tailgate wont open

zjzach · 02-15-2010, 12:42 PM

its always something right. it worked perfectly fine the last time i used it and now it wont budge. it locks and unlocks fine, but doesn't even come unlatched at all when i try and pull up on it. hit me with all possibilities please.

2tone93zj · 02-15-2010, 01:04 PM

come on with 1024 posts use the search its been brought up 100s of times...

**ratmonkey** · 02-15-2010, 01:16 PM

a search would have yielded your answer well before you managed to hit submit on this post.

the latch rod has fallen off or simply slipped in the clip on the handle assembly. you'll need to get access to the inside of the rear door to fix it. most people either rip their trim piece off or cut a square access hole to get to it.

**squashman702** · 02-15-2010, 03:56 PM

Before you cut up your hatch, pull on the handle and smack to the right of it with your palm at the same time.

MurdaJs · 02-15-2010, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squashman702

Before you cut up your hatch, pull on the handle and smack to the right of it with your palm at the same time.

Yeah, try that, its what I have to do to open mine everytime

Its nice, I dont have to worry about locking my keys in jeep cause I dont have to lock to hatch

**squashman702** · 02-15-2010, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MurdaJ

Yeah, try that, its what I have to do to open mine everytime

Its nice, I dont have to worry about locking my keys in jeep cause I dont have to lock to hatch

Unless another ZJ owner tries to jack your Jeep. Then you're SOL.

2tone93zj · 02-15-2010, 05:12 PM

lol

10 char

MurdaJs · 02-15-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squashman702

Unless another ZJ owner tries to jack your Jeep. Then you're SOL.

True, but then I would have an excuse to look for a 5.9

zjzach · 03-16-2010, 06:42 PM

tried lifting and smacking it like you guys said. nothin

does anyone have a pic of what your access cut looks like

**ratmonkey** · 03-17-2010, 10:48 AM

i ripped my trim off. it's the lower center of the "carpet" portion.

Meaninglessphot · 03-17-2010, 11:25 AM

I got the same problem. Although for me, its my locking mechanism thats busted.

zjzach · 05-22-2010, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratmonkey

i ripped my trim off. it's the lower center of the "carpet" portion.

getting ready to probably do this, just thought id bump it to see if i can get any more advice before it goes under the knife, thanks guys and gals -zach

indredsnake99 · 05-22-2010, 09:15 AM

try leaning into it as you open it thats what i do for my 97

stormer1092 · 05-24-2010, 12:21 PM

take the license plate back off and reach in their and pull the vertical rod and it willl open, happened to me you just need to take it apart and put it back in the clip.