Bonnet not catching!

[Mart8V]

AHHHH!  After some heroics in the engine bay and feeling like a mechanical god (if only a minor one!) I closed the bonnet only for it to pop up again.  Seems as though the catch is stuck.

Is this common? How can I fix it?  I can replace gaskets and oil pumps, but can't fix a little spring loaded catch...!! :embarassed:

[Rain]

there is a spring in the catch inside and one on the lock make sure there ok both can be replaced with ease but youll need a rivit gun for the bonnet catch.

[Mart8V]

Have a feeling it's the one in the bonnet as have found a tiny copper spring on the ground by the front bumper.  Bugger.  No rivet gun either, but may have to get one for the sake of it.  More tools!

[Breaker]

have you tried fiddling with the release catch in the car sometimes
the cable can get stuck and hlod the catch open

[Ozz]

Have had this happen a few times, all you need to do is take your grill off and unclip the little spring on the bonnet catch, then head out to a scrappy and grab another spring from a mk1 or mk2 bonnet catch, then hook it on where the previous one was, 5 min job and no tools required, as long as you're talking about the spring i'm talking about!!! Easy way to tell is if you look into the bonnet catch is it a clear hole through or is there the bit of metal which acts as the catch sticking into the hole?

[Dinky]

have you tried fiddling with the release catch in the car sometimes
the cable can get stuck and hlod the catch open

thats actually wot just happened to mine yest..after checkin spring and catch...stoopid carpets...

Dinx

[Mart8V]

Must be the front spring as have not got anything which catches when I close the bonnet (except for the first stage, if you get me), and cannot see anything in the right hand hole.  And I was feeling so pleased with myself!!

[Ozz]

Its just a tiny spring which always gives up, I've had to replace this like 4 times on 3 golfs!! Really quick fix tho, as I said just get down to the scrappers!!!

[Rain]

if the spring goes would it stop the handle inside springing back or does it have its own spring, might explain why i have to puch it back in everytime.

[Mart8V]

Yep, it's the front spring.  Found some more bits of it this afternoon!  The lever doesn't seem to have a spring, and I am guessing that the one under the bonnet does both jobs.  Off to Mr Scraps tomorrow.....