MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: 8lytton on November 24, 2021, 03:32:53 pm

Title: Locked Bonnet ...?
Post by: 8lytton on November 24, 2021, 03:32:53 pm

Hi guys,

All going well with 2006 Mk5 until .....yesterday... but can't now open bonnet.

Weird as cable feels fine -that is clearly not broken....

Any ideas before I go Youtube searching for solution  ?

This

Title: Re: Locked Bonnet ...?
Post by: pudding on November 24, 2021, 03:43:15 pm

Assuming the cable is still connected to the latch (there's a plastic joiner above the driver's side headlight) then it could be the latch itself is corroded up.

Happened to me last winter but luckily it popped up one last time for me to get in there and remove the latch for cleaning and re-greasing.

Not sure how you'd get the bonnet open without breaking the grille tbh.

Title: Re: Locked Bonnet ...?
Post by: bobby_fodge on November 24, 2021, 04:08:01 pm

Twist and remove the VW badge out of the front grill. That gives you access to some of the latch.

I think I used a screwdriver to then push the hook part of the latch out of the way which allowed the bonnet to open.

I ended up replacing the part of the cable then runs from the latch to above the headlight.

I guess it had stretched over time.

Title: Re: Locked Bonnet ...?
Post by: Octoparrot on November 24, 2021, 06:14:55 pm

It's not uncommon for the lock mechanism to seize, mine did. To try to open the bonnet, try pulling on the lever whilst a friend pushes and pulls on the bonnet leading edge.

Title: Re: Locked Bonnet ...?
Post by: shail on November 24, 2021, 06:32:46 pm

Quote from: bobby_fodge on November 24, 2021, 04:08:01 pm

Twist and remove the VW badge out of the front grill. That gives you access to some of the latch.

I think I used a screwdriver to then push the hook part of the latch out of the way which allowed the bonnet to open.

I ended up replacing the part of the cable then runs from the latch to above the headlight.

I guess it had stretched over time.

I did the same in the summer.  Badge twists off.  Difficult to explain how to open it - but fiddly.  I'm sure there is a YouTube on it.   

Same happened year before, when I cleaned up the lock, but in the end replaced the latch and the section of release cable nearest the latch.  It was all rusted up inside the cable sheath/cover.

Title: Re: Locked Bonnet ...?
Post by: pudding on November 24, 2021, 07:05:29 pm

Ah yes, good call guys, I forgot the VW badge comes out  :doh: :grin:

I'll put money on it being a seized latch.  It took a lot of soaking in WD40 and working the hingey bits back and forth to work all the rust out of mine.  In hindsight, I would have just bought a new one, but they can be rescued with a bit of elbow grease.

Title: Re: Locked Bonnet ...?
Post by: 8lytton on November 25, 2021, 06:47:34 am

Thanks Guys,

Managed to get bonnet open and it was the lock was gummed up and corroded.... ordered a new one for peace of mind.

A fairly easy fix this time  :grin: