Chrysler Repair: 94 intrepid hood release, release latch, hood latch

Question
I went to open hood and hood release on drivers side floor broke. Instead of opening the latch moves freely with no tension. I assume cable either broke off release latch or cable broke. How can I open hood and fix hood calbe/ release latch.

Answer
Hi Bob,
This is not an uncommon problem and the manufacturer usually designs the hood release so that there is an alternative way to release it when the cable or release handle breaks. In the Chrysler line it the case that if you lie under the front of the car and look up toward the hood latch area you will no doubt be able to see the mechanism. I don't have an LH body so I can't be sure at exactly what longitudinal point along the axis of the car you have to position your head in order to find a view of the mechanism but if you slide fore and aft with a flashlight in hand you will no doubt see it, as well as the end of the cable coming to it from the drivers side of the car. The cable is threaded into a release lever which when shifted toward the driver's side of the car will cause the hood latch to release. So you will need a long screwdriver or bar to reach up to the level of the release lever and then push it sideways. That should then get you into the engine compartment. Let me know if it isn't obvious as to what is broken or how to replace it as there is a page in the '94 shop manual that tell how to replace all the parts of the hood latch and release mechanism, once you gain entrance to the engine compartment as I described. I am going on prior experience with this scenario, but I believe it is the way for you to regain entrance to the engine compartment.
Roland