HELP ! New Beetle - Bonnet catch not releasing

[AndyBa]

Thought I'd check my oil level on my '02 Beetle but the bonnet catch won't fully release ! Pulled the bonnet release and the bonnet pops-up but not far enough for the release lever to protrude and release the safety catch. Any suggestions ? Assume that the cable is stretched since when I bought the car the plastic release lever was broken off !. I replaced it and its been fine for circa 3 years.

Drove it about 15miles home yesterday in a "half released" state hoping vibration would sort it it but no joy. Me thinks I'll have to take the lever off and use some pliers on the cable but if anyone has any tips I'd be grateful.

Here's hoping the oil level's OK !

[Bellend]

To me sounds like the cable is fine and has done it's job in releasing the bonnet. However the little tab thing has probably got stuck like they normally do on VAG cars.

[mcgee9t2]

i know it sounds stupid, but tried lifting your bonet? when i release my bonet it only come up a cm or so then if i lift it about a inch the tab comes fully out.

if not the tab may have snaped/ came disconnected, heard a few stories about this happening to people with mk4's

[T_J_G]

On a mk4 you can still open the bonnet from underneath not sure if this is possible on a beetle

[Liftedd]

sounds like the release arm isnt releasing, ive had this before i manged to get a screw driver in their with the catch up to help it release. Might be wrong give it a try 

[AndyBa]

Update, definitley a problem with the release catch under the bonnet. Have taken the lever pull off inside the car and no matter how hard I pul it the bonnet doesn't release. I'll try the old screwdriver trick and tell you how I get on.
Many thanks

[AndyBa]

Arrh!
Have tried looping a piece of string round the release catch and pulling - no joy. Even jiggled the bonnet up down whist giving the string a tug to no avail.

Put my hand up behind the bumper and can only reach the cooling fans, there isn't the under-bonnet space you get in th golf.

Looks like I'll have to go to the dealers then !

These problems are a bit tiresome, never had an issue like this before 

[davidk]

You could try spraying with WD40 you can you the little flexible tube to aim it at the catch and down into the mechanism, give it a good spray and leave for 30 mins, might just be enough to free up the catch..

Dave

[AndyBa]

Tried squirting WD40 into the catch, but don't think it actually got there due to the catch being higher than the bonnet opening. Took it to the dealers who sorted it in 5mins. have liberally sprayed WD40 in the catch an is moving freely now. It seems an overly complicated, what happened to the spring-loaded catches, never had a problem with one of them !

Checked the oil level and all is good