www.jec.org.uk

Went to open the bonne,t and the leaver just didn't. After giving much thought, removed the undertray and was able to reach up and release the offending (drivers side UK) bonnet release catch. Re-attached the cable and all seemed well. At lease until I tried again a few days later. Cable had become detached again. I had not realised/noticed a damaged retaining grommet that prevented such disengagement. Oh well. new cable ordered and I thought an easy job to replace. No. All okay, except when attempting to reattach the cable to the release catches on both right and left catches. Impossible. It tool me the best part of 2 hours of cursing and all, and even to the extent of loosening the catches to get extra movement. Our XType is a 2.2 diesel and for what ever reason has so many additional hoses, cable and pieces of metal un the way as to make the job an absolute nightmare. Anyone else able to share their their thoughts?

Nick

After all the aggro were you able to attach the cables? Was the vehicle on a lift or did it involve lying on the floor beneath the car and stretching up? Is this failure likely to affect many X-types as they age, possibly a nightmare waiting to happen?
It would be great to learn from your experience - perhaps share it in the magazine? I am sure it would create a response.

All fixed. The help of a set of car ramps proved useful. The issue for me causing the problem in the first place was that one of the plastic grommets securing the cable to the catch had failed. This then allowed the cable to detach from the catch and to set in motion the train of events that followed. I thing what I would urge is for others to inspect their cables on a regular basis. The one in our car was and looked perfectly okay just the grommet that had failed.

OK. After experiencing the same issue on a service loan X-type whilst mine was having surgery I think an article on the issue could benefit owners, one for the future I think. I can use my own car to try and take some photos.
Hope the X-type is in good health!

Thanks Dave - Yes all fine thanks. I definitely think it work alerting owners to the possibility of an issue as much easier to fix if the bonnet opens in the first place.

Kind regards
Nick