Thread: Broken or slipping bonnet release cable.

Originally Posted by FireFox

Hi all, ive just completed a headgasket change and have now found that my bonnet release no longer operates.

Does anyone know of a way to pop my bonnet without the release cable, preferably without damaging the bonnet.

97 D1 300TDi

Mate you're in a pickle now, the locking mechanism is behind the grill in the centre of the grill at the top of the grill. Do you know where the wire is broken, you may be able to pull the handle end off and grab the wire if it is broken at that end. Otherwise you are going to have to get a long screwdriver/thin bar up through the grill and try and move the bonnet locking catch to unlock the catch. The catch is hard to get to as it was designed to stop thieves popping your bonnet. There is a piece of tube 6 to8mm round on the right side (passenger side) that the wire cable runs through, see if you can get to the wire through that, bugger of a job, let's know how you go, Regards Frank.