1996 Grand Cherokee Jeep Rear hatch latch broken

The latch to the rear hatch is broken and the hatch will not lift up.
The window part still operates fine, but the main door/hatch will not.
The latch seems to have a broken rod or something inside. Can't access
all the panel screws as most are in the door jam. Only four screws
accecible at the top. When those are removed, that still does not
allow enough visual into the inside of the hatch to see to the bottom
where the action, or lack of action, is. What's the trick? Any
special moves to get that rear panel off to see why the latch is not
working?

help help.
thanks alot!

dfuller did pass the time by typing:
> The latch to the rear hatch is broken and the hatch will not lift up.
> The window part still operates fine, but the main door/hatch will not.
> The latch seems to have a broken rod or something inside. Can't access
> all the panel screws as most are in the door jam. Only four screws
> accecible at the top. When those are removed, that still does not
> allow enough visual into the inside of the hatch to see to the bottom
> where the action, or lack of action, is. What's the trick? Any
> special moves to get that rear panel off to see why the latch is not
> working?

Your in for a lot of effort. Watch the plastic edges they are damn sharp.

Basically you have to get out the screws that hold the plastic in
and get inside the door to relase the catch.

The four other screws are somewhat hidden behind the lower carpet
panel, near the edges. Poke around with a screwdriver and you
will find them.

--
DougW

That's sucks! been there before...now we lube the latch often...
Good luck!

Jeff



"DougW" > wrote in message
news:_6U2g.5488$8q.5167@dukeread08...
> dfuller did pass the time by typing:
>> The latch to the rear hatch is broken and the hatch will not lift up.
>> The window part still operates fine, but the main door/hatch will not.
>> The latch seems to have a broken rod or something inside. Can't access
>> all the panel screws as most are in the door jam. Only four screws
>> accecible at the top. When those are removed, that still does not
>> allow enough visual into the inside of the hatch to see to the bottom
>> where the action, or lack of action, is. What's the trick? Any
>> special moves to get that rear panel off to see why the latch is not
>> working?
>
> Your in for a lot of effort. Watch the plastic edges they are damn sharp.
>
> Basically you have to get out the screws that hold the plastic in
> and get inside the door to relase the catch.
>
> The four other screws are somewhat hidden behind the lower carpet
> panel, near the edges. Poke around with a screwdriver and you
> will find them.
>
> --
> DougW
>