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Ford Ka Bonnet Stuck

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RJH

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Oct 14, 2012, 1:39:04 PM10/14/12
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The release under the steering wheel works - 'pops' the bonnet. But then
it only opens a few inches, with some sort of resistance at the hinge.
Tempted to try forcing it, but it's not my car, and it feels as if the
bonnet would crease with too much force.

Any ideas please?

Thanks, Rob

Ian Dalziel

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Oct 14, 2012, 3:16:17 PM10/14/12
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Erm... Where's the safety catch?


--

Ian D

Tim+

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Oct 14, 2012, 5:12:34 PM10/14/12
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Hmm, every safety catch I've met has been at the leading edge, not the
hinge but this sounds like time to RTFM.

Tim

Tim+

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Oct 14, 2012, 5:29:17 PM10/14/12
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Okay, I've read the manual now. If it's stuck at the hinge side, take it to
a dealer as something is seriously fecked. Let them crease the bonnet.
Normally though, there's a release lever under the leading edge of the
bonnet. Have you released this?

Tim

RJH

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Oct 14, 2012, 6:18:51 PM10/14/12
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On 14/10/2012 22:29, Tim+ wrote:
> Tim+ <timdow...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>> Ian Dalziel <ianda...@lineone.net> wrote:
>>> On Sun, 14 Oct 2012 18:39:04 +0100, RJH <rep...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> The release under the steering wheel works - 'pops' the bonnet. But then
>>>> it only opens a few inches, with some sort of resistance at the hinge.
>>>> Tempted to try forcing it, but it's not my car, and it feels as if the
>>>> bonnet would crease with too much force.
>>>>
>>>> Any ideas please?
>>>>
>>>
>>> Erm... Where's the safety catch?
>>>

Front. Slides properly and releases the bonnet.
>>
>>
>> Hmm, every safety catch I've met has been at the leading edge, not the
>> hinge but this sounds like time to RTFM.
>>
>> Tim
>
> Okay, I've read the manual now. If it's stuck at the hinge side, take it to
> a dealer as something is seriously fecked. Let them crease the bonnet.
> Normally though, there's a release lever under the leading edge of the
> bonnet. Have you released this?
>

Yep :-) The bonnet lifts a few inches above the release lever point, so
everything works to that point. The bonnet then 'springs' against the
bulkhead hinge, as if something has buckled.

I can't find anything on 'net about this. The car is a 2001 and not much
more than a runner. Might just give it a shove once I've checked with
the owner. But not being able to get it closed again will open a world
of pain, I suspect.

Rob

Rob

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Oct 14, 2012, 9:51:50 PM10/14/12
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the back lip is not touching the plenum chamber when its being opened?

RJH

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Oct 15, 2012, 3:04:27 AM10/15/12
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Mmmm could be, has that feel of rubbery resistance. Tricky for me to
tell without knowing the hinge mechanism or underbonnet gubbins.

Rob

David

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Oct 15, 2012, 6:16:46 AM10/15/12
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Could it be the support arm not in it's proper place, and getting the
hook caught on something ?

David

RJH

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Oct 15, 2012, 12:16:50 PM10/15/12
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Thanks - but no, it's clipped in place.

Dafydd

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Oct 16, 2012, 2:59:33 AM10/16/12
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Check another Ka for the way the mechanism works? Only then assess the
risk of lifting further.

On 14/10/2012 18:39, RJH wrote:

RJH

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Oct 17, 2012, 3:40:29 AM10/17/12
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On 16/10/2012 07:59, Dafydd wrote:
> Check another Ka for the way the mechanism works? Only then assess the
> risk of lifting further.
>

Indeed - I've been looking at some online photos. Looks to be around
the coolant header and brake fuid reservoir. So probably not best to force.

Rob

Rob

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Oct 17, 2012, 4:37:00 AM10/17/12
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Is the bonnet aligned ie flat around all surfaces (guard and bonnet
etc) also are the gaps straight, when closed?

RJH

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Oct 18, 2012, 4:57:13 PM10/18/12
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No - it's fairly flush but skewed within the aperture. I'm suspecting
somebody may have used the car as a trampoline as it was parked in a
dodgy area for some weeks. But the owner thinks it may have been like
that last time she opened the bonnet (over the summer sometime), and no
footprints etc.

Rob

RJH

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Dec 30, 2012, 5:24:24 AM12/30/12
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On 14/10/2012 18:39, RJH wrote:
Finally - it opens. Transpired one of the users got into an altercation,
and that led to the car being used as a trampoline. The hinge had
twisted. Forced at the hinge area a couple of inches, and now it opens,
albeit with a fair bit of resistance.

Needless to say oil was off the dipstick, and I had the joy of changing
headlight bulbs in the cold and wet last night. Quite how or why the
poor car keeps running . . .

Thanks all for the tips, Rob
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