If you find out let me know. Time was when one asked this question one at least got replies from people saying they know but couldn't possibly divulge the secret
When I had a problem with the release cable, people were willing enough to help when I had furnished enough proof that I was the actual owner - you can appreciate that information of this delicate a nature will not be given out willy-nilly over an "open" forum.
You COULD be any old Tom, Dick, Harry or car thief !! (no offence meant, btw!!)
When I had a problem with the release cable, people were willing enough to help when I had furnished enough proof that I was the actual owner - you can appreciate that information of this delicate a nature will not be given out willy-nilly over an "open" forum.
You COULD be any old Tom, Dick, Harry or car thief !! (no offence meant, btw!!)
Incidentally I am not sure how revealing this 'secret' in the forum could possibly aid any potential car thief. If they were party to the 'secret' & were able to open the bonnet without opening the boot first all they could nick is the spare wheel (cheap non-alloy not to exceed 50mph one) or the battery. It may be a 'secret' but it's not a very valuable one except to an owner who needs to get the bonnet open to charge the battery, use the spare wheel, check the hydraulic levels or top up the windscreen washer bottle.
Incidentally I am not sure how revealing this 'secret' in the forum could possibly aid any potential car thief. If they were party to the 'secret' & were able to open the bonnet without opening the boot first all they could nick is the spare wheel (cheap non-alloy not to exceed 50mph one) or the battery. It may be a 'secret' but it's not a very valuable one except to an owner who needs to get the bonnet open to charge the battery, use the spare wheel, check the hydraulic levels or top up the windscreen washer bottle.
How can you say that, it is a secure area, and if people were on holiday say, there is no saying what could actually be in there, just because it normally carries a spare wheel, a jack, wheel brace and nut cover remover, does not mean that is all that ever will be in there.
I can understand your annoyance, but would you be happy if we bandied around your key number and the four digit number to overide your immobiliser on open forum. I think not.
People don't answer this question on the forum because then thieves know how to get the bonnet open. If you want to know, send me a private message and I'll tell you.
According to a couple of PMs I received he 'secret' such as it is appears to be to lie under the car & blindly poke with a stick or screwdriver in an effort to undo the catch. I don't think that this is revealing too much to any potential thief. I tried this method without success.
I was able to eventually get the bonnet open by bumping up & down on the bonnet while my wife wiggled the release in the boot the bonnet sprang up. As it turned out there was nothing wrong with the cable or release mechanism but the spring catch had been sticking. After anointing everything with copious amounts of WD40 the bonnet was slammed shut again & now can be easily opened.
Thank you for the PM with the ingenious solution of charging the flat battery via the cigarette lighter as this could have been a lifesaver for us if we had not been able to get the bonnet open.
KarlosRyan - not if you have the right tools and do it yourself...
and as far as the battery is concerned... you can charge it if you can get in the boot... since its positive feed connects with the alternator at the alternator fuse on the engine bulkhead.. so remove the fuse... and connect your positive charge terminal to the passenger side fuse terminal.. and the negative to any convenient good bare chassis point or earth..
the post about the bonnet release is old now... there are many ways to open the bonnet if the cable has broken..
but if you want to buy a new one, and get someone else to fit it... the premise of " expensive" and " easy " depends on your ideas of both..
People don't answer this question on the forum because then thieves know how to get the bonnet open. If you want to know, send me a private message and I'll tell you.
please could you tell me how to open it im at my wits end carnt use the car because i need the bonnet open before i can get it pumped up or would it be easier to join the aa and let them sort it
There is a very easy way to open the bonnet. It involves making a simple tool. Keep my name in your files and if/when yours fails contact me. In the meantime, follow Scarlet Fever post. alternatively, go out to your MG now, raise the bonnet, and look at how the latch is constructed and how it operates.
Hi, I have a similar issue with my ‘97 MGF VVC. I tried to PM the request for help but as a new user it’s not letting me. I understand the solution isn’t posted openly so if someone could send me the solution it would be very much appreciated. Thanks
As a new member, I think you don't have the facility to send private messages until you have reached a minimum post count (I can't recall whether it is 5 posts or 10?).
Once available to you, you need hover your cursor on the user name of the member you wish to contact and click on 'Message' at bottom right of the profile box that pops up.
Or spend 1/2 an hour and take the bumper off (and another 1/2 to put the bumper back on) which is the only way that works (that I have found) if you have aircon. You need to get to the bolts in the jam which is not so easy but possible. I keep nothing of real value in the front.
If you have an aircon, in my experience there is no easy way other than taking off the bumper (you have to get to the 5 (?) bolts in the jam). I have done this twice now and it is a pain in the neck.
The solution is what I did - add a second cable that I can attach to the opening handle in the boot in the event the first cable fails.
PS: It would take a thief at least half an hour to do the above and for what - a used battery and perhaps a spare tyre? I would suggest that anything taking more than 3 minutes is not worth a thief doing.
Hi, can you please let me know how to release my bonnet. The cable must be broken. I need to get in to charge my battery.
Thank you in advance!
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