Land Rover Repair: Hood Release, hood latch, release cable

Question
On my 1997 Land Rover Disco the Hood Latch Release Handle has broken off in my hands.  Do you have any suggesyions for opening the hood?  To compound matters, my battery is dead due to an electrical problem (system is drawing 1/2 amp while off?).  Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Brian,

you'll have to get some vice grips and clamp onto the remaining part of the hood release handle.  With a strong pair of vice grips, you should be able to pull the cable and release the hood.

A temporary fix would be to get some bicycle brake cable and double wrap it just behind (the rear) of the remaining plastic handle.  That small amount of plastic that is bonded to the hood release cable is very strong.  Too bad the handle (T) portion is not. Give the wire a good pull to tighten it around the release cable.  Leave enough wire to form a make-shift handle and wrap this with electrical tape.  You can include something solid to help pull the brake cable and (consequently) the hood release cable (small block of wood).

I had the same problem with my '95 Disco.  I eventually replaced the entire hood release cable with a new one.  Just make sure its well lubricated at the latch and the cable should last another 10 years or so.

Hope you find the electrical short too!

Best of luck,

JohnMc