hi boys and girls i have a problem with my mk 3 bonnet the thing will unlock but will not release any ideas on how to get round this problem??? thanks ;)

its a common problem on the mk3 it could be just lack of lubricant or the plastic connector rod between lock and catch has stripped, first flood the lock with wd40 then as you turn the key to the left put some downward pressure on the bonnet(your !Removed! is a good tool for this) just above the lock and hopefully the bonnet will open. the worse case is having to remove the lock barrell to gain access which involves nibbling away the plastic behind the ford badge so you can gain access to the sheer bolts which hold the lock in place. these will have to be drilled out with a 10mm drill and a new lock and bar fitted, good luck.

its a common problem on the mk3 it could be just lack of lubricant or the plastic connector rod between lock and catch has stripped, first flood the lock with wd40 then as you turn the key to the left put some downward pressure on the bonnet(your !Removed! is a good tool for this) just above the lock and hopefully the bonnet will open. the worse case is having to remove the lock barrell to gain access which involves nibbling away the plastic behind the ford badge so you can gain access to the sheer bolts which hold the lock in place. these will have to be drilled out with a 10mm drill and a new lock and bar fitted, good luck.

hoo joy thanks for that i will have a go and see what happens

As mintalkin says, flood the lock with wd40, the whole can if you have to but work and clean the key every 5 seconds.

well I think its all packed up now the bonnet will not even open or release so any last ditch ideas????

Call an autolocksmith for a quote.

well I think its all packed up now the bonnet will not even open or release so any last ditch ideas????

You will have to drill out the lock and possibly bust the grille in the process, no option you have to replace these. WD40 will not give you a fix.

Sorry

thanks boys i am going to a temped opening the bonnet by any means possible today so this could get messy wish me luck i will let you know how it goes

thanks boys i am going to a temped opening the bonnet by any means possible today so this could get messy wish me luck i will let you know how it goes

How did it go? I did wonder how entry would be gained if anything went awry as I have never had a car before that required key entry to the bonnet.

Cheers!

its all done it a really easy job to do but not cheap.

it was the lock barrel that had packed up and this was £70 and then £20 to have it built to your key and £2 for the snap bolts and then a new grill but i was lucky with this and got one for £10 ebay i love you.

but the job is easy all you got to do is cut out the gill so you can see the bolt heads drill them out and once thats of you can pull plastic rod out and open it with a screwdriver.

its all done it a really easy job to do but not cheap.

it was the lock barrel that had packed up and this was £70 and then £20 to have it built to your key and £2 for the snap bolts and then a new grill but i was lucky with this and got one for £10 ebay i love you.

but the job is easy all you got to do is cut out the gill so you can see the bolt heads drill them out and once thats of you can pull plastic rod out and open it with a screwdriver.

What's the best and least messy preventative measure with this problem? Mine seems to operate fine and freely, but if there is a recommended lubricant that doesn't make a monster mess of the car and key?

Cheers!

personally i use a white grease designed for locks and hinges on the bonnet catch.

Problem is if you oil or grease a lock, you atract dirt.

Personaly I wouldnt put anything in the lock apart from flushing it out with gt50 or something simular.