MK5 Golf GT TDI Bonnet Sticking

[ritchiebck]

Hi,

I was wondering if you could help me.

Recently I tried to open my bonnet to change a lightbulb. It turned out that the cable was pretty stiff, and pulling on the handle ended up with me breaking the mechanism behind the handle.

Anyway after much playing about I managed to get it open (pulled the cable directly from the drivers cockpit).

Now...I can't shut the bloody bonnet now. Tried lubricating the catch but to no avail. Does anyone have any suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

[mercury]

You could try closing the catch manually with a screwdriver or similar(mind your fingers)a few times,I lubed mine with WD40 which freed it up after a few operations.

HTH

[MBrooks]

Had to have the RAC to sort mine one evening. A couple of cans of degreaser on the mechanism, an awful lot of closing/opening the bonnet, a good prod with a screwdriver to release the mechanism and then some dry lube to protect it. Also I'm sure that my Mk5 GT TDi has an electronic bonnet release as all I have is two thin wires going to the release mechanism not a robust cable.

[django]

Same thing happended to mine. Had to have the complete cable release system (two parts I believe) changed under warranty. Despite regular greasing at services, and inbetween, it still need a good hefty tug to release the bonnet. The safety catch also sticks despite regular lubrication. Poor design I believe. I use a screwdriver and plenty of lubrication to slide the catch to-and-fro until it slides easily.

Django

[VW_GTTDI]

Same problem on mine just started happening recently, what works for me is...pulling the lever then pushing the bonnet back down then pulling the lever again and it opens second time round without any fuss at all

[martynah]

It's a design flaw IMHO - I've had 2 new bonnet release mechs and cables on a 57 GT-Sport

[sky5020]

Its not usually the cables-its the bonnet catch itself.Its happened to me twice and all you need to do is unclip the cable at the catch end, unbolt catch(3 bolts) after taking off plastic grill,clean the catch a bit,then regrease and work the catch by hand until its nice and loose again.Pop it back in again and it will be as good as new.Now I know what causes it,I can do it in a few minutes.I was convinced it was the cable but after talking to VW they said it rarely is.

[Buzzoff]

I replaced the bonnet catch (on slam panel) and the cable on Saturday.
What I found was the most tricky was unplugging the harness.

I purchased the catch & cable from my local VW dealers both for under £29.00.

The whole job took me about a hour.

Cheers,

Dan