Jeep Repair: rear lift gate, jeep grand cherokee laredo, jeep grand cherokee

Question
We cannot open the rear lift gate on our 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. We have tried with the key and using the latch. We have tried pushing from the inside while pulling from the outside. Also it no longer goes into 4 wheel drive what can we do?

Answer
Hi Linda,

Sorry to hear about the troubles with your Cherokee. It sounds by your description that the linkage from the rear hatch lock to the latch may have come off? The only thing I can think of is to try removing the interior panel on the hatch from the inside to manually operate the latch. I think it'll be a bit difficult with the hatch closed, but that's what I would try if I had already done what you have. As far as the 4 wheel drive goes, check to see that the linkage from the stick to the transfer case is working properly. If it's intact, sounds like you'll need to see a transmission specialist or swap out with a working used unit.

Hope this helps,

Kenji