YJ Door Latch Stuck

[dan6913]

My 95 YJ has full doors. The door is closed and latch is stuck around post (mounted to the frame).

I have the panel off and everything is visible. The handle rods are all attached to the lock mechanism and functioning properly. The interior/exterior handles both work properly. The lock mechanism (including key) works properly.

The only thing that isn’t happening is the latch releasing from the latch post when the handle is pulled.

How do I manually pop the latch?

Thanks!

 

[ytradio]

If you can see the latch from the inside I would spray it down with WD40 and let it set awhile, then try it again. I have full doors, but haven’t had the inside panels off. But I have used this method on other doors with good results.

 

[redcardinal]

Like ytradio said, WD40 may free things up. Also a gentle push closed from the outside while working the release might free it up and get it open.
I use WD40, Liquid Wrench, and then Kroil in that order on my 95 Wrangler. Kroil is rather expensive so I use it last.
Good luck.

 

[rojogrande5]

I would also spray it with some gunk removal remedy and try pulling the latch to open it up. If that doesn't budge, however, you are able to take the door completely off of the body.
You can remove the striker pin and cover from the body, take off the hinges, and shimmy the door out that way (with the striker still in the latch) and then work on it somewhere else to give you more space to get it working again. You probably would want to remove the top for that though

 

[heelinstack]

There's a long kind of "U" shaped rod that goes to the outside handle and loops down at the bottom of door. Try pulling up on it. (sometimes it slips down) then pull down. It should unlatch. That's what happened to mine.