Hello all.

I've had a look through the forum but haven't found the answer to my problem, so here goes:

I was charging up the battery of my 2002 A4 1.8T Quattro. I opened the bonnet (that's the hood for all of you Stateside!) as normal, but after finishing the battery charging I couldn't close it again? The latch is catching for some reason - it won't close completely. If I try and close it while holding the front release catch in the grille out as far as it will go the bonnet still won't close.

Any idea why this might be?

 

Is the latch rusted? If not then work some white lithium grease into it and try to free it up. You need to lube hood latches occasionally with something like WL grease. (Or you can use regular grease from a grease gun, or whatever you've got, though I like how WL grease comes in the spray can)

If the latch is rusted then buy some Evaporust from Autozone (or wherever you can get it where you are). Wirebrush the latch to get what you can off, then unbolt the latch and soak it for a few hours in a container with the Evaporust. Then take it out, wire-brush it some more, put it back and let it soak overnight. When you take it out the next day, use degreaser to clean it off, then bolt it on and grease it up a bit.

 

Thanks for that - unfortunately I don't think there's any problem with regard to rust. I've never had a problem with it before, the latch still moves back and forth as normal - I'm wondering if it's a problem with the release catch below the steering wheel..?

 

I'm not talking about the release latch that you pull through the grill, but the actual locking mechanism. Or are you saying that moves freely, too?

 

Yes - nothing appears to have changed, aside from the fact that it doesn't close any more (which is why I'm so confused..!)

 

Did you leave something under the hood that is causing interference?

 

No - it's definitely the latch knocking onto the locking mechanism rather than simply sliding in as normal..?

 

I still think you need to grease it.