Any tips on how to open the hood if the hood release doesn't "pop" the hood anymore? I guess it just wore out after 170K miles.

 

Is there any way you could get a socket in there and take out the bolts holding the latch to the chassis?

If it is stretched, try removing the handle from inside the car and pull on the cable further than the handle allowed. If it is snapped, then the only way I could think of is either the reach in somehow and pull the cable near the latch itself, or to remove the latch.

 

It's actually in storage right now, so I'll have to look at it again next weekend to see if I can remove the latch. I believe it is just stretched, because there is still some tension on the handle inside the car. That's a good idea about removing the handle to get directly at the cable. Hopefully I'll be able to get at it one way or another, because I really hate to have to tow it (battery is dead) and then pay to have the hood opened too.

 

If you go down to where the cable goes into the leaver inside the car you should be able to get vice grips onto the cable. Give it a good tug, that should pop the hood up