Rear hatch won't open!
 

I have a '98 XJ. I thought I'd be nice and treat it to some new rubber bumpers for the rear hatch, since the old ones were falling apart. Now it won't open! I'm not sure if it's related to the new bumpers or not. I tried pushing hard on the inside and outside to make sure it was latched correctly, no dice. I made sure it was unlocked using the key, I get a very positive lock/unlock type of sound, so I don't think anything is wrong with the lock.

What can I do to get this thing open? Obviously I can't even inspect the mechanism until I can pop it open somehow...

The new bumpers are a bit too tall, need to adjust the bumper mount bolts inward....To get it open you need to push REALLY hard on the hatch where the 2 bumpers are (both at the same time) while lifting the latch handle. It's easier with 2 people. This takes the tension off the latch...then adjust the bumpers

That happened to me when I did that. I was able to push to the left of the latch about a foot and it would open. Of course instead of adjusting the bumper mounts, never occurred to me to do that, I did it the hard way. Went into the hatch and gave the rod on the latch a couple twists.

Thanks for the info...I was hoping it would be something simple. I'll give it a try tomorrow when I have some extra hands.

I thought it was too easy that the new bumpers just popped right on without any tools! :brickwall:

I replaced both bumpers on my 97 with Crowns and didnt have to adjust anything. Opens and closes no problem.

Try pushing on the hatch while pulling lever. I have to occasionally push to open. I just push a little with my shoulder near the plate light/cover and pull lever simultaneously.

Linkage is out of adjustment a common problem on the xj just go to YouTube and search jeep Cherokee back hatch won't open there are a few videos showing you how to fix it.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/so...7-01-a-240030/

If the rod is out of adjustment this will work.

Same thing happened to me. You can lock and unlock, but when you pull on the handle, nothing happens (almost like its locked all the time). The rod connecting the handle to the latch is probably loose or slipping. Its a bad design and this happens to a lot of people. Its an easy fix. To repair this, you need to open the door to remove the inside gate plastic panel, but you can't.

To open the door:
Crawl inside the trunk
Pry open the top part of the inside plastic panel (just under the window)
Don't be shy, it will pop off the clips, might sound scary
Pry open enough to get a glimpse of the latch assemby
You will see a vertical rod, that might be loose or slipping
Pull up on that rod and it will open the gate
Then you can unscrew the plastic panel and repair what ever you need to repair

I hope this helps

I've done it way too many times from the inside. That's why I tried to devise another option. Try the pushing in while pulling the handle. If that doesn't work try using my method. From the inside is last resort.

Tim has it dialed:
I had the same problem as you until 20 minutes ago. I was able to open the hatch by pushing inward on the license plate lamp cover while pulling on handle. Once open, I popped the inside plastic trim off. I moved the grooved rod up in the clip, and use safety wire and a safety wire pliers to keep the clip from moving.

I'd love to know what the thread is on that rod so I could put a nut above and below the "claws". Does anyone know?

I thought the zip tie trick worked well. I did put one below though to. Also the trick is not to play with the "claws'. There is a more traditional rod clip below. Unclip that and give it the twists it needs. Just to show what it kinda of looks like.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

My 98 xj just picked up that problem. I have watch a few you tube videos as to ho to fix it, but I.m not sure if the trim is all mounted the same. It appears to me that I have only 4 screws visible from inside along the top of the window and the video I watched evidently had screws at the bottom as well.I have given up on pushing the gate and lifting the handle. If this sounds right to anybody here, then my question is this: I wonder if anyone knows where I should holesaw a hole in the plastic to make this easier next time.

You are right about the 4 screws at the top but also 2 on each side about where the struts are. Then you pry it away at the bottom of the back window and reach down from there.