bonnet pull handle

[mano]

Hi there, picked my new car up today and was having trouble gettingthe bonnet open, it wasn't realising no matter how hard I pulled. Then it was working and shut fine. Couple hours later wanted to top up the washer jets and it opened with a more than 'should' need pull, is much looser and slack than my old car and now the bloody bonnet won't shut, won't lock down

Going to try tighten the cable, any advice? Or anybody no the cause? Cheers

[Jungle_Faced_Jake]

When I first got mine I noticed the same thing, it felt too stiff and the handle felt loose. I think this is common on Mk5's. If you give it a short sharp tug it should open. It's a good idea to make sure that the catch on the bonnet itself is well greased as these have been know to cease up. To shut the bonnet I find that if you hold it a few inches above being shut and push it firmly down that does the trick.

[h4rdy]

It will probably be the catch, not the handle, all corroded and crudded up.

This makes it hard to release.

I snapped the small tab on the cable support for that handle which was a nightmare, so be careful how hard you pull!

You have also found the secondary effect which is the bonnet now won't close!

And the third a loose cable because the catch is stuck in the open position.

You will need a new catch I am afraid which is about £25.

I tried to degrease and regrease mine once cleaned but its a lost cause.

The design of the bonnet and little need to open the bonnet nowadays causes the rain and crap to go up underneath.

[mano]

Tried that mate, lubed up loads and the problem now is it won't shut. Going to take it all apart tmoz just wonderd if anybody else had the same trouble.

[h4rdy]

Oh and when you fit the new one make sure you put loads, and I mean loads, of copperslip on the catch.

[mano]

Oh right cheers hardy, I've still got my old gti so I'll take the one off that. New it was the catch so didn't no if I could just tighten. Its lubed up atm so I'll have a dabble in the morning

[h4rdy]

Not sure if you saw this, just my other reply?

There does not appear to be any adjustment in the catch, but when mine went the corrosion was immense.

It will probably be the catch, not the handle, all corroded and crudded up.

This makes it hard to release.

I snapped the small tab on the cable support for that handle which was a nightmare, so be careful how hard you pull!

You have also found the secondary effect which is the bonnet now won't close!

And the third a loose cable because the catch is stuck in the open position.

You will need a new catch I am afraid which is about £25.

I tried to degrease and regrease mine once cleaned but its a lost cause.

The design of the bonnet and little need to open the bonnet nowadays causes the rain and crap to go up underneath.

[mano]

Did you need a new cable also?

[Little_Dave]

On another note be careful forcing the bonnet shut or dropping it from a height as the bonnet sensor, that is linked to the alarm system telling it the bonnet is shut, is a bit fragile and makes the alarm spaz out if it breaks  an easy and cheap fix if it does go but not funny when your car is going off all night trying to reset itself 

Dave