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by swegle on September 29th, 2006

swegle

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1998 jeep grand cherokee. rear hatch stuck. driving me nuts. handle moves up and down freely but does not catch locks and unlocks but does not open. please someone help!!!

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Answers. 5 helpful answers below.

  • by YooperEE on March 21st, 2007

    YooperEE

    Since most of the screws that hold the inner hatch pannel in place are not accessible when the hatch is closed, most people resort to cutting or breaking apart the inner pannel, readjusting the opener mechanism and then buying a new inner pannel. DO NOT DO THIS!

    Here is what worked for me on my 1996 Grand Cherokee.

    1. Straighten out a metal coat hanger and bend a small hook on one end.
    2. Remove the top screws on the inner pannel.
    3. Gently pull the top of the pannel open about an inch and shine a flashlight inside the hatch. Mine has the pop up glass which makes this a little easier.
    4. Slide the hooked end of the coat hanger inside the hatch while a friend works the release handle up and down.
    5. Inside the hatch, at the bottom of course, you will see the release arm moving. Simply hook the arm with the coat hanger and pull up!
    6. It may take a few tries, but the hatch will open easily.

    I was able to open my hatch in less than 15 minutes by myself. Once the hatch opens, remove the remaining screws and you will see that the release arm is adjustable. The arm is threaded and simply pops into a metal clamp. Pop it out of the clamp, pull up on the arm to take up as much slack as possible, and pop the arm back into the clamp. Replace the inner pannel and your done.

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  • by Rhinoman2009 on September 29th, 2006

    Rhinoman2009

    There should be a little compartment on the inside of the rear door. Open this and feel around for the emergancy release lever.

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  • by Peter_W4074 on February 26th, 2011

    Peter_W4074

    take the pannel off and theres a green clip on a rod the connects from the lach to the handle mecanizum and that clip is broke

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  • by WGW on August 26th, 2010

    WGW

    Your not alone! Take the the inside door panel off if possible? Mine was open so I was lucky!

    Anyway...there's a threaded 5 inch rod that is fasten to a metal clip. "You can't miss it" if you get that far. If you do not see it...then the threaded rod has fallen out of the metal clip and is just hanging downward. Snap/wedge the rod back into the clip. You can grab the rod then and pull upwards! The door will open!!

    Now if the outside handle still won't open the door...then you have to adjust the positon of the rod in the metal clip. Have patience you may do this several times till the outside handle will open the door!!!

    There are 2 small protruding (I call points) on the metal clip...tension from these "points" wedge against the rod treads! TAKE CAUTION they will break from OVER BENDING THEM! They are thin!

    Another note: If you drive on dusty roads...every day! You may need to remove the locking mechanizm (3 bolts) then unplug the wiring harness. Wash the part with gas. Dirt will hamper the moving metal parts. REMEMBER IT CAN BE FIXED!!

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  • by rentdaylight on April 23rd, 2010

    rentdaylight

    DO NOT CUT A HOLE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE BOOT.

    1. First take out the screws in the lining of the top of the trunk/boot lid.
    2. Pry back the interior underneath the trunk window. There are 3 snap pins that pop out easily.
    3. Reach down with a coat hanger and pull the lever up as someone pulls the handle up from the outside. The lid/trunk/boot will come up easily.
    4. As for the mechanism, the fault is caused by a clip slipping along a lever which stops it moving it's full distance. Simply stretch the clip out, then pull the threaded lever out and reattach the clip deeper along the thread.

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