!994 Grand Cherokee Laredo
My back hatch door will not release. I pull and pull at the handle but the mechanisim will not unlatch. I got inside the back and tried to use a screwdriver to jimmy the lock but no luck.
Ideas?

 

In an XJ pushing in on the hatch while pulling up the handle sometimes works.
Have to find the sweet spot.
What you really want to do from the inside is pull on one of the rods in there.

 

It's possible that the actuator arm that's attached to the handle from the inside of the tailgate has come off of the handle (much like it can on the door handles). If you're able to get the liftgate panel off from the inside, you should be able to get to it and check. It simply reattaches to a hole in the handle, and is held in place by a plastic clip that "Swings" up and away from the hole, and is supposed to "Snap" into the hole when it's secure. There might also be a second actuator arm for the liftgate lock, so you'll likely want to check that as well.

-Vince