tomf

Hi there,
I have a 97 Grand Cherokee with a hatchback that won't open. I have found quite a lot of stuff online about the issue but have been unable to budge the mechanism to open it, let alone fix it.
I was able to pry the inside panelling back enough to get my arm down to (what I think is) the latch rod but pulling on it doesn't open the latch. I can move it a little - maybe an inch or so - but it won't release.
I've never worked on an auto lock before and am not exactly sure how they work. All I know is my arm is grazed and I'm pretty frustrated. Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks in advance.

bigblue91601

I have no clue how to fix it, however I have the same issue with the back hatch not opening normally, so what I end up having to do is push the door in with one hand and with the other, lift up on the handle, then it opens normally, maybe this’ll help you in the mean time?

tomf

Thanks for responding. I've heard of the bump or push trick but, in my case, it won't work as the rod is disconnected from the handle assembly. That's what I discovered when reaching down behind the back panel. I can get a wrench on the rod and tug it, but it won't budge the lock. I can't understand why. If I could get the thing open I feel like I could repair it. As it is, I'm stuck.
When you get round to fixing yours you'll find some decent youtubes on this exact issue.

Thanks.

fb97xj1

If it still sticks with the rod unclipped, the mechanism at the bottom is gummed up or jammed for whatever reason. I dont know if you can get to the backside with a penetrant as i have yet to encounter this. Others have caught a blanket in there and jammed it. I dont know how one would fix that tho.

I found a video that covers the rod for a 98 ZJ, should anyone not know whats what back there and cant get the panel off. The same rod setup was used in the XJ.

tomf

Thanks for the advice. Car belongs to my girlfriend and turns out she got rear-ended (never told me...), beginning to think maybe the something got bent.

dave1123

Okay then! Either get the entire panel off or cut a couple of vertical slits in it with a sawsall so you can get access to the area. You may have to have someone press in really hard from the outside while you fiddle with the latch. The only other option is to go underneath and loosed the nuts that hold the latchplate onto the floor, but being a 97 doesn't give you too much hope there. Maybe you can snap them off and use new bolts later?

94zj318

I'd start by removing the trim panel on the inside of the liftgate from the inside of the Jeep (fold down the rear seat, and crawl back into the cargo area from the rear seat area). It's usually a few screw covers and screws, then retainer clips holding it on. You will be able to get a good view of the mechanism to see if anything is broken. Maybe have someone else stand outside and pull on the handle while you're looking a the mechanism from the interior of the Jeep.

-Vince