D3 bonnet release

[Tinman]

Hi Guys, Have read some threads on what to do if your D3 bonnet won't release, has anyone got an answer other than taking it to a dealer. Have tried to prompt them but they give you the usual reply, bring it in and we have a look.
I pulled the lever to release the bonnet and only the lhs looking from the front operated so I pushed it shut and tried again, now neither release will operate. Have taken the operating lever off and pulled the cable but the releases will not operate, the cable seems intact. Have relieved pressure on the bonnet when operating, no good. Before I go too far maybe someone my have an idea. Don't want to break the grill as one thread said the dealer did.
Cheers Tinman

[sniegy]

With the handle removed on the inside, grab a set of pliers & place cable end in pliers & pull slowly until the cable seems to be firm, then apply some pressure downward on the bonnet (2 people here) then pull the cable harder again.
If cable starts to release & come through then stop as you may have a break in the cable. Then it becomes hard as you need to remove lower section of grill, basically unclip bottom section & try to work with the pressure of the grill against your arm. Then try to find cable link under slam panel & work free.
Can be awkward.

HTH

Cheers

[Tinman]

Many thanks for your reply, I have tried this already but, will give it another go. When I tryed it before the Cable stayed firm, so this made me wonder what was happening. Didn't want to Pull to hard in case I broke it. Will keep you informed
Cheers Tinman

[Tinman]

Success!! Tried to pull cable with pliers but no good so I put the lever back on and operated back and forth many times, then I heard the bonnet release on the LhS looking from the front release, I wedged the bonnet half opened and removed the grill, then with a shaped piece of flat steel triggered the remaining latch and presto it was opened. Their are two cables that are used to open the bonnet, the first one meets the second cable inside a slide
mounted on the Rhs adjacent to the battery. The second cable then travels through each latch. What had happened was there is a very small plastic bobbin which sits in place in a fork at the bottom of each latch. This guides and holds the cable in place. On both latches it had dropped down and was sitting behind the fork, thus not allowing the cable lugs to operate the latches. Am unsure how they came out but took a little bit of force to pop them back in place. Thinking they may not have been installed correctly from new. Any way have made a tool to trigger the bonnet open without removing the grill if it happens again. Lever seems a lot easier to operate when opening the bonnet now. Might be a good idea for everyone to check their cables and guides are in place from time to time.