Rav 4.1 Bonnet Release

[skye blue verso]

Need some advise - on the wife's RAV4.1 (1998 Toyota RAV4 2.0GX SWB), the bonnet release isn't opening. The catch release inside the vehicle pulls all the way up (doesn't appear to be broken) but won't release the catch at the front of the bonnet . Can anyone suggest best way around this, or post a drawing of how the front catch is activated??

Thanks in advance........

[anchorman]

There isn't much to it. Firstly the bonnet won't open if the vehicle isn't on level ground (leaning to one side). The cable is anchored just near the pull under the dash so check that hasn't come adrift. If poss' try to give the cable a pull under the dash to see if it feels like it is detached or broken. It then goes through to the front of the bonnet and pulls on a little lever which releases the striker pin from the catch. These are off a 4.3 but its the same arrangement - cable;

catch;

Cable attachment;

If the cable has broken you can usually get at them from well under the car up through the engine bay.

[bothwell_buyer]

Need some advise - on the wife's RAV4.1 (1998 Toyota RAV4 2.0GX SWB), the bonnet release isn't opening. The catch release inside the vehicle pulls all the way up (doesn't appear to be broken) but won't release the catch at the front of the bonnet . Can anyone suggest best way around this, or post a drawing of how the front catch is activated??

Thanks in advance........

The RAV bonnet release is a cable release which winds its way from the lower dash thru and alongside the offside inner wing to the bonnet catch, via cathes just behind the bar that the radiator mounts on.

I had a problem with the cable outer sheath coming away from its locator, just behind the lever at the dash. A matter of relocating the outer cable sheath and job done. If you crawl upside down for a few feet to acclimatise the blood to the brain, then poke yer head under the dash where the lever is; pull the lever out; then you'll probably see where the cable has come away. You can hold the outer sheath with pliers to open the bonnet; or you can relocate the cable then release the bonnet.

The bonnet catch maybe needs a bit of grease - its quite close to the exhaust so I reckon the heat dries up the mechanism.

If its not this, I can post up a photo and description of the mechanism but I'd guess its not a broken cable.

Just watch that you don't activate a safety airbag.

[anchorman]

Need some advise - on the wife's RAV4.1 (1998 Toyota RAV4 2.0GX SWB), the bonnet release isn't opening. The catch release inside the vehicle pulls all the way up (doesn't appear to be broken) but won't release the catch at the front of the bonnet . Can anyone suggest best way around this, or post a drawing of how the front catch is activated??

Thanks in advance........

The RAV bonnet release is a cable release which winds its way from the lower dash thru and alongside the offside inner wing to the bonnet catch, via cathes just behind the bar that the radiator mounts on.

I had a problem with the cable outer sheath coming away from its locator, just behind the lever at the dash. A matter of relocating the outer cable sheath and job done. If you crawl upside down for a few feet to acclimatise the blood to the brain, then poke yer head under the dash where the lever is; pull the lever out; then you'll probably see where the cable has come away. You can hold the outer sheath with pliers to open the bonnet; or you can relocate the cable then release the bonnet.

The bonnet catch maybe needs a bit of grease - its quite close to the exhaust so I reckon the heat dries up the mechanism.

If its not this, I can post up a photo and description of the mechanism but I'd guess its not a broken cable.

Just watch that you don't activate a safety airbag.

Sorry for treading on 4.1 territory bothy! As most Toyota bonnets are very similar I chipped in!!!

I find a mirror is good for the upside down job under the dash or maybe you could do it as you are just regaining conciousness from being drunk and you are down there anyway. I used to take the seat out of Ford Escorts and lie upside down to do the clutch quadrant. Thank heavens those things have gone!

[bothwell_buyer]

I find a mirror is good for the upside down job under the dash or maybe you could do it as you are just regaining conciousness from being drunk and you are down there anyway. I used to take the seat out of Ford Escorts and lie upside down to do the clutch quadrant. Thank heavens those things have gone!

Never thought of a mirror - but then its too big to fit in the car and the 2 lights fixed to it are only on a 30cm cable. Does the wing mirror come off quickly??

[hans hass]

I have a similar problem. I thought the cable was faulty & bought a new one. When I came to fit it I realised that the problem must be the lock not the cable. I removed the lock from the chassis but can't yet tell what's wrong with it. If I press the lever down hard with a screwdriver it won't stay down. I'll reassemble it & try shutting the bonnet again. I guess I'll have to fit the cable again as I may not be able to open the bonnet if I don't. Cheers.