[--Mike--]

I've got a bit of a problem with not being able to open the bonnet properly or shutting it afterwards.

Starting with opening it - when I pull the release inside the car (while looking behind the release catch) , the top cable (white in colour) jumps out of its mounting and therefore doesn't pull on the catch under the bonnet. I have to hold it in with my other hand. Anyone have a solution?

Onto shutting it now!! The nearside catch on the car is very reluctant to grab the bar under the bonnet when closing it. I have adjusted the position of the catch 'hundreds' of times and it's very hit or miss whether it takes it. Could the catch attached to the car be worn out? The car is a 2002 MCS.

Thanks in advance for the help

Mike

[..Blackadder..]

I've heard a zip tie will cure the cable from popping out just put it around the cable then attach it to the latch, hope that makes sense not sure on the closing though.

[--Mike--]

I searched and read about the cable tie fix, but this is happening inside the car right behind the bonnet release by the door. When I finally got the bonnet opened after taking the wheel off and arch liner, I did cable tie the two cables though!! Cheers

[Richard Crofts]

I had this eact problem. The dealer fitted a new cabl latch and eventually a whole new bracket! The new bracket was what sorted it in the end. They then cable tied both the cables to the bracket behind the lever inside the car....since then no problem. The cause is the latch in the bay. The latch is misaligned or stiff it adds extra load to the cable plastic/bracket on the inside of the car...thus eventually over time warping and chaffing the p[lastic till it pops out. To fix you may need to replace all three items, or if causght early enough then just the latch under the bonnet.

[--Mike--]

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard Crofts (original)

I had this eact problem. The dealer fitted a new cabl latch and eventually a whole new bracket! The new bracket was what sorted it in the end. They then cable tied both the cables to the bracket behind the lever inside the car....since then no problem. The cause is the latch in the bay. The latch is misaligned or stiff it adds extra load to the cable plastic/bracket on the inside of the car...thus eventually over time warping and chaffing the p[lastic till it pops out. To fix you may need to replace all three items, or if causght early enough then just the latch under the bonnet.

Thanks Richard, I'd got my money on it being the latch under the bonnet. I'll phone up the dealer and get a price, hopefully it'll be cheap!! The bit inside the car behind the release mechanism looks in good condition, so hopefully that'll be ok. It's only just started not opening today, but the closing has been going on for a while. Wish me luck!!

[--Mike--]

UPDATE

Well I got a new latch from the dealers (£12ish) and had a go fitting it, but I still cannot get the bonnet to close at that side.

I've tried numerous combinations of positioning the latch but I'm getting nowhere and losing patience!!

Any ideas anyone? Would rather not take it to the dealers because I'll probably get stung.

[Richard Crofts]

Maybe go to lohen or someone? not a tuning fix but at least they know the MINI and may have had to take the catches off before and know the alignment etc.

Good luck .... the other thing is if the latch does not fix it change the cable as it could be sticking in a certain possition stopping the latch moving back and forth and thus also makign the cable pop out of the mount as pressure is applied to the plastic handle in the car

[--Mike--]

Another update

It turned out to be the cable (thanks Richard), which is relatively easy to replace:

Take out the sill trim inside the car and disconnect the cables from the bonnet release handle.

Pull the cables through the bulkhead into the engine compartment.

Remove cables from the clips and from the catches, and replace the cable in reverse.

Strangely though, the new catch I bought for the nearside doesn't work, so once I put the old one back on and adjusted it, all was well.