Seized Xantia 2 bonnet cable

[handyman]

As the title says, in my efforts to get the S2 V6 back on the road, I needed to access under the bonnet.

Lo & behold, when the lever under the dash is pulled, sweet FA happens to the bonnet release. Its not unclipped as it was working well a little while ago, so I'm assuming its seized.

I know on a MK1 its possible to fiddle around in the grill & get the cable to release. Not so sure on my S2, so if anybody has a get around, I'd appretiate it, PDQ.

I'd hasten to add, please send me a PM as I dont want this info to be on the Forum for all to see.

[Paulmi16]

Have you tried pushing down on the bonnet, whilst someone else pulls the lever?

[Stickyfinger]

Have you tried pushing down on the bonnet, whilst someone else pulls the lever?

[handyman]

Yes, first thing I tried with my unwilling helper, to no avail.

[CitroJim]

H, I'll have a close look at my S2 this morning and see if there’s a way of getting to the release mechanism via the grille or from underneath...

I'll be all over mine like a rash as I'm doing the cambelt...

[handyman]

Hi Jim, I had hoped you would show up. If anybody knows how to, its got to be you!

I did wonder if the cable runs through the inner wing so I could give it a tug from there. I'm always mindful of how fragile that plastic release handle is in the dash. I did have a problem years ago with a Mk1 but cant remember how we solved it in the end, save that the release cable was modified to exit out to the grill, but Mk1 grills are different to S2s.

I'll await your prognosis.

H

[KennyW]

Handyman,

I opened mine by going underneath, reaching up and pulling on the cable to open. It's at the passenger side beside the rad, there is a small portion of the cable accessible.. Once opened I put cable tie on it prior to fixing the cable. Sometimes the cable and the outer sheath rust together preventing the cable moving inside.

I hope this helps.

Kenny

[CitroJim]

Kenny, you beat me to it

[RichardW]

There's never anything new on Xantias these days....

https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... hp?t=25552
https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... hp?t=26547

[handyman]

Success! After rattling the bonnet for a couple of minutes and gently increasing the tension on the plastic bonnet release handle, the bonnet eventually let go. I was almost at the point where I thought the handle was going to shear.

I did a search for info, before posting up, as like RichardW said, there is nuffin on Xantias that hasn't been done before. Surprised that the search came back with lots of posts, all irrelevant & mostly about seized handbrake cables. What were your keywords for the search?

Looking forward to doing Mandrakes mod on the pressure regulator. Bosch unit on order.

Thanks for the support.

H