When I pull my lever, nothing happens it just is very loose and moves back and forth. Before it broke it was REALLY hard to get open and you had to pull hard to just get it open. I am sure something snapped or got stuck. What is a way around this without having to replace the whole cable/lever set up?

Rip out the lever till I get to cable and vice grip it?

Any advice or help would be grateful.

Thanks!

 

if/when you fix it remember if you need to pull hard thats a danger signal, need a good lube job, soak all parts of it with a good spray lube.
im looking for a way to get in, bypass a bad cable etc.
did it on other cars.

 

Search on YouTube for opening an xj hood with broken cable. You'll need to remove the headlights etc. two bolts on each side. Hopefully your cable broke form the pull handle. If the cable broke at the hood end then you'll need to do it like the video and replace the cable.

 

"Any advice or help would be grateful."

After you get the hood open and replace the cable and/or underhood linkage assembly, basic maintenance. This can can used on almost everything that moves.