Hi guys,
Somehow the bonnet release cable won't move at all when I try to pull on the cable. I've tried pushing up and down on the bonnet over the release with no luck.
Does anyone have any good ideas of how to open the bonnet?
kind regards,
Tristan
Tristan
What model Alfa?
Sorry, the vehicle is a 116 Alfetta Coupe.
this happend on an alfetta i just bought recent for the motor.
the cable broke and the heart/dimond on the front of the grill was missing so i just pulled the latch over by hand. its a little hard on the hands.
if you can take the front bit off the grill you can get to the latch
Hi Storm_X,
I think I didnt' explain myself clearly. My car is a GTV2.0 116, with the forward pivoting bonnet. Thus the latch is located at the rear of the bonnet.
It may be a silly question but have you tried pulling on the emergency release (the one attached to a circular cable pull) below the normal bonnet release?
Tristan,
This is a pretty tough ask. Do as Nigel suggests as the emergency release might do it if the lock is not seized. It looks like a bit of heavy guage fishing line attached to a black ring.
Failing that, there are no magic wonds. I would suggest visiting a friend with the same model car and open the bonnet. With the bonnet up, try to fabricate a release tool that you could insert under the bonnet of your car to activate the release mechanism.
Quote from: Tristan Atkins on January 13, 2010, 04:32:14 PM
Sorry, the vehicle is a 116 Alfetta Coupe.
here u said alfetta? oh well
Thanks guys,
I'll make an attempt this weekend.
cheers,
Tristan
Hi Tristan,
The exact same thing happened on my GTV, and friggin the emergency release broke first time it was used crazy italians!
Ended up putting the car on a hoist and my mechanic at the time used a very long breaker bar from underneath managed after a bit of trial & error to release the latch.
Good luck
It doesn't help when some parts manuals list transaxles generically as "Alfettas" followed by sub groups designating Sedans, Coupes GTV2.0,GTV2.5 or GTV6 so you can have a designation like :
Alfetta GTV2.0 coupe. Enough to confuse everyman and his brown dog. ???
How did you go with your bonnet?
Hi Nigel,
I haven't had the opportunity to attack it yet. I might have a go this arvo, or early tomorrow morning. Its really hot up here in Tamworth :(
I'll let you know tomorrow, I'll also try to post some pics up :)
Tristan
A tad warm in Yass too. Good luck.
Hey guys,
I hthought I should have another massive fiddle with the cable in the car before trying to crawl around undreneath and SUCCESS!
Thanks to everyone who chipped in their ideas!
Tristan
P.S. I'll give the car a wash tomorrow so I'll post some pics up tomorrow night.
..very good, and now you will fit a teflon lined new cable so you dont get a repeat yes?
Hi MD,
thats a terrific idea, do you know where abouts to acquire a teflon lined cable?
Tristan
If you can't find original, could try a bike cable, either brake or gear cable (smaller end), $5. A bit more for stainless.
I have done this before, as I have many spare bike cables about.
Of course, being Italian, you should stick with Campagnolo! They are stainless but more expensive.
Neil
Hi Tristan,
I would also add the emergency bonnet pull for next time,Murphy will get you if you don't.
I duplicated the original type emergency bonnet pull with a piece of whipper snipper cord tied to the catch pull and fed back into the cabin via the same hole as the cable,just leave it there with something tied on the end to make a handle.
Cheers
Andrew
Tristan,
I get custom cables made up locally in Brisbane from throttle to handbrake and Bowden cables as well. These guys use a variety of slip lings but I am sorry I dont really know if there are commerical products out there.
Perhaps as Neil suggest, you could try at bike shops and ask if they have upmarket cables with either a nylon or teflon liner. There is a good chance they do.