[VastoLorde]

Pretty much that, It won't open at all. Even when I put the key in, it won't turn either. Just nothing working on it at all.

Tried to take the screws off so I could get into it and try to see what the problem was, but there are 2 of them I can't reach haha.

Any ideas?

[Ricochet88]

mine had my snowboard boot lace caught in it my gf had to push from the inside while i pulled and it finally opened so it might have something stuck in it

[VastoLorde]

I've been inside pushing while someone's been out trying to open it, nothing happens.

We pull the handle and it doesn't seem to be hooked to anything. just moves all you want it to. So I believe it may be loose, but I can't reach in there to see what may be that's loose

[elmer_fud]

if it has the same problem as mine you have to push the panel in by pushing on the key cylinder while lifting the handle. I figured this out after fighting with it for a while and noticing the panel was flexing.

[VastoLorde]

Just tried it, doesn't work. Again feels like the handle isn't attached to anything, even my companion said the same thing, and she almost took the handle off!

[waarp8nt]

The linkage rod can jump or pull through postions and cause the handle to not have enough pull to open the gate. I had to lube the linkage and adjust the rod on my 96 ZJ this summer.

Also the cold weather made my lock hang up and diabled the handle so it couldn't be opened. Yet once it warmed up it worked fine again. Not sure how the weather is in your area, but something to think about.

[2tone93zj]

go from the inside, pull the panel back as far as you can all the screws up top and 2 screws hidden in the carpet panel you'll feel the holes. Now pull the panel as far away as you can and stick your hand in there, you'll feel a rod i think you have to pull the rod up and as your pulling the rod up push the tailgate, you get good at it after a few times, once you do get it open grease the heck out of the mechanism and put it all back together

[VastoLorde]

Originally Posted by waarp8nt

The linkage rod can jump or pull through postions and cause the handle to not have enough pull to open the gate. I had to lube the linkage and adjust the rod on my 96 ZJ this summer.

Also the cold weather made my lock hang up and diabled the handle so it couldn't be opened. Yet once it warmed up it worked fine again. Not sure how the weather is in your area, but something to think about.

It's pretty cool here, but I doubt it has to do with the weather, since I've tried as well when its been warm

[VastoLorde]

Originally Posted by 2tone93zj

go from the inside, pull the panel back as far as you can all the screws up top and 2 screws hidden in the carpet panel you'll feel the holes. Now pull the panel as far away as you can and stick your hand in there, you'll feel a rod i think you have to pull the rod up and as your pulling the rod up push the tailgate, you get good at it after a few times, once you do get it open grease the heck out of the mechanism and put it all back together

As I've said before, I've taken all the screws out, except those hidden in the carpet panel, which I cannot reach. Which is why I'm stuck. My plan was to pull out the panel, but with those two down there, I can't pull much. I know after I get to it I can figure it out, thing is getting to it!

[ddeadserious]

Why can't your reach the ones in the carpet part? I recall those ones being harder to screw out, but not hard to access....

You just pull off the screws underneath the window, and pull the panel off as much as you can, just pull it open enough to stick your arm in there between the panel and the metal of the actual hatch. You'll find a rod toward the bottom you need to pull up on.

You may break the panel, I was lucky enough not to, but can easily see how it could have cracked.

[Jubei]

Mike I had a similiar problem, I would stick the key in the lock and unlock and lock until the latch handle felt as it caught again. Once I had it catch I had to use a push pull method near the bottom of the hatch while pulling up on the latch handle. Eventually I was able to get it open, the fix was ALOT of WD-40 on the locking mechanism once I got it open, now it works like a champ.

[jeepin161]

Originally Posted by Jubei

Mike I had a similiar problem, I would stick the key in the lock and unlock and lock until the latch handle felt as it caught again. Once I had it catch I had to use a push pull method near the bottom of the hatch while pulling up on the latch handle. Eventually I was able to get it open, the fix was ALOT of WD-40 on the locking mechanism once I got it open, now it works like a champ.

mine did this when i bought it. it had sat outside for a year prior to me getting it... so mostly nothing worked right. it kinda required a Fonz-style kick to get it loose. once loose... i raped it with "breaker" and WD 40. now it works like a charm

[ratmonkey]

the rod slips through the coupler on a regular basis with zj's. you need to take the panel off if simply pushing beside the handle doesn't do the trick any more. either break something pulling it off or don't use your rear hatch. up to you.

[2tone93zj]

Originally Posted by Mike2513

As I've said before, I've taken all the screws out, except those hidden in the carpet panel, which I cannot reach. Which is why I'm stuck. My plan was to pull out the panel, but with those two down there, I can't pull much. I know after I get to it I can figure it out, thing is getting to it!

why cant you get to it? sit inside the trunk with a long philips screw driver (star) into the holes and you'll feel the screw.

[0oJeepo0]

I think you are just going to have to replace the entire handle/lock. I have had to do this on several of my jeeps that I have owned