I have a 98 xj limited with power windows and locks. Recently I have had trouble with the door latch being stuck. Currently my passenger door is closed and not opening from inside or outside. The button on the outside has very little resistance until you get to the very bottom when pushing it in. I have the door panel off and I tried pulling the rod to open it from inside, but that didn't work. I then tried spraying liquid wrench all over the latch mechanism from the inside and that also did not seem to help. As I press down the button and look inside I can see the latch moving very little, but obviously not far enough to open. Any ideas on how to get this door open?

 

Make sure the door is unlocked. May sound dumb but this was the problem on my buddies TJ.
If you are pulling on the rod correctly it should open.

 

I am about 90% sure that it was unlocked, but I will double check tonight and try pulling on that rod again.

 

yeah, my 96's passenger door hasnt opened since i bought it before easter. Its going to be fun to take the door panel off with it being shut, but i guess ill give it a try this weekend...

Its like you describe, there is very little to no resistance when you operate the handle mechanism, and ive soaked mine in PB as well to no avail.

 

Well I finally got the door open this morning. It was unlocked, but I started pulling the door handle rod and after pulling on it 4 times I pulled it kinda hard and it broke free and the door was open. The rod that I was pulling on acted very similarly to how the outside door handle works, just not a whole lot of resistance until the very end. When the rod felt like it wouldn't pull any farther I kept pulling and it had the feeling like it was stuck or sticky and then it finally broke loose. But now I have another problem. Now the door won't close because the latch is down too far and I can't get it move from the position it's in.

 

eh, see this is why i dont want to mess with my door myself, in fear that something crazy happens and i dont know what to do.

Does sound like some kind of issue in your linkage system or whatnot, though.

 

My driver side door won't open. I have taken the panel off and pulled and pushed on everything. I even adjusted the pull the handle has and still can't get it open. It seems like the latch will not let go of the striker. Any suggestions.

 

Just to cover the basics, have you soaked the echanism down with PB a few times?

if i recall, there is like a plastic shell around the metal latch part, its possible this came off and wedged itself, but im not sure.

I still haven't got my door apart yet.

 

Definitely give it a good soak with PB. I got sick of messing with mine, so I said screw it and took it to this small shop nearby. The guy came out, looked at it, took out his pocket knife and reached in behind the door panel messing with something while simultaneously pushing the latch up with his knife. To my surprise, the latch went right up with little effort. I was completely dumbfounded, and actually kinda pissed because I wasted so much time messing with it at home. I asked him what he did, and he said, "it just needed to be unlocked", which I have a hard time believing since I spefically remembered unlocking the lock mech with my key numerous times before messing with it. I know this reply isn't much help, but I just wanted to let you know what I know. Needless to say I thru him 10$ for a 5 minute job. Good luck brother.

 

Lack of maintance/lubrication will cause the lock rod to bend (shorten) to the point it will no longer function as designed. If you can get your doors & tailgate unlocked and open, now would be a great time for some lube.