[97ZJ_guy]

My rear hatch won't close it justs slams and bounces back up when you go to close it. I't sorta looks like the little latch thing on the door is stuck closed but i'm not sure.

 

[GreenZJ]

This may sound wierd, but try to lock the doors first, then try to shut it

 

[Jeepy5Point2]

its my own fault but the same thing happend to me.... i was out in the trails and i opened my hatch and a friend closed it... i notcied the light on the VIC said it was still open but i was half way up a hill so i figured what could it hurt... well i was all flexed out and i think i must have twisted a bit since the rear hatch is structural. well when i went to shut it it would bounce right back open until i got pissed and SLAMMED it shut, now it rattles all over cuz i proke the white plactic guide/tension peice in there

 

[thorton0]

i had the same problem. my jeep was twisted and i tried to shut the hatch. it just bounced back. i had to move the latch by hand then it closed fine

 

[97ZJ_guy]

Got it to work. The little threaded rod that that pulls the latch when you move the handle had fallen out.

 

[country_boy454]

Got it to work. The little threaded rod that that pulls the latch when you move the handle had fallen out.

My 97 had this problem. Kept falling out. What a PITA! Also it rusted up solid so I finally just replaced the whole lock/latch mechanism. Local pick and pull only had one ZJ in it and that was basically the only thing that had not been picked yet! Before installing it I cleaned it all up.