98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

The late on my tailgate- (the metal door, not just the window)
sometimes gets stuck,
and I can't open it unless I press dwon & in on the tailgate, while
pulling on the handle to open the tailgate.

My neighbor has the exact same problem with his 98 GC.

Is this fairly common? What is causing this ?

Can I fix it on my own- or does it require a skilled mechanic who is
going to charge me an arm & a leg?


thanks

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

Cappy2112 did pass the time by typing:
> The late on my tailgate- (the metal door, not just the window)
> sometimes gets stuck,
> and I can't open it unless I press dwon & in on the tailgate, while
> pulling on the handle to open the tailgate.
>
> My neighbor has the exact same problem with his 98 GC.
>
> Is this fairly common? What is causing this ?
>
> Can I fix it on my own- or does it require a skilled mechanic who is
> going to charge me an arm & a leg?

Couple of possibilities. Most likely the latch mechanisim is full of dirt
and needs to be cleaned and re-lubed. Chassis shift can do this but that
is usually the result of an accident (rear-ender).

Take some silicon lube and spray the latch mechanisim, that might free
it up for a while. Watch using grease removers like TB cleaner as they
can dissolve plastic. And wear eye protection when using spray cleaners.
That stuff stings like a sombitch.

--
DougW

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

Cappy2112 did pass the time by typing:
> The late on my tailgate- (the metal door, not just the window)
> sometimes gets stuck,
> and I can't open it unless I press dwon & in on the tailgate, while
> pulling on the handle to open the tailgate.
>
> My neighbor has the exact same problem with his 98 GC.
>
> Is this fairly common? What is causing this ?
>
> Can I fix it on my own- or does it require a skilled mechanic who is
> going to charge me an arm & a leg?

Couple of possibilities. Most likely the latch mechanisim is full of dirt
and needs to be cleaned and re-lubed. Chassis shift can do this but that
is usually the result of an accident (rear-ender).

Take some silicon lube and spray the latch mechanisim, that might free
it up for a while. Watch using grease removers like TB cleaner as they
can dissolve plastic. And wear eye protection when using spray cleaners.
That stuff stings like a sombitch.

--
DougW

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

Cappy2112 did pass the time by typing:
> The late on my tailgate- (the metal door, not just the window)
> sometimes gets stuck,
> and I can't open it unless I press dwon & in on the tailgate, while
> pulling on the handle to open the tailgate.
>
> My neighbor has the exact same problem with his 98 GC.
>
> Is this fairly common? What is causing this ?
>
> Can I fix it on my own- or does it require a skilled mechanic who is
> going to charge me an arm & a leg?

Couple of possibilities. Most likely the latch mechanisim is full of dirt
and needs to be cleaned and re-lubed. Chassis shift can do this but that
is usually the result of an accident (rear-ender).

Take some silicon lube and spray the latch mechanisim, that might free
it up for a while. Watch using grease removers like TB cleaner as they
can dissolve plastic. And wear eye protection when using spray cleaners.
That stuff stings like a sombitch.

--
DougW

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

Also it may be a issue with your latch post not being in the correct
position (IE the post is too far forward or way to far back).. If
cleaning it doesn't do the trick then loosen the 4 screws on the latch
post and move it forward or back about a Centemeeter tighten it back
up... this is a trial and error thing and may take a couple (say 20
tries) to get perfect.. once you have done that then make sure to use
some Locktight on all of the screws one at a time so that you don't
loose position and you are good to go :)

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

Also it may be a issue with your latch post not being in the correct
position (IE the post is too far forward or way to far back).. If
cleaning it doesn't do the trick then loosen the 4 screws on the latch
post and move it forward or back about a Centemeeter tighten it back
up... this is a trial and error thing and may take a couple (say 20
tries) to get perfect.. once you have done that then make sure to use
some Locktight on all of the screws one at a time so that you don't
loose position and you are good to go :)

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

Also it may be a issue with your latch post not being in the correct
position (IE the post is too far forward or way to far back).. If
cleaning it doesn't do the trick then loosen the 4 screws on the latch
post and move it forward or back about a Centemeeter tighten it back
up... this is a trial and error thing and may take a couple (say 20
tries) to get perfect.. once you have done that then make sure to use
some Locktight on all of the screws one at a time so that you don't
loose position and you are good to go :)

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

i cannot even begin to count on how many latchs i have replaced for this
exact same complaint, lubing it is a short term fix

UtahCherokee01 wrote:

> Also it may be a issue with your latch post not being in the correct
> position (IE the post is too far forward or way to far back).. If
> cleaning it doesn't do the trick then loosen the 4 screws on the latch
> post and move it forward or back about a Centemeeter tighten it back
> up... this is a trial and error thing and may take a couple (say 20
> tries) to get perfect.. once you have done that then make sure to use
> some Locktight on all of the screws one at a time so that you don't
> loose position and you are good to go :)

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

i cannot even begin to count on how many latchs i have replaced for this
exact same complaint, lubing it is a short term fix

UtahCherokee01 wrote:

> Also it may be a issue with your latch post not being in the correct
> position (IE the post is too far forward or way to far back).. If
> cleaning it doesn't do the trick then loosen the 4 screws on the latch
> post and move it forward or back about a Centemeeter tighten it back
> up... this is a trial and error thing and may take a couple (say 20
> tries) to get perfect.. once you have done that then make sure to use
> some Locktight on all of the screws one at a time so that you don't
> loose position and you are good to go :)

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

i cannot even begin to count on how many latchs i have replaced for this
exact same complaint, lubing it is a short term fix

UtahCherokee01 wrote:

> Also it may be a issue with your latch post not being in the correct
> position (IE the post is too far forward or way to far back).. If
> cleaning it doesn't do the trick then loosen the 4 screws on the latch
> post and move it forward or back about a Centemeeter tighten it back
> up... this is a trial and error thing and may take a couple (say 20
> tries) to get perfect.. once you have done that then make sure to use
> some Locktight on all of the screws one at a time so that you don't
> loose position and you are good to go :)

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

Willys, Kaiser, and American Motor Corp. used a zerk fitting on
every hinge, like the commercial trucks still do.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

philthy wrote:
>
> i cannot even begin to count on how many latchs i have replaced for this
> exact same complaint, lubing it is a short term fix

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

Willys, Kaiser, and American Motor Corp. used a zerk fitting on
every hinge, like the commercial trucks still do.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

philthy wrote:
>
> i cannot even begin to count on how many latchs i have replaced for this
> exact same complaint, lubing it is a short term fix

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

Willys, Kaiser, and American Motor Corp. used a zerk fitting on
every hinge, like the commercial trucks still do.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

philthy wrote:
>
> i cannot even begin to count on how many latchs i have replaced for this
> exact same complaint, lubing it is a short term fix

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

So what exactly goes wrong?
IS it the latch itself? Is it the solenoid actuating the latch?
When I press the remote control, I hear the solenoid engaging in the
tailgate.
Whether the solenoid is actually connected to anything- I don't know.

I'm not sure how to get inside to take a look- to see if I want to go
any further on my own.

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

So what exactly goes wrong?
IS it the latch itself? Is it the solenoid actuating the latch?
When I press the remote control, I hear the solenoid engaging in the
tailgate.
Whether the solenoid is actually connected to anything- I don't know.

I'm not sure how to get inside to take a look- to see if I want to go
any further on my own.

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

So what exactly goes wrong?
IS it the latch itself? Is it the solenoid actuating the latch?
When I press the remote control, I hear the solenoid engaging in the
tailgate.
Whether the solenoid is actually connected to anything- I don't know.

I'm not sure how to get inside to take a look- to see if I want to go
any further on my own.

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

So what exactly goes wrong?
IS it the latch itself? Is it the solenoid actuating the latch?
When I press the remote control, I hear the solenoid engaging in the
tailgate.
Whether the solenoid is actually connected to anything- I don't know.

I'm not sure how to get inside to take a look- to see if I want to go
any further on my own.

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

What do hinges have to do with this?

This thread is about is the tailgate latch mechanism on my 98 GC that
doesn't always open when I lift the handle.

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

What do hinges have to do with this?

This thread is about is the tailgate latch mechanism on my 98 GC that
doesn't always open when I lift the handle.

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

What do hinges have to do with this?

This thread is about is the tailgate latch mechanism on my 98 GC that
doesn't always open when I lift the handle.

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

What do hinges have to do with this?

This thread is about is the tailgate latch mechanism on my 98 GC that
doesn't always open when I lift the handle.

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

I thought I wrote there was no zerk fitting for you to lubricate
like the Real Jeeps.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Cappy2112 wrote:
>
> So what exactly goes wrong?
> IS it the latch itself? Is it the solenoid actuating the latch?
> When I press the remote control, I hear the solenoid engaging in the
> tailgate.
> Whether the solenoid is actually connected to anything- I don't know.
>
> I'm not sure how to get inside to take a look- to see if I want to go
> any further on my own.

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

I thought I wrote there was no zerk fitting for you to lubricate
like the Real Jeeps.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Cappy2112 wrote:
>
> So what exactly goes wrong?
> IS it the latch itself? Is it the solenoid actuating the latch?
> When I press the remote control, I hear the solenoid engaging in the
> tailgate.
> Whether the solenoid is actually connected to anything- I don't know.
>
> I'm not sure how to get inside to take a look- to see if I want to go
> any further on my own.

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

I thought I wrote there was no zerk fitting for you to lubricate
like the Real Jeeps.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Cappy2112 wrote:
>
> So what exactly goes wrong?
> IS it the latch itself? Is it the solenoid actuating the latch?
> When I press the remote control, I hear the solenoid engaging in the
> tailgate.
> Whether the solenoid is actually connected to anything- I don't know.
>
> I'm not sure how to get inside to take a look- to see if I want to go
> any further on my own.

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

I thought I wrote there was no zerk fitting for you to lubricate
like the Real Jeeps.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Cappy2112 wrote:
>
> So what exactly goes wrong?
> IS it the latch itself? Is it the solenoid actuating the latch?
> When I press the remote control, I hear the solenoid engaging in the
> tailgate.
> Whether the solenoid is actually connected to anything- I don't know.
>
> I'm not sure how to get inside to take a look- to see if I want to go
> any further on my own.

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

Your lock is probably corroded and that is stopping it from
working. You will have to take off the interior door panel
from the tailgate to get at the lock. Much easier if you can
coax the tailgate to open. I've had this experience. Just buy
a new latch mechanism and install it and put the Interior panel back
on...

Walt Johnson

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

Your lock is probably corroded and that is stopping it from
working. You will have to take off the interior door panel
from the tailgate to get at the lock. Much easier if you can
coax the tailgate to open. I've had this experience. Just buy
a new latch mechanism and install it and put the Interior panel back
on...

Walt Johnson

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

Your lock is probably corroded and that is stopping it from
working. You will have to take off the interior door panel
from the tailgate to get at the lock. Much easier if you can
coax the tailgate to open. I've had this experience. Just buy
a new latch mechanism and install it and put the Interior panel back
on...

Walt Johnson

Re: 98 Grand Cherokee- tailgate latch gets stuck
 

Your lock is probably corroded and that is stopping it from
working. You will have to take off the interior door panel
from the tailgate to get at the lock. Much easier if you can
coax the tailgate to open. I've had this experience. Just buy
a new latch mechanism and install it and put the Interior panel back
on...

Walt Johnson