jeepskate
Full Access Member
Advice on accessing rear gate latch? Got it, thanks!
This blows. Went to open the rear gate on the KJ and the handle just pulled straight out. Whatever connects the handle to the latch mechanism came loose or broke. Gate won't open. Service manual says the square access panel on the inside "provides access to the gate latch if gate power fails. The gate can be unlocked by reaching in and pressing the lock lever down." Well, the gate is already unlocked. I need some way to open the latch, not just trip the lock. I popped the panel off, but I can't really access anything. There's a sheet of vinyl, I guess it's waterproofing, between me and the innards. It's black so I can't see through it. I can cut through it if I have to. I'd rather not, obviously. I can't get the trim panel itself off because the gate is shut. Anybody had to deal with this before or have any advice other than cut my way in?
This blows. Went to open the rear gate on the KJ and the handle just pulled straight out. Whatever connects the handle to the latch mechanism came loose or broke. Gate won't open. Service manual says the square access panel on the inside "provides access to the gate latch if gate power fails. The gate can be unlocked by reaching in and pressing the lock lever down." Well, the gate is already unlocked. I need some way to open the latch, not just trip the lock. I popped the panel off, but I can't really access anything. There's a sheet of vinyl, I guess it's waterproofing, between me and the innards. It's black so I can't see through it. I can cut through it if I have to. I'd rather not, obviously. I can't get the trim panel itself off because the gate is shut. Anybody had to deal with this before or have any advice other than cut my way in?
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