Cannot open rear hatch on 98 cherokee
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Ontario
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 98' and 99'
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Cannot open rear hatch on 98 cherokee
I cannot open the rear hatch on my 98 cherokee. How can I open it and fix it..?
#2
CF Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes
on
9 Posts
Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
Crawl back into the cargo area. Take out any screws holding the carpeted panel in place. Gently pull on the carpeted panel with your fingers or a small tool and work it off the tailgate. There are 8-10 plastic fasteners holding it in place. Don't get rough with it; these tear out easily.
When you get the panel off, look in the lower center where the latch is. You can pull the latch release towards you to release the hatch. You will pull in the place where the outside pushbutton pushes a plate.
When you get the panel off, look in the lower center where the latch is. You can pull the latch release towards you to release the hatch. You will pull in the place where the outside pushbutton pushes a plate.
#3
Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L inline 6
I had the exact same issue on my 98 Sport two weeks ago.
What Firestorm500 suggested is the only way to open it and that's how I opened mine.
Pain in the neck and watch for the sharp plastic egdes or you'll end up with a pain on your fingers too.
What Firestorm500 suggested is the only way to open it and that's how I opened mine.
Pain in the neck and watch for the sharp plastic egdes or you'll end up with a pain on your fingers too.
#4
Newbie
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Longmont, CO
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Carpeted panel? I don't have a carpeted panel on my 98. What I did was remove the screws from the top of the panel, pop the struts off and side panels so I could get to the other screws, then pry the top of the panel out enough to get my hand down in there.
Once you get it open, definitely pull the panel all the way off and adjust and lube the mechanism.
Once you get it open, definitely pull the panel all the way off and adjust and lube the mechanism.
#5
CF Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes
on
9 Posts
Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
Carpeted panel? I don't have a carpeted panel on my 98. What I did was remove the screws from the top of the panel, pop the struts off and side panels so I could get to the other screws, then pry the top of the panel out enough to get my hand down in there.
Once you get it open, definitely pull the panel all the way off and adjust and lube the mechanism.
Once you get it open, definitely pull the panel all the way off and adjust and lube the mechanism.
Carpet or plastic, the idea and goal is the same.
#6
CF Veteran
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2,680
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Get in the back and kick the hell out of it while someone is trying to open in or take the nut out of the latch(take the back bumper off and you will see them).
I have done both on my old 98.
I have done both on my old 98.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kdot
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
11
11-12-2018 07:00 AM
hpwrestler220
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
4
08-31-2015 11:32 AM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)