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Jeep Grand Cherokee Tailgate Won't Open

32 messages,  Last post on Sep 12, 2009 at 11:22 AM

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What is this discussion about? Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8, SUV

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#1 of 32 96 Grnd Chrke Tailgate wont open and Battery dies aftr only 3 days by spaughn1 Feb 01, 2007 (9:47 pm)
Bought mine used with only a few problems, but the main ones are the tailgate which is stuck closed (you can hear the elec lock engage and disengage when elec door lock and regular door key is used and, the battery completely dies after two or three days of it sitting idle.   Also, I get a constant 'Rear Lamp Failure' messege on the in-cabin computer as well as a very loud noise from the front left tire assembly.   Any ideas? Thanks Replies to this message: tidester (Feb 02, 2007 12:00 am) jeepdriver3 (Feb 14, 2007 1:44 pm) joehoffman (Feb 26, 2007 1:41 pm) spaughn1 (Mar 13, 2007 9:47 pm) justinlamb82 (Mar 14, 2007 8:23 am) gooooonta (Apr 27, 2007 4:53 pm)
#2 of 32 Re: 96 Grnd Chrke Tailgate wont open and Battery dies aftr only 3 days [spaughn1] by tidester HOST Feb 02, 2007 (12:00 am)
Replying to: spaughn1 (Feb 01, 2007 9:47 pm) Go to the Jeep Grand Cherokee Electrical Problems topic to discuss the battery problem. It is confusing to have separate issues discussed in a single topic and makes it harder for people to find the information they need.   tidester, host
#3 of 32 Re: 96 Grnd Chrke Tailgate wont open and Battery dies aftr only 3 days [spaughn1] by jeepdriver3 Feb 14, 2007 (1:44 pm)
Replying to: spaughn1 (Feb 01, 2007 9:47 pm) i also have a 96 jeep grand cherokee , my tailgate opens very rarely , how did you get yours to open ? Replies to this message: joehoffman (Feb 26, 2007 1:41 pm) spaughn1 (Mar 13, 2007 9:47 pm)
#4 of 32 Re: 96 Grnd Chrke Tailgate wont open and Battery dies aftr only 3 days [jeepdriver3] by joehoffman Feb 26, 2007 (1:41 pm)
Replying to: jeepdriver3 (Feb 14, 2007 1:44 pm) I have a '97 model that had a broken tailgete. There was a connecting rod that had come loose between the handle and the latch. The dealer charged $68.00 to reconnect it last week. It worked 3 times and now it's broke again. Bummer... The dealer will get another shot at it this week. Replies to this message: spaughn1 (Mar 13, 2007 9:47 pm)
#5 of 32 Re: 96 Grnd Chrke Tailgate wont open and Battery dies aftr only 3 days [joehoffman] by spaughn1 Mar 13, 2007 (9:47 pm)
Replying to: joehoffman (Feb 26, 2007 1:41 pm) Changed the battery, but the tailgate still won't open. Any other suggestions on opening it to finally fix it once and for all?
#6 of 32 Re: 96 Grnd Chrke Tailgate wont open and Battery dies aftr only 3 days [spaughn1] by justinlamb82 Mar 14, 2007 (8:23 am)
Replying to: spaughn1 (Feb 01, 2007 9:47 pm) i have found with almost every car that has a battery draining over the course of a couple of days that the vehicle has a badly oxidized ground or gound strap comming from the motor to the firewall or from the starter. check all you grounds to make sure they are clean and in good condition. as for the rear hatch i have sprayed PB Blaster in the crack of the rear hatch where the pins and locks are and sprayed them down, let them marinate for a couple house and was able to free the hatch in my wifes 95.
#7 of 32 Tailgate problem by jeeps2 Mar 24, 2007 (5:28 am)
Been a while since I last visted this site. 96GC tailgate wont open. can hear the lock work with the keypad and works with the key, just won't open when using the handle. Any ideas on hoe to access the latch rods in the gate? Any ideas on how to open the gate to make a repair? Thanks for your help.
#8 of 32 Tailgate problems by jeeps2 Mar 25, 2007 (3:19 am)
96JGC OK, I found some time after work to play with this tailgate. First, I got in the back of the jeep, took the two screws out of the back panel just below the window. Next, I pulled the panel back so I could reach my hand down between the panel and the tailgate. Be careful not to pull back to far as you can break the plastic panel. Next, locate the rod that goes to the latch and pull it up. Bingo, the gate will open. Next, I removed the screws around the bottom half of the inside panel. You will also find a scerw in the top corner of the carpet on both sides. They will have to be removed as well. Run your finger around the top corners and you should find the. You WILL NOT SEE THEM.Once removed, Then pull the panel off. No need to remove the top half of panel. It will take a little muscle because the panel has snap pins holding the inside panel to the tailgate. Once removed,take care to remove the noise insulation from the tailgate. It is going to be tough to peel off because of the adhesive they use, but it will come off. Now you have access to the lock and rods. All I found wrong with mine is the lack of use allowed some grime to build up on the release. Some good cleaning with WD40 and the parts shine like new and work just as well as new. Hope this info helps. Really an easy fix. Replies to this message: 95jgc (Apr 28, 2007 3:00 pm) jeeps2 (May 02, 2007 2:16 am) wheaties (Dec 30, 2007 2:00 pm) Ragtopmania (Feb 13, 2009 8:39 pm)
#9 of 32 Re: 96 Grnd Chrke Tailgate wont open and Battery dies aftr only 3 days [spaughn1] by gooooonta Apr 27, 2007 (4:53 pm)
Replying to: spaughn1 (Feb 01, 2007 9:47 pm) the tailgate problem is because they used some half assed mechanism to open the hatch, its basically a small bolt with rigdes on it and a split piece of metal that grabs the ridges. so after a few hundred time of opening it, the ridges get warn off. you need to take the interior door panel off (there is screws all around the top, side, and on th front covered by carpet usually), i just wrapped wire around the bolt and split piece of metal to hold it together. left front noise is most likely the axel, you gotta replace 'em
#10 of 32 Re: Tailgate problems [jeeps2] by 95jgc Apr 28, 2007 (3:00 pm)
Replying to: jeeps2 (Mar 25, 2007 3:19 am) Thanks for this advice! My 95 Jeep GC had the same problem. You must have a real thin arm to be able to call it an easy fix, but I managed to grab that lever eventually, and voila! WD40 fixed the rest, wish it could fix Death Wobble. Replies to this message: jeeps2 (May 02, 2007 2:16 am) wheaties (Dec 30, 2007 2:00 pm)

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