Dogface
The hood "pops" open when you pull the release because of the coil spring around the latch pin, not the hood springs. It keeps the hood from rattling when it is latched by pulling the pin tight against the bottom of the latch. When the latch is pulled, it pulls the pin up through the latch so you can let go of the handle without it re-latching. Sounds like your problems a missing /broken or weak spring or the spring retaining washer is upside down. Also, if the hood pin is out of alignment with the latch hole by enough, it will catch on the side of the hole and the spring can't pop it through when you pull the release.
If you lower the hood, hold the hood latch out and then press down on the hood, you should feel the spring compress and the pin slide into the hole. Let up on the hood and it should lift the pin out of the hole easily. The hood should set 1/2 - 1" open on the spring.