The left side of the hood isn't releasing. any tips/pictures on how to reach the latch from inside the fender well.

thanks,
eric

 

See if this link helps you Bonnet or Hood Will Not Open - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

 

My 99 has two large rubber grommets behind the latch that enter into the passenger compartment. If you reach up inside the car you can follow the cable from the release mechanism. I am not sure how well this access hole will work for releasing the cable, but I believe it is the only way on the earlier year cars. Later on they added holes in the fender well to access the latch, my 99 does not have any from the fender well so I am guessing that the 98 would not as well. I will include some pictures that I tried to take of the latch mechanism. Hope this helps.

Driver Side

Driver Side
Below the latch, looking toward the firewall. Notice the large rubber grommet that enters the drivers footwell area. The cable attatches on the upper left side of the latch, you can just barely see the metal ball on the end of the cable.

Passenger Side

Passenger Side
Below the latch, looking toward the firewall. Kinda see the big rubber grommet in the firewall.

 

Thanks Jeff,

The pictures are very helpful. It looks like the hole in the fender well for the rubber drain hose is in a good spot to access the release lever with a screwdriver. I will take a run at it tomorrow.
Eric

 

If you are still having problems with your hood latch[es] on your VDP...let me know as I just finished repairing mine.

 

I had it happen on the left side of my 98 vdp. This is what I did to get it open.
1. Lift the side that you can release just enough to get a good idea of EXACTLY
where the latch is.
2. Mark the top of the hood with masking tape.
3. Mark the other side with masking tape to match. This creates your "target".
4. Jack the car and remove the wheel on the side that won't release.
5. Remove the plastic wheel well liner.
6. Get a 1" hole saw and cut a hole that will allow you "aim" a screw
driver at the latch.
7. After that it was easy to use the screw driver and open the hood.

There are some older posts that helped me with the idea, but not
the exact location to drill. It is not hard to figure out once you mark
the latch location and have the plastic inner wheel well liner off.

 

The passenger side would not release on my 1998 XJ-8. Drilled a 1/2 inch hole for access and got the latch to release. The cable had pulled off the lever arm. Originally, there was a plastic grommet fit into the arm to prevent the ball from pulling off...the plastic was worn away. I installed another grommet ( split to go over the cable) then used small safety wire to keep ball against the lever arm. Be sure to DISCONNECT BATTERY if you are working on the passenger side. There is a large 12 volt cable on the inside under the latch. Thanks to all here for the posts.