Can't get my tailgate/rear hatch open!

A

Audnorge

NAXJA Forum User

Location

El Paso Texas

• Mar 20, 2011

• #1

2000 XJ 4-door. The key won't work, the driver's master lock/unlock won't work....and the handle seems to be OK. Feel like an idiot...please send suggestions if you know the trick. Thanks!

 

R

robsjeepxj

NAXJA Forum User

Location

North Jersey

• Mar 20, 2011

• #2

There's two bolts underneath the latch you can take out to get it open. this usually happens because there's something keeping the hatch from closing properly and as a result won't open right either. Let us know if that works for you.

 

R

Rmart30

NAXJA Forum User

Location

alabama

• Mar 21, 2011

• #3

easiest thing to do.....climb in the back ..directly above the latch in the center near the glass take 2 hands and pull the plastic panel quickly toward you . The center clips will pop out and you can reach down with your right hand while holding panel out with the left and slide the release over and open the hatch....
Then you can take the panel off the rest of the way and fix the latch properly.

 

T

truckeejeeper

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Northern California

• May 13, 2011

• #4

I am having this same problem with my '91 xj. Unfortunately as I was trying to open in by pressing the button and wedging the finger/hook thing, it broke off. Anyone know what thats called and where I can order a new one? Thx!

 

G

Grimm5577

NAXJA Forum User

Location

PA

• May 13, 2011

• #5

i had this problem when i first picked up my XJ. I then realized i was turning the key the wrong way to un-lock it. I'm such a a dumb ass. I nearly broke off the latch release by trying to lift it too hard, since the hatch is fiberglass and all.

 

O

orange

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Texas

• May 13, 2011

• #6

Scroll to bottom of this page and click on "similar threads"

 

ColoradoRaptor

Headbanging Hillbilly

Location

Canon City, Crawlorado

• May 14, 2011

• #7

Rmart30 said:

easiest thing to do.....climb in the back ..directly above the latch in the center near the glass take 2 hands and pull the plastic panel quickly toward you . The center clips will pop out and you can reach down with your right hand while holding panel out with the left and slide the release over and open the hatch....
Then you can take the panel off the rest of the way and fix the latch properly.

Click to expand...

X2!!

 

SC Rednek

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Winchester TN

• May 14, 2011

• #8

Probably you already tried, but my '99 you had to keep the key almost 1/4" out in order to turn it, if you pushed the key all the way in it didn't work.