VW Passat 2008 Highline - Bonnet will not open.

samkma

Nothing happens when I pull the release lever located inside the car.
When I pull it looks as if nothing is happening, had opened it a few weeks ago to refill the screen wash and did not have any problems.

Tried it yesterday and it will not open.

Will a local garage be able to fix it? any idea what's wrong and how much such a repair costs?

molerat

Have you tried two people opening, one pulling the lever and the other lifting the bonnet ? The majority of bonnet sticking faults are caused by lack of lubrication, a quick grease up often fixes it.

Ectophile

The bonnet release is normally cable operated. It's not unusual for the cable to stretch or break.

I've had that happen in the past, and the garage has managed to get the bonnet open to fix the catch. It's just spring loaded, so they only need to find the right place to push with a suitable tool.

Iceweasel

The two person approach is a good idea.

But try it this way - one person pulls the release cable while the other pushes DOWN on the bonnet, rather than trying to lift it up.

This takes the pressure off the catch.

Muscle750

The bonnet cable is in two halves and is joined in a plastic block clipped to the front panel if someone has had this apart at some point they can come apart again and the cable come out. When you pull the handle does it spring back or stay in the open postion? If it springs back the cables are connected and the prob is that the lock mech is stiff/siezed if it doesnt spring back the cable has become disconnected.

samkma

The two person recommendation worked with a push down while the other pulled the lever!

Thank you!
Have sprayed with WD40 and tried a few times still stiff, but opens if pushed down.

reddwarf2002

samkma wrote: »

The two person recommendation worked with a push down while the other pulled the lever!

Thank you!
Have sprayed with WD40 and tried a few times still stiff, but opens if pushed down.

I had exactly the same problem on my Golf (common problem) - try spraying plenty of WD40. Leave it to dry out a little over a couple of days and then use some lubricating oil (I used 10W40 engine oil and it's been fine for over 2 years).

EDIT: Oh make sure you work the locking mechanism while you spray/lubricate it.

Richard53

samkma wrote: »

had opened it a few weeks ago to refill the screen wash

There's your problem


If you operated it every week, it would be fine. You could also take the opportunity to, I dunno, check your oil and stuff?

daveyjp

They stick because they rust. They rust because garages no longer service cars properly. A touch of grease at a service would show a garage which cares.

Now its down to owners to do the small stuff or end up being stranded.