So I’m sure there’s a thread or four on here about this issue, but I’m new to the forum and not sure where to look.

I’ve got a 2002 2dr 2wd and the issue is that my rear hatch won’t open. It’s getting power and I can hear it unlocking the glass with the actuater but it doesn’t let the glass loose. If the glass does get released then I can open the bottom half. And the outside button to open it doesn’t work.

I’ve checked all my fuses and they are
all fine. Like I said it’s getting power but not releasing. I’m getting to the point of going to a
junk yard and buying a hole new back door. Any hel would be a great help. Thanks in advance.

 

Is there no way to open that manually? I just fixed my '91 of the same issue and found it to be a bad/broken ground strap from the gate to the body. I also opened up that button on my '02 and cleaned it up and got it working. I think I found a write-up for that on here.

 

There is a manual release for the tailgate. You need to crawl inside and remove the handle with a Phillips screwdriver. Then you need to pull the trim panel away from the tailgate towards yourself so you can reach inside with a flathead screwdriver. You pull in the upper middle near the latch mechanism, and probably you will hear the trimpanel snap if it's not already broken. Push down on a small lever on the driver's side of the latch with a flathead screwdriver. The glass will release.

The rear trim panel needs to come off so that you can inspect the latch mechanism. It comes off very easy. First, the handle is removed and then two screws on the sides, and then it pops up.

My vehicle's latch mechanism had a worn spring, so I removed it and tightened it up with some pliers. Other people report that a plastic link likes to break, the part number is Dorman 42426.

There are videos on Youtube that explain the above in better detail. Good luck.

 

Had same issue with my 96. Had to crawl into the back, take off handle and open it manually. Once I got it open, I had to take off complete back panel. Most likely you will find the the plastic lever has broken. Initially I replaced it with a new spring but a cpl yrs later found myself going through the whole process again. 2nd time around I used some good grade wire and wired it so that it will never happen again!