stuck GC lift gate

My 97 Jep GC lift gate is stuck closed. it unlocks but will not open when i pull the handle. i have had my hand inside the door and pulled on the rod that is connected to the handle..still nothing. i need to open it so i can fix it. any sugestions please HELP ME......

Mine sticks occasionally as well. When it does I give the gate a thump next to the handle while trying to open the gate. I use the heel of my hand and it usually pops right open. I need to pull the mechanism apart and clean it up. I hear that they tend to get corroded and stick. If it doesn't open that way you may have to take it apart from the inside and then clean/lube everything.
ByronP

I had the same proble in my 94 ZJ, whenever this happened, I pushed in on the gate, then pulled the handle out (to open) then lift the gate.

this should do the trick, to stop this I adjusted the bump stops until it closed by leting it drop and would open without doing the Push/Pull/Open trick.

thanks i tried both of those ideas and it is still stuck shut. is there anyway to pop the mechinism manually ?