How do I get the tailgate open to replace the rear actuator

How To Install Replace Tailgate Power Lock Actuator Explorer Mountaineer Expedition 97-03 1AAuto.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XSK6rIdWTM
How to get the rear door open on an expedition with a broken cable
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyL4xWT7Xts

The lock actuator motor is most likely sticking due to corrosion, open up the tailgate and replace the electric power lock actuator motor. If you need instructions on how to access the inside parts you can get them here for small subscription fee.

there's a plastic actuator inside the tailgate that probably broke or at least came loose. You have to crawl into the back and release it. I ended up having to cut a little piece of carpet in the middle on the top of the tailgate area. Right where it fastens. You can manually release the glass with a screwdriver at that point. To replace the actuator, you need to take off the entire tailgate trim and metal underneath that to get to it. It sounds like a pain but trust me, not having the back glass be able to open or the tailgate area is much worse. It takes about 45 minutes to fix. The actuators are less than $10

there's a plastic actuator inside the tailgate that probably broke or at least came loose. You have to crawl into the back and release it. I ended up having to cut a little piece of carpet in the middle on the top of the tailgate area. Right where it fastens. You can manually release the glass with a screwdriver at that point. To replace the actuator, you need to take off the entire tailgate trim and metal underneath that to get to it. It sounds like a pain but trust me, not having the back glass be able to open or the tailgate area is much worse. It takes about 45 minutes to fix. The actuators are less than $10

there's a plastic actuator inside the tailgate that probably broke or at least came loose. You have to crawl into the back and release it. I ended up having to cut a little piece of carpet in the middle on the top of the tailgate area. Right where it fastens. You can manually release the glass with a screwdriver at that point. To replace the actuator, you need to take off the entire tailgate trim and metal underneath that to get to it. It sounds like a pain but trust me, not having the back glass be able to open or the tailgate area is much worse. It takes about 45 minutes to fix. The actuators are less than $10

Rear Hatch Release/Lock Failure: How To Open The Glass
google_protectAndRun("ads_core.google_render_ad", google_handleError, google_render_ad); After a while, the mechanism (actuator) that unlocks and releases the rear glass hatch in
your Blazer or Jimmy will eventually burn out. when it does, there is really no way to open
the glass and lower the tailgate. The dash push button won't work, the rear key lock will
not work, the inside tailgat handle will not work, and you can not remove the interior
tailgate panel to access the mechanism because the screws can only be reach when
the tailgate is down (awesome GM design feature). The only way to replace the burnt
out actuator is to open the tailgate which you can't because the actuator is burnt out.

I've read stories that even the dealers don't know what to do, some have even cut up the
back panel to reach the so-called manuel release. Others said they pulled back the glued
on carpet to search for it also.

Well if you don't want to hack up the tailgate panel or rip out your carpet,
here's the easy way to open the glass:

You just pull back the interior tailgate panel right above the bump in the middle
where the latch is. There are no screws or bolts in that area, you can safely pull it back
about 2 inches. Then you'll have to stuck your finger in and push down the release bar.
See the 2 pictures below:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...z/IM000658.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...z/IM000664.jpg
(No pictures allowed in this forum , oh well, click the links then)
The first pic is of the latch, it's the gold section.
The second pic shows what you need to push downward.
When you get your finger back there, you should be able to feel for the part that need to
be pushed down. When that part is pushed down, the glass has been unlocked.


Now that the glass is unlocked, it and the tailgate can be opened. Now you can remove the
interior tailgate panel, it has one screw on each side and easily lifts off.

The actuator that needs to be replaced costs $58 from the dealer, so if you don't want
to replace it yet, but still want to open the back, you can leave the panel off and just puch the
manuel release level. Here's the pic of the tailgate:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...z/IM000669.jpg
It's in the open section right below the latch, hows my fingure pushing it:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...z/IM000668.jpg

I haven't replaced my actuator yet, still trying to find it for cheaper than the dealer wants,
but hardly any part store guys know what the hell an actuator is

its a linkage problem . you need to remove the door panel to repair

After a while, the mechanism (actuator) that unlocks and releases the rear glass hatch in your Blazer or Jimmy will eventually burn out. when it does, there is really no way to open the glass and lower the tailgate.
The only way to replace the burnt out actuator is to open the tailgate which you can't because the actuator is burnt out.

I've read stories that even the dealers don't know what to do, some have even cut up the back panel to reach the so-called manuel release. Others said they pulled back the glued on carpet to search for it also. 

Well if you don't want to hack up the tailgate panel or rip out your carpet, here's the easy way to open the glass:

You just pull back the interior tailgate panel right above the bump in the middle where the latch is. There are no screws or bolts in that area, you can safely pull it back about 2 inches. Then you'll have to stuck your finger in and push down the release bar.

When you get your finger back there, you should be able to feel for the part that need to be pushed down. When that part is pushed down, the glass has been unlocked.

When you get your finger back there, you should be able to feel for the part that need to be pushed down. When that part is pushed down, the glass has been unlocked.

Good luck and hope this helps, The actuator that needs to be replaced costs $58 from the dealer.

Followed owners manual for emergency opening of rear window glass.
Removed upholstery panel from the tailgate once glass was opened. Found a broke (plastic) actuator arm on the actuating motor.
Ordered new one for replacement.

Check in your user's manual for your fuse location on the rear windshield wiper. These grand cherokee's have electronic actuators in every door. Inside these actuators they have very little motors and move everything via plastic. Very bad design flaw, as most of these actuators are 300-400 dollars to replace. You can find ones in salvage yards for 50 though. On your rear hatch, the door and the window are run by this actuator.