Bonnet will not close (mustang crew in here)

Manbatius · 2025-01-26T09:25:19+0000

Morning,

So just tried to take the kids to swimming and failed, yesterday I topped up my screen wash, bonnet shut fine.

Was warming up the car and "bonnet open" pinged on dash, here was my potential mistake as it looked shut.
I open it to close properly and now, it will not close. So obviously do not want to drive it.

It kind of pings back, frozen latch maybe?
Forums suggest it can be akward to close, have tried from high, from 11" (like recommended whilst pressing)
Any other suggestions?

Annoyingly need the car for a few things today!

Manbatius · 2025-01-26T09:36:00+0000

After 20 mins of in out and forums, it decided to close from a head height drop... painful doing it mind and was sure I had tried this.
Missed swimming, somewhat ironically could do with putting it on charge.... a bit reluctant to now as need the car later and that involves opening the bonnet....

Will just go for a trundle to help charge it I guess, I know that sounds like fun, but if the youngest naps for 5 mins, it sets his bed time back about 1.5 hours hah.

Yulaw · 2025-01-26T10:39:25+0000

Manbatius said:
After 20 mins of in out and forums, it decided to close from a head height drop... painful doing it mind and was sure I had tried this.
Missed swimming, somewhat ironically could do with putting it on charge.... a bit reluctant to now as need the car later and that involves opening the bonnet....

Will just go for a trundle to help charge it I guess, I know that sounds like fun, but if the youngest naps for 5 mins, it sets his bed time back about 1.5 hours hah.

The only place I would be driving to is a garage and slowly, last thing you need is the bonnet opening at speed.

radderfire · 2025-01-26T13:58:22+0000

It could be a frozen latch, in which case I would apply WD-40 or lithium grease to the catch mechanism.

Firegod · 2025-01-26T14:33:18+0000

Yeah I often had to drop the mustang bonnet from about chest height. It's a heavy old thing! A trip to Ford certainly wouldn't hurt to have it checked.

I still remember due to the design of the front and the way the air gets whipped around, when I was data logging the supercharger for the map, the guy said I need you to do WOT pull up to 130mph in 4th gear. Haha now that was fun. But, the bonnet was shaking and wobbling all over the place. I was more scared of that hitting the windscreen. That's why some people also fit bonnet pins. I had some to fit, but sold the car before I did them.

Firegod · 2025-01-26T14:35:09+0000

Another thought, is it standard, or do you have an aftermarket intake fitted? Just wondering if it is fouling. I had to mess around with the intake for the supercharger as it was slightly higher and fouling the bonnet.

D-Ranged · 2025-01-26T14:49:08+0000

I take it, it's a newer Mustang? Newer cars tend to need some form pushing either side of the latch Ive found, around the headlight areas.

Manbatius · 2025-01-26T16:35:38+0000

radderfire said:
It could be a frozen latch, in which case I would apply WD-40 or lithium grease to the catch mechanism.

I forgot yesterday, I applied lithium grease as it looked bone dry. I doubt thats caused it....

Firegod said:
Another thought, is it standard, or do you have an aftermarket intake fitted? Just wondering if it is fouling. I had to mess around with the intake for the supercharger as it was slightly higher and fouling the bonnet.

Standard, as your other message, there is a Ford really close, then I remembered it is MG now.
i've opened the bonnet 5 or 6 times since getting it and don't recall lifting it this high, or failing second time.

D-Ranged said:
I take it, it's a newer Mustang? Newer cars tend to need some form pushing either side of the latch I've found, around the headlight areas.

2017, this is a good shout it felt like something either side was stopping it, I could not see anything wrong though.
I have a trusted indie garage not far, will try and call into them for a double check, my local Ford is a bit far now.

Thanks for the replies guys. This was the start of "one of those" sort of days. Seems like a month ago.

Firegod · 2025-01-26T16:44:56+0000

Manbatius said:
I have a trusted indie garage not far, will try and call into them for a double check, my local Ford is a bit far now.

Thanks for the replies guys. This was the start of "one of those" sort of days. Seems like a month ago.

Good luck. Not sure where in North East you are but you could try hitting up Performance 28. They buy/sell muscle cars but also do servicing, mot, repairs, aftermarket parts, etc.

Manbatius · 2025-01-26T16:59:06+0000

Firegod said:
Good luck. Not sure where in North East you are but you could try hitting up Performance 28. They buy/sell muscle cars but also do servicing, mot, repairs, aftermarket parts, etc.

North Tyneside way, so nearest Ford... probably Cramlington, thanks for recommending Performance 28! I actually have them noted down for when I need new front discs and pads/to give the car a general once over. I recognize the Dodge on their servicing page! I was drawn to them due to the other american cars they had.