Mondeo Bonnet - Opening - help!

cjmcork

I have an 07 old model mondeo - the bonnet opens when the key is stuck into the lock under the Ford symbol, but while the key turns, it won't unlatch the bloody bonnet......have checked the manual and it appears to be the only way to unlock the bonnet............any useful tips gratefully received (i have no mechanical skills, etc...........fyi, so talk of ramps, etc is no good sadly)

spiggotpaddy

Try using the spare key. The key gets worn, along with the ignition barrel, but the bonnet lock barrel remains like new from infrequent use, unless you have one of those 1.8 petrol engines, that have you under the lid every other day .

Tigger

cjmcork wrote: »

I have an 07 old model mondeo - the bonnet opens when the key is stuck into the lock under the Ford symbol, but while the key turns, it won't unlatch the bloody bonnet......have checked the manual and it appears to be the only way to unlock the bonnet............any useful tips gratefully received (i have no mechanical skills, etc...........fyi, so talk of ramps, etc is no good sadly)

turn it anti clockwise then clockwise

hellyeah

as above^. Turn fully to the left then fully to the right. Tricky first time
doing this, but easy when you know how.:D

OldmanMondeo

Try also p[lacing a small bit of pressure on the bonnet when turning the key.

john reilly

try pushing down on bonnet. turn anticlockwise hold it there and try lifting then. can you feel any resistance when turning key

cjmcork

jiggled the key - got it working again - thanks for all the responses!!!

lifer_sean

Bonnet lock can wear on these, then they are a right pain to open. If your key is worn it might be a good idea to get a new key. If its one with the remote locking, then all the electronics stays in the remote locking part (including the immobiliser) and the "mechanical" part of the key is quite cheap with the main dealer (15-20 euro). Could save you trouble later.

Last one of these I had, I ended up breaking off the grille to get at the lock to get the bonnet open.

E30i

Same thing happened to me. Real pain to open. Don't assume it is sorted OP. If the plastic shaft is worn the key may turn the lock but won't unlock the catch.

Best to sort out when you have the bonnet open as otherwise you may have to break the grille as another poster said.

I ended up taking the lock mechinism off with an angle grinder and taking it off. Sounds drastic I know but it does mean that you can stick a long flat blade screwdriver directly in and turn this in the same direction as the key to unlock the catch. The alternative is to buy a new lock etc and approx €200 that may break again as it is only a plastic shaft.

Note I called out to the NCT before doing this and confirmed that this would not be a fail, which they said it wasn't as long as the 2 stage latch was working.

lifer_sean

E30i wrote: »

Note I called out to the NCT before doing this and confirmed that this would not be a fail, which they said it wasn't as long as the 2 stage latch was working.

They failed me on the NCT for this. I had lock mechanism removed and provided them with a screwdriver to open it, but they failed me on the basis that an emergency crew wouldn't be able to open the bonnet in case of an accident etc, for example to disconnect the battery.

@op, if it's the plastic shaft that's worn/broken on yours, I can give you one. However, it's usually the lock itself and/or the key that wears. The lock itself is fairly expensive, I think 70-80 euro, but at least the Ford dealer will set up the lock for the same key as the rest of the car.

Also, if you are getting a secondhand lock, it needs to be from a facelifted one, I think 03 onwards. The locks are a different length. The one from a 01/02 is shorter and doesn't come out as far as the grille, so with the grille in place the key won't reach in far enough.

E30i

lifer_sean wrote: »

They failed me on the NCT for this. I had lock mechanism removed and provided them with a screwdriver to open it, but they failed me on the basis that an emergency crew wouldn't be able to open the bonnet in case of an accident etc, for example to disconnect the battery.

@op, if it's the plastic shaft that's worn/broken on yours, I can give you one. However, it's usually the lock itself and/or the key that wears. The lock itself is fairly expensive, I think 70-80 euro, but at least the Ford dealer will set up the lock for the same key as the rest of the car.

Also, if you are getting a secondhand lock, it needs to be from a facelifted one, I think 03 onwards. The locks are a different length. The one from a 01/02 is shorter and doesn't come out as far as the grille, so with the grille in place the key won't reach in far enough.

I can confirm I passed the NCT with the screwdriver method. I mentioned to them at the test that I had checked beforehand and provided them with a screwdriver also.

lifer_sean

E30i wrote: »

I can confirm I passed the NCT with the screwdriver method. I mentioned to them at the test that I had checked beforehand and provided them with a screwdriver also.

Obviously depends on which NCT test centre you go to !!!

Sounds like I should have gone to a different one !!!

L-M

i got a 01 Mondeo for free before because the bonnet wouldn't open.

Pulled off the grill and stuck a long philips head in and popped it.

john reilly

lifer_sean wrote: »

They failed me on the NCT for this. I had lock mechanism removed and provided them with a screwdriver to open it, but they failed me on the basis that an emergency crew wouldn't be able to open the bonnet in case of an accident etc, for example to disconnect the battery.

@op, if it's the plastic shaft that's worn/broken on yours, I can give you one. However, it's usually the lock itself and/or the key that wears. The lock itself is fairly expensive, I think 70-80 euro, but at least the Ford dealer will set up the lock for the same key as the rest of the car.

Also, if you are getting a secondhand lock, it needs to be from a facelifted one, I think 03 onwards. The locks are a different length. The one from a 01/02 is shorter and doesn't come out as far as the grille, so with the grille in place the key won't reach in far enough.

surely its the bit of plastic that is a different lenght.

john reilly

lifer_sean wrote: »

Obviously depends on which NCT test centre you go to !!!

Sounds like I should have gone to a different one !!!

are you should have stood your ground

lifer_sean

john reilly wrote: »

surely its the bit of plastic that is a different lenght.

The plastic rod is a different length, but the lock is different also. In one case the lock outher surface is almost flush with the mounting flange, in the other it's about 8-10mm out.

Took me three trips to the breakers to get the right one.

Re. lock and NCT, at least it was only a visual, and I had to go back for tyres to be re-checked anyway !

L-M

lifer_sean wrote: »

They failed me on the NCT for this. I had lock mechanism removed and provided them with a screwdriver to open it, but they failed me on the basis that an emergency crew wouldn't be able to open the bonnet in case of an accident etc, for example to disconnect the battery.

That's a bit flawed. The new keyless entry and start Focus you don't have to take your key out of your pocket. But you do need the key to open the bonnet.

So in the event of an accident, what are they going to do, lie the driver out and check his pockets for the key?

Maybe the whole system of the lock is flawed.

lifer_sean

Limerick man wrote: »

That's a bit flawed. The new keyless entry and start Focus you don't have to take your key out of your pocket. But you do need the key to open the bonnet.

So in the event of an accident, what are they going to do, lie the driver out and check his pockets for the key?

Maybe the whole system of the lock is flawed.

Agreed, but didn't think it would be productive to argue with NCT staff, I wouldn't win in the long run !

You are right, that Ford bonnet locking system is a bit daft. Interesting to note that they reverted back to a standard cable approach on the newer Mondeos, but managed to make a mess of that too ... the cables give trouble. How come every other car manufacturer can get the bonnet lock right without any drama ?