Hi all,

New member here. Just got a 09 Focus Zetec S and the bonnet lock is stuck. I've read the guides on line about using a screwdriver to open it but having no joy at all.

I've attached a photo, you can see the outer casing has broken and where I'm positioning the screwdriver. It's not moving at all when I'm pushing hard against it. Didn't want to hammer it through fear of causing more damage.

 

Any other tips to get this thing to open?

If it's the type of lock I'm thinking of it rotates.

@StephenFord is quite an expert on the Focus bonnet lock, he may be able to offer some advice.

1 hour ago, unofix said:

If it's the type of lock I'm thinking of it rotates.

@StephenFord is quite an expert on the Focus bonnet lock, he may be able to offer some advice.

It's a pretty blurry photo... This is the actual latch that you are aiming for, twisting it to the left, and then right should activate it just as the key does.

However, I think you may have pierced the actual bowden cable that connects the front keyhole to the latch, hard to tell, but the procedure you are working toward is correct...

To be honest, I am now on my 4th (!) cable, they are a useless design. Though I mastered the 'screwdriver' technique in the end (I still carry a long stemmed slim screwdriver in the boot), I just handed the car to my mechanic who had me back up & running within 15 minutes of me giving  him a new bowden cable!

EDIT

It's been a while since my last bonnet lock issue, and I have just remembered something. To do the screwdriver thing, I'm almost positive that I had to pull the cable properly out of the latch to get access to'twist' it. I can't swear to it, but it makes sense. Bottom line is, it's not working now for you, so, what have you got to lose. A replacement latch is about £12, a cable is about £20, though the one I now have on my car is a genuine Ford one I picked up at a breakers, as the Chinese Ebay ones didn't last with me...

Thanks guys, I managed to get it done. I prised the grill out to get up underneath it and basically smashed the mechanism up so I could get a flat screwdriver in there to turn the catch. Then replaced the lock mechanism and bonnet catch.