Bonnet catch
- Thread starter bluepain
- Start date
pre-facelift car?
try squirting in some silicon spray (to the left of the catch you're trying to lift)
try squirting in some silicon spray (to the left of the catch you're trying to lift)
Mine was like that, however with a bit of fiddling getting my finger in there while gently pressing down on the bonnet I could move the plate and get it open. I discovered the latch was thick with grease and muck and the latch stiff. Once I cleaned it up and used some lubricant it opened easily.
As Sir Tom used to say it's not unusual!
From what you have said it's the safety catch that won't release. The few times I've had that problem with BMW's I've lifted the bonnet as far as possible and sprayed the pivot on the safety catch with WD40, left it half an hour or so and been able to release it.
Then cleaned all the detritus off it and lubed it up so it will work next time.
From what you have said it's the safety catch that won't release. The few times I've had that problem with BMW's I've lifted the bonnet as far as possible and sprayed the pivot on the safety catch with WD40, left it half an hour or so and been able to release it.
Then cleaned all the detritus off it and lubed it up so it will work next time.
Hi, revisiting this - went to open the bonnet today and nothing.. 2006 facelift. Pulled the leaver in the footwell and it was really loose with no tension. took out kidney grill and using the manual release also has no effect - tried wd40 around the central mechanism and 'bouncing'. I believe that the issue is the side latch on the driver's side (UK) as a couple of days ago I noticed the bonnet was a little loose so gave it a push-down and seemed to click into place. As such this catch being the one at fault is by belief - potentially seized before pushing home, and the release cable has now remained slack? Does anyone know if it is possible to access from the wheel arch? Or come across this before and has a knack.
This link should be a screenshot of the area I think is unhappy - links rather than pictures as first post and still working it out.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0Mekh1LxNL3SyyWMhuY_j8_RQ
And seeing as everyone likes photos - here's my restoration project https://share.icloud.com/photos/0NZAvcV7TRAxwImPOO4zQIWYA
This link should be a screenshot of the area I think is unhappy - links rather than pictures as first post and still working it out.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0Mekh1LxNL3SyyWMhuY_j8_RQ
And seeing as everyone likes photos - here's my restoration project https://share.icloud.com/photos/0NZAvcV7TRAxwImPOO4zQIWYA
Welcome aboard,PAC_Z4_F31_110Puma said:
Probably best to do an intro on the Newbies page too.
I can't advise as I have an earlier model with a single catch in the middle.
Whereabouts in Suffolk are you though? I'm maybe not that far up the road and always willing to lend a hand if I can.
Hi, thanks for the reply, I'll post in the Newbies page later on. Bit of a quirk, and hopefully an easy fix. Bury way, but not opposed to a bit of a road trip. Quickly discovering a fairly comprehensive list of little niggles and putting them right. There just seems to be too much of a coincidence in events to not be related to the driver's side latch. A decent picture of a facelift engine bay around that area would really help!
Solution - Go in through the panel for changing lights and remove rear light cover - gave enough access to the cable, which had come detached from the plastic housing. 
