mondeo bonnet wont open?

hi my mondeo "y " reg bonnet would not open , i was told by a good friend this is a common fault on the mondeo and focus , due to rain water being able to get into the lock, i was told to drill out the lock using a 5 mm hss bit , going only as far as the length of the key itself,, this cuts off the pins inside the lock then can be opened using the / or any key as you cant tell when the ford badge is put back (dont think i,ll ever bother spending £80+ on new lock from dealers).
this worked perfectly for me took less than 5 mins , hope this helps

vauxhallmad
October 2008

I had the same problem. I could get in occasionaly if I really pushed the key hard in and then turned clockwise. Anyway got fed up and took it into fords to repair. took them about an hour and cost £89 in total £34 new lock, £2 new security screws the rest labour. It was the splines on the rear of the key lock that were knackered (car not 4 years old yet and has had minimal opening of bonnet apart from top ups and servicing).

Dave Longhurst, Portsmouth
August 2007

I'm sorry the above is not an answer i should have put it in the questions!

Chas
March 2007

I have the same problem the bonnet will open as far as the safety catch but no further. Turning the key to the right does not release the safety catch like it should. I am at a loss to know how to release it. I hope someone has the answer, I don't wish to use brute force as there may be a simple answer that won't make the situation worse, like triggered air bags!

Chas
March 2007