Ford Focus 08 Bonnet won't open.

Sugarlumps · 01-10-2023 12:35PM #1

Got the car serviced around 3 weeks ago, never had an issue with the bonnet. Went to open it this morning, no dice. Going for its NCT next weekend, is there a quick way this fix this issue please.

chicorytip · 01-10-2023 01:46PM

There's a cable which releases the opening mechanism when you turn the key in the lock. This can break. It's a bad design. As to how to solve the issue, go back to your mechanic. He should have the tools available to get it open at least. Then you can see what the exact problem is and if anything is broken and needs replacing. If he can't manage it a professional locksmith might be required. Lock Doctor are experts in the area of automotive locking.

Slightly Kwackers · 01-10-2023 02:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058316291/ford-focus-08-bonnet-wont-open

If you are lucky and get it open, lubrication may work.

Mine gave trouble for some time before failing in the locked position.

Replacing the locking mech was quite expensive and took an entire afternoon if I recall.

Mine was later than 08, but the Focus range all seem to have the same mech.

For me the problem was progressive and spending a few minutes rotating the key and pushing down on the bonnet would free it up. Lubrication did help, but it failed closed in the end.

So persevere and if you do get it open have a can of WD40 handy.

My car was the companies, but I think the final bill was quite high for what looks so simple a device.

mk7r · 01-10-2023 05:22PM

Go to ford and get a whole new barrel/cable.

It's a balls of a design and they are always failing, they abandoned the idea on the newer models

Sugarlumps · 01-10-2023 06:24PM

Cheers for the all the advice, much appreciated.

Akrasia · 01-10-2023 10:37PM

Had this fail on a 04 mondeo. Ended up drilling in through the grill and using an extra long Philips screwdriver to open the bonnet.

Don't think the NCT people would be too impressed with that but it worked for me as the car was on its last legs with loads of small but expensive parts starting to fail at the same time. Drilling out the mechanism kept it usable for about another year

JIdontknow · 01-10-2023 10:49PM

saw similar with a mk2 focus before. (Presuming it’s the same issue). You can buy the lock part off eBay for about 20-30 euro. Comes with the “cable” and the barrel itself and you make up the barrel yourself to match the key, it has all the pins and you build it up as per the key you have… there’s a plastic + shape at the end of this that activates the bonnet latch itself (you turn the key and it turns this length of rigid cable that turns the other end to unlatch). It’s a bad design as the plastic end piece crack and break. To open it you may need to drill the lock itself or else a long screwdriver in through the plastic grille and try break the lock that way, I think that’s what I did was just break it into pieces! Think there’s two different lengths of lock though so just make sure you order the correct one. Check the bonnet latch itself too as that car wear or the plastic receiver in that can crack too that’s not too expensive to replace either both are about 20-30 each on eBay when I replaced them (main dealer may charge a lot more). It’s a really bad design though!!

Not sure if it’s the same mechanism (think it might be but can’t confirm) as this but it might still help:

https://www.focusrsoc.com/threads/broken-bonnet-catch.113289/

Ford Focus 08 Bonnet won't open.

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