does the handle feellike its locked or does it feel "stuck"

with mine, I have to hit unlock on the door a few times in a row and it frees up the hatch, then I have to push on the hatch while I pull the handle, if that makes any sense to you.

mine probably needs to be greased, its a common issue on ZJ's

 

with mine, I have to hit unlock on the door a few times in a row and it frees up the hatch, then I have to push on the hatch while I pull the handle, if that makes any sense to you.

X2 until I fixed it. Had to adjust the latch, pin and adjust the door bumpstops. It works fine but rattles a bit now so next time I'll also adjust the door hinges.

 

I have read that there is a hole behind the licence plate that allows you to open the latch...if you need to get it open

 

I sure as hell hope thats not true lol

I thought you had to pull the interior panel to access it.

 

The rod to the latch is held in place by a plastic clip.that slips and you can't open the hatch without pulling the panel and adjusting that clip., theres about 9000 threads on it here and at least 30 write ups.

 

So i got it open. Turns out that the rod had slipped off

and i am missing that white piece.
went down to the dealer to see if i could get it, but i guess I'd have to buy the whole latch assembly
Any ideas on how to fix it?

 

So i got it open. Turns out that the rod had slipped off
and i am missing that white piece.
went down to the dealer to see if i could get it, but i guess I'd have to buy the whole latch assembly
Any ideas on how to fix it?

Head over to the junkyard, get the part you need. Bet they won't even charge you if its a little clip

 

mine has same problem as well, also it rattles alot. is that due to the same reason it gets stuck?

 

Remove latch mechanism, remove dust/dirt, lube well with silicone spray grease while actuating, put it back together.... before it gets stuck, breaks the clip, and it won't come open.

 

What i did while i was in there was tied some picture hanging wire to the rod and ran it up between the window and the trim . Next time it happens , you'll have an emergency pull .

 

Hey mine did this, i disconnected the battery for a few min and it worked again. But only after two months.

 

Just fixed this on my 98 ZJ. Thanks for the instructions.