Hood will not open?

Tiny
ANGELLOVE1982
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE
Engine Mechanical problem
1999 Jeep Cherokee 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic

It looks like the cable that should be connected to the latch of the hood is not connected and my hood now will not open. Can I open it another way and connect the cable back?
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 AT 3:32 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 POSTS
In this case, I recommend taking it to a body shop. They have ways to open hoods after accidents. Chances are they will need to remove the grill to access the lock.
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Saturday, November 28th, 2009 AT 2:03 AM
Tiny
JPMCLAUGHLIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
1991 jeep cherokee - can not open hood to access engine
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
The release mechanism inside the vehicle, is it a plastic handle that a wire attaches too? Is the handle broke or the wire? If the wire isn't broke, sometimes you use a pair of vice-grips to pull on the wire, to release hood. It may help to have helper standing at the end of hood, Pop hood with palm of hand, in area of release mechanism, at the same time you pull on the wire.

If all else fails, you may have to remove front grill, where applicable, to get at underhood release mechanism.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATTFRED
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 10,600 MILES
My 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee hood latch release is broken. I bought parts for a 1999 Jeep for a new Control Cable Assy. For my hood release (Jeep Cherokee 97-01 Hood Release Cable Assy, Crown Automotive Sales Co, Inc, Part No. 55235483AD). But I can't open the hood latch release. I have used a screwdriver and a coat hanger to unlock the hood, but I can't get it open. I need to use my Jeep with the hood release because I need to use antifreeze under the hood. My Jeep saids that it is low on antifreeze. Any ideas?

Thanks
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
If you pull out the grill you should be able to get to the hood release unit. You may have to push a screwdriver up a long the stem to push the release back.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 97,000 MILES
Cable for hood release snapped. Can't open hood. How do you open hood to replace cable.
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Friday, October 2nd, 2020 AT 9:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Can you get at the wire cable? I've seen several hood release handles, where the plastic handle broke, but, the wire cable was still there. I used a pair of vice grips to grab the wire cable and pull.

If there is no wire cable to grab, maybe you can remove the front grille, see if you can reach the release mechanism to open the hood. I've seen universal hood release cables in the autostores, I thought they were over-priced.
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Friday, October 2nd, 2020 AT 9:57 AM (Merged)

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