Went to open my bonnet this morning and lock will not function on one side. I looked and saw that it is a common problem and I followed the advice to open it manually from underneath. I put the car up on ramps and removed the plastic tray from under the bumper and although I can see up side of rad I cannot see the lock mechanism. Video shows it being opened with a long bar but I cannot even see the lock. The one in the video is a 2003 so is there a difference with the later models? Can anyone give me some ideas of how to go about opening it please.Do I need to remove all the under trays ? or is there another way of opening it. Thanks in advance.

NOW GETTING A BIT DESPERATE. on my model you cannot see the latches from underneath !!! have seen some posts about going in through the wheel arch ?? anybody have any experience of this problem please PLEASE.

 

 

Thank you but already viewed this....still cannot open bonnet (hood) maybe I am just a dumb ***.

 

Really? Not hard, just awkward. You can see the latches from under the car. Make sure you're pushing the latch the correct way. Couple of years ago a guy was struggling and was pushing the latch the wrong way to release.

 

I have now had 3 guys look under car and nobody can even see the latches. Can only assume that the later models are designed differently , mine is Dec 2008 model. but thanks anyway Dell.

 

Heed = "did you remove undercarriage skirt first". "Are you moving latch towards CENTER of car".

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...lz-help-15313/

 

Had a similar problem with my 05 Estate Wagon. To the best of my knowledge, the hood release mechanisms are the same on all of the X-types. The only variable I see that's possibly relevant different is the diesel engine. When I got mine open it was by removing the plastic underpan, crawling under the car and pushing the release levers with a long screwdriver. They are easilyvisible and, unless your hood release cable is broken, you should be able slide a screwdriver along it and push the lever the cable is attached to. It was difficult and lrustrating as was running the new cable into the engine compartment.
Nothing more I can suggest except wrapping a zip tie around the release lever and the cable so it can't fall off; that was the problem with mine. Good luck!

 

Hi Max, thanks for that info. Did you remove all the plastic underpans?.....I have only removed the front one under front bumper. At least I know it can be done and all years are the same design. Will get back on it today....if it stops raining. Thank you

 

Hi, did you ever get to the bottom of this? I’m having the EXACT same problem with a 2008 2.2 D, cannot see the catch at all! Tried taking wheel liner out still no luck.

Hope you got it sorted and would love to h us how you did if so we we’ve exhausted ideas.

Thanks

 

solution:
Take out back screws from front panel under car - remove screws from next panel back, slide back and remove - gap between radiator and front of engine alows a really long screwdriver or rod (80cm min) to be inserted upwards to pull back the lock - i've watched my mechanic do it so i know it can be done. Most likely that the cable has come loose from the catch, not snapped - remove catch assembley and search for loose cable - you will have to attatch cable to latch - crimp really hard to make sure it will never come off again - insert catch mechanism back from under holding slot (it can be done but, you will have to pry it up through the hole) - bonnet pull lever should now work - forgot to mention - you will also have to remove top engine cover to get your hand down back of latch assembly hole - i'm assuming you realise car will have to be put on lift to get underneat to do this) - with trial and error this took 2 hours of my mechanics time (really, i was there!).

Bad news: