How do you open stuck hood release on 2001 vw beetle

Trunk won open even with manual release http://newbeetle.org/forums/new-beetle-convertible/54170-trunk-wont-open-even-manual-release.html there is good info here C24OF

Cable is stretched/sprung. Access hood release panel and pull cable with channel locks.. or worse, something is stuck in the latch mechanism under hood.
See repair rep at Ford in any case.

Their is a cable in the control access the cable and pull on it with a pair of pliers then replace the part

When you open the hood, there should be a label, usually on the underside of the hood that will indicate the engine size. Engine size is measured in liters and with the beetle you will see either a 1.8L or 2.0L if it's gas or a 1.9L if it's diesel. Below is a generic example of what the label might look like. Look next to the displacement.

You'lll need a pair of large pliers, or vice grips. If there's not enough room or not enough cable to get a hold on under the dash, find the cable under the hood. It will have a protective sheath of some kind, so ti will look like a large diameter electrical wire. You may have to remove some of the sheath, or insulation,or whatever you want to call it. Remove enough to allow you to grasp the cable and pull it far enough to release the hood latch.

The hood latch is cable operated. Low battery has nothing to do with it.

There is a release cable that is attatched to the red releas handle on the drivers under dash panel. You can grab that cable with needle nose pliers to release the hood to the first detent if the handle or cable is broken. There is a secondary release mechanism(called a hood tongue) which routes through the grille where the rectangular slot is once the hood is popped up with the release handle.you can grab the rest of the broken hood tongue with needle nose pliers and pull it out to completly release the hood from the saftey catch. If it is completely broken you can take a long screw driver and push the saftey catch( i beleive to the right) and the hood should be able to open all the way up. Both the hood tongue and the cable(securing portion at release handle) are common failures and break over the years.if it is at the release handle you are having a problem-get a #2 phillips screw driver and remove the release handle to gain access to the loose cable. I hope I have been helpful

OPEN L/S DOOR , PULL END CAP OFF DASH , FUSE BOX LOCATED THERE W/ SOME RELAYS & REST ARE UNDER L/S OF DASH OR UNDER HOOD

Pull the red lever under the drivers side dashboard-about where your left knee would be, sitting in the vehicle. The hood will pop up and a tongue will protrude through the front grille. Pull this tongue and at the same time, lift the hood.

The diagnostic port is usually beneath the dash on the driver's side of the car, near the hood release handle. If you get down under the dash, you should see the connector there (it'll the be only one mounted there).