Bonnet release lever not releasing bonnet!

[Louise81]

Hi
    need help urgently please! when i pull the lever in the car that is supposed to release the bonnet it seems to not be attached to anything so it doesnt release the bonnet!! the cable is still attached to the handle and feels taut i have tried pulling on this with pliers but nothing happens so i think that the cable must have detached itself from the bonnet catch somehow but obviously cant know this for sure cos cant get under bonnet, can anyone give me a clue how i can fix this or whether there is some other way to release the bonnet have tried everything, even been under car but cant see any way to get to the catch?? 

[...joe]

what car is it on?

[Louise81]

  oops yeah might help to know that hey, its a Golf GTi mk3 8v 1995 M reg

[the_GTI_new_guy]

mr AA man might sort u out if you are in a hurry.

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

Firstly have you tried getting someone to push down on the front of the bonnet when you pull the leaver  ( sometimes works )
Secondly on the mk3 golfs the bonnet release cable is in two sections, where they join ( o/s inner wing next next to / above air filter ) there is a plastic box/joiner which is fixed to the inner wing . Sometimes the cover can become unclipped therefore the cables become detached.
As for gaining access  to the release mechanism .....I need to have a look tomorrow to refresh my memory on how I've gained access in the past !
will report back tommorrow evening

[Louise81]

cheers fellas, that info about cable being in 2 parts would explain why the cable attached to the lever still feels taut but isnt doing anythin then, have tried the pushin on the bonnet pulling on the lever trick with no joy! some unhelpful arsehole walked past me earlier on when i had my head under the car trying to look for a way to get to the release and asked me what i was tryin to do so i told him the prob and his words of wisdom were to get a crowbar and lever the bonnet up what a helpful person he was!
Any joy Vento?

[monkeyalan]

don't know if it's possible, but have you tried popping the grill off by unclipping the bottom first? may not work but if it does it should be easy to open the catch. just a thought.

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

Had a look at my vento (which has the same setup ) . The release mechanism is totally enclosed . 

Firstly try removing the VW badge then the painted slat section of grill ( a bit of a fiddle but it should unclip )

Then drill a hole big enough for a standard sized screwdriver in to the slam panel at about the 1 o'clock position ( when looking at the circular badge hole )

You should  then ,with the screwdriver , be able to gain access to the release lever and hopefully HEY PRESTO!!!

If and when you get the bonnet open and if you do find that the cables have become detached as I previously described . clip them back into place and then put a couple of cable ties around it to stop a repeat from happening

Ideally order a new retainer as I doubt you will want to sod about like this again !

Make sure the release mechanism works freely use something like  WD40 and then white grease or something like that .

Let me know if you have any joy .
                                             Cheers , Oliver   

[animaniac]

i was going to say its enclosed!!

i think they did it like this because people messed with the mk 2's this way grill off etc!!