.

 

Good to know its sorted though - you feel better when the pros struggle as well!

[gregers]

well done you.thats called a result.

[sparky Paul]

Yes, that wasn't too painful in the end.

 

Like Gregers, I also seem to rmember this has been covered here before... the only thing that I can remember is that when the cable comes to bits, the outer pushes on the mechanism to pop the latch open, rather than a pull on the centre.