Wish I'd not shut the bonnet

[Boris64]

Changed the clutch successfully.

Quick run to ensure everything is fine which it appears to be.

Forgot to connect the bonnet release !!!!!!!!!

Any advice?

Thanks.

Pete

[Boris64]

Found a sensible idea in Telpet's Bonnet Opening thread.

Off to see if it works.

Pete

[mike.perry]

Why did you disconnect the bonnet release??
All you need to do is disconnect the bonnet stay, loop a piece of rope around te bonnet spring, pull the bonnet up to vertical and tie the rope to the back bumper

[Boris64]

Effortless. Punch out the bonnet pins.

Job done.

Off to abuse the new clutch

Pete

[Boris64]

Mike

Thanks, one for next time

Pete

[drivewasher]

Get under the car, on a lift if poss. Get yer hand up the offside between rad and inner wing to pull the release lever backwards. Use a loop of wire tie/ tie wrap to lassoe the arm or just try to manoeuvre the rod bent end into the hole in the lever then pull rod in cab

[bmcecosse]

Seriously guys - we don't know who is reading all these handy tips on how to steal a battery... I suggest you delete the details asap.....

[Boris64]

That's a good shout.

One for the moderator? as I've no idea how to undo posts.

Pete

[drivewasher]

believe me if the battery thieves wanted your battery they wouldn't bother doing a contortionist manoeuvre under the car they would just either smash the window and pull the bonnet release. (something the OP can't do) or use a jemmy on the bonnet and do £500 of damage for a battery they would get £5 scrap for.

The thieves don't need to look on a forum to do their deeds they know more shortcuts than any of us on here. I'm helping the OP to release his bonnet without causing any damage.

[IaininTenbury]

It can be simpler than even Drivewasher's technique if we're still allowed to say. Access thro' grill with big flat bladed screwdriver, locate on underside of sliding bonnet catch and a smart blow to end of screwdriver. Discovered by myself through desperation many years ago having done an engine change on my first Minor and forgotten to reconnect the bonnet pull rod after I put the front end back on...

Mods feel free to delete if we're having a panic attack about security but as DW says, the bad guys will know many more dodges than us and not care for fussing about with a screwdriver when a brick on a window achieves the same end...

[mowogg]

I done the same thing myself -i will PM you a better way i have found

[drivewasher]

We have on cctv footage of blokes stealing a brand new Merc Sprinter van. They smashed the near side window,alarm went off. They pull the bonnet catch under near side dash. One of em lifts bonnet and unpugs the ECU behind near side headlamp, while tuther one crawls over to open drivers door and starts smashing out the key lock so he can turn the switch part with a screwdriver. Meanwhile back in the engine bay bloke 1 plugs his own ecu onto the unplugged harness. The bloke in the cab has a key with a chip in it that matches thier own ECU The ecu now recognises that key is matched to it and van starts. As van starts 1 bloke makes a mobile phone call to a car parked a few yards down the road that now arrives outside the main gates. A bloke gets out with a cordless reciprocating saw and saws the bar of the lock and pulls gates open. The Merc AND a brand new transit that was also being stolen just out of camera shot drove out the gates in convoy.

From the 2 blokes appearing at the Merc passenger door to both vans driving out the yard was.... 8 mins. And we're worrying about giving away a bonnet release tip!

Police turned up 6 days later