focus bonnet won't open

kincaid

hi all

I cant get the bonnet open on a 07 focus,

key will turn as should but wont open, maybe due to wear etc...

anyway around this like removing grill but don't want to damage anything else

thanks

biko

Could be the key itself
http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=566501#566501

kincaid

hi, key is fine seems to be the lock itself

corktina

turns both ways....one to unlock , other to open....

Bpmull

Did you turn it to the left and then to the right that's how you open my one anyway.

Hal1

I reackon you need a new bonnet lock kit. http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/ford_focus_mk2_bonnet_lock_cylinder_kit_rhd_f_1343577_c_107.htm


Part Number: 1343577

I know of this problem. Mechanic I seen just used a long flathead screwdriver and it popped open no bother at all. Key and lock weren't working right (could do the left turn to 'pop' the bonnet an inch or two, but couldn't get the right turn to actually open it).

Screwdriver went in, left turn, right turn, and opened with no issue at all. Could be worth a shot.

corktina

IF you ever come back OP, you could try gently pushing down the bonnet whilst trying the lock,

kincaid

ok thanks, will give it a go, definitely its the lock anyway

kincaid

spent a while at this today and no luck at all, not even trying to open, can the grill be easily took out or any other ideas guys

randy hickey

I think maybe you need to look more closely at the link above provided by Biko.

I've heard of this problem before on a tranny, and it was sorted by getting a new key cut.

Just in case you missed it, here's the relevant bit that Biko linked to;

Turns out that with Ford keys as you use it in the ignition the key wears down as well as the ignition barrel. But as I wasn't using it on the doors then the lock barrel on the door wasn't wearing down. Only solution was to get a new key cut to use for unlocking the car.

Stoolbend

The 07 focus key is different to the transit and older focus.

It doesn't really wear like the old key.

johnayo

The barrell is most probably disconnected from the lock. I don't think it's too handy to remove the grille with the bonnet closed without breaking the grille. Here is a link to removing one with bonnet open.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=opzkItGeFhI&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DopzkItGeFhI&gl=GB

kincaid

yes it a completely different key to the old ford ones and wouldn't wear the same so i assume it a faulty lock....
tried everything now so if anyone's got any other ideas let me know please, i don't want to break the grill as its got chrome and expensive

mik_da_man

Exact same thing happened me, it's common enough in the Focus, happens quite easily.
It's not a problem with teh key, it's actually the mechanisim between the key and the catch itself.

This guide should help you:

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/35338-guide-to-fixing-common-focus-bonnet-lock-problem/

You will need a replacement mechanisim, linked by Hal1 above, and a bit of paitence to swap the lock mechanisim from your damaged unit into the new one.

Give me a shout if u have any questions

irelandspurs

Same here key looked fine but it wasn't,i had to use spare key until the wife lost it,now i use a freshly cut one from ford that cost €10.

kincaid

thanks but no luck, looks like i will have to break the grill

Meeoow

I agree with Corktina, push the bonnet down gently above the lock as you are turning the key. It works for my focus.

George Dalton

We had one of these in on Thursday, I tried every trick in the book to no avail and eventually had to unbolt the latch mechanism from underneath the car (very awkward) to get the bonnet open and replace the mechanism.

dar83

Mine broke a few weeks ago and I fixed it after about an hour and half, I'll do a DIY fix guide for it and post it as a new topic now.

It's actually a very straight forward fix without having to break anything, but may involve removing the locking mechanism to sort it out once you get the bonnet open initially.

Edit: New DIY fix topic for it just posted: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056920532

kincaid

George Dalton wrote: »

We had one of these in on Thursday, I tried every trick in the book to no avail and eventually had to unbolt the latch mechanism from underneath the car (very awkward) to get the bonnet open and replace the mechanism.

George, can you explain how to do this as the DIY fix with screwdriver is not working for me

thanks

George Dalton

You have to access the two bolts in the bonnet latch (10mm) from underneath the car and undo them. You may need to unbolt the radiator support bar and move the radiator forward to gain access to the latch bolts depending on your dexterity and pain threshold :pac:

Then you need to move the latch back towards the engine to disconnect it from the faulty part of the mechanism and that will allow the bonnet to open.

It may be worth paying someone else to do it to be honest.

Supergurrier

It's a plastic strip that can come out of place, however when mine went the whole inside of the locking mechanism (it's made of plastic) was cracked and broken.

About a 150 quid fix

As dar said though sometimes its just the little plastic clip that has come loose or fallen out of place

renofan

It broke on my Wife's Focus too, the part is actually plastic! I have a Haynes Manual and looked it up how to take the grill off, so I got a flat screwdriver and a towel and forced the screwdriver under the bonnet and lifted the plastic screws holding the grill and popped the grill out. Left the grill out and used a pliers to open the bonnet until Ford got the part for me. It's a common problem OP but the new part I got is metal so at least it's remedied now.

kincaid

renofan wrote: »

It broke on my Wife's Focus too, the part is actually plastic! I have a Haynes Manual and looked it up how to take the grill off, so I got a flat screwdriver and a towel and forced the screwdriver under the bonnet and lifted the plastic screws holding the grill and popped the grill out. Left the grill out and used a pliers to open the bonnet until Ford got the part for me. It's a common problem OP but the new part I got is metal so at least it's remedied now.

hi, how did you open the bonnet with pliers, i done this and the barrel and cable and white plug pulled out completely leaving a 7 inch piece of wire left