Hood Relaese Problem
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CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,529
Likes: 1
From: somewhere Gee oh Dee cant find me...
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
ok so first off i bought this xj because it has hardly any rust and that is hard to find in northern WI. it hardly has any rust because it hasnt run since 2004!!! i bought it from the guy and he put a motor in that only 60000 on it and took the hood off. when he put the motor in, he drove it outside, parked it and thats were it sat, with the hood still off. after i saved it, i went to put the hood back on and i got it all lined up, i noticed that the actual cable driven part on the latch was really rusty. i sparyed it with WD-40 and was moving it with channel locks and a big screw driver. i wanted to see if it would open when i slammed it and now the latch wont open. Help PLZZZZ!!!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 658
Likes: 1
From: Everett, WA
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Its quite a common problem on Xj's, Next time do a quick google search.
if your still using the stock latches and they wont move from pulling the lever, you can reach straight up in the center of the grille (from the underside of you jeep) and find a small rod on the hood. Push it passenger side i believe and it will pop. If that doesnt work take off the headlamp assembly (including the headlight) and take off the latch that way, Then you can reinstall it when your done.
Like i said its a quick description on what you have to do but google searches go a long ways
if your still using the stock latches and they wont move from pulling the lever, you can reach straight up in the center of the grille (from the underside of you jeep) and find a small rod on the hood. Push it passenger side i believe and it will pop. If that doesnt work take off the headlamp assembly (including the headlight) and take off the latch that way, Then you can reinstall it when your done.
Like i said its a quick description on what you have to do but google searches go a long ways
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 897
Likes: 12
From: Sioux Falls, SD
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Easiest way is this:
1) Remove the headlights and the metal "bucket" that is behind them. (Remove the trim around the lights first)
2) Remove the 13MM bolts holding the hood latches on.
3) Open hood and replace the cable after releasing the unbolted latches.
4) Re install latches and headlights and re-align headlights.
1) Remove the headlights and the metal "bucket" that is behind them. (Remove the trim around the lights first)
2) Remove the 13MM bolts holding the hood latches on.
3) Open hood and replace the cable after releasing the unbolted latches.
4) Re install latches and headlights and re-align headlights.
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Originally Posted by diskman
Easiest way is this:
1) Remove the headlights and the metal "bucket" that is behind them. (Remove the trim around the lights first)
2) Remove the 13MM bolts holding the hood latches on.
3) Open hood and replace the cable after releasing the unbolted latches.
4) Re install latches and headlights and re-align headlights.

1) Remove the headlights and the metal "bucket" that is behind them. (Remove the trim around the lights first)
2) Remove the 13MM bolts holding the hood latches on.
3) Open hood and replace the cable after releasing the unbolted latches.
4) Re install latches and headlights and re-align headlights.

Seems a bad item to try and save a few bucks on, what if the JY cable fails? I bought new from NAPA and it was not expensive. Installing the new cable was not hard at all. Just be sure the rubber grommet is seated correctly in the fire wall or you'll have water on your floor. I also used a cable tie at the hood end to ensure it will not fall out of the slot that's supposed to hold it.
Originally Posted by DaddyCat
Not sure what you mean ^
Seems a bad item to try and save a few bucks on, what if the JY cable fails? I bought new from NAPA and it was not expensive. Installing the new cable was not hard at all. Just be sure the rubber grommet is seated correctly in the fire wall or you'll have water on your floor. I also used a cable tie at the hood end to ensure it will not fall out of the slot that's supposed to hold it.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Jax, FL
Year: 2001
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
Question about the cable on this repair. I have googled "hood release cable", "hood latch cable", "hood cable" and I can't seem to find a cable specific to the 2001 Grand Cherokee. Plenty for the Cherokee, but not the Grand. Even the pictures don't look like my hood release. Am I just supposed to buy the cable? I noticed a poster above indicated they got the part at NAPA. I would have thought this was a pretty specific, dealer type of part. Am I google-challenged?
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 207
Likes: 5
From: South Jersey
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L I6 Power Tech
Question about the cable on this repair. I have googled "hood release cable", "hood latch cable", "hood cable" and I can't seem to find a cable specific to the 2001 Grand Cherokee. Plenty for the Cherokee, but not the Grand. Even the pictures don't look like my hood release. Am I just supposed to buy the cable? I noticed a poster above indicated they got the part at NAPA. I would have thought this was a pretty specific, dealer type of part. Am I google-challenged?
http://www.teamgrandwagoneer.com/cgi...ery=55135532AB


