Wow, fifteen years and no answer? Doesn't bode well for my brother. Someone backed into his car and dented the hood. Lexus LS400 1999. They managed to close the hood but obviously something was out of alignment and the hood will not release. I believe that he was able to have someone pull on the inside release lever while he pulled up but either the cable stretched or broke or something else changed since this seems to have no effect whatsoever now. It looks like you can see the latch release free through the grill so my guess is wherever it locked in is where the problem is. Thanks if anyone can help!
