Hi guys, tried searching, but doesn't appear to be a very common issue at all.

So yesterday i reach for the hood release in an attempt to pop the hood.

I pull on the release, and it tensions the cable, but won't go any further without breaking it off. I can hear the cable making the sound of 'broken' or 'binding' somewhere inside the fender, half way from the firewall to the hood latch in the front.

I removed driverside front wheel and the inner splash guard to try and locate the cable, but among the wire harness, main battery positive lead, a/c lines, fuel lines, etc, I cannot find the hood release cable at all. It sounds like its deeper inside the fender still...

Has anyone experienced a broken cable or inoperable hood release?

is there a procedure to get access? I'm thinking I now have to reach the hood latch at the front of the hood by going in from the bottom of the bumper.

Downloading the JTIS manual now, hoping I find some info there too.

any input is appreciated,

 

I'm looking at JTIS that i downloaded from mediafire, covers a lot of things, but i cant seem to find anything related to the cable and release... anyone?

 

Did you try smacking and/or lifting up on the hood where the latch is while someone holds the release?

 

The cable/latch mechanism can be accessed via removing the bottom splash pan under the radiator then using a long rod and an LED flashlight, run the rod up to the latch mechanism, pushing it up to release the hood latch.

 

QuartzStypeR; yes i've tried all those tricks and more to try and open it,

bfsgross; is that the actual recommended procedure? I lifted the car up today and removed all the covers under the front end. Even with a 2 foot long rod going up, i don't see how i can reach the latch... well maybe, but i spied a few other angles from which to reach it.

This is pretty troubling... Not looking forward to actual cable replacement either...

 

GT4, that's basically how it's done. You're on the right track. A long rod or screw driver inserted up a pathway to the latch is the way.

 

I managed to release the hood today. In the interest of jaguar safety and anti-theft, please PM me for the 'easy' way to release the hood from the outside.

Luckily, cable is not broken, and i've got the release working 100% again. Proceeded to take apart half the front end of the car too...

Thanks guys,

 

Was what I described the way you used to open the hood?

 

Rather than PM people with the details it would be great if you would post a complete answer. You started with a good thread title so someone with the same problem will most likely find it.

Too many people use dumb thread titles like "I hate my car" or "Help me". Those are absolutely worthless as far as helping anybody or even finding the information again.
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I agree the info would be useful, I doubt a theif is going to spend time under the car trying to pop the hood from underneath.

 

And anyway it's very hard to steal these cars even with the hood (bonnet) open. You can't hot-wire them. Much easier to steal the keys or tow the car.

(I suppose you could sell the SC but it's a mite awkward to remove it...)

 

ok ok ok,

Took a 4 foot length of 1/8" stainless filler rod (welding), bent a 90* hook at the end.

Using an LED flashlight, feed the rod through the mesh grill in the front, toward the passenger side hood release, pull on the release to pop.

Then, feed the rod through the mesh grill into the front, toward the driver side hood release, push on this one to pop.

Hood released.

 

Another solution - just worked on my 2000 S Type tonight - standard grill - passenger side cable broken (snapped off at the junction at the main latch on driver's side)

Release the hood - feed a wire clothes hanger w/ a hook through the grille and hook onto the cable and pull it - the latch will release - what I did was remove the hook on the hood (passenger side) until a replacement latch cable arrives.

What a PITA to even see anything with the grill - took some pics - I will follow up and post them here.

 

Agreed - removed my lower valiance panel and the bottom pan right in front of the radiator - no way I could get anything fed up through the area to get to the latch.

Glad I did remove the lower valiance panel though - I found a nice puddle of trans fluid and a small seeping leak in one of my transmission cooling hoses at the clamp - tightened that bad boy up!