The hood release pull is a straight piece and short, so shouldn't be hard to hook the lever with a stiff rod to release it. I replaced one with a few wraps of stainless wire, until I found I could get a new one cheap (~$7). The real problem is when the release cable from the cabin breaks.

I think in your year, it requires 3 glow plugs to be open before the light will not come on at all. That is a user warning. The "open" could be either in the glow plugs themselves or in the connector, wiring, or relay. Since you have removed and re-installed the connector, it probably isn't a loose connector (first guess). Unlikely 3 of the individual wires from the relay to glow plugs could be erratic together. My guess is the relay is bad. You used to have to pay $$$ for a used one, but I grabbed one for $5 at PickNPull the last year or two. Grab the heater resistor too (passenger inner fender).

BTW, before trying to replace a glow plug, it is nice to have a set of ratcheting box wrenches (Craftsman and others). It makes it real easy. That is my go-to tool now.