My XR2i bonnet used to open fine, but now when i pull the lever thing (under the steering wheel) there is some tension but it does not open the bonnet. I need to get the bonnet open as the car needs a jump start. Anybody ever experienced this problem before?

 

sounds lke a stretched cable...get someone to put light pressure at the front of the bonnet whilst pulling the handle...if really bad you might have to remove cable from handle and use pliers to pull

 

Ya stretched cable sounds right,pliers should do it alright