Guide To Fixing Common Focus Bonnet Lock Problem.

[pauljoanss]

Just to add my experience.

Son in law has bonnet problem, tried screwdriver but no good. I also have a mk2 Focus so decided to take mine apart to see how it works and hope it helps solve problem on other car. On reassembly I wisely tested my catch before closing the bonnet and horror of horrors, it was not connecting. Studied parts and could not get the male cross to engage in the female collet connecting to the key. Read thro this thread and followed advice to cut off sprung lugs on white male cross, did not cut off completely, just the removed "catch" feature and also chamfered front edge. Parts now engaged with no problem and working perfectly, still have to tackle son in laws car but now happier knowing how parts are assembled.

[jimmcwibb]

Hi all,

Reading this thread with interest. Just picked up a mk2 a couple of weeks ago and feeling damn unlucky to encounter this problem right away.

A couple of days ago the bonnet opened OK by pressing down above the catch mechanism. I ordered a new lock to try and pre-empt the inevitable, plus an "upgraded" white cross part that's longer and doesn't have the catches. It arrived today.

Spent the morning assembling the new lock barrel.

I go to install it, what do you know. Bonnet doesn't open. Tried it a hundred times. How unlucky is that?

Going to try the long screwdriver trick tomorrow but I don't have much hope because from studying the mechanism it was flex in the system (maybe cable starting to go) that wasn't moving the latch across far enough. So I'm not sure if applying pressure will help... it might though.

By the way, I found with my skinny arms I could actually get my arm through the larger holes below the number plate and reach up to grab the rubber collet around the white part. I could also unclip the lock barrel from the grill this way.

[jimmcwibb]

Update from today.

Jesus holy christ. I'm in.

Screwdriver trick didn't work.

Jack up the car, remove the panels, reach up and unscrew the 10mm bolts on the lock. The right one is ok with a spanner, the left one was very hard to reach but you can get two hands up to guide a small ratchet onto it, then it's plain sailing. Then I removed the grill by prising the bonnet slightly ajar with a bit of thick cardboard, reaching in an leveraging the two plastic rivets at each corner, by the headlights. Then poking a screwdriver through the grill and getting the 4 rivets at the front by popping up the inner screw, followed by the sheath. This was not an easy task and made some dents in the grill plastic. But the grill came off eventually. Unclip the 2 clips on either side of the white shaft... but I'll be buggered if I could get it through. Not a chance. Also couldn't remove the lock mechanism from the white shaft. People describe simply "withdrawing" the lock cable through the hole by lifting the bonnet... this sounds like fantasy to me. Maybe some managed it. Maybe if I really pulled on the bonnet but I didn't want to force anything.

So I tried a different approach. At this point I had full access to the lock barrel. The idea being if I can remove the lock barrel then I can get to the end of the cable and manually turn it more than the 90 degrees required to unlock the catch. I removed the bigger pin by pushing it through, but the two smaller pins were more challenging. Ended up drilling them out, and again this was not easy. Finally got the lock barrel out and used a pair of forceps to manipulate the metal cross end of the cable. Heard that magical click and lifted the bonnet to the upper catch. Got that open too and finally lifted the bonnet.

Real blood spilt, real tears almost shed. What the flipping hell ford... I'm going back to Japan for my next car that's for sure!!

 

 

[jimmcwibb]

Now it's all back together I could see that the reason I couldn't push the white collar through to the engine bay was the large white triangle on the engine side of the white collar was impinging on the coolant hoses. This is impossible to see when you're under the car but once you know...

Also it's worth mentioning that the alarm cable is underneath the lock mechanism on the right hand side and you has a clip have to depress on the left, as you look at from in front of the bonnet. Disengage by pushing the clip and pulling downwards. Should come quite easily. This information is very useful when you're under a car trying to see by feel.

I've now set mine up to make this easy to do in the future. My grill is now only held in by the 2 plastic rivets at the side which can be removed relatively easily by prying up from the shut line at the corner of the headlights. After removal, the grill can be wiggled free. Then, with the new lock barrel, I only inserted the larger of the pins and left the two smaller ones out. This way the lock barrel can be removed very easily by pushing out the big pin, and from there the bonnet can be opened by manually turning the metal cross that the lock barrel couple with. That is, if your problem is wear in the cable not turning the mechanism enough.

The upgraded white cross part I got on eBay was actually too long, so I cut it down to about 1mm longer than the stock part. But it is more robust and doesn't have the catches on it at all.

For people in the future I would recommend taking the following steps.

Identify the problem. Turn the key to the right with your ear on the bonnet. If you can hear a small click, this is the upper catch moving across and this means your white cross is engaged properly so the screwdriver trick probably won't work. If you don't hear anything, either the white cross has disengaged (screwdriver trick may work) or the mechanism is totally seized.

If you do hear the click, it's likely that wear in the cable is simply not moving the lower catch far enough over to release the bonnet. In this case, I think by far the easiest way to fix this is to remove the lock barrel as I described above and manipulate the cable end by hand. No need for jacking or getting your hands cut up in the engine bay. Hopefully that will work for you.

If you don't hear the click and the screwdriver trick doesn't work then you could either move to jacking and undoing the 10mm bolts on the lock mechanism and trying that as described elsewhere.

Alternatively, if you have the grill off, it might be worth cutting the cable and manipulating the inner cable by hand. The weak spot may be at the lock barrel end, and so by cutting it off you'd be bypassing it.

[mmdom83]

Aargh really struggling with this issue.  Got the long screwdrivers and putting all my weight behind it but nothing doing.  

One question I have is when I turn my key in the lock I can't see the cable turn at all when I'm looking through the grill (the cable leading up to the white socket).  Does this suggest my issue is actually in the lock, and therefore I will need to break though my grill?

Cheers in advance for any help!

[Mike Cr]

OK, a few things not made clear in previous posts that may prove useful.

Inside the white plastic cylinder is a plastic "plug" which takes the white plastic cross shaped piece that's previously been mentioned. It links the inner section of the cable to the catch mechanism so when the key is turned it works the catch. As previously mentioned it's designed to detach if tampered with, however there are a number of other ways in which it can detach which aren't so obvious. The lock housing is crimped on to the outer sheath of the bowden cable, which in turn is attached to the circular white plastic "plug" in the white plastic cylinder. This plug is free to move forward and if it does the cross shaped link will detach. The ONLY thing stopping it moving forward in use is the fact that the lock housing is in the grille. At the other end of the link is the catch mechanism, bolted to a cross member. The lock housing/bowden cable, white cylinder is sandwiched between the grille and the catch mechanism. It follows that unless everything is firmly secured it's quite possible for the grille to move slightly forward, making the link release. The integrity of the mechanism depends on the grille being securely fastened and its original shape, i.e. not distorted by age. This is how the thing comes undone if you go over a bump.

It is VERY easy to let the plug/cable/lock assembly move forward when fitting it to the car, so disconnecting the link.

Any rotation of the lock casing/bowden cable sheath assembly will also cause the plug to move forward and disconnect the link. Again it's very easy for this to happen when assembling to the car. This all seems part of the design. If someone tries to forcibly rotate the lock using a screwdriver jammed into the key slot the sheath will rotate and disconnect the link. Similarly any attempt to smash the grille or rip it out will allow things to move forward and disconnect the link.

The cross shaped link is designed to latch firmly into the catch but release easily from the circular white plug in the white cylinder. My suggestion for assembly is that you pull it out of the catch and fit it into the white plug. As mentioned by others it will only fit in one of two positions at 180 degrees to each other, if you can't fit it try rotating it 90 degrees and have another go.This leaves the whole thing in two parts, the complete lock/housing/bowden cable and white bits is one part and the catch mechanism is the other. Fit the lock housing, bowden cable and white cylinder into position, making sure the lock housing is right way up and securely clipped into the grille. Key slot should be vertical. Make sure the grille is securely fixed and can't move forward.. Now align the catch mechanism with the white cylinder and clip it on by pushing it forward against the cross member. Keep the catch firmly pressed forward against the cross member so it can't move back because this will disconnect the link. Fit the two 10mm screws. Bowden cable assembly should now be firmly sandwiched between the grille and the catch and not able to move back or forward. TEST IT! Use a screwdriver to take the place of the bar that engages with the catch and make sure it wil lock in place and can be released using the key. If it can't you'll need to take it apart and have another go.

In my case there seems to be a problem with the bowden cable. With the key slot vertical the cross piece that fits into the catch should also be vertical, i.e. one arm vertical and the other horizontal. In my case it's not, I think there's been some slippage. The catch works fine if operated with a screwdriver in place of the white link so I'm waiting delivery of a new bowden cable assembly to complete the job.

[smokie.]

Thanks for this guide. I have a 2006 1.6L with this issue. My bonnet is partially released i.e. not firmly down (i.e. unlocked - the left turn worked).

I bought a part from eBay a few weeks back, and a long screwdriver, and I've just been out to try to carry out the fix. Light and my eyes aren't great, but I can't even locate the white bit I'm supposed to be pushing. I even got my floodlights out to help!!

Is it directly behind the lock (looks like all radiator to me!) or above, in line with the bonnet edge maybe?

Is there anyone in or around Berkshire who has done this and would be able to assist, or can recommend an indie who knows how to do this? I'd be happy to pay a modest amount but not the ridiculous price my local dealer would want. My car goes to a local indie for servicing but I think he'd not know where to start, although he's a good guy. In the absence of any assistance here, he'll get the job.

(I remember having a  "known issue" with a Vauxhall some years back, the dealers literally wanted hundreds to do it but a local indie knew of the issue and how to do it in a fraction of the time the dealers would charge for)

[Uncle3vil]

Hey! 

Long thread here! But I have an additional problem to the bowden cable ( the mechanism we are all discussing).

i drive a Ford Focus Mk2.5 which if your struggling like I did then it's basically the same as a MarK2 but with different details and designed parts on it. 

I tried this guide and found over 3 days of trying was a bit of a no go! So damaged my grill a little and managed to unclip it without much breaking of anything pulled it all apart and opened the bonnet.

The guide above is so clear that I thought I must be doing something incorrectly! But it was another problem which took me ages to figure out.

A few weeks later and my MOT happened and I totally forgot about everything to do with the bonnet because I knew how to open it so no worries right?

wrong... immediate fail. 

So after a few frantic hours I ended up finding the part on amazon

(Ford 1343577 Bonnet Lock Repair Kit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ABK2OLW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_yj-uybTKAYEY1 )

and a video on how to rebuild your key and the full bonnet barrel mechanism. 

In it the guy briefly says you can just re-use the old key barrel if you remove some metal pins - easier said then done, but if you use a small screw seen in the pictures, and screw in a little bit to the soft metal by hand, and then use pliers to pull it out, the soft metal pins sort of come out a little as well and you can dis-assemble the barrel and re-use the tumbler lock barrel for it! Much quicker.

In the photos you can see a stubby grey metal cross section shaped component that connects, inside the metal hood of the key mechanism, to the threaded cable that is the turning shaft of the whole mechanism. 

The metal cross shaped component is simply crimped in place but on my one it Wasn't very tight so when too much pressure is exerted it slips and won't turn the white plastic bits with enough force to full unlock the latch.

The only way to fix this that I could find is to buy the part I have linked. I needed it ASAP so I paid £47 including next day delivery but you can see the mechanisms on eBay for cheaper. Or grab it from a scrap yard if they have any. Most motor parts places I called including Ford don't stock them and get them ordered in. That's why I bought it online for next day.

anyway I hope this is additional help. Apologies for the messiness of my quick tag-on guide, and let me be clear that this is a last resort. - I broke lots of little bits trying to figure this out. 

The guide I have replied too above is much cheaper and easier to follow if that is your problem. 

 

[DeepThought]

Thanks for excellent guide. I could get it to work just by pressing with the long screwdriver (as described), not particular hard either.

I found I could get the rubber boot off also using the screwdriver (with a bit of care, it is held on at the top and bottom by lugs).

For now I can't fix it properly because I hadn't worked out how to remove the plastic rivet screw thingies holding all the top front plastic assembly in place, so I'll just be keeping a long screwdriver in the car for now.

[WES180]

17 minutes ago, DeepThought said:

For now I can't fix it properly because I hadn't worked out how to remove the plastic rivet screw thingies holding all the top front plastic assembly in place, so I'll just be keeping a long screwdriver in the car for now.

Did my dads car last month. Some of the plastic fixings unscrewed but for most of them i had to pop them out with one of these - 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152284660375

Once they were popped out you can unscrew the centre screw and re-use the fixing.

 

[k9security]

When the Bonnet is locked not opened, I just had the problem discussed above, I managed to Lift the Grill and prop it up, I had to Break the Plastic join to the Bonnet Latch and The turner or Key Assembly (where you see the picture with the screwdriver in ) This was to remove it away to take it apart, then easy as  after this. Close your Grill Put a ScrewDriver Back through the grill and aimit to the where the Plastic Cross is in the Plastic Joint piece and turn as you would with a key it will open then.

Have fun

Edited February 10, 2017 by k9security
add more info

[Simon UK]

On 1/16/2015 at 2:17 PM, bobrob22 said:

Had this problem a couple of weeks back. Went to Ford dealer to check if they would sort it since it seems to me it must be a design flaw. No chance they told me. Would cost around £150 to £250 depending on what parts they had to break to get in. So, I bought a long screwdriver for £3.50 from toolstation - already got long nosed pliers - and followed your instructions. Result - bonnet opened in 2 or 3 minutes. Got to say that must be best return I've ever had on £3.50 investment! Cheers mate, much appreciated.

Arnold Clark in Aberdeen rushed my wife something like this for a very poor job over 3 weeks.  I find it very poor that they repeatedly milk customers in this manner.

[Drd]

A massive thank you Brigante!

Just became a member because of this thread and it's well documented how-to.

Worked a treat with a hefty push and will carry that screwdriver in the car at all times.

Now I can get to it I just gotta learn how a 2.0l HDCI engine works...  >_<

[Drd]

New lock mechanism - £30 - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222466408410?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[NashRambler]

I also just joined because of my recently purchased mk ll 2007 zetec locking me out😡 Spent hours with the longest screwdriver ' in the world ' but no luck for me. Ended up with broken white thing and odd broken off bits. See photos.

But today, success ! Got my arm up by rad fan and undid two 10 ml bolts. My local main stealer had a new lock and I went for a new catch too in the hope it's a long term fix . £129 spent but could have been worse I guess.

so defo no need to smash grill etc. 

Just left now to fit new bits, wish me luck. Cheers

[Stoney871]

I would recommend getting a modified bar off eBay to avoid any further instances of the mechanism detaching, it's longer and won't pop out of the sockets.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252245489448

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Devonboy]

8 hours ago, Stoney871 said:

I would recommend getting a modified bar off ebay to avoid any further instances of the mechanism detaching, it's longer and won't pop out of the sockets.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252245489448

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
 

I had to shorten the bar by around 4mm with a Stanley Knife. A proper job!

[fen]

Hi just joined.

Went to refill the washer fluid yesterday and found I can't open the bonnet catch.

Bought a 300mm 6mm screwdriver. But can't see a thing.

I think I have the gromet in this pick?

How do I get it off?

 

 

 

[south_bound]

Hi guys,, I had a go at this today but without any luck.  Got my daughter's small arm up in front of the radiator to pull the rubber grommet off but then no amount of pushing with the screwdriver would push it back in, to the point of the whole car rocking back and forth.  The key turns both ways and springs back to vertical but no clicks or clunks.  I can see the cable sheath moving when I turn the key so this looks to be intact to that point...  Am I missing something obvious?

[simont001]

2011 Focus with this problem. Pushing with a screwdriver hasn't worked and I've ended up smashing parts of the white plastic surround same as photos above. However part of my grille is already missing (wonder why ...) so i can reach the cable. How does this help me - what do I do with it?

 

Many thanks!

[Mick J]

On 8/20/2017 at 2:06 PM, simont001 said:

2011 Focus with this problem. Pushing with a screwdriver hasn't worked and I've ended up smashing parts of the white plastic surround same as photos above. However part of my grille is already missing (wonder why ...) so i can reach the cable. How does this help me - what do I do with it?

 

Many thanks!

Simont001 and for anyone else it may help or has read this far !!

I had to cut my grill out, break all the white plastic where it go's through above the radiator and pull all the cable/keypart etc out.  This allowed me to use a screwdriver to reach and open the bonnet catch into the small female cross shape slot.  I drove around like this for a while, torch and screwdriver to open the bonnet !!  Grill like a Piranha - how the local kids did laugh.

Let me try and describe the parts: the black catch (inc alarm cables) engine side of the radiator (1.8 diesel unable to reach from under with spanner) has a cross shape slot that receives the cross shape male part, this has locking tags and may be a bit short for the job? (pictures above somewhere).  The other end of this part fits into the white part you have broken the outer Shell of .    My theory is this part pops out of the slots on some and can be pushed back using the screwdriver method above, jiggle the key to start to line up the three parts, who knows it may catch long enough to open the bonnet, you may need five arms or a mate.   I never got to that point, perhaps the white plastic part was broken, perhaps the slotted part of the lock was broken.   Certainly once I started using a screwdriver to open the lock it became a bit more broken (brittle plastic after all these years?).

I ended up replacing the grill, the main bonnet catch both cheap on eBay and instead of using the UK part fitted the euro plastic thing that I am not sure I have any faith in - but it's working. On the Euro part the plastic cross shape male part is solid and snaps into the bonnet catch part (cheap eBay again).

I also managed to find on eBay a euro type lock with key (little crab claw thing on back) cheap from China - no rush on this.  I managed to remove the split pins from my original and new euro lock, swap the key barrel and used an old coat hanger to replaced the split pins (I am still 'one key fits all').   I now see a 'kit' on eBay  or this eBay not available when I did mine, euro parts and euro lock, I would also (if I ever do this again) always replace the black catch part even if it looks good.

[simont001]

Mick J - many thanks for the reply, I think I will be doing that next. I have just managed to get the 2 bolts out of the back of the catch after an hour and a half of pain and expected the bonnet would lift up with the catch but it is still solid. Do I need to heave harder or am I missing something? Any reply greatly appreciated as am trying to sort this tonight ....

[Mick J]

Just going to bed Simon 

Well done on the catch bolts,  the catch has two locating pins that push into rubber locators, bolts then lock it in place. (although the catch has slotted bolt holes there is only one position to fit it, bumpers below the bonnet seem to wind in and out for some adjustment, all not applicable just now)

I expect if you were to get a flat screwdriver or something twix the catch and face of where it's mounted, quarter of a inch should be enough, locating pins are near the bolt positions. Remember a short alarm cable runs into the base of the catch, connector has a little latch on the side - you may get enough of the bonnet open to release it - the cable has some slack (on mine),  good luck.

Thinking about your original post - try pushing the cable towards the engine, may help pop the catch off.

You can see the pins on this eBay catch, near the stars.   Bottom part is alarm connector.

[Mick J]

Cannot edit above post,

'Thinking about your original post - try pushing the cable towards the engine, may help pop the catch off.'

I was thinking about the bowden cable not the alarm.  The catch you have removed the bolts from holds the bowden in place, metal above the radiator has large keyhole shape cutout, bowden/keybarrel/whiteplastic assembly is fitted first from engine side, catch fits over holding it all together. (on fitting my be better to fit cable/whitepart to catch then fit as one piece, it is possible to check it's all working without closing the bonnet)

So if the bolts are out you should be able to push the broken white part and release the catch locators (with the key barrel out of the grill).   Once I had opened my bonnet I ran with just the black catch and used a screwdriver in the cross slot to open the bonnet when required, I had cut out all the black plastic in my grill.  

Also thinking you may be able to get a screwdriver into the catch to release if the bonnets opens a bit, the alarm cable will restrict opening fully.

[Mcdndv749]

On 07/08/2012 at 10:18 PM, Lenny said:

Excellent guide mate,

i may need this myself if i dont take due care and attention when changing my front upper grill.

On 31/03/2013 at 4:01 PM, RAB2000 said:

Hi

I had a bonnet lock problem with my Focus Mk2 and thought it might be useful for people to know that pick up on this handy thread. I also have a couple of queries that someone may be able to help with!

Anyway, I have a 2005 Focus Mk2 2.0 TCDi Ghia Estate and it doesn't have the bonnet mechanism shown in this thread but has the one shown in this thread (so I'm not the only one - perhaps it's Euro spec or early Mk2?):

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/37142-bonnet-lock-ff-mk2/?p=248147

I've had my car for 4 years now and seems to suffer from a battery drain so rather than fix the drain, I disconnect the battery each time. I have bought a multimeter and came to the conclusion that yes there is a drain but yet to do anything about it. It has an old Nokia phone kit which is still fitted so might remove that.

I only use the car at weekends so actually it's not that much hassle to do what I'm doing, hence lazy to repair. The bad news is the overuse of the bonnet I suppose. Not great when your battery is disconnected and you can't get in!

Anyway, I assumed I had the same issue as discussed here and got myself armed with a long rod to try and do the click tecnique but with a torch I noticed that mine didn't look like that. In end I went for the grill removal technique and managed to break the rivets (mostly!) and with a bit of brute force it came out in one piece although I think I broke a few bits of plastic on the 'slam panel' but it's re-usable.

Once inside I could then turn the rod (pictures to follow with a bit of luck) connected to the car end by hand as it had broken off the back of the lock. The car was back in action.

So, what I need is a new plastic rod connecting the lock end to the car end. It clips on each end so easy to replace. I suspect it's not available as a single item but perhaps as a whole system. However, the only one available seems to be the one discussed on this thread. Any one any ideas?

Also, where's the best place to get the plastic rivet/plugs/screws that hold the grill in place (particularly the ones at each end that can't be seen.

Many thanks. Will no try and add a pic or two.

Hi I tried pressing the white collet with a screwdriver but I had no luck?