Can't open bonnet on Ford Focus mk1 2001 any suggestions?

I just removed my front grill yep had to break it off, but easyly and neatly and use black tie wraps from b & q to put it back its just a cover nothing more folks use double tie put together to lenghen to your needs, on your bumpers at the either side near head lights there are plastic clips thread them through there and then place grill back through, a bit fiddly but it can be done, use pin nose pliers or tweezers to pull tie wraps back through and tie off.

Now the lock, mine was a swine, i gave it thought and thought and after really cutting me knuckles. found that where the housing is around the lock, the housing at the sides going to the back are plastic u just drilled these away to hole big enough to allow me to get a 10 ring spanner in and enough room ie cut more away if needed to undo the 2 bolts holding the lock in place, this way is easier and quicker by miles. i did the same on the other side i checked before doing any of this, and it does not matter as there is a black plastic cover over the latch you will this once open, that covers it all up. and you can,t see anyting once you put the grill back, try it i have some pics i will put on here so check mmm out, i tried for ages and i did it this way, you don,t have to its just a way to do it, it worked for me and i did my mates as well, and you can,t even tell.

Hi All,

I had the same issue (MK1 or similar) and have solved it in a way that you can not see the difference from the outside :) and if youre lucky FOR FREE :)

What I did was, first remove the covers underneath the motor compartment to access the locking mechanism from below.

The locking mechanism is covered with a metal plate unfortunately, so I used a picture from the inside of the lock from internet (Thanks for that) to decide where to drill the hole.

You will need a very long drill, since there is not much room, I decided to weld a normal drill (8 mm) on a long rod (+/- 30 cm) to be able to easily drill at the correct area. (somewhere in the middle between the edge on the right and the connector on the left)

After drilling two holes I used a thin screwdrive to move the internal leaver to unlock the bonnet (1 position)
After that I used the same trick by moving the other way to open the bonnet. I did it alobne, but it is easier with two people since the second lock with close when you let go.

Once opened I cut a small piece of plastic from the holder (both sides) to gain access to the 10 mm screw that hold the locking mechanism in place. This was easier than fissling around and invisible from the outside.

Unfortunately I went to deep in the lock with the drill which damaged the internal rotating part so i replaced it with an other second hand unit (I already ordered).

The issue was NOT the locking meganism but it was the key lock part which could only rotate to the right and not to the left anymore.

I took the keylock out (hold in place by to plastic latches) and found that while rotating the key to the left a bit further it block eventually, So i thought, what if I make the complete lock rotate instead of only the internal part :). So I used a grinder to grind of the ledges on both sides of the keylock to make it nice and round. I also put some grease around it and installed everything back in. An YES, I can now easily open and close the bonnet by rotating a bit further than normal, but it works perfectly and you can still use the same key and you can not see any changes from the outside :)

So if you are carefull with drilling and find the right spot to open, you can fix this issue for free :), only a lot of time unfortunately.

I hope I can help someone with this silly FORD issue and my experience.

Good luck Ya all!!