We lost the directions to install the gate and can't figure out the handle/how to latch and unlatch?

there will be two hinge latches that you flip to stop the door from closing. This will allow you to push the door in and then pull out the bottom. I do not suggenst using the handle as it may cause damage. use one hand on either side of the door, push the door shut and then lift up a bit and pull the hinges out of the holes.

the interior trim will come off to gain access to the lost part. Get a telescopic magnet which will retreive this part. If it is the striker the latch hits and keeps the door safley shut That is what I think your refering to. The striker bolts to the B pillar which keeps the door shut. Also the striker should cost no more than $15 to 20 $$ to replace. Maybe less

Just repaired the same problem on 97 astro. Get in the back and look for the rear handle on the lift gate and remove it. Mine had two cover pieces over two 10mm bolts. Under the handle and handle plate you can access the push rod for the left side latch. Mine snapped back into place with the plastic holder still in place. You can also get a new plastic piece or wire to hold it into place. I think mine was shut to hard over just wiggled out over the years.

Think there may be a bushing missing and that's also how you make adjustments as well. Below are some pictures I had from my service manual. It wasn't much but I hope it helps.

Two things happen. One the latch is already latched and therefore it's closed before the gate shut, When you try to close it you might notice that the door don't close all the way. This doe'snt have to be thwe case. the other thing that happens if the lock mechanism is working, You here it click? The latch is stuck as the opener is stuck. You might get lucky and spray the latch with Blaster or other rust buster type penatrant. Theres angles though the opening of the latch . Spray on several angles and repleatly close the door trying to vibrate the Penatrant into the stuck area. Looking at the latch use a screw driver to move the latch and see if you can cycle it though it's positions to see if you can latch and unlatch it with the tool and reopen by pullung the handle ( you may need to try ther inside handle too and even the remote openner if you have one. Ussaaaly you need to push the button twice to open the rear hatch so it may take a few trys and spraying to get it to come loose.. Some vehicals stay closed a long time and stuck is the way to think.. But if the door is used often the linkage inside the door mayh have come off the the latch is closed and the linkage doesn't open the laTCH AND THE THING MANAGED TO GET CLOSED WITHT THE DOOR OPEN.

There is a rod going in each direction to both sides of the tail gate. These rods are held in the handle with platic inserts, the inserts get old, brittle and break allowing the rod to fall out and not unlatch the tail gate.

You have to remove the handle assembly and the latches. Working through the hole where the handle is, work the throught the edge of the tailgate and fasten to the latch assembly, then install the latch assembly. Once both latch assemblies are connected, reintall the handle assembly.

You will need to remove the interior panle from the loft gate to axess the latch
there is 4 screws along the bottom of the panle to remove then carfuly pull the panle away from the lift gate there is plastic clips that hold the panle to the gate these may need to be replaced when re installing the panle they can be purchased at the jeep dealer.
now look into the lift gate and you will see where the handle rod conects to the latch lift on this rod and the gate will open
to replace the handle remove the 2 10 mm bolts and disconect the rod from the latch install the new handle and rod to the latch install the 2 10 mm bolts. install the panle and 4 screws
this should cover it

I know this sounds silly, but is the latch locked? If I lock mine, the latch will lift but the gate won't open.