OK, OK so after 12 years my freelander 2 finally succumbed to the dreaded faulty bonnet sensor preventing me being able to lock the car without the alarm beeping. Seems to be worse on hot days.

Managed to find and disconnect the bonnet catch sensor connector and bridge it with a paper clip as a temporary fix as I've seen done on other posts.

Two questions:
One: How easy is it to replace or clean the microswitch in the catch? Do I need to remove the front bumper or R/H headlight? Looks like a world of pain. Maybe its easier just to leave the sensor disconnected?

Two: Has anyone used the non Land Rover equivalents from ebay?

For example here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233249420997

Any help / advice with the common issue greatly appreciated. Thanks



 08 FL2 GS TD4 Auto, Stornoway Grey, Adaptive Bi-Xenons, Ebony Leather, Heated Front Windscreen/front seats

Mine has had the paper-clip treatment for about ten months now. Access behind the headlamp is not great, but not disastrous either as far as I can see. I plan to use an endoscope to have a peep inside but have been too lazy thus far.

I messed about with this problem for ages. Cleaning the bonnet catch switch cured it for while but not really worth the effort.
Finally I bought a new style, much improved design, lock off ebay. Easy to fit and has cured the alarm problem completely

Pretty easy if you remove the headlight. Note the position of the catch as it has slotted mounting holes. Once the bolts are out you can, with a struggle, manoeuvre the assembly up and out rearwards. Swap over the cable and refit.

Personally, I left the headlight off until I had checked the bonnet closed and then opened ok. Just in case.

The Ebay seller I bought from is no longer selling but this one is, I think, the same.

https://tinyurl.com/y95vo2h8

As above, easy enough with the headlight removed, I just replaced the switch on mine, it's simply clipped in and saves having to bother about adjustment of the catch, I got mine from here -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RANGE-ROVER-SPO...2749.l2649

I considered just changing the clip on part of the catch. But, that is the old design. It was modified to stop the alarm problem. The new design catches have a much better switch arrangement. Although they are one piece so you have to change the complete catch assembly. Only 2 bolts though, so not difficult.

A great thread this one.
another one of those little! problems that will crop up
as our motors age,
and at that cost something for the parts bin.
Dave DAVE.

Just replace it, cheap and easy.

I trust myself not to drive off with the hood (bonnet) unlatched, but I don't trust my lady...

thehelper wrote:

I considered just changing the clip on part of the catch. But, that is the old design. It was modified to stop the alarm problem. The new design catches have a much better switch arrangement. Although they are one piece so you have to change the complete catch assembly. Only 2 bolts though, so not difficult.

What's wrong with the paperclip fix? Kinda hard to open the bonnet with the car locked anyway..........just sayin'

I used the paperclip fix for a couple of weeks. Today I removed the switch, cleaned the connectors, bent the spring a bit that operates the switch and reconnected the plug. It all works again, for now . Richard M

So I had the bonnet open warning a couple of weeks ago. I replaced the latch with the switch as described in here, taking out the RH headlight cluster and wiggling the latch up through the opening, didn’t fancy taking off the whole bumper. Fitted the new latch and still had the same problem. Checked the connector with the paper clip, yep definitely the switch that’s the problem. I noticed that the new latch was catching a bit when I opened the bonnet so not properly aligned so I shifted the latch over to the left by about 2mm the bonnet opened smoothly and the bonnet open message disappeared.

Who would have thought that such a minor adjustment to the latch position would have such a dramatic positive outcome,

Hi all, I’ve tried the paperclip trick and my dash shows as having the bonnet now open, have reconnected and so then the light goes away. My alarm sounds at least once a day. Once I’d shorted the sensor the horn still sounded when I tried to lock the car with the bonnet open. Does this mean I need a new sensor or bonnet latch? Or I am missing something with the paperclip? Thanks

If you have to replace a part, it will likely be the bonnet latch.

Are you sure the paper clip is making a good connection in the plug? I had this recently and put the paper clip in and mine locks with the bonnet open, you will need to change the catch for the new one. 2013 FL2 XS.
Defender 90 300 TDi.
Defender 90 300 TDi CSW.
1964 MGB Roadster.
1944 Willys MB "Jeep" with bullet holes. (gone)
17 hand Irish Drought Thoroughbred (mostly lame)
Nagging Old Boiler.

Cut off the connector, solder the 2 wires together, insulate. Problem solved for ever. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)