Broken bonnet release cable on S1

[Mutley00]

Came to put the trickle charger on when I got home from LiTP and it appears the cable has snapped. The Tbar/lever moves freely up and down with no tension in it at all. I have pulled back the wheel liner and can see the spring/latch, but can't work out what I need to do to release the bonnet.

Advice as always much appreciated.

Cheers, Andrew

[Peter]

This happened to me but the lid popped open as I pulled it, so I was lucky. I believe you need to remove the number plate then using a hole saw cut the biggest hole you can to allow access to the mechanism. Good luck. I then fitted the electric opener plus a new cable so belt and braces parts available from Elise parts.

[winthattt]

Not sure if you mean front of back, if not be keen on cutting holes in my car!  If you can see the latch I would have thought a stick is your friend? If you can see where the cable should be pulling, push it with your stick from the other side. If you look on the bell and Colvile website you should be able to see you latch in the parts catalogue and work out where to push it.

 

 

 

[Mutley00]

By 'bonnet', I should have said 'front hatch' (or something similar!) Confusing terminology on mid-engined cars 😀  

[Peter]

56 minutes ago, Peter said:

This happened to me but the lid popped open as I pulled it, so I was lucky. I believe you need to remove the number plate then using a hole saw cut the biggest hole you can to allow access to the mechanism. Good luck. I then fitted the electric opener plus a new cable so belt and braces parts available from Elise parts.

I was assuming S1, so doesn't apply if not. 

[Jonathan E]

Take the front drivers wheel arch liner out and you can reach the catch. Only problem with this method is you will probably need the locking wheel nut key that is stored under the bonnet🙄, it is doable though.

[Mutley00]

2 hours ago, Jonathan E said:

Take the front drivers wheel arch liner out and you can reach the catch. Only problem with this method is you will probably need the locking wheel nut key that is stored under the bonnet🙄, it is doable though.

Thankfully no locking wheelnuts matey 👍. I can see the spring and catch - do I need to pull something to mimic the role of the cable or shove something. Boy am I technical!!

[Jonathan E]

It’s a long time since my last S1, but imagine your sitting in the drivers seat, the cable pulls the catch to the right, so if your looking in from the drivers side wheel arch you should push the catch away from you(see pic) it sometimes helps to have somebody apply a little downward pressure to the bonnet when you push the catch👍

[kayj_prod]

Hi Mutley, I had this on my S1 after re-fitting the front hatch... it got misaligned at some point and wouldn't release. 

I recall it being a two person job as Jonathan suggests. Wheel arch liner pulled out, and a grazed fore-arm. I think I used a big flat screw driver to do some prying as my neighbour wiggled and jiggled... the hatch, not himself.

Sorry to not be more precise but I think it is one of those situations where the solution might be different for each situation.

[Mutley00]

Thanks again for all your advice chaps. All sorted and tickety boo.