Help! Can't get my C5 bonnet open

[Peter.N.]

Left the car standing for a few weeks, battery flat, can't open the bonnet. The bonnet pull has got some resistance but it only feels as though it is against a spring it certainly isn't releasing. Can anyone help me get in without destroying the front of the car. It's a Mk1.

Thanks

Peter

[jgra1]

Give it some welly Peter? Or push down while some one operates the release ? I can look at mine later if that helps.

[Peter.N.]

OK thanks, I will try that but there is nobody here to help at there moment.

Peter

[Paul-R]

I found I had to slap the top of the bonnet on the Xsara to help as I tugged on the release handle. Later I took the cable off and dribbled oil down it so I don't have to do that any more.

[GiveMeABreak]

Or a good blast of WD40 into the mechanism?

[Peter.N.]

Thanks all for your suggestions, I have now got it open, I got my son to push the bonnet up and down while I pulled the lever and it worked! Unlike my 406 with the immobiliser light on which wont start.

Peter

[lexi]

Is this C5 still in limp mode?

[Peter.N.]

No, it was OK before I stopped using it except for dying on you when you put your foot down to overtake, now I have put another battery on it and it wont start at all. That's two of them.

Peter

[jgra1]

Did you manage to get the lexia working Peter?
Good re bonnet
John

[Peter.N.]

No, I don't have it at the moment John, I think its somewhere in Taunton, I gave it to someone a long time ago, with a laptop and he was going to install it for me, I had been unable to, he had the same problem and said it was the laptop that was at fault not the Lexia, I did have it running some years ago on another one. I was going to take my other, better laptop to him but its one of those many things I never got round to, since then he has moved. I sent him and email asking if he could help me out but have not heard back from him yet.

I have never had occasion to use the Lexia on the C5s or 406s I have always been able to sort them out without it - until now.

Peter

[falling-out-with-my-car]

for extra protection of Bonnet catches and cables I always use spray copper grease available at B&Q.

[Peter.N.]

Yes I shall lubricate it well before I shut it properly. Fitted another battery and did a BSI reset but it still won't start. I don't think this battery is turning it over fast enough though. The engine warning light is on but that could mean anything.

Three cars outside and only one of them goes, the other two were fine before I left them standing for a few weeks - let that be a lesson to me.

Peter

[Hell Razor5543]

It could be the starter motor. I remember helping Northern Mike with his Berlingo, and with the old starter motor it turned over quite slowly, but the new one spun the engine up smartly.

[Peter.N.]

Had considered that but its turning over reasonably fast, certainly sounds as fast as it was before.

Peter