dnuccio

it was like this when i bought the jeep. i was able to take the interior panel off and pull up on the little rod and the hatch popped open. i took the latch out, lubed it up, and its been fine ever since. until yesterday. its seized up again. i took the panel off today and pulled up on the rod, but this time i cant get it to open. any ideas?

xHATCHx

My 96 did the same a few years ago. I still had it plugged in and I could hear the mechanism try to actuate the lock when using the fob. About 30 straight minutes of messing with it I was able to get it open. Replaced it right away. With the 03 as soon as the original failed I just replaced didn't try to reuse. Once bitten. I also replaced the strike on the 96 as well. Good luck your a jeep owner so I know you will figure it out.

travis123321

mine does this alot, try pushing pretty hard right below the lever and while your pushing it, try opening the hatch. it might take a few trys but it works

nwoffroad

Classic, welcome to grand cherokee love!

dnuccio

got it open. i added an emergency release cable too in case it gets stuck again. used some mechanic wire, wrapped around the lever on the latch, and ran up thru a small hole i drilled in the panel. then i twisted a loop on the end. works good and its better than almost certainly breaking the panel to get to the latch rod.