Front hood (bonnet?) won’t stay latched

M

MX7

Member
While I’m sorting issues on my wife’s 2005 BMW Z4, I seem to get two more for everyone I fix.

This morning while performing a drive cycle I hit a bump and the front hood (bonnet on the UK?) popped open. When I push it closed it seems to latch, but then pops open on its own.

I did 10 mins of research and see a couple of videos online where the latch is greased to address the problem. Has anyone done this?

I assume access is through one of the front grills. A couple of ? T30 or T40 screws and it will come out. Grease, work it a couple of times, and reinstall. Is there anything else to it?

I see a new one (p/n 51237016183 as per RealOEM) to be about $75. I’m thinking I might just replace it, but I’m concerned about reattaching the cable.

Advice welcome.
 
I had this issue on a previous car

I greased the mech- made no difference
I undid a few turns the hasp on the bonnet to see if the extra distance made a difference- it didn’t
In the end I swapped the lock mech which from memory was 4x bolts, two from the top and two from begins the grilles

Sorted it after that
 
Start by simply cleaning the latch with a degreaser spray then a light oil on it. No need to dismantle anything, just do it from the top.
Then make sure you close the hood by holding it about 8 to 10 inches up and allowing it to drop.
 
Tried the “drop” before I did anything and it popped right back up. Gave it a good spray with WD40, did the drop, and it latched immediately.

Pulled the lever inside the cabin and dropped the hood again and it latched again. Hopefully once on the road it won’t pop open.

Thanks again for all the help and advice!
 
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