NCT question - opening bonnet for NCT

Bronco Bullfrog

Hello,

just a question regarding the NCT Test. The bonnet release cable on my car has stopped working. I have had a tricky job trying to find parts for it. It is a Skoda Felicia from 1998. Local Skoda dealer tells me parts now either hit & miss or completely discontinued & can't even be got from Czech Republic.

I managed to get release cable from Ebay delivered from Latvia. Gave it to a mechanic I know but he reckoned the parts were wrong, as there is a little ball on one end of cable which attaches to bonnet lock, but nothing at other end of cable to attach to the little handle to pull inside car. Local Skoda dealer confirmed parts are correct but a small clamp is needed to attach cable to Bonnet lock, & that the little ball end of cable attaches to pull-handle. This clamp no longer available through dealer and can't find anywhere online.
I'm not sure dealer is correct or familiar with the car, his advice is at odds as on my car there is a little ball that attaches cable to bonnet lock, not a clamp.

There seems to be a pin x 10 pieces available online (also from Latvia) to attach cable to pull-handle inside the car, but it just seems like a small cylinder.
Here is a link, if you scroll down there is an exploded diagram of bonnet parts.

The pin is part no.12 on diagram (don't understand why in 10 pieces?)

I have part no.16 (cable) & part no.14 ( pull cable guide assembly - outer sleeve / tube for cable).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-SKODA-VW-105-20-Garde-Favorit-Form-Pickup-pin-x10-pcs-N0137602-/143294260917

I will send off for the pin from Latvia if needed.
But long story short the bonnet will open with a mole grip attached to the stripped cable wire inside the car. Will this suffice for NCT Test? The bonnet will open, just needs a good two-handed yank with the mole grip. I can't see anything on the NCT manual regarding this, but its obviously a fail if bonnet won't open, but it will open with the mole grip, will this do for the test?

Would be grateful if anyone could advise on any of the above, cheers.

biko

I'd say it's a fail but it's really up to the tester

https://www.rsa.ie/Documents/NCT/New%202018/NCT%20Manual%202018.pdf

Check that the bonnet and boot lid catches are operating properly. In the case of front opening bonnets, ensure that the safety catch is fitted and operating properly.

Bonnet or boot catches
(a) Defective. MaD
(b) Bonnet catch defective and safety catch missing. DD

a is Major defects (MaD)
b is Dangerous defects (DD)

Stoolbend

I think it'll pass once it can be opened and the catch works correctly.

newmember2

Stoolbend wrote: »

I think it'll pass once it can be opened and the catch works correctly.

Yes...and stays closed when closed.

Car99

Let the bonnet on the safety catch only after you park up at the NCT test centre. Explain to the tester why its popped . They can then close it shut when they're done. If they do fail you for it the retest will be just a quick check and who knows you might have to come back for something else anyways.

For a replacement start ringing round the breakers or try the skoda owners clubs.

two wheels good

Wouldn't the vice grips solution be acceptable? If you don't leave the vice grips attached then it won't be a "trip hazard".

Emergency cable repair kits are available. Try a motorbike shop/supplier. Basically a nipple with a screw to clamp the cable and/or extend it.

Or improvising a repair- if you have enough exposed cable.
a cable u-clamp in place of a nipple, or the internal brass bit from an electrical block connector or a pin from a 3-pin plug. Just guessing, no link to diagram

Mad_Mike

Grab yourself some wire rope fittings like these and get whatever suits the size best at the bonnet end and fold it over on itself




[EDIT]I see this company do them here in Ireland also[/EDIT]

Bronco Bullfrog

Mad_Mike wrote: »

Grab yourself some wire rope fittings like these and get whatever suits the size best at the bonnet end and fold it over on itself




[EDIT]I see this company do them here in Ireland also[/EDIT]

Thanks very much great information. Those aluminium ferrules are exactly what I need for a clamp. Folding the cable and clamping it with the ferrule is how the Skoda dealer described it, only Skoda part for small clamp no longer available. I will try your suggestion. Cheers!

Bronco Bullfrog

two wheels good wrote: »

Wouldn't the vice grips solution be acceptable? If you don't leave the vice grips attached then it won't be a "trip hazard".

Emergency cable repair kits are available. Try a motorbike shop/supplier. Basically a nipple with a screw to clamp the cable and/or extend it.

Or improvising a repair- if you have enough exposed cable.
a cable u-clamp in place of a nipple, or the internal brass bit from an electrical block connector or a pin from a 3-pin plug. Just guessing, no link to diagram

Thanks very much those are great suggestions.Much appreciated, I'm sure a solution can be found.

Bronco Bullfrog

Car99 wrote: »

Let the bonnet on the safety catch only after you park up at the NCT test centre. Explain to the tester why its popped . They can then close it shut when they're done. If they do fail you for it the retest will be just a quick check and who knows you might have to come back for something else anyways.

For a replacement start ringing round the breakers or try the skoda owners clubs.

Thank you, good suggestion. Much appreciated, I think I will have a word with my local test centre and suggest your idea, see what they say. if I can't locate or somehow fashion a part, I will try this, cheers!