The liftgate on my ‘96 Cherokee won’t lock. It has no problem closing or opening but I can’t get it to lock. Key goes in fine but won’t turn at all. Is there anything I can do to fix this?

 

Pull the panel off and hit it with some white lithium spray.

 

Could be that the lock itself is sticking, the very fingers that read the bumps on the key can stick, so it wont read the key right, and thus not unlock. so try dry graphite key lube in the key hole and on the key, get a bunch of dry graphite in there, use the squeeze tube to blow it into key hole, then work the key in and out a bunch of times, and see if that frees it up. If not then proceed as other suggested to inspect, clean lube the latch mechanism. you can use white grease here, white grease recommended on door latches, seat slider rails and other interior stuff as it wont leave an ugly stain on clothes and upholstery like black moly grease does. Only use dry graphite in the key hole however.

an oft neglected service is dry graphite in key holes, dont forget the ignition key hole! your locks and keys will last much much longer if lubed with graphite once a year. It is also good to do the house locks too. you can do the house and car(s) in a matter of minutes, just once a year is all it takes. smooth working keys are such a blessing!

good luck

 

my '96 liftgate locks with the button-on-key, but not manually..havent checked out why, does yours lock electronically...there are 2 keys for my XJ...I will check that myself