Maurauth

W204 Saloon. When I pull the red bonnet release lever the bonnet lifts slightly.
It doesn't raise the full way, but you can squeeze your hand in and reach the latch under the bonnet but when you pull it and try to lift the bonnet it seems stuck on the passengers side somewhere.
I wasn't sure if it was stuck to the grille somehow or if maybe there's a second latch that isn't opening.

Any ideas? It's a Sunday and Bank holiday Monday so I can't get it to a garage until tuesday (and I'm at work) and I'm taking it to MSL Thursday for suspension and exhaust work so need it to be working 100% for them to do their magic.

Edit: UK Car so passenger side is driver's side to you guys. - Apologies for reposting in a few different sections but I'm crapping myself that my car is ****ed for some reason!

KIS007

2 latches. Probably justs needs to be lubricated. Mine had the opposite problem and 1 latch would not engage. It was a simple adjustment for my issue.

AMG893

try get another person to gently press/pull on the hood at the same time while GENTLY pulling on the hood release cable.

Maurauth

Hmm, tried that, I guess it's a trip to the stealership for me

Mort

I had a look at my car and it looks like you will need to remove the wheel on the side that is stuck and then remove the forward inner fender. Then you will be able to reach up to the latch and pull on the lever the cable pulls and the latch will release. Just tried it on mine and it releases easily. The latches are just by the inside edge of the headlight unit and next to the upper frame just outside the radiator.

AMG893

Thats good info Mort.

Maurauth

Fantastic cheers, any chance you could take a picture of the latch? I've never noticed it when lifting the bonnet before as I've only had the car a month is it the bit with the spring wound round it, that I can see when I look up through the grille with a torch?

Mort

Here are a couple of pics of the latches.

Left side circled in red


Right side circled in red


The square cut outs with the round surfaces are where the springs seat. They do not latch anything and are just to keep tension on the hood to keep it from rattling or fluttering at speed. The centre latch is a safety latch to keep the hood from flying open if the latches are opened or fail while the car is moving. You release it with the lever under the hood to the right side of centre as you know (not shown in pictures).

Maurauth

Thanks for all your help I will give it a go after work and see if I can get through there with a screwdriver via the grille or have to take the wheel off

cyberorth

Just a hunch because this has happened to me as well, but I am not sure it is exactly as you describe:

There are 2 circle stops about 4 inches from the side latches toward the center on the hood that rest against a circle opening on the body. You can see this on the pictures. Mb puts this clear tape to keep the parts from touching directly. On my car, the tape is gone but it left this very sticky adhesive that makes the circle on the hood stick to the body and every time I open the hood I have to pry it. Now I have a piece of paper covering the sticky part and the problem has gone away. Point is because the adhesive would hold the hood down, it was difficult to say if the latch was stuck or not. Hope this helps.

Maurauth

Thanks for your input once I manage to get it open I shall make sure those are covered.