Xantia bonnet release is broken; how do I spring it?

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jonathan_dyane
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Xantia bonnet release is broken; how do I spring it?

Post by jonathan_dyane »

My bonnet release seems to have failed which is rather irritating and I can no longer open my bonnet. The cable within the car feels slack, so I suspect the fault lies under the bonnet.

Has anyone been here before, because I'd love some guidance before I start ripping things off to try and get the thing open. The car has the first grille with chevrons on the bonnet if that makes a difference.
Jonathan
1986 Mercedes Benz 190D 2.5
1979 GS 1220 Club Estate awaiting more welding
1952 David Brown 30D awaiting new liners
andmcit
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Post by andmcit »

Hi Jonathan,

the cable does sound stretched but I'd still persevere trying to lever the
current bonnet release as they sometimes need a good tug and even to
the point where it feels about to snap. The catch is well protected from
leverage and devious means and there's no real quick fix even should
you remove the wheel and try tackling the engine bay from the wheelarch
with the liner removed.

I recall other past Citroen models having a long rod strategically fed into
the bowels of the grille/engine bay and a hot spot is tipped to pop the
bonnet but I believe the Xantia is from an era of paranoid protection.

I'll have a quick looksee into the engine bay of one of mine to see if I can
determine potential avenues of attack as it's something that you obviously
aren't able to do yourself and we'll see if there's any good news!

ttfn,
Andrew
andmcit
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Post by andmcit »

The design is similar to a GS although a joint on the cable sits above the
passenger headlight whereas the G has one on the inner wing.

This release cable runs around from the nearside inner wing round above
the passenger side headlamp and is braced onto a shoulder moulded into
the back of the light where the inner release cable is then fed onto one of
two catches siameased together by a solid rod.

Access to any part of this from the outside past a closed bonnet DOES look
very challenging. The only point I can see is the marginal gap between the
passenger light and the grill but there isn't a direct route to the cable. I'm
not sure if in desperation a chunk of the grill would need breaking away
which sounds totally drastic and faintly ridiculous...

what colour is your Xantia as a green one is currently on ebay!!? Unless the
car is a non runner and/or needs a battery at least you could admit defeat
and drive it to a specialist who may have seen this before and even have
the hint book written by Citroen and kept secret!!

Unless your inner cable has snapped which I would be surprised to see,
the best course of action is to try and jostle the cable whilst an assistant
tries springing the nose of the bonnet to release the pressure on the catch
whilst the cable is being pulled - I've seen this work on a GS.

Andrew
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Post by vince »

From what ive been told you have to get in through smashing the grill or removing the bumper if thats possible.

Good luck
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andmcit
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Post by andmcit »

This appears to be the point of attack as everything beyond is it substantial
and well packed in. The cable enters a gap between the headlight and the
fan panel and it's outer sheath is braced onto a shoulder on the light.

The inner cable just seen in the picture then runs across about another
1" from the rusty bracket and tugs a vertical metal tab that is joined onto
the catch seen above on the striker panel.

Image

The gap between the light and grill looks hopeful BUT the grille has an inner
shoulder that prevents any direct access to the release cable or lever.

I'd suggest if the inner cable has stretched it'll need renewal anyhow so you
may as well grab it with molegrips etc and tug it for all it's worth to operate
the mechanism to open the bonnet.

Andrew
jonathan_dyane
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Post by jonathan_dyane »

Thanks very much for all the advice, and particularly to Andrew for the photos and info. I am fortunate in that I discovered a Xantia of the same colour in a local scrapyard yesterday, so no problem getting another grille :-) I shall call in at a local Citroen specialist for advice, but failing that the mode of attack I may try is to break the grille by the headlamp, loop some strong yet thin cord I have around the cable inner, then lead it over the headlamp so it is exiting 'twixt the bonnet and N/S wing and give a good pull. I have already tried the pull hard and jiggle bonnet method to little or no avail...
Jonathan
1986 Mercedes Benz 190D 2.5
1979 GS 1220 Club Estate awaiting more welding
1952 David Brown 30D awaiting new liners
vince
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Post by vince »

Good luck buddy, let us know how you get on....in case it happens to us one day :)
1993 Citroen xm 2.1td, silver/grey, bowling ball wheel trims, 210k and climbing...
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Post by addo »

You can't just smash the grille and get in. It's all tucked behind the radiator support panel, too.
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Post by admiral51 »

Someone on this forum has had to do the same thing recently just cant remember who the blazes it was.Convinced they even added an extra "emergengy" release cable that was accesed via the n/s/f wheel arch :oops: :oops:

Colin
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Post by CitroJim »

admiral51 wrote:Someone on this forum has had to do the same thing recently just cant remember who the blazes it was.
Nor me Colin but I do recall now you come to say about it :(

I had a look through the Laser manual pages and any likely "Info Rapides" this eveing to see if there is any "official" procedure but sadly drew a blank :cry:

The nearest I could find is how and where to drill an early MK1 bonnet to fit the chevrons...
Jim

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Post by addo »

I think it's quite do-able on a hoist and with a cool motor. You'd reach into the engine bay and grasp the cable terminus with long electrician's pliers.
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Post by admiral51 »

Seek and you shall find :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
This is the Broken Bonnet Release Catch Link

The fix is for a series 2 but im hoping it helps :) :)

Colin
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Post by CitroJim »

admiral51 wrote:Seek and you shall find :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Well done Colin :D
Jim

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jonathan_dyane
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Post by jonathan_dyane »

Many thanks to all, delighted to report that my bonnet is now open-able :D

I first removed the bumper, then smashed off the clip that retains the intake horn, and pushed that downward. Alas my hand was too large to enter, so I smashed a piece out of the fibre front panel where the opening to the intake horn sits, ans so was able to insert my hand and pull on the cable where it passes by the battery.

It turned out that the reason for the lack of opening was a combination of the outer of the small section of cable from the catches to the battery area having collapsed, and also the area into which the outer clips in the same region having broken. My repair was to cut another slot in the plastic, and hopefully together with a retaining cable tie and a new outer to the lower cable all will be well.

Sodding heater matrix has started leaking but :evil: better buy some magic crap to clog that all up tomorrow...
Jonathan
1986 Mercedes Benz 190D 2.5
1979 GS 1220 Club Estate awaiting more welding
1952 David Brown 30D awaiting new liners
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