W203 Jammed Bonnet
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 7
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C32
W203 Jammed Bonnet
Hello,
on my W203, while closing the hood, the disconnected negative battery terminal slipped between the hood and the fender, and the hood got stuck.
The left latch is locked and cannot be moved.
The right latch on the battery side is unlocked and the hood is slightly lifted there, but still jammed.
The red hood‑release handle does nothing.
I tried locking the right latch again and then opening the hood, but only the right latch opened.
I tried it once more while pressing down on the hood above the left latch, but nothing changed – the left latch remains locked.
I also tried to push the negative terminal out with a screwdriver, but it won’t move at all.
Any advice, please?
on my W203, while closing the hood, the disconnected negative battery terminal slipped between the hood and the fender, and the hood got stuck.
The left latch is locked and cannot be moved.
The right latch on the battery side is unlocked and the hood is slightly lifted there, but still jammed.
The red hood‑release handle does nothing.
I tried locking the right latch again and then opening the hood, but only the right latch opened.
I tried it once more while pressing down on the hood above the left latch, but nothing changed – the left latch remains locked.
I also tried to push the negative terminal out with a screwdriver, but it won’t move at all.
Any advice, please?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 236
From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
I assume you've already tried pulling up hard on the hood.
The only other thing I can think of would be to try to access the same area from beneath the car. Remove the front R wheel and the fender liners, starting with the one behind the R fog light. That might give you enough space to reach the cable.
The only other thing I can think of would be to try to access the same area from beneath the car. Remove the front R wheel and the fender liners, starting with the one behind the R fog light. That might give you enough space to reach the cable.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,265
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Oh ,man that sux. I dropped the hood on a screwdriver once, but luckily I was still able to get the hood open.
Maybe once you have the wheel well removed, hit the latch with some WD40, have someone push down hard and try again. You might also be able to access to apply some pressure to the latch from down below while someone
pulls the release from inside the car. Let us know what happens(ed).
Maybe once you have the wheel well removed, hit the latch with some WD40, have someone push down hard and try again. You might also be able to access to apply some pressure to the latch from down below while someone
pulls the release from inside the car. Let us know what happens(ed).
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Apr 17, 2026 at 03:37 PM.
