The handle broke off on my 2003 jeep grand cherokee laredo liftgate. how can i open it now? i can't find anything on the inside in the back and my tail light is out.

Have you tried holding in the plastic trim that surrounds the liftgate handle, with one hand, while pulling on the liftgate handle, to try and open the liftgate? I've seen this happen on a few Grand Cherokees and that should get it to open. Just make sure you hit the power unlock switch before trying that.

Try pressing and holding in the plastic trim piece at the bottom, right below the liftgate handle, while at the same time pulling on the handle. It should open. I had a GC that gave me the same problem opening.

Unlock the doors with the power unlock button then you have to push in on the bottom part of the plastic bezel that surrounds the liftgate handle, while at the same time pulling the liftgate handle outwards. It should open then.

There is a switch, most likely built into the latch, that tells the body control module when the liftgate is open or closed. If that fails what you experience will happen. An open / shorted wire or bad BCM or overhead panel will also cause the "liftgate open" indicator to be on. Try and locate the switch and look for obvious damage.

the fuse will be in the under hood fuse panel, the problem that you are having is most likely one of the latches on the liftgate.

i just fixed the liftgate on my 1998 JGC Laredo this afternoon: door handle, when lifted, does not release latch mechanism

here is a solution that may apply to you...

1. open liftgate flipper window
2. remove door panel screws from inside
3. use coat hanger to pull up on locking mechanism arm (at the bottom) to release latch mechanism
4. with door now open, remove remaining door panel screws to completely remove door panel
5. adjust the positioning of the latch rod in its retaining clip (open clip and reposition rod)
in my case, I had took much slack and repositioned the rod by a few threads (about 1/8th inch) in the clip.
be sure rod is seated fully in the clip and that the clip is securely closed
5. test your fix before re-assembling everything

want a long, detailed version? let me know.

You need to remove the panel from the liftgate and unlock and open it manually at the latch. It is not fun, but you can get the panel off with the hatch closed.

well your motor is good sounds like your belt is off the gear inside the motor

The problem you have posted suggests that the rod that goes between the latch and door handles has fallen off. Without destroying the inside panel on the door, see if you can somehow get a wire down to the latch assembly through the window opening to get it open, then take apart & repair.