FORD Bonnet Lock Fix
Ford fitted a lock to the bonnet of the Focus and C-MAX models from 1998-2012. Problems can occur after a few years, but there is a cheap fix, says Martyn Knowles.
Most vehicles have a pull handle somewhere in the cabin to lift the bonnet slightly before you then operate the safety catch to raise the bonnet fully. Ford, though, decided to use a lock and key for the Mk1 Focus from 1998 and then the Mk2 Focus and C-MAX that followed. When the Mk3 Focus appeared in 2011, Ford rever ted back to the usual cabin lever.
The Ford Transit van also made use of a lock and key arrangement for the bonnet opening on the Mk6 and Mk7 to 2013 – with the Mk8 model having a slightly different locking system to 2019.
The lock and key set-up utilises the ignition key to gain access. Turn the key left to raise the bonnet slightly onto the safety catch, then turn the key right to release it fully to enable the bonnet to lift.
As these vehicles age, the lock can seize or usually it’s the lock mechanism that breaks into pieces (plastic going brittle). Ford can sell you a repair kit, but I sourced a cheaper alternative on eBay at just £13.99 inc p&p.
Free car
Something I will write more about in CM in the near future – acomplimentar y Ford Focus Mk2 came my way via my god-daughter. I had earlier bought a new 12V batter y for this 2006 model as the car alarm occasionally set off during the night. As she was many miles away, I had the batter y sent via post to Cornwall, where a friend of a friend fitted it. The alarm silenced.
A few months elapsed and god-daughter now wanted shot of this Focus as she said the brakes were terrible. Her parents collected it from Cornwall and travelled back to Kent. Roll on a few more months, the MOT was looming – so they asked if I wanted this 1.6 Ti-VCT model in Titanium spec. Not one to give up on a car, I said, “ yes please ”.
At the handover stage, I noticed that the bonnet lock was missing – then remembered the batter y installation had to have the bonnet open, so perhaps the fitter had followed the same procedure I was about to under take.
The captioned photos show my method – however, with this set-up you get a newly cut key (two keys in fact) to operate your new locking bonnet. Don’t, though, forget this fact – as when I did finally get the Focus to the MOT testing ramp, I forgot to mention this – consequently the ignition key was used to open the bonnet (and failed). The MOT tester managed to
