how to open mondeo bonnet?

Mechanic got rid of key n fixed bolt n it's place instead but bolt must b gone loose won't click 2 open how can I fix it

Carrie
August 2017

Rob at Feb 2013 Following his instructions sorry Rob it took me a bit longer I had to go out and buy a 4 inch metal cutting disc then it took me 10 minutes carefully cutting the slots, nice one. my Dagenham Dust Bins bonnet works a treat now without a lock Thanks RoB

Ron C
April 2014

Got lucky, sprayed with WD 40 and used spare key, good tip. Will check all OK now it's open.

Bibbster
February 2014

Try using the spare key! I thought something plastic in the linkage had gone as the driver's key appeared to be turning enough, 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock. However, the spare key turned 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock and all was well. Suspect the driver's key was worn.

idbi99
June 2013

I opened mine without damage I used an 8mm drill bit approx 300 mm long located the rubber boot that protects the white plastic tumbler that turns the release catch applied pressure and turned the key whilst keeping the pressure on the drill bit and it opened. I would suggest giving this a go first I may have been lucky but it did work.

Good luck 😊

Rob
February 2013

Took me 10 mins and no damage to grill

First with screwdriver the bottom corners of the grill can be prised out (plastic clip)

I then pulled the grill forward and lifted it up and held it open bit of 4x2 either side

You can then see lock and tamper bolts

Next a 4 inch grinder to cut slots in the screws

Slotted screwdriver and take out bolts

Whole lot comes and and using long screwdriver open bonnet (you can see black cross where plastic rod was)

finally once bonnet open take plastic buttons holding grill out
now refit grill

You can either replace lock and plastic it all comes together but ford whant £85 for this ...so sticking with £3 long screwdriver

Hope you have joy I did after reading on line and quotes from ford
Can't believe 10 mins work (forget drilling bolts)

cheers

Richie

rich
December 2012

I did not need to cut or break the grill. Take off the valance under the engine so you can get your arm up to the lock. Prise carefully the bottom of the front grill up and wedge it with 1 or 1.5 inch of wood. This provides some space to work. Use a junior hacksaw and cut immediately behind the front metal section of the lock. It is plastic and has a brass insert that the shear bolts are screwed into. It needs a bit of patience and effort but the bolts are then cut and the lock mechanism comes away. The plastic connector from the lock to the bonnet catch is usually the problem I mended mine with a tie wrap. patiently remove the sawn thread from the brass inserts and re-assemble using M6 25mm bolts (so it is easy if it happens again).

Travis
October 2011

'thanks for your advice,job done,want be given mr ford any money for this job,look like problem is in the key barrel.wont turn to the left,everything else ok,i think i will be using screwdriver in future to open,my only advice ican offer 25mil hole cutter 3 cuts ina triangle shape using key hole as centre,many thanks for your help.

pete the meat
April 2011

i will attemp to open boot on your info,what is it another mondeo problem,first rear brake calipers,now bonnet wont open,could not get mot,they could not get into engine bay for testing,wish me luck

pete the meat
April 2011

Hi all, I had the same problem and after reading this forum decided to just drill out the lock barrel with a 13mm drill bit and jiggled the plastic connector out of the way after I had drilled through and opened the locking system with a large Phillips screw driver, works a treat.

G W Styles
October 2010

NO need to drill out shear bolts. Undo two bolts securing latch nechanisn and two torq bolts holding stays and latch mechanism can be slid out of the way while you swap the centre shaft.

David
September 2010

yep i just bought an '03 mondeo ghia x from the auction and the bonnet wouldn't open on that either,1st of all i spent 20 mins looking all under the dash for a pull release to no availl then had to dig out the owners manual to find out how to open the bonnet bit embarassing for an ex mechanic,it's a key behind the Ford badge,and it's knackered !!
The part you need to pull through the hole you create behind the badge is a triangle shape with rounded points, it measures 5.5cm x 2.8cm, you cant just drill out the shear bolts expecting it to drop out you have to pull the lock and and assembly back through the hole you've made, pull out a white plastic shaft behind the lock and then youll see a cross head pattern quite far back, use quite a long chunky screwdriver to turn that left and then right to open the bonnet.
my key turned left and right prior to this procedure and a couple of times it popped to the first point but never the second,looking at the parts it's the white shaft that the problem it has split at the top so with a new white piece if i can get one from Ford i should be able to put it back together with original key and barral.
Tools requires
Drill
pilot drill bit 3mm to pilot hole as close to ctr as you can get on the shear bolts then maybe use a 5-6mm drill bit but you will need to finish with a 10mm bit !! not a 9mm or an 11 mm it NEEDS to be a 10mm 9 isnt big enough and 11mm damaged my lock casing.
Long nosed pliars to pull lock assembly through hole, (watch you dont loose little spring)
Stanly knife to didy up edges.
hoover to hoover up all metal shavings from under tray.
time taken a good hour if your lucky i wasnt and my one shear bolt thread was stuck fast in the hole and wasnt going to budge, ended up drilling it completly out which then melted the plastic and it all came out so unless i can slip a washernut in the back i'll be hoping it will hold with one new bolt and the other glued in for show

kevin hughes
August 2010

thanks very much .

riccardo
July 2010

Just had this problem. Here is a solution. You need a drill, hammer, punch, small screwdriver and a pair of long nose pliers. Make a series of holes and take out an oval behind the badge. Use your hammer and punch to loosen the shear bolts and the small screwdriver and long nose pliers to remove them. The lock can then be removed and new stainless steel bolts used when refitting. In my case, the mechanism had just come apart for some reason and I was able to turn the plastic connector with the pliers, open sesame then assemble the lot back together. About 40 minutes work and zero cost. Thanks to all you guys who contributed to this blog as without it I wouldn't have got started. My local garage quoted £180 - £250 depending on how much damage they did to the grill.

Tony
June 2010

i got this answer the hard way... whilst on the motorway my bonnet of my mondeo had locking problems... i eventually got it down but after 2 hours at 70mph it shot back up smashing my front windscreen and blinding my front vision... I was on a motorway so looked sideways to keep align with the motorway barrackeds amazingly didnt hit anything and no one hit me but now my mondeo is Screwed!

Luke
February 2010

Great advise, got it open. Carefully removed plastic behind the Ford badge, then drilled out the bolt heads. Seems the lock is OK, problem is the plastic connecting shaft that connects the the lock to the catch, its "stripped". Mightjust keep using the screwdriver.

Paul in Lancs
July 2009

just done what you said it took 5 minuits but im not changing lock ill keep my screwdriver in the boot and open it with that len jones

leonard jones
December 2008

I've just done this today and it does work. I cut away at the plastic behind the badge with a pair of pliers so that you cannot notice the hole when the badge is closed again. Mine had screws to undo to get the lock out which helped but I did not have a long enough screw driver so had to play with the lock and a can of WD40 until i could get it working but i finally got the bonnet the open. I actually need a new lock as mine is not operating correctly, however i only need to buy a lock and a new grill so have saved on those costly dealer labour rates.

Ian J
October 2008

i had same prob... i smashed grill bought another key kit from ford £40 (which is so hard to put together as no instructions finally managed to get a rac man to put it together) its a real job... u have to drill out self tapids (buy new when u get kit as not supplied) then put back together with new grill (£40) but remove ford bagde from old grill or it will cost £17.... Good luck mate i only got car back on road today!!!!!!!!! and remeber to spray new key kit with wd40 to prevent it from happening again... its a fault with mondeo n focus

centrebob
July 2008

hi john,ihad the same problem,cut away the grill behind the ford badge,then get a 10mm hss drill bit and drill out the two shear bolts holding the lock,when ,all the lock is out ,you can see a cross shape,place a long large crosshead screwdriver in the slot and turn,the bonnet will open,iv just done it today and it works.......keith

keith
May 2008