Bonnet won't open!

[MGAnnie]

Hi, rescued a 51 MGF from a farm, bit of a sorry state but like a challenge :0 The bonnet won't open, tried the usual, bouncing bonnet etc but won't budge. Saw the MG stand at the Kop Hill climb at the weekend & they could not help other than come onto the forum for the trick (apart from cutting the cable). So here I am. Can someone help, please?

[MGAnnie]

I realise this is a security issue & will follow the Forums guidelines.

[adrianclifford]

Annie, cutting the cable will not resolve the issue. It's probably due to the fact that not many people ever lubricate the release mechanism and it gets wet and rusty, hence the cable either snaps or just won't release. No amount of bouncing up and down will release it once it's seized.

[MGAnnie]

Thank you. If there is no solution I am afraid I will have to scrap her & that will be a shame

[Plezier]

Of course there is a solution just no allowed to tell how it can be achieved on open forums. Due to even proper garages not servicing the latches this is not n uncommon happening I am afraid. One of the first things I did when the Green VVC now named "Elsie" arrived was to clean and lubricate the bonnet catch.

[cath's mg]

Hi Annie, sorry to hear about your problems.

If you don't get any joy/help from someone local, then if you can get your car to Cheshunt Herts, ill have a go for you.

I have come across similar situations with cars at the breakers, if the cable has not snapped I can usually open the bonnet. If it has then there are other ways.

Good Luck

Gary

[MGAnnie]

Thanks Gary, I may well take you up on that, trouble is the battery is as flat as a pancake! May have to cut the grill out. Annie

[Plezier]

PM sent. Hope it's help full.

[Geoff.F]

I have not looked at it myself however as there is a direct cable to the starter motor, has anyone tried attaching a charger or for that matter jump leads direct to the starter terminal.
Geoff.F

[adrianclifford]

If you have AA/RAC breakdown cover or Home Start they will get in without damage.

[mgfsoldier]

I have not looked at it myself however as there is a direct cable to the starter motor, has anyone tried attaching a charger or for that matter jump leads direct to the starter terminal.
Geoff.F

Strange you should mention it but tried it the other day and nothing at all happened was a pig to get to it as well. I'm guessing as the ecu etc isn't getting power it just doesn't work. I did find stacking 2 alloys on the bonnet held it down enough to allow me to pull the cable enough to free it off in the end on my F.

[talkingcars]

If you have AA/RAC breakdown cover or Home Start they will get in without damage.

They don't work on untaxed cars, not sure how they will tell after Wednesday but that's another story.

[talkingcars]

I have not looked at it myself however as there is a direct cable to the starter motor, has anyone tried attaching a charger or for that matter jump leads direct to the starter terminal.
Geoff.F

You can get chargers that plug into the cigar lighter socket.
I have a Halfords battery pack starter which works on cars with more than 2 volts in the battery, below that charge it was supplied with a lead to plug into the cigar lighter to get a bit of charge in.

I guess you could get charge to the battery by connecting to the HT lead on the alternator and to earth on the body.

[adrianclifford]

If you have AA/RAC breakdown cover or Home Start they will get in without damage.

They don't work on untaxed cars, not sure how they will tell after Wednesday but that's another story.

Didn't realise it was untaxed, that's a good point there.

[Geoff.F]

Strange you should mention it but tried it the other day and nothing at all happened was a pig to get to it as well. I'm guessing as the ecu etc isn't getting power it just doesn't work. I did find stacking 2 alloys on the bonnet held it down enough to allow me to pull the cable enough to free it off in the end on my F.

Without looking at the car, the wiring diagram shows a direct feed to the starter and a second EEC feed to the solenoid. viz. this cable is connected direct to the battery terminal with no EEC effect.

I have not looked at it myself however as there is a direct cable to the starter motor, has anyone tried attaching a charger or for that matter jump leads direct to the starter terminal.
Geoff.F

You can get chargers that plug into the cigar lighter socket.
I have a Halfords battery pack starter which works on cars with more than 2 volts in the battery, below that charge it was supplied with a lead to plug into the cigar lighter to get a bit of charge in.

I guess you could get charge to the battery by connecting to the HT lead on the alternator and to earth on the body.

Yes, but "F"s require the Ignition ON to power the Cigar Lighter. Later "TF"s are hot live.
No battery power, no cigar lighter, no charge ???
Not sure if connecting to the alternator could destroy the charging circuit.Too expensive to try.
Geoff F

[MGAnnie]

I have not looked at it myself however as there is a direct cable to the starter motor, has anyone tried attaching a charger or for that matter jump leads direct to the starter terminal.
Geoff.F

Strange you should mention it but tried it the other day and nothing at all happened was a pig to get to it as well. I'm guessing as the ecu etc isn't getting power it just doesn't work. I did find stacking 2 alloys on the bonnet held it down enough to allow me to pull the cable enough to free it off in the end on my F.

Ooo that sounds like worth trying. A

[talkingcars]

You can get chargers that plug into the cigar lighter socket.
I have a Halfords battery pack starter which works on cars with more than 2 volts in the battery, below that charge it was supplied with a lead to plug into the cigar lighter to get a bit of charge in.

Yes, but "F"s require the Ignition ON to power the Cigar Lighter. Later "TF"s are hot live.
No battery power, no cigar lighter, no charge ???
Geoff F

Simple, put key in ignition, turn key to 2.

[Geoff.F]

You can get chargers that plug into the cigar lighter socket.
I have a Halfords battery pack starter which works on cars with more than 2 volts in the battery, below that charge it was supplied with a lead to plug into the cigar lighter to get a bit of charge in.

Yes, but "F"s require the Ignition ON to power the Cigar Lighter. Later "TF"s are hot live.
No battery power, no cigar lighter, no charge ???
Geoff F

Simple, put key in ignition, turn key to 2.

Not sure if this would Cook the Electronics or not, I will let you try it.
Geoff F.

[Bazza]

Thank you. If there is no solution I am afraid I will have to scrap her & that will be a shame

Scrap it....just 'cos you can't open the bonnet ??....that's drastic !!

[talkingcars]

Simple, put key in ignition, turn key to 2.

Not sure if this would Cook the Electronics or not, I will let you try it.
Geoff F.

It is a bit technical isn't it.