How do you open the hood on an 1998 Isuzu Trooper when the hood release does not work?

Hey There: Had the same problem,,,what i did was took the front grille out,,,and reached my hand up under the front of the hood,,,there is a small black cable there,,,grab hold of it and yank down ,,hard,,,you should hear the hood pop,,,open,,,then put the grille back in,,,now you will want to,,,lubricate the latching mechanism,,,on the top of the inside of the hood,,,and cable its self...be sure to work it back and forth,,,a few times,,,to make sure,,,it works correctly,,,have someone ,,,in the truck,,,to pull on the lever,,,GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!