Just got a 96 Cherokee that has been sitting for like 3 years and when I tried to pop the hood the release handle won't budge and suggestions

 

Pull harder or penatrating oil

 

Not an uncommon issue and one that is really a PITA. I've dealt with this myself. The issue is usually the equalizer attached to the hood that contains the end of the release cable and rods to activate the two hood latches rusts and binds. Just continuing to pull the release will end up breaking the cable and having to replace the unit with a stuck hood still. Now, you'll have a bigger problem. What I ended up doing was to crawl under the car with a flashlight so I could look up and see the plate. I shot PB Blaster up to hit the plate and soak it. I also had to try to ricochet it up to be able to get on top of the plate as that's where everything is contained. That was a feat not ending up with a face full of penetrating oil in the process and I was not completely successful in avoiding that. Wear safety glasses. I gave it some time to soak in and eventually was able to open the hood. After, when I determined that it would be best to replace the mechanism, I was able to get a new one from Jeep. This was a couple years ago, but I still believe they are available.

 

That sounds better than what I did when I got my 95 a few years ago, I pulled the handle a few times and pushed it moving it back and forth eventually loosened it up but about a month later it bound up again and the handle came out in my hand.

 

Thanks for that suggestion with the on blaster. I am afraid of breaking it that's why I don't want to pull too hard on it

 

The rods under my hood pop out and takes me two pulls to get mine up but rust can be a factor

 

Any body ever have the linkage jump out of their plastic clips? Somthing to consider..... But in regards to actually opening it...... I took a flashlight and crawled under her and shined it up into the engine bay and you should be able to actually see the linkage under the hood. I think I ended up reaching up beside the clutch fan.
Got my forearm chewed up good from the lower fan shroud bracket. Reach up and grab it and pull it towards the drivers side You'll only get the passenger side open but there's enough room for you to get your hands on the other side to open it up topside.... Hope this helps.

 

Mine always jump out of the plastic clips

 

Okay, today I decided to try getting the hood latch loose. It endend up being a little easier than I expected.

I looked a trying to go from the bottom to spray penetrating WD40 on the latch but I coudn't really get my arm or the can through so I did't see that working too well for me. I went over to my green Jeep and examined the hood on that one to see if I could get the straw under the hood to the latch (not expecting it to work). I noticed that there was a little notch on the underside of hood right at the little corners where the center of the hood is a little taller than the edges and I sprayed and sprayed and I noticed the handle was starting to move so I sprayed some more and pulled harder and I got it free.

 

Que angelic choir.....