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?

 

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.

 

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

 

Classic, welcome to grand cherokee love!

 

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.