Hey all, I have a '97 XJ, and today I went to pop the hood, and the lever/handle inside the cab broke off... Any suggestions as to how to open the hood to address the issue?

 

How bad is the handle break? There may be a way to Jerry-rig the handle where you broke it. Got any pictures?

 

I have had a pair of vice grips attached to the wire for I don't know how many year seems to work just fine for me.

 

If you can't get to the cable the normal way you have two options.

1. Lay under the XJ and look up between the motor and radiator. In between the aux and metal fan you can see the release bar. Reach up (long pliers help) and pull straight down on it and it will release.

2. Remove your headlights, the assemblies, ect and there are two bolts that hold the catches on. One is straight ahead and visible, the other is vertical and not visible. Simply remove those two bolts and you can lift the hood up.

New cable and latch is only like $25.

 

Sorry for the delay, been super busy recently. The cable snapped just after the handle. Not sure if you have ever seen the part that I am talking about on a '97, but it is similar to a "T" where the shaft slides into and out of the kick panel. Well right after the end of this "T", the cable attaches. This is exactly where it broke (I'll try to get a pic this weekend). I'll probably try motorcharge's advice in getting it open though. Thanks for the thoughts and ideas guys/gals.

 

I'd try reaching up at first, just be patient. It pissed me off the first time I did it and it took like an hour and I managed to scratch my arm up pretty good, but I can reach up in there in about 2 seconds and pop it now.

 

YUP! X2

 

Worked like a charm, thanks.

 

Np, had to do it myself this morning.

I really need to get on making hood pins for mine. My cable is brand new but the arm itself on one side is so old and rusted it doesn't work for crap.