A clumsy mechanic has broken my bonnet release handle, is there another way to get into the engine bay?

Two pairs of pliers.
Rgds

Pliers where? I can see the catch but can't get it to shift in the slightest.

Release the catch from it's mount, hold the outer part of the cable with one pair of pliers whilst pulling the inner cable with the other

I'd Remove the lever, and until you get a replacement, just use pliers to pull the cable back.

Jon.

Have tried that, the cable won't pull out at all, have tried every way possible.

brotherfergus said:

Have tried that, the cable won't pull out at all, have tried every way possible.

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Does the cable not even move when you pull it? If it does pull a bit its probably just that the spring on the latch isn't pushing the bonnet up. None of my Pandas have done that, whenever I need to open my bonnet I need to engage go-go gadget arms, and pull the lever whilst lifting the bonnet at the same time.

Actually on the subject does anyone know how to beef up the spring so the bonnet actually "pops" when you pull the lever?

It's just the bonnet or catch out of alignment, if it's not aligned it catches on the side and doesn't pop up simple as that. You may have to drop the catch down slightly which seems not right but what was wrong with willies bonnet, ever since it's been perfect

Just to add, have a look at the pin on the bonnet and see if there is wear on one side or the other if there is move it to suit.

nitro_warrior said:

Does the cable not even move when you pull it? If it does pull a bit its probably just that the spring on the latch isn't pushing the bonnet up. None of my Pandas have done that, whenever I need to open my bonnet I need to engage go-go gadget arms, and pull the lever whilst lifting the bonnet at the same time.

Actually on the subject does anyone know how to beef up the spring so the bonnet actually "pops" when you pull the lever?

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Lol, luckily its only the Selecta I suffer from the bonnet pop problem with. The others work fine. I went to adjust the spring (bend it back) and that worked for a while, then stopped again, and I haven't got around to sorting. Will do in a few weeks when I've finished college for the summer and start on the body work.

Jon.

You should be able to get at the bonnet catch from underneath. I have this at the moment on my 4X4 and have to reach up to the catch and then just push the lever across. Lie on the ground,right arm up to above the centre of the radiator and push catch across to your left as you see it........Don't do it with the engine hot or you'll have the same panda forearm brand that I have from the exhaust pipe......

Never tried that, mind never had to but nice to know you can get to it...

Oh! and welcome to the site, assuming that you haven't introduced yourself yet...

Sometimes it takes two people to open the bonnet on Floyd. One to pull on the release catch inside the car and one person at the front of the bonnet to open it.

Charlotte said:

Sometimes it takes two people to open the bonnet on Floyd. One to pull on the release catch inside the car and one person at the front of the bonnet to open it.

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Ditto, or a funny circus action with the window wound down, and one hand in with the other on the side of the bonnet. I'm sure that the bonnet is easier to open front rather than side on, lol.

Just a thought. Have you tried screwing the rubber buffers down a little ? You will find one at each side of the car, just under the front corners of the bonnet.

pandafan said:

Just a thought. Have you tried screwing the rubber buffers down a little ? You will find one at each side of the car, just under the front corners of the bonnet.

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Yes, I can see what your saying, wouldn't you unwind them though to give extra springyness?

Jon.

Please remember that the rubber stops are there to stop the bonnet vibrating, not to compensate for a faulty or maladjusted bonnet catch.
Attempts to use the stops to force the bonnet to open when the catch is released, will result in a skin pant at the centre leading edge of the bonnet, which will look awful and will be difficult to remove.

Fix/adjust the catch first.
Rgds.

dont brotherfergus have to get it open before he do any adjusting?

Hello Dave.
Yes he has got to get it open first, and perhaps it should be the " clumsy mechanic " who should be dealing with this problem.

I was simply warning against the temptation of over adjusting the stops to force the bonnet up when the release is pulled.
Rgds.

I was suggesting slightly UNDER-adjusting them.
If they are too high,they prevent the bonnet release mechanism from releasing. Honest.