Hood Release 1998 Land Rover Discovery I

Quite often the hood latch will not release for one of two reasons. Firstly, the latch is gummed up with old grease, and secondly the cable is kinked and does not release the latch. I is also possible that the latch is damaged, possibly at one time the hood was forced down at a slight angle which could damage the latch.
First, check the cable. Unhook the cable from the latch by pressing the latch back as far as possible with a tool and unhooking the cable. Let an assistant pull the hood release inside the vehicle and feel if the cable moves in freely and you can easily pull it back by hand. If not, replace the cable. Do NOT close the hood while you have the cable out!
Next, check the latch for free movement. If ally is well the only other problem is the bullet hook on the hood itself which may be either loose or adjusted in too far,

1. Pull out side facing seat or pocket cover.
2. Unscrew fastener and remove access panel.
3. Turn bulb holder anti-clockwise to release.
4. Remove bulb.
Refitting is reverse of the above procedure

You need to remove the black plastic mud guard from under the bumper, use a 10 or 12 mm socket with extention to reach the hood latch from under the car, un bolt the latch and lift the hood up to repair. Hope this helps.

You don't specify whether its just that you can't find the release catch, or whether the release catch is stuck / broken,

In the UK (Right hand drive car) the release catch is situated in the left (passenger side) footwell, within about a foot of the lower front door hinge. In a Left Hand Drive car, I guess this would be reversed (i.e. right hand side footwell). Pull, and it semi releases the hood. Next, walk to the front of the car, pull the hood up about 1" and insert your fingers about a foot left of center. Sweep to the right, and you'll release the secondary catch and the hood will be open.

However, if its stuck / broken, then ......

You need to work underneath the front of the vehicle - the idea is to get at the catch and release it with a long screwdriver flicking the catch to open the bonnet -or getting a grip of the cable if it is hanging loose ( i.e. broken ) then getting a grip of the cable with mole grips or even pliers - to pull and release the cable / bonnet.

Once the bonnet is open - you can deal with renewing the cable assembly, or greasing it thoroughly.

You need to start by removing the inner door panel, Remove screws that hold door pull and inside release handle. There are multiple plastic clips that have to be popped out. Use screwdriver but a trim clip removal tool works better.(Lisle tools part #35400). Once panel is loose unhook elecrical connectors to panel, peel back plastic vapour barrier, access to all latch parts, rods window regulator , etc is now available.

Pull the bonnet release. On RHD vehicles the release is in the LH footwell on the side under the glove compartment. I think that on LHD vehicles it's still on the LH side.

You can try coming up from the bottom of the car. You might have to move a piece of rubber flap in between the bumper and radiator. Use a long screwdriver or jackhandle to pry the fixture. Be careful not to dent the hood.

Sometimes birds will try to build nests under the hood and get sticks into the lock mechanism.

The latch is stuck in the open position. I always found white lithium grease worked best on those latches but any good lubricant will work. Try moving the latch manually with a screwdriver. After applying the lubricant move the latch a few times. You should see the tension return to the release, if it doesn't you have a broken release cable.

This has happened to me several times, this will take two people, but all you need to do is have one person pull the hood release, while person number 2 pushes down on the hood, and then pulls up...that ought to do the trick