Can't Open tailgate - 97 JGC

shockwave · 04-06-2008, 04:43 PM

I can't open my tailgate. The thing unlocks and locks with the key but if doesn't seem to be engaging when I use the handle. I tried to take of the back panel but I can't seem to get it off to look at it. Any suggestions?

scarbound · 04-06-2008, 05:53 PM

Yeah mine used to do this. Easy fix. What you gotta do is drop a knee about 2 inchs to the right of the handle while at the same time pulling the handle lol. Works every time for me.

Windowsrookie · 04-06-2008, 06:07 PM

This is also why most ZJ's have a dent next to the handle, like mine.

Once you get it open grease it up a little, if it does it again you need to adjust the handle.

shockwave · 04-06-2008, 06:52 PM

Ok i got it open and i took the panel off. With it open I was playing around with it and got it to engage on a screwdriver, I can't get it to disengage. So now the hatch won't shut. I don't see how I can take that part out either with the screwed in rod screwed in to something on both sides and the lack of space availble.

Also, the hydraulic rods that hold the liftgate and tailgate window open just keep coming down. Does this mean I have to replace all 4 hydraulic rods?

Thanks

a70eliminator · 04-06-2008, 07:07 PM

It's amazing what a little oil will do, the little spring return cam latch is hanging up on ya, get a can of spray lube or better yet plain oil and squirt the crap out it saturate it good any excessive oil will creep into the pinch weld and keep you hatch from rusting along the bottom so don't be afraid of really douseing it good. And your hatch cylinders are shot too.

shudog · 04-06-2008, 08:04 PM

Haha, I just posted the exact problem about my hatch not opening...

I replaced the two main hydraulic supports last fall though, no big deal. The two that support the glass aren't really an issue.

shudog · 04-08-2008, 04:08 PM

so to fix that sticky tailgate, just give it a firm bump with the knee, then take it apart and lube it up?

How about replacing the rubber hatch stops on either side? Mine are totally disintegrated and cracked and worthless, where can I get new ones?

**squashman702** · 04-08-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarbound

Yeah mine used to do this. Easy fix. What you gotta do is drop a knee about 2 inchs to the right of the handle while at the same time pulling the handle lol. Works every time for me.

Exactly what I do, and x2 on that dent.

shudog · 04-08-2008, 08:59 PM

So how 'bout those rubber hatch stops? Anyone know where I can get them?

**SpeedyCat3** · 04-08-2008, 09:01 PM

I got mine at the stealership..... and they were about $30.00 for the pair....

wil badger · 04-08-2008, 10:09 PM

I call my hatch the Fonzy hatch .Pull up on the handle and give it a little thump with your free hand and it opens right up.

shudog · 04-25-2008, 08:28 PM

Got the rubber stops from the dealership today for $7 ea. Installed them and took the back hatch cover off and lubed the heck outta the handle & latch mechanism. Fixed the rattle and the hatch opens the way it's supposed to now. Think I'll drink a beer now.

ruhypoxic · 05-03-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shockwave

Ok i got it open and i took the panel off. With it open I was playing around with it and got it to engage on a screwdriver, I can't get it to disengage. So now the hatch won't shut. I don't see how I can take that part out either with the screwed in rod screwed in to something on both sides and the lack of space availble.

I had this same problem. My daughters keep a ton of useless stuff in the rear (blankets, sleeping bags, clothing) and this stuff kept getting jammed in the rear latch. I did finally get them to clean this out but I wonder if these jams didn't cause the latch to start malfunction because we are now experiencing hard to open liftgate problems. Does anyone have a better fix than pulling and pushing at the same time that won't cause more damage to the rear? Any help is appreciated.

Thank you.

**SpeedyCat3** · 05-03-2008, 08:59 PM

When you have it opened, yake the panel off and lube the mechanism.
Make sure the bolts that hold the latch on the bottom are there and tight.
Maintenance is usually overlooked on tose things.

adgroza · 05-03-2008, 09:33 PM

i just give light pressure with my palm while pulling the handle. and by the way, all those rubber pieces do is keep the tailgate in visual alignment. like everyone else says. if enough water gets in to rust the hatches, the latch isnt far away, so it gets wet and corroded.

04-06-2008, 05:53 PM	#2
scarbound Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: huffman,tx Posts: 58 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Yeah mine used to do this. Easy fix. What you gotta do is drop a knee about 2 inchs to the right of the handle while at the same time pulling the handle lol. Works every time for me. __________________ 98Grand Cherokee Laredo 2 inch. BB on 31X10.5 Uniroyal Liberator A/Ts..

04-06-2008, 08:04 PM	#6
shudog Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 166 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Haha, I just posted the exact problem about my hatch not opening... I replaced the two main hydraulic supports last fall though, no big deal. The two that support the glass aren't really an issue. __________________ '98 Grand Cherokee Limited w/5.2L V8 & Quadra Trac White w/gold trim - totally stock

04-08-2008, 04:08 PM	#7
shudog Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 166 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	so to fix that sticky tailgate, just give it a firm bump with the knee, then take it apart and lube it up? How about replacing the rubber hatch stops on either side? Mine are totally disintegrated and cracked and worthless, where can I get new ones? __________________ '98 Grand Cherokee Limited w/5.2L V8 & Quadra Trac White w/gold trim - totally stock

04-08-2008, 08:59 PM	#9
shudog Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 166 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	So how 'bout those rubber hatch stops? Anyone know where I can get them? __________________ '98 Grand Cherokee Limited w/5.2L V8 & Quadra Trac White w/gold trim - totally stock

04-08-2008, 10:09 PM	#11
wil badger Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 2,827 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I call my hatch the Fonzy hatch .Pull up on the handle and give it a little thump with your free hand and it opens right up. __________________ One Built XJ

04-06-2008, 07:07 PM	#5
a70eliminator Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kent Ohio Posts: 528 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	It's amazing what a little oil will do, the little spring return cam latch is hanging up on ya, get a can of spray lube or better yet plain oil and squirt the crap out it saturate it good any excessive oil will creep into the pinch weld and keep you hatch from rusting along the bottom so don't be afraid of really douseing it good. And your hatch cylinders are shot too.

04-25-2008, 08:28 PM	#12
shudog Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 166 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Got the rubber stops from the dealership today for $7 ea. Installed them and took the back hatch cover off and lubed the heck outta the handle & latch mechanism. Fixed the rattle and the hatch opens the way it's supposed to now. Think I'll drink a beer now. __________________ '98 Grand Cherokee Limited w/5.2L V8 & Quadra Trac White w/gold trim - totally stock

05-03-2008, 09:33 PM	#15
adgroza Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: ohio Posts: 19 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	i just give light pressure with my palm while pulling the handle. and by the way, all those rubber pieces do is keep the tailgate in visual alignment. like everyone else says. if enough water gets in to rust the hatches, the latch isnt far away, so it gets wet and corroded.