Ford Dealer have broken Bonnet lock

Furpurse

Hi all,

Wonder if anybody can give me any helpful advice.

Went to check my oil at the weekend on my MK2 Focus but the bonnet lock will not open when turned with the key.
The Ford Dealer was the last to have it when they changed the fuel filter 3 weeks ago. Not tried to open it until now.

Check oil every month so I know it was working before I took it in.

Took it back this morning and they said they will look at it but may charge if its a problem not caused by them. Its booked in tomorrow morning.

I am expecting a large bill as main dealers are theives (in my experience)

Is there anything I can do/say which will help my cause or am I being premature and what will really happen is that they will do it for free? :beer:
Thanks

Strider590

^^^ I wouldn't be surprised if the catch was already broken and your fuel filter was never changed.
But afaik, most cars now house the fuel filter down near the fuel tank underneath the car, so they might not have had to open the bonnet at all....

Was it working ok when you previously did your weekly oil/water/brake-fluid/etc level checks?

Furpurse

Its was definitely working before as I do the checks monthly.

The fuel filter was changed as it was not accelerating very well and now its fine.

Dont dealers now do a health check whenever your car goes in? This would include oil/water level check so they would have to open the bonnet?

Thanks

Hammyman

Furpurse wrote: »

Dont dealers now do a health check whenever your car goes in?

Some do, many don't.

bevanuk

You wouldn't need to open the bonnet to change a fuel filter anyway, not under normal circumstances. Unless they checked it already.
I doubt they will charge you as long as you tell them the oil is check monthly and was done before you took it in.

Furpurse

I have used this place before and they always seem to do a health check. Even making me late once while they finished it off.

vax2002

These ford key bonnet locks are notorious for failure, sometimes the spare key opens it, most time they are goosed, a lot cut a hole under the badge, drill the bolts out, remove the lock and use a long cross head screwdriver to open the bonnet.

Furpurse

Its a diesel by the way. I am told they have the fuel filter next to the engine so that means they definitely opened the bonnet.

I guess i'll just have to wait and see. I'll give them the spare key so I can drive it away if they do the work without giving me a price first.

Muscle750

This is a very easy fix what usually happens is between the key barrel cable and the lock itself is a small white plastic cross shaped clip what happens is if you slam bonnet this can jump out so when you turn the key it isnt operating the lock ive had this numerous times one way is where the key goes in is to push back as hard as you can while turning key failing that as stated a large crosshead screwdriver and a torch be warned you cant buy the small white clip seperately you have to buy a cable kit with the barrel key cable etc

victor2

Can't see the dealer fixing FOC it as it was 3 weeks ago they had the car in.
As vax2002 says, they are notorious for breaking. Find an independent mechanic who can do it. Anyone who regularly deals with Fords will know what to do. It's not that easy to sort out yourself though.

Hammyman

vax2002 wrote: »

These ford key bonnet locks are notorious for failure, sometimes the spare key opens it, most time they are goosed, a lot cut a hole under the badge, drill the bolts out, remove the lock and use a long cross head screwdriver to open the bonnet.

The reason they fail is because nobody bothers to grease them. They are in the worst possible place for getting full of water and muck.