Putttn

My 96 Cherokee Country's rear hatch won't open. Tried opening it with key in the lock turned to both positions and turning it to the left the button won't even go in. Help?

finneys98xj

Had that happen once I fanilly got it open my gettin in and kicking the hell ou of the hatch from the inside while some one was trying to open it from the outside.

Ramac

Climb in the back and remove the interior panel to the back door. There are like 4 screws at the bottom and some around the sides. It'll be annoying since the door is shut. (or you could go through the trouble of removing the bracket)

Your problem is the lever mechanism on the inside behind the handle... there will be a threaded rod that controls the latch to open it away from the lock on the floor. Sometimes it will pop out or get worn over time.

Open it up and take a look. Thats the only way but it's an easy fix. I replaced mine with one from an older ZJ. It bolted right in.

Hope this helps... http://www.myjeepxj.com/index.php?pa...rear-latch-fix

finneys98xj

That will work great for 96 and older xjs but the 97+ some of the screws are hidden then the easy way is to take the rear bumper off so you can get to the screws on the bottom of the striker/latch.

Ramac

I have a 2000 for one. And second I did it myself about 6 months ago. Plus he has a 96 and try reading what i said--->"(or you could go through the trouble of removing the bracket)"

And to just put it out there... The rear bumper is a pain to get off!!

tuxfan212

Yeah unless of course the brackets are so rusted that it just falls off. Still a pain to put back on though.

finneys98xj

I want saying what I said to **** you off I was just throwing that out there to clarify a little more for others that may need to read this thread for help. On my old 98 most of the screws are hidden in the jam. The rear bumper aint that bad but yes it can be a pain.

bain98xj

mine did that i had to push down on the sides and then after i got it open i adjusted the link and relubed the latch so it wouldnt do that again

Ramac

Hey yeah I may have been a little under the influence and pissed at some personal things when I replied, so I do seriously apologize for the rude response.

Lono

It's annoying to figure out the first time, but after you've seen it without the interior panel, the easiest way is to pull the panel away from the bottom of the window, it's just held on by those plastic trim-rivet things, and then reach all the way down until you feel the lever, and then pull up. After you get the thing open, you have to adjust the linkage and grease everything up. Oh, and if your gas shocks that hold the tailgate open still work, they wont for long. Mine went about a year after the tailgate started jamming.

finneys98xj

You fine!`

milmat1

Try Pushing IN on it (With your Shoulder) just as you pull the handle, If it opens get in there and adjust the rod behind the handle. Mine would do this when I first got it after a few times and about 10 gallons of WD40 it hasn't done it again.(YET!)