anyone know how to....

cloverfan

get the bonnet up on a car when the cable has snapped? cant afford a garage!! only wanna top up water/anti freeze

hewhoisnotintheknow

smash the grill, or see if you can reach underneath

its not a golf is it?

cyclonebri1

Try fiddling about with a bit of stiff wire through the grill, something like welding wire, try to lassoo the bear claw catch. Could actually operate from either the same or opposite side to the secondary release catch,

SailorSam

I think you need to get under the car and see where the cable is then pull it.
It's going to be awkward though.

flang

What car isit? as some are easier than others.
BMWs are fairly easy as you can pull out the grills

Premier_2

What car is it?

mr_skinflint

I'd say it's unlikely that the cable has actually snapped. More likely to be a frozen/jammed release mechanism. Depending on the car type you might want to try "bumping" the bonnet up and down when someone else pulls the cable release from within the car. If this does work, make sure that you put plenty of lubricant/grease on the mechanism for thefuture or it'll inevitably happen again.

If you are unlucly, like I was, and have a nissan Micra. I had to remove the front spoiler/trim from underneath. Remove the front grills (they just slide and pull out) and then unbolt the release machanism from the chassis. It opened then!