any ideas on why my rear hatch wont open on my 98?

 

Bad wire or ground maybe or even a bad actuator. Does it make a unlocking/locking sound...Tj

 

from the out side it acts like the latch dosent work

 

OK you need to take it apart (I know its a PIA but) your gonna have to open from the inside of the jeep. I am sending you a PM with something that may help...Tj

 

my 99 has been doing that for about a year, just fixed it today

get in the back and pull out on the panel under the middle of the rear glass
there is like 2 tabs that will pop out allowing you to get your hand down in there. next pull up on the silver threaded rod while pushing out on the door

 

ok thanks

 

i have this issue as well any more help would be awesome. thanks

 

once you get it open just take off the entire panel and adjust the little arm in there. . it was very easy to do. makes me mad i didnt do it a long time ago

 

I locked myself out of the rear hatch on my '87 as well. At first I was unable to lock the hatch, then I was stupid and forced it to lock and now it won't unlock.

I don't know if my XJ is different that what you guys are describing since it's older... how can I get the hatch unlocked and what do I need to adjust or replace to make sure it doesn't happen again?

 

This still happens to me, just always make sure you close the hatch with some force.

 

i got it open just needed to be adjusted. on the pre 96 like my gfs the hatch panel wouldnt allow it to open or if there is to much rot and the body is using the hatch to hold it up, happened on my 93 the body rotted away from the floor and i had problems with the hatch

 

The rear hatch on my XJ tends to act up as well, but i bump the handle with the side of my fist, and to my surprise, it opens!!! go figure...

 

The lock on mine didn't want to unlock today. (key only, nothing electric.) I lubed the lock cylinder with some amsoil thin spray lube and it works great now. The tumblers get sticky over time and don't conform to the key.