Guide To Fixing Common Focus Bonnet Lock Problem.

[RAB2000]

More internet searching and Ford part number 4549268 may be it. Only costs £2 to £3 so could be it but may be a small part for the system with the security. I can't find a picture of this part anywhere.

[RAB2000]

A further update. I have found some more information and the bonnet lock system on my FF Mk2 is the LHD kit. Quite why it was fitted is a mystery, I have only owned the car since 2009 and it's a March 2005 car.

Anyway, if anyone does have the LHD kit on their car then like the RHD kit you should be able to purchase the whole kit, like this:

However, it's only the plastic connector that was needed. This maybe available from Ford but by good fortune I found a seller on eBay selling them at £4 + £1 P&P so I bought two and it works. I don't know if the eBay one is genuine or not but doesn't really matter.

The company selling these on eBay is Locoser Limited (email nonstopauto@hotmail.com)

[tonybmxer242]

How do you get the bonnett open to get to that rubber gromet part that i put a screwdriver into.Are you saying i have to remove the grill to get to it.Im sorry im not a mechanic and have no experience of this kind off stuff.My onnet is stuck and looking through the grill i cant see a way of doing it?.

[Stoney871]

Just push on the top of the rubber piece and you should get the same effects.

If you puncture the rubber it's no biggie, just coat the whole thing in Vaseline to seal it after.

[Aft1873]

This topic generally focuses on *opening* the bonnet when the locking mechanism has failed, however would the same method be used to successfully close the bonnet?

At the moment when I try to close it, only the security latch engages - the main lock, needed to keep it firmly in place, is not engaging. I'm wondering if this screwdriver trick will somehow spark the lock back into life and, when I slam it shut, both locks will engage.

Thanks

[Giffer2]

Ford focus bonnet locks, don’t pay out,

If your turning the key and the bonnet will not open,

In side there is a plastic male and female cross that needs to fit into each other for them to turn, on the male there are two tags that spread and prevent this from happening

1, get a long screwdriver, place it through the grill so its pressing in to the black rubber garter where the lock rod enters the lock,

press the screwdriver in as you turn the key.

The bonnet should open,

2, Remove the plastic top cowling and the grill front, key barrel there are two little tags that need pressing to release barrel

3, remove the lock by undoing the two bolts that secure it, don’t need to remove any alarm wires,

on the back of the lock you will see the male plastic cross,

4 cut of the two tags from the male plastic cross.

5, reassemble

iv done two where bonnet was locked and two I did before the bonnet failed

time 15min, cost £0

Couldn't sort mine until I read the above, filed down the 2 wedges on the tags and reassembled, works like a treat!

[vince_13]

thanks for this it saved me today, i had to give mine a good whack but it worked thankfully

[Brigante]

thanks for this it saved me today, i had to give mine a good whack but it worked thankfully

you changed your grill or summin dude?

[vince_13]

No m8 I removed the front part of the induction piping (behind the front grille) must of knocked the cable

[jeebowhite]

Is there a "once and for all" fix as opposed to a "just in case it breaks" fix?

I wish I could install the old pull lever fix instead of this stupid method they put on the focus'

[slartibartfast]

Hi all,

I have just encountered the dreaded "cannot open the bonnet" problem. I have not tried any of the info given in the thread yet, but it looks a bit hit and miss.

Does anyone have any additional advice before I go in with the big screwdriver and probably a large hammer.

I expect I will end up with this as my only solution knowing my luck -

http://youtu.be/uyieemybN_k

[vince_13]

I did this 2 weeks ago and I read the thread and tried it befpre doing anything else, 1 tip is if it doesn't work then the length of the screwdriver is prob not long enough

Also you wont know if it has worked unless you tried with ya key so hit it then try it, you cant go wrong m8

[Bouedo]

I have the same problem with opening the bonnet on my Ford Focus CC 2007 plate – it just went - I’m not a mechanic or into the workings of a car so as my Dad (76) used to be in the garage trade I asked him to see if he could help by following this thread – working through the grill we managed to remove the rubber boot using a pair of long nose pliers, we then used a very long screwdriver through the grill and pressed in the white collet as indicated whilst turning the key, we tried this several times to no avail the bonnet just wouldn’t pop.

Instead of removing the grill and risking damaging it (£82 quoted for a new one) Dad then put the car up on axle stands and removed the guard underneath the engine and went in from below.

He managed to locate the bolts holding the lock mechanism and after much cursing and swearing (goes with the job apparently) he managed to loosen the lock mechanism so we managed to force the bonnet open – be careful here not to tug too hard as the alarm is connected – unfortunately we broke the retaining lug for the alarm whilst doing
this.

We then removed the actual lock and cable etc only to find that the white male plastic cross mentioned above had one of the tabs missing, the connection between the lock connector and the lock mechanism had obviously been loose for some time as the inside of the lock mechanism was also slightly worn, (a bit like when you have a cross head screw and the metal is soft and eventually the cross wears away).

With the lock barrel etc out we tried the key in place and this turned the white plastic cross section quite easily, however when we applied a bit of pressure to the white cross by holding it still with a pair of pliers the key failed to turn it, so it implies that there is a problem with the actual lock itself.

So after all that it looks like I am going to need a new lock and the lock mechanism, The cost appears to be about £100, but I’ll probably have to get a locksmith to set new lock as well.

As an interim measure we have left the lock out and I have a long piece of steel which my Dad has made so I can go in through the grill to turn the lock mechanism to release the catch.

As you can imagine he had plenty to say about the design of this particular piece of kit!!

[TDCiST]

They do take a lot of force to push back in place... Make sure your key is in the upright position tho, otherwise it won't go back in!

[Bouedo]

Thanks TDCiST - yes we tried really hard to get it back in place and it seemed to be fully engaged but we found that once we had the lock mechanism out of the car it appears that if you put any resistence on the white plastic cross the key just turns in the lock but won't turn the cross - so even if it was clicked back into the lock mechanism it's looking like it won't be able to rotate the actual lock.

[Bunjax]

Thanks for sharing my friend.... this help me big time... i was able to save about é140 for this problem...

[jeebowhite]

Glad to see that the thread was of help to you!

[Habbers]

WOOP WOOP my first post, ok i brought a Ford Focus Titanium 1.6tdci over the weekend and guess what i have this problem.

I have for some reason got the LHD version of the Bonnet Lock. I managed to open up the bonnet .Simples. and saw that the the roller ball and the C shaped clamp on the end of the Key Lock are busted / Shattered. so i have had to stump up the cash £45 from fords for a new Lock. :( BUT here is my dilema how the hell do I put the keylock together to suit my key?? FORD wanted £100 do this aparently its takes ages BUT they requested they have my old lock which made me wonder if they was going to remove my old inners & simply replace them into the new one so i said NO.

so now im on here hoping some off you nice people know how this is done :) and all i am offering is a Thanks & 2 thumbs up as payment :)

[RAB2000]

Hi Habbers

Look for my comments earlier on the thread. My lock also appeared to be the LHD kit. I was able to buy the plastic arm off eBay for a few pounds so avoided fitting a whole new kit. If you've already bought the kit then you could take it back? Or sell it on eBay?

Either way I'd suggest just replacing the arm rather than the whole lock.

I can see the arm is still for sale on eBay £5 delivered. Item description on Ebay is "Ford Focus bonnet catch - latch handle - arm"

[Habbers]

Hi RAB2000.

My Arm is Fine its the C Shaped Plastic Bit which pokes out of the bottom of the Lock which is broke.

Not to worry tho i Fixed it. Took me 10 mins to swap the insides out of my old lock and put it into the new barrel with the new plastic bit. now it works like a charm. getting the spring to line up was a pain but got there in the end..

Cheers anyways for the advice RAB2000..

[Ross_Garland]

I've just bought a 56 plate 1.8 TDCI focus sport and have this problem. When shpwing me around the car, the owner managed to open the bonnet no problem, but since taking it home, I've not been able to open it!

I've tried to follow this guide - I've managed to get the rubber boot, get a screw driver into the white collet and give it a good old push, but nothing.

Maybe I'm not pushing on it hard enough? How hard to i physically need to put into it? What are my options if I can't get this off? Am I gonna have to smash in the grill to open the bonnet, or is it gonna be a costly garage fee?

Cheers!

[jeebowhite]

When you try the key, do you feel any resistance at the key?

I find that I need to press down on the bonnet, above the catch when turning the key Left, in order to engage the click that opens the bonnet, then turning right allows the full unlock.

Does this make a difference?

[Stoney871]

I always push the bonnet down to put less strain on the key and lock.

[Ross_Garland]

I'm not sure whether there is any resistance when I turn the key left - I don't think so... However, it's still clicking and I can feel resistance when I turn the key right.

I've just tried to open it by applying some pressure to the bonnet, and again, no luck opening it :(!

[jeebowhite]

this is where you need a thousand hands.

You need to apply a very firm pressure to the bonnet as you are about to turn the key. You also need to apply a very firm pressure to a screwdriver against the white collar of the barrel. Both of these should allow you to pop the bonnet, and I would suggest from thereon, you close the bonnet just so that it cant be opened, but isnt locked, and you then replace the kit at your earliest chance.