Hood latch won't release

So, I tried to open my hood today and when I pull the release from inside the car, nothing happens. I had someone pull the release will I looked through the grill at the latch mechanism and I can see it moving but the hood doesn't pop up. I tried pulling up and pushing down on it while the release was being pulled and nothing worked. The release feels loose now, i.e. not as much tension as when I first pulled it.

I am worried that I messed it up some how. I did install an Optima Red Top last night. I was thinking that I left something under the hood that might be causing too much tension on the latch for it to release, but a quick inventory of all my tools and equipment lead me to believe I didn't. The hood is sitting at the right level with respect to the fenders, so I'm not sure that there is anything under there. I did have some trouble shutting the last time, but nothing too odd.

Anyone have any ideas or any similar experiences to this? Or, any ideas on how to open the damn thing? I did a search of the site, but nothing related seemed to come up.

I have the struts, but I haven't had any real problems shutting the hood. The last time I shut it, things didn't seem to odd other than it took me two attempts to get it to latch but now I am starting to wonder.

I can see the mechanism through the grille, and can even touch it with my finger tips. I just don't know how I am going to go about gettting it to release or even get any kind of tool in there to "help" it along.

It is at a shop right now for an unrelated repair and the supervisor said he would take a look at it and see if there was something he could do.

No, haven't really noticed them getting loose. I have the MRT ones, if that makes a difference.

Well, guys, thanks for the encouragement but the problem sort of worked itself out. After a spirited jaunt to "slightly" above the posted speed limit, the hood popped up, I almost messed myself. I got it slowed down and pulled over to open the hood. After several opens and shuts, things seem to be fine. I don't know what it was and I hope it doesn't happen again.