Ford Ka Bonnet Stuck

Erm... Where's the safety catch?

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?

Tim

Front. Slides properly and releases the bonnet.

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

the back lip is not touching the plenum chamber when its being opened?

Mmmm could be, has that feel of rubbery resistance. Tricky for me to tell without knowing the hinge mechanism or underbonnet gubbins.

Rob

Could it be the support arm not in it's proper place, and getting the hook caught on something ?

David

Thanks - but no, it's clipped in place.

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

Is the bonnet aligned ie flat around all surfaces (guard and bonnet etc) also are the gaps straight, when closed?

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

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