Emergency liftgate release.

2012 KK, Jet edition. I went to open the lift gate and it didn't open. I hit the unlock button on the key and did not hear the actuator inside the door. I did my due diligence to figure out where the emergency release is. There is a plastic Phillips head thing behind the access panel on the liftgate panel trim. I tried to twist it both clockwise and counterclockwise with no positive outcome. Here is my question. How does this thing work? I do not want to break it by applying too much pressure. It's 12 years old and I'm sure the plastic is brittle by now.
Any suggestions?

have another person push the liftgate further closed as you try rotating the screwdriver

kiwi_outdoors said:

have another person push the liftgate further closed as you try rotating the screwdriver

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Sounds like you may have owned an XJ before

lfhoward said:

Sounds like you may have owned an XJ before

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On my 2008 Liberty I (KK) had to install my own access port to that tailgate release. The 2011 (also a KK) comes with an access port.

BTW - that little port is for lock-unlock (I checked just now). That's all it does. You still have to operate the latch from outside the car.