'93 ZJ, can't get hatch open

Yoothgeye

New Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2008
Location
Roanoke Rapids, NC
Ok, I've beat my Jeep up. Since I bought it you would have to push in on the hatch and pull the handle to get it open.

I opened it this morning, but in the afternoon I tried to open it and it won't open, no amount of pushing or pulling will open it. I've pushed so much I've dented the hatch... alot. Oh well.

I'm guessing there's a way to pull the inner panel and open it?

Problem is, I have a steel rack in the back which will make it pretty difficult to get back there. Hopefully if I tumble the seats I can get it out of the way.

TIA.
 
I had to bust my rear panel out, I had part of a chair stuck in the latch and would'nt close but my 96 has same problem ya have to push above the handle then pull handle then push harder!!!! Good luck man!
 
got a '98 with the same problem, i just push in on the rear like you have described. you will be able to manually release the hatch after removing the plastic inner panel.
 
MY 93 ZJ HAS THAT PROBLEM WHAT IT IS THE THREADEED ROD THAT CONNECTS TO THE HANDLE HAS CAME LOOSE TAKE THE BIG BLACK PICE OFF THAT THE TAG BOLTS TO OFF YOU WILL SEE IT LAYING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR
 
doodle4783 said:
MY 93 ZJ HAS THAT PROBLEM WHAT IT IS THE THREADEED ROD THAT CONNECTS TO THE HANDLE HAS CAME LOOSE TAKE THE BIG BLACK PICE OFF THAT THE TAG BOLTS TO OFF YOU WILL SEE IT LAYING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR
Click to expand...

this might be the easier or correct way to do it... if you try to take the inside panel off with the door closed you will bust it (from experience)... the rod just has an "nut" the adjusts it, and this slips out of place over time... you just have to adjust it back... takes ~3 minutes once you get to it....
 
Mine did this and what you have to do is take the bumper cover off take the bumper off and unbolt the latch bolts under the door you can then use a crow bar and someone inside and kick it open
 
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