So recently purchased a 2000 cherokee sport(xj) and Im having issues with the rear hatch not wanting to open. When lock and unlock the doors I hear it engaging or doing something, but when I go to open it and pull the handle the door wont budge.

Anyone have any suggestions??

Thanks in advance

 

play around with it until you get it opened, bang on the door some. it worked on mine. Then pull the interior cover off and adjust the latch linkage. I had the same problem this fall.

 

Press firmly against the small panel that is directly above the license plate. While pressing on that, pull the hatch handle. It should open up. From there, take off the interior panel and adjust the linkage as stated above.

 

Thanks guys. got everything working!

 

I also oil my mechanism frequenly. Seems to help quite a bit.