How to open a hood stuck shut on a Jaguar XJ8/XJR 98-03

A common problem on the x308 is the hood latch will not actually when the lever is pulled. this leaves no way to open the hood. All the videos I found showed drilling a hole in the fender to unlock the latch. I found a new way to open the latch with almost no damage to the car.

[@keithjones6157]

I just wanted to say thank you so much for all of your help; getting my hood unlocked. The Jaguar repair place wanted over $600 to do the job. I did the job in less then an hour. Please everybody listen to this gentleman. He knows what he is talking about. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. May our Lord and savior help you.

[@talmadgestamey9830]

Awesome video. Ive had this jag xj8 for a few weeks now. Runs fine, but couldnt get hood up. Thanks for sharing learned knowledge. 👊

[@chuckzalinski6592]

Exactly right! I used a 12 inch long dowel and it took no more that 3 minutes of poking for it to unlatch. The slot that holds the cable allows it to just drop down, so I am going to follow up both sides with some JB Weld to prevent this in the future. The cable itself is in good shape and no corrosion. Mine was driver's side so, yes, it works both sides.

[@mooregoodink7734]

This is an excellent video, but unfortunately it didn't quite resolve my problem because the battery cable got in the way. Not being able to understand the layout of the hidden hood latch, I drilled a 7/16in hole 2in directly down from the inner fender hole that Mustang Tyson identified. But I saw very little, yet I felt that something was obstructing a straight prod at the hood-release cable end. So I drilled a second 7/16in hole to the left of my first drilling and now a picture emerged: a cable was in the way. So I slipped a screwdriver through the hole and moved the cable toward the outer fender. With a 1/8in diameter steel rod protruding into the engine bay, I could now prod the cable end and, bingo, the hood latch quietly opened. Thank you Mustang Tyson for your assistance in this matter. Cheers Vic

[@MitchGrooms]

great video..

[@cedric60666]

Same issue on my XJ8 with the right latch.
Probably a better solution than cutting the metal in front of the latch, however you are probably lacking some visibility...

[@Punisher9419]

I have this problem on my XKR.

[@tainchains]

Does this work on the drivers side also? My is stuck on the drivers side

[@edwinjohnson2042]

Hey did this help you on the driver side ??

[@bradenlistermann6025]

I just did this on a jag with broken hood latch cables. It works for both sides.