grandjeep

Hey guys, I recently bought a ZJ Grand Cherokee. The trunk will not open, there are so rust around the trunk area and I suspect that something is rusted inside the door that is why it is not opening. When I put my key and turn, the lights turn on in the car so I think it unlocks but when I pull the opener it does not budge. Any solutions or inputs? Thanks in advance.

ulric

Have your buddy pull the handle outside (tell him not to stand to close to the door ;-) and from inside, kick it right open...probable just the seals that are stuck together...my old WJ does that in the winter..

Savasa

Greetings,
Ulric has the right idea but may I suggest to start out you just push hard from the inside and only start kicking if the pushing doesn't work.
Peter.

ika667

WD-40 before pushing or kicking.

grandjeep

hey guys, tried wd-40 and just the "pushing and kicking" methods, still no luck...

Any ideas? Should I bring it to the dealer and let them check it out?

birdman

iTrader: (1)

get a rope. Tie one end to the trunk latch the other end to a tree. Get in foot on the gas and GO!!! door might open!! lol
Try taking the interior panel off from inside if you can. sounds like the handle is not engaging the two latches. You should be able to manualy move them.

good luck a dealership will cost $'s

Kazman

This is actually a very common problem with the ZJ's at least. Seen it happen many times. What has most likely happen is the hatch was very seldomly used, and the latching mechanism has seized up. Spray up into the handle generously so that the lubricant can drip down on the latch. I would get a better penetrating spray like "Thust" or something, WD40 isn't the best for this in my past experiences. You will still need to do the push and pull with a second person, but let the penetrating oil sit for about an hour or so to let it do it's job 1st. Hopefully it will only take one attempt, but if not try try again.

Once you do get it open, be sure to spray the hell out of the latch and work it back and forth until it feels free, then spry some white lithium grease all over it to prevent it from happening again. I lube the hell out of all my latches and hinges every time I do an oil change. Be sure to do this to all the lock cylinders in the door and use the keys to lock/unlock at lease a couple of times a month or you will get locked out of your Jeep sooner or later too.

patyjlongmire

Take inside cover off. Find lock and open it that way. My xj did the samething

Kazman

There are a couple of screws inside the Jam of the gate that you cannot remove with the gate closed...