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lac

Member Since: 29 Jan 2023
Location: Moray
Posts: 38

Bonnet release mechanism

Went to pop the bonnet the other day to top up windscreen wash and it failed to release. Bonnet release catch felt “spongy” and moved to the top of travel but no release. It has always felt spongy from new and only ever released at the top of the catch’s travel but didn’t think anymore about it. Obviously that was a mistake on my part!
Any one else had issues or suggest a quick fix although I feel a trip to the dealers will be on the cards. 110 D300 XD HSE, Carpathian, Tow pack. Air Susp pack, cold pack, hud,

5th Dec 2023 9:16pm

geobloke

Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

Pop around the front and give the top of the bonnet a good sharp push down then re-try the mechanism. I suspect it is pretty chilly up with you and things can get stiff in the cold.

5th Dec 2023 9:56pm

Hairy Dan

Member Since: 25 Apr 2013
Location: NW Durham
Posts: 1415

1998 Defender 90 V8 Petrol 50th Auto Chawton White

Yes mine was like this, it started off with just it failing to open on one or two occasions but steadily got worse. I asked them to have a look when it was in for service and they said they adjusted the mechanism and lubricated it and it has been fine ever since

Cheers Ian
--------------------
22MY Defender 110 D200 SE, Fuji White.
Kielder 4x4 Safari
Instagram @defender_v8

6th Dec 2023 12:49am

lac

Member Since: 29 Jan 2023
Location: Moray
Posts: 38

Cheers guys.

Hairy Dan sounds like you had the same issue as I’m experiencing.

Annoyingly the car was just in at the dealers for the 2 software updates and it was the day after I tried to open it when it failed. Hopefully the washer level light will stay off till I can get into the dealers 110 D300 XD HSE, Carpathian, Tow pack. Air Susp pack, cold pack, hud,

6th Dec 2023 5:20am

Nuclear Nick

Member Since: 21 Aug 2021
Location: Southwest
Posts: 284

Mine did this too. Get someone to hold the lever up fully, or wedge it up, while you give a sharp press down on the front of the bonnet. That worked for me until the first service when they tried adjusting the cable but that only worked for a short time. In the meantime they'd ordered a new cable, which was on back order of course, but once fitted has fixed the problem so far.

6th Dec 2023 5:50am

lac

Member Since: 29 Jan 2023
Location: Moray
Posts: 38

Cheers for the tip geobloke and Nuclear Nick. Has been a bit icy up here but think it’s more needing adjusting or replaced. Will get the wife to try as I’m away till January now. Baa humbug! 110 D300 XD HSE, Carpathian, Tow pack. Air Susp pack, cold pack, hud,

6th Dec 2023 9:56am

LR Nuts

Member Since: 10 Aug 2022
Location: UK
Posts: 1119

just checked mine, popped open nicely.

Only downside was as I lifted the bonnet, water trickled out between the two skids and dribbled water over the plastic engine cover. In total about an egg cup full.

I am hoping this is heavy condensation built up over the couple of days I have not used the car. ??

6th Dec 2023 11:34am

Retroanaconda

Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2647

Cables stretch - it’s a known fault.

6th Dec 2023 6:58pm

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2777

Old habits die hard

As a previous owner of old Defenders l greased all these mechanisms when l got the new one. They were all dry, as in, no oil or grease on them.

The bonnet/hood release on mine works beautifully. To get to the catches properly you need to remove the cover from the front of the engine bay but it doesn't take more than a few minutes.

7th Dec 2023 11:25am

Nuclear Nick

Member Since: 21 Aug 2021
Location: Southwest
Posts: 284

Retroanaconda wrote:
Cables stretch - it’s a known fault.

Yes they can, but I’ve never had this fault with any other car, and this happened to my Defender only a couple of months after delivery. And strangely, adjustment made little or no difference so replacement seemed to be the only option on a car less than a year old having had the bonnet opened only a few times.

9th Dec 2023 9:05pm

Nuclear Nick

Member Since: 21 Aug 2021
Location: Southwest
Posts: 284

lightning wrote:
Old habits die hard

As a previous owner of old Defenders l greased all these mechanisms when l got the new one. They were all dry, as in, no oil or grease on them.

The bonnet/hood release on mine works beautifully. To get to the catches properly you need to remove the cover from the front of the engine bay but it doesn't take more than a few minutes.

I did this too when the car was new but the cable still stretched and had to be replaced.

9th Dec 2023 9:07pm

Retroanaconda

Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2647

Nuclear Nick wrote:
Retroanaconda wrote:
Cables stretch - it’s a known fault.

Yes they can, but I’ve never had this fault with any other car, and this happened to my Defender only a couple of months after delivery. And strangely, adjustment made little or no difference so replacement seemed to be the only option on a car less than a year old having had the bonnet opened only a few times.

As I said, it’s a known fault. The cables are cheap rubbish quality and stretch, once adjusted they soon stretch more and will eventually snap. It’s been a known problem on Land Rovers for years.

9th Dec 2023 9:47pm

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