hey guys my hatch is stuck closed and I've been trying to remove the inside panel to access the lock. The problem is their are two side screws located behind the hatch struts that connect the panel to the hatch, does anybody have any ideas how to remove them? I've also tried to pry the top part down and reach in but their isn't enough space due to the side screws. Thanks for the help

 

Dont know if this is the same problem but my hatch gets stuck on lock, I have my wife toggle the master lock/unlock button on the driver door panel while I mess with key in the hatch lock till it unlocks.

 

Does anyone else have any ideas on how to fix this? I'm starting to think I'm going to have to drill into the panel...

 

What i did since I had the rear bumper already off was I unbolted the piece that the tailgate clips into (on the body). Then I had someone pull from the outside and I got in the trunk and used a pry bar and it popped open. Maybe not of been the best fix but I ran into the same issue where I could no reach the mechanism with the gate closed.

 

If u go under the jeep there are 3 trox bolts that u take out and it disconnects the bracket. U can try to get in there with a screw driver and pop it. I think I got mine by messing with the lock unlock button than pushed on the metal on the right side of the latch and opened the latch. U might also want to follow my write up on cleaning the latch so it does not stick.

 

Heres the link https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/tr...icking-108010/

 

You pry the panel back enough and stick your hand in there to pull on the lock rod. Happened to my 97. This forum is the place I found the answer. Works everytime now