Bonnet release catch

[djprescott]

How do you open a car bonnet when the release catch cable has stretched or broken?

[2nd row]

 please name the make of your car... different shape bonnets, different ways, if you have the car manual, the drawing of the area/part you must deal with show what you are looking for,,,,,,, wish i could draw it out for you ! but that lever type hook , which is connected to the cable must be moved across to release the bonnet, have you any play there at all ? take off the handle /release lever inside your car, you'll have to do this anyway to replace the stretched one, never heard of one breaking, strong wire,( cable, wire inside, )at that stage, you may be then with the help of pliers, pull hard on the wire .... hard to explain, but easy to do.         replace the cable,,,, cos you wont want to go through it all again !  once open, put something over the connecting part to stop the lever/hook engaging again, should your bonnet accidently come down, good luck.... hayes manual, be worth buying, or better still go to your local library, they have every one there.

[2nd row]

 back again, just checked through a few car manuals, as said , different cars, different ways..... cable, bonnet catch end, connected to lever/sliding plate , pulls across.... same thing really, as  last one descibed, once  moved across, released, the bonnet springs, on some make cars, makes the bonnet ,sort of jump up,and open,,,, you'll know when its free,

[djprescott]

Hi, thanks for your help. The car is a Renault Laguna 2.0rt 1997.

[Kev_UK]

My bonnet release cable was stretched on my car but I managed to open it by going under the front of the car.

[2nd row]

   no manual here of your car,  trying hard to picture the front, in my mind,,,some of these foriegn vehicles make things so harder to fix.... wanting/forceing you to take it back to the main ( renault ) dealer, as kev uk says, he done his by going underneath, you can ' check ' this way too, yet another way, in other cars, is to remove any front grill section, is this possible ? i strong advise you to borrow the manual from your local library, because if you intend to put the new one back on yourself, you'll need it... good luck.

[djprescott]

Thanks for all your help on this one. The cable is solid so the catch must be jammed. I think I might be able to get access to it from the grille by using a pit. Cheers.

[Ewood27]

Just a possibility if the catch itself is jammed.  Have someone else press down on the bonnet while you work the release - or try to.  If the bonnet is trying to spring open, that will place a load ont the catch which may be just enough to stop it opening freely.