How do you fix a 2000 jeep grand Cherokee rear hatch it will not open?

Answer 1

If the hatch will not open you need to enter from the back seats, on the right hand side is a small plastic piece that will come off when you pry it. It is an access door to the actuator that controls the lock from here u can simply push up or down to unlock the hatch and it will open. The most liekly cause is that it is broken and you will need to take off the entire back cover and replace the locking mechanism go to the dealer they are around 50-75 or less cant remember. But once you have the access door open you can unlock and open the hatch.

I did not come up with these instructions but they worked so well for me on my 1999 Cherokee that I wanted to post them here. "YooperEE" Is the source of this tutorial and I feel he deserves credit for such a straightforward solution to an incredibly frustrating problem.

Since most of the screws that hold the inner hatch panel in place are not accessible when the hatch is closed, most people resort to cutting or breaking apart the inner panel, readjusting the opener mechanism and then buying a new inner panel. DO NOT DO THIS!

Here is what worked for me on my 1996 Grand Cherokee.

1. Straighten out a metal coat hanger and bend a small hook on one end.

2. Remove the top screws on the inner panel.

3. Gently pull the top of the panel open about an inch and shine a flashlight inside the hatch. Mine has the pop up glass which makes this a little easier.

4. Slide the hooked end of the coat hanger inside the hatch while a friend works the release handle up and down.

5. Inside the hatch, at the bottom you will see the release arm moving. Simply hook the arm with the coat hanger and pull up! (I found I could easily reach it with my index finger)

6. It may take a few tries, but the hatch will open easily.

I was able to open my hatch in less than 15 minutes by myself. Once the hatch opens, remove the remaining screws and you will see that the release arm is adjustable. The arm is threaded and simply pops into a metal clamp. Pop it out of the clamp, pull up on the arm to take up as much slack as possible, and pop the arm back into the clamp. Replace the inner pannel and your done.