HikerJeep

1. '99 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 : had this bothersome business on a previous Cherokee; rear hatch is recalcitrant when attempting to open; usually if'n I put press down on the license plate light housing or push my right knee into the panel to the right/somewhat above the hatch level at the same time I lift the hatch, it will give it up and open; what's the deal? what's the solution ... other than wearing out my knee and patience? Hatch lifts are not the issue here.
   
   
   

Thanks!

Rogue4x4

You need to get behind your interior panel and adjust your linkage. Had a different issue with my latch recently, but the steps are almost the same. Heres what I did to fix my issue, yours should be much simpler:
[QUOTE=roninofako;2805433]So for those who didn't see my post in OEM, here is what I did to fix my rear latch. Background: My key would only lock the rear latch, but not open it, the tumbler would only turn one way, lock only. My dilemma was I couldn't get my rear hatch open to fix. So, here it is.

OK, so solved my rear hatch not unlocking problem. So, here's what I started with:


Got my needed tools, didn't grab a pic of the cordless drill with phillips bit, sorry, LOL





So, it was suggested I check underneath where the striker is to see if I could access the bolts, to remove them and get the hatch open.


So, I'm in luck, right? WRONG. Took them out, and while I was able to move it, couldn't get it open as the bolts were too long. Here's what they looked like at the maxed out position:


So, I crawled in the back and pulled the middle section of the panel out next:

Just reached in and pulled the latch lever.

Success!


So then I got the interior panel off, and poked my noggin around inside, pulled the metal clip on the latch lever, and removed the solenoid rod...



Removed the 10mm nut holding it in place and removed:


So here's the culprit:


...and here is where the issue was. That little hooked portion I'm pointing to was bent slightly out of whack...


After bending it back in place, I cleaned, lubed, reinstalled, put the clips back on, replaced the interior trim, verified operation, YAY! Key locks and unlocks with zero issues now. Then took it on a test drive with a friend:

black label

This is just a guess but it sounds as if the latch mechanism is out of alignment.

HikerJeep

Thanks for suggestions; problem solved with a minor adjustment.