So,
My son ran into the back of another car in my 99 xjr. There was very little damage to the front end of the jag. The hood does not look damaged, but was pushed back about half an inch. It won't open as a result of this. I suspect that the latches are all the way to the end.

I read all the posts about the cable release, but I don't think that is the issue. I have tried prying the hood back, but it won't budge. I wanted to release the hinges in the front, but can't figure out how to get to them.

Any ideas?

 

i think if you unscrew your two front mesh grilles you can unbolt the hood through there, but i'm not sure about that at all

 

you have to take out the grill completely, The grill is held in by 4 bolts 2 each side.
The hood is held in place by 3 screws each side and the screws are used to hold the horns in place and a water hose is in the way on the drivers side (in the USA)
I'm going to replace the screws with shorter ones when I put my hood back on.
good luck.

 

remove the dash on both sides are round rubber plugs diameter of 4 inches will fit there hand and pull the cable from the lock mask