I had a similar problem with my 2000 Cherokee Sport... By removing the headlights and headlight mounting brackets, you can access the mounting bolts for the hood catches. One of the bolts was to the top right of the hole on the vertical panel and the other was above and to the right of the hole on the horizontal panel. Using a combination of sockets, extensions, and knuckles, the bolts can be removed. Once the catches are unmounted, the hood will open. (You can then manually release the catches and reinstall them). Good Luck!
Yes
My '96 Cherokee Sport does, so I bet a '98 does.
The grand Cherokee is a body style, sport is a trim package that is used on all jeep models(wrangler, Cherokee, grand Cherokee, patriot, ...)
The fuel pump is in the gas tank on a 1999 jeep Cherokee sport.
Yes, they are the same vehicle, the sport is just a option package.
1996-2000 Cherokee.
NoNo
Jeep Cherokee XJ 1984-1996 should interchange Jeep Cherokee XJ 1997-2001 should interchange
Sport, Country Classic, Limited, (and others) are the names of available option packages. You basic 1984-2001 Cherokee is pretty much the same as any other Cherokee.
Possible broken wire in the driver door jamb harness.
No, the XJ Cherokee does not have the same heater box as a WJ Grand Cherokee.
It is one of the available trim packages.