Emergency liftgate release.

[mikn67]

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?

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[kiwi_outdoors]

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

 

[lfhoward]

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

Sounds like you may have owned an XJ before

 

[kiwi_outdoors]

Sounds like you may have owned an XJ before

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.

 

[kiwi_outdoors]

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.