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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: maxamus on 10 February 2009, 19:45

Title: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: maxamus on 10 February 2009, 19:45
I cant get my bonnet open. I kept on pulling on the lever but no luck. Eventually, i pulled too hard and snapped the lever to open it in the footwell  :angry:
Looks like im going to have to book it in and VW will probably rape me seeing as my warranty has run out as well (55 plate)  :embarassed:

No happy at all  :sick:
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: Jimp on 10 February 2009, 20:56
There's a little catch on the front above the VW badge that you move to the side after pulling the lever on the inside.
Or is it that the lever just broke outright?
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: maxamus on 10 February 2009, 21:29
There's a little catch on the front above the VW badge that you move to the side after pulling the lever on the inside.
Or is it that the lever just broke outright?

I snapped the bit you hold on to and pull inside.

I've never had to move it to the side in the past. Normally i just pull the lever inside and it pops up and then i just put my hand underneath the bonnet and press on the catch and it opens.
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: TeddyKGB on 10 February 2009, 22:04
The bonet release mechanism does feel flimsy (almost citroen-esque) and Im suprised we've not heard of more having this problem! :shocked:
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: Greenouse on 10 February 2009, 22:07
Why don't you take it to an independant garage? It's not a VW only type of job  :wink:

No point in paying VW's labour rate for jobs like that now your out of warranty.
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: maxamus on 10 February 2009, 22:10
Why don't you take it to an independant garage? It's not a VW only type of job  :wink:

No point in paying VW's labour rate for jobs like that now your out of warranty.

I'd need to get the part that i have snapped though (the flimsy lever in the foot-well).

I've always taken it to VW so i dont really feel comfortable taking it to someone else.
They will probably (i hope) charge me for an hours work which is around £86. Alot i know but i have piece of mind.
Plus i want it to be carried out ASAP as i use my car daily for work (100miles a day) and in this weather i need to keep my wash fluid topped up. Plus whilst its in, i'll get a courtesy car from VW.
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: winrya on 10 February 2009, 22:38
Time to find a good vag specialist.  They tend to charge more like £45 an hour, have more switched on and passionate staff and of course use VAG.com and have access to all the same parts vw dealers do.  Your car is in much better hands at places like this!
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: maxamus on 10 February 2009, 22:40
Time to find a good vag specialist.  They tend to charge more like £45 an hour, have more switched on and passionate staff and of course use VAG.com and have access to all the same parts vw dealers do.  Your car is in much better hands at places like this!

How do i go about finding a VAG specialist locally???
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: winrya on 10 February 2009, 22:47
google is a good start, yell.com and forums often have a dealer section

http://www.volkswerk.co.uk/
http://www.lawson-cars.co.uk/About+Us/About+Us/Page-2-2.htm

both of these appear to be near to you
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: maxamus on 10 February 2009, 22:48
google is a good start, yell.com and forums often have a dealer section

http://www.volkswerk.co.uk/
http://www.lawson-cars.co.uk/About+Us/About+Us/Page-2-2.htm

both of these appear to be near to you

Thanks dude
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: Greenouse on 10 February 2009, 22:50
Time to find a good vag specialist.  They tend to charge more like £45 an hour, have more switched on and passionate staff and of course use VAG.com and have access to all the same parts vw dealers do.  Your car is in much better hands at places like this!

How do i go about finding a VAG specialist locally???

Doesn't have to be a VAG specialist bud :afro:

Where about's are you?
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: maxamus on 10 February 2009, 22:52
Time to find a good vag specialist.  They tend to charge more like £45 an hour, have more switched on and passionate staff and of course use VAG.com and have access to all the same parts vw dealers do.  Your car is in much better hands at places like this!

How do i go about finding a VAG specialist locally???

Doesn't have to be a VAG specialist bud :afro:

Where about's are you?

Stockton on Tees
North East
TS18
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: bacillus on 10 February 2009, 22:58
Since the cable is wrecked any way, you could try accessing the cable by removing the driver's side wheel arch liner and you should be able to get hold of the cable. You'll probably have to cut it to gain access to the inner cable so that you can pull on it to release the latch.

Do so at your own risk!
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: Greenouse on 10 February 2009, 23:00
Time to find a good vag specialist.  They tend to charge more like £45 an hour, have more switched on and passionate staff and of course use VAG.com and have access to all the same parts vw dealers do.  Your car is in much better hands at places like this!

How do i go about finding a VAG specialist locally???

Doesn't have to be a VAG specialist bud :afro:

Where about's are you?

Stockton on Tees
North East
TS18

Ah, no where near Brum then  :grin: Is there not a garage that someone you know uses locally? It really shouldn't be a massive job for any decent grease monkey!  :wink:
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: maxamus on 10 February 2009, 23:00
Since the cable is wrecked any way, you could try accessing the cable by removing the driver's side wheel arch liner and you should be able to get hold of the cable. You'll probably have to cut it to gain access to the inner cable so that you can pull on it to release the latch.

Do so at your own risk!

lol i think i'll leave it to the specialists  :smiley:
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: maxamus on 14 February 2009, 12:00
Just got the car back from VW lookers M'Boro. Cost me £160 incl VAT.
They were the cheapest of the 3 quotes i got and they even valeted the inside and outside of my car aswell (which was great as i hadn't washed it in over 2 months) :cool:
The other 2 VAG specialists wanted £180 and £210.
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: bacillus on 14 February 2009, 15:03
Glad to hear it's sorted.   :smiley:
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: T_J_G on 14 February 2009, 17:59
More money than sense IMO!
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: No Golf Clubs at all on 14 February 2009, 19:10
You'll be glad it's fixed though well done mate, mechanical stuff like that can be repaired by most garages. First I have heard of it, must have been bloody annoying and thanks for reporting back.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: maxamus on 14 February 2009, 19:35
Oh ye forgot to mention that they also topped up my engine oil for free as well  :smiley:
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: bacillus on 14 February 2009, 19:44
Oh ye forgot to mention that they also topped up my engine oil for free as well  :smiley:
Just hope they used VW approved oil... 
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: maxamus on 14 February 2009, 19:47
Oh ye forgot to mention that they also topped up my engine oil for free as well  :smiley:
Just hope they used VW approved oil... 

They always do. I have a good relationship with VW Lookers M'Boro and have taken my car there many times. They are always very nice. I dont think £160 for 2hrs work with parts worth £56 and free engine oil top up and free valet inside and out is bad to be honest.

I was expecting it to be over £200 so i was pleasantly surprised  :smiley:
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 16 February 2009, 20:35
I could actually give a very informative post on why it happened, and more importantly - what to do if the bonnet doesn't open when the lever is pulled.  :smiley:

But if I were to post such info, I would probably get accused of posting something better described as a sunday reading in large place of worship - so I shan't bother.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: JC on 16 February 2009, 20:37
I could actually give a very informative post on why it happened, and more importantly - what to do if the bonnet doesn't open when the lever is pulled.  :smiley:

But if I were to post such info, I would probably get accused of posting something better described as a sunday reading in large place of worship - so I shan't bother.  :rolleyes:

the cat got the sack

(http://ihasahotdog.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/funny-dog-pictures-go-on-forever.jpg)

 :wink:
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: bertmort8 on 16 February 2009, 20:46
i have had exactly the same problem, i think its just me tho cuz when the guy was fitting our tracking device he opened and shut it fine so i have no clue why i cant open it
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: stealthwolf on 16 February 2009, 21:08
I could actually give a very informative post on why it happened, and more importantly - what to do if the bonnet doesn't open when the lever is pulled.  :smiley:

But if I were to post such info, I would probably get accused of posting something better described as a sunday reading in large place of worship - so I shan't bother.  :rolleyes:

T_T, screw what everyone else thinks and please, for the benefit of us numpties, post up your info.
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: maxamus on 16 February 2009, 21:32
TT spill NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Cant open bonnet. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Post by: Jimp on 16 February 2009, 21:55
It's always good to know  :wink: Tell us T_T!