Thread: 2014 bonnet locking issue

Originally Posted by BushDisco

Look at the front corners under the bonnet. Each corner has a round black rubber bump stop.

You will find these are also helical height adjustable.

Screw them a single turn down and ensure both are same height.

Then keep adjusting till closed but still firm when shut, they are also designed to stop bonnet vibration offroad.

Thanks. Looked at this and both in as far as possible. So then took them out and tried it but no luck. The latch looks a bit dirty so I will remove a give it a clean and lube and report back.

Originally Posted by Turtle60

Thanks. Looked at this and both in as far as possible. So then took them out and tried it but no luck. The latch looks a bit dirty so I will remove a give it a clean and lube and report back.

Interesting they are fully in as mine were not even half way. Yeah we live on a dirt road and the engine bay gets quite dirty...much more than the TD5 did ....so I'm too pulling the latches to clean them up...soon.

Okay...3 adjustments later and the warning light still comes on so time to pull the latches and switch to clean and check operation. Bonnet is def closed so gotta be the cable/latch/switch mechanisms.

See how it goes😞

Had a good look at the switch. It appears to be an exposed strip of metal which is horizontal under the keeper. The keeper pivots down onto it when the striker is latched. In the pic it is the shiny forked metal strip.

Being horizontal any dust dirt and lube will collect on it and eventually prevent the keeper from shorting out the switch/light curcuit.

I could be wrong but that arrangement seems like its waiting to fail.

A good clean with degreaser should rectify...we'll see.

Edit...on closer exam..the shiny metal is the micro switch lever..so could be that it is failing internally.

Oh and adjusting the rubber stops won't help much as the latch and switch reacts to the striker locating in the keeper..which it will even if the stops are extended ...just needs more slamming if they are too far out.

20200719_161526.jpg

Final word. A good spray of “bolt off” and things appear good so far. Oils ain’t oils. We’ll see how we go with a boat load of outback dust next month.

Final final word...a good degrease and light no residue lube has so far worked for me too☺

As noted the design is such that crap will collect on the switch arm and keeper mechanism preventing it working correctly. Adding more oil will only worsen the situation. Mine had lots of oil...but not from me😞

Looks like the bonnet latch/switch is a periodic maintenance item esp if you travel lots off road.

Simple fix😚