99 Grand Cherokee tailgate won't open.
01-23-2012, 02:45 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
99 Grand Cherokee tailgate won't open.
Hi. I'm new here. Got a 99 Grand Cherokee Laredo, and the tailgate won't open. The actuator makes a screeching sound. It had been working "sometimes", but has stopped. The glass won't open either. Any suggestions? Thanks.
01-23-2012, 03:43 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Virginia Beach
Posts: 786
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 2016
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 5.7l HEMI
Sounds like your lock actuator went south on you. Motor probably siezed in the lock position. The rear hatch lock actuator commonly goes out on these models. Mine stuck in open and wont lock.
Oh, and Welcome
Oh, and Welcome
01-23-2012, 07:10 PM
#3
CF Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tenn. and Mich.
Posts: 28,068
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
Welcome to CF.
You can remove the small access panel on the hatch's interior panel, and manually open the hatch. Then remove the panel being careful to not break the plastic retainers. There's also 4 screws I believe. See if you can determine which part of the lock mechanism needs lubrication or replacing, and leave the panel off until you can fix it. That way it can at least be opened from the inside easily.
You can remove the small access panel on the hatch's interior panel, and manually open the hatch. Then remove the panel being careful to not break the plastic retainers. There's also 4 screws I believe. See if you can determine which part of the lock mechanism needs lubrication or replacing, and leave the panel off until you can fix it. That way it can at least be opened from the inside easily.
01-27-2012, 07:30 AM
#6
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: West Palm Beach
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 h.o. with 703's and a KN&N drop in filter
Inside the access panel on the 99-04 GC theres a safe t lock just push it down that should solve your issue to get the gate open so you can further TC
01-27-2012, 08:26 PM
#7
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: colorado
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1996
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: v8 5.2L
I had a similar issue, does your handle have tension? If its loose the mechanism that connects the handle to the lock could be busted, remove the panel as Ol"blue suggested and check if handle is connected. If it is busted you should be able to rig it with some wire, that's what I did and I've had no problems since, a lot cheaper than a new part too! ( sometimes it sticks but if I put my shoulder into the tailgate and pull handle at same time it pops open lol)
Trending Topics
02-05-2012, 12:58 PM
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ok. Finally got around to taking off the inside panel. I got the door to open by pushing the lever on the actuator. It gets stuck, and makes a click when I unlock it manually. After I unlock it, the lever mover freely, then I can open the door and the window. When I press the power lock button, it will lock, but not unlock until I push the lever. I sprayed some lube in there and it makes no difference. I am kinda leaning toward the actuator being the problem. Sound right?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
lozo63
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
3
08-27-2015 05:45 PM
03cheroke
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
2
08-27-2015 06:07 AM
Katt Dogg
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
1
08-25-2015 08:03 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)