i just got a 1990 cavalier vl i don't know if it runs yet because its missing the battery and the hood release lever isn't releasing dose anyone know how i can fix the release lever

Not off hand but you can get the hood open with a friend. I have to do this with mine, Have your friend or yourself pull on the hood release while you or they pull up on the hood right where the thatch is, takes a few times so be patient. If you pop off the grille you might be able to get your hands on the latch, been a while since I did that so I can't recall offhand.

if you havent got it yet,get yourself a long ,flat heavy screwdriver and get it between hood and grill and pry big spring off release,then there is a smaller one behind and under big one,pop that one off and hood will open right up,just make sur you put them back on same way!

MIne does the same, cable broke. If you reach up behind the bumper to the hood latch, feel for a spring, and pop it to the left it will open. Just tell anyone watching that its your anti-theft device.