99chergirl

I was having a problem with the latch not opening, and having to jerk on the handle several times until it'd pop open. Now it won't open at all and we're trying to fix it but ... we need the door open to take the plastic panel off to do that. Any ideas or tricks on how to open that door? The book doesn't say how to open a stuck door.

Scorpion8

Have you tried having someone push from the inside at the same time? Try cycling the door lock also, and perhaps use a jimmy stick to make sure the lock is fully retracted when you try to open it.

99chergirl

It's not the lock that's the problem. The lock is fully disengaged, as far as we can tell.

I did a search on the forum, but only found info for a '89 and the door on my '99 isn't set up the same.

lescaster

when that happens on my 99 cherokee - if I push on the lower right hand corner of the door while I'm lifting the latch the door opens right up

Desert Rat

Cycling the door locks and pulling the handle while a friend pushed in on the hatch got mine open. Turned out the threaded rod from the handle to the latch needed to be adjusted up a couple threads.

Driftunit

mine did this, i had to get inside and pull the cover piece back (its held on with snaps in most places but screws at the top) once i had it back, my dad tried to open it and i could see how the mechanism worked. once i saw that one side wasnt pullin up good i pulled by hand then pop! it came open.. after that i removed the cover piece the rest of the way and adjusted it now it works every time. inside theres little arms the size of coat hanger wire. on one of these arms where 2 of them connect there is a plastic piece that you can unsnap and adjust it. in my case i had to move it down some so it would pull the arm higher.

hope this helps

als98xj

Mine did this too. I found if I push down on the door at the light bar above the license plate as I lift the handle it opens. all the other tips work too as I tried them also. Pushing the door is least labor intensive. good luck.

nowayitstaysjeep

pushing from the inside only worked once for me. eventually i got tired of it and figured out that if you get inside and carefully pull the pannel from the middle,right under the window until you can fit your arm down the hole to pull up on the linkage it should unlatch you might need someone else to pull it open as you hold your arm in there. This worked for me i would definatley try it

Ironwagon

Try leaning against the door slightly, pushing from the outside in. Then gently lift the handle. The latch on my 98 is slightly out of adjustment, and it won't budge if pushed from the inside. I'd adjust it, but it makes a great theft deterrent, lol.

Driftunit

if you close all the doors and lay a grenade in the front seat it may open then too if you wanna give that a go

99chergirl

Thanks nowayitstaysjeep! We were able to get the door to pop open and will be buying some replacement parts for a few things that are worn out.

nowayitstaysjeep

[QUOTE=99chergirl;697573]Thanks nowayitstaysjeep! We were able to get the door to pop open and will be buying some replacement parts for a few things that are worn out.[/QUOTE

sweet, im glad it worked for you also.

RoyalXJ

X2