hood won't open

Hi, my friends 06 750LI hood release is not working. He says he has opened the hood before. I pulled the latch and let it go, the return springs feels like its still atached & there seems to be a little tension when I pull it.

I am unfamilair with BMW's, so I'm consulting you guys for some help. I say the cord is broken at the lever. Do these usualy break on a BMW?