ETA:

After figuring out the turbo problems with my Passat TDi (It was a vacuum pipe to the charge control solenoid), servicing it and changing the cambelt, I put it all back together. The bonnet lock mechanism was really really stiff, so I took it off, cleaned it up, and fitted a new front part of the bonnet cable (the old one was starting to wear, and was rusting at the catch end).

Last night before I left work, I started the car and could hear a nasty grinding noise. I opened the bonnet, had a poke about, and noticed there was something like melted plastic over the AC pulley. I couldn't see anything rubbing, so figured something had come up from underneath and melted.

Started driving home, and after about 10 miles or so, noticed a nasty burning smell, so pulled over to have a look, and..... couldn't open the bonnet. It felt like there was no cable attached to the pull handle, so I put 2 and 2 together and came up with somehow the bonnet cable had come loose and rubbed itself on the AC pulley.

Waited for the AA guy to come out, and the clutch on the AC compressor had failed, which was what was causing the plasticky stuff I could see. The bonnet cable, we figured out, was still attached at both ends, so the catch must be wedged locked somehow.

so - anyone got any ideas how to get into a locked bonnet, preferably from underneath? Would VW have a suitably shaped tool to open the catch in case a cable has snapped?

Cheers


Vince

[Edited on 23/4/10 by vinny1275]

???

Usually you pull the release lever under the dash, this releases a lever that pops out of the grill under the bonnet badge, pull this lever
Now you finish the post!

[Edited on 23-4-10 by 40inches]

thanks for the replies so far, somehow I post an empty box... The caffeine hasn't kicked in yet, that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it...

Try some of these fixes

cant help you,but i reckon its got to be easier than when my imp one snapped,in a petrol station,while the needle was in the red....

Same thing happens to renault laguna models. You can have a look at the

Renault forums website to see what they do.

Thanks guys,

This video looked quite useful - I'll give this a go tonight I think If only I could tell what he's saying!

(sorry, couldn't resist it )

Not sure what year car you have, but my 57 passat has plastic engine tray which makes underneath access difficult.

Your best bet may be a coat hanger through the grill ti try and release the catch.

Surpised the AA man didn't have any tricks for getting in...?

quote:

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Originally posted by vinny1275
Thanks guys,

This video looked quite useful - I'll give this a go tonight I think If only I could tell what he's saying!

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Crowbar was going to be my solution when fed of trying fiddly stuff. The plastic undertrays and engine covers were removed as part of my servicing, and have yet to find their way back onto the car, so no probs there

Failed on one of my old Passats. I took it into the VW dealer (Maidenhead I think?) and they sorted it within 10 mins. They had warned me that they may need to damage the grille to access it but in the end no damage was done.

Didn't cost me anything but I was having a service done at the same time and boy...that wasn't cheap....