NUMBER:
GROUP:
DATE:

23-001-13
Body
January 10, 2013

This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without written permission of Chrysler Group LLC.

SUBJECT:
Soft Top Rear Window Zipper Will Not Disengage
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves removing the metal zipper stops from the end of the rear window
zipper in order to adjust and realign the zipper tapes to eliminate zipper skips that can
prevent the zipper from disengagement.
MODELS:
2007 - 2013

(JK)

Wrangler

NOTE: This bulletin applies to 2 and 4 door vehicles equipped with soft top only
(sales codes AEM, GW8, GWK, VJK, VJO, VJX, MX4 or MX5).

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SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The metal separator pins at the end of the zipper can become misaligned if the pins were
not aligned correctly during installation or if skips are present in zipper teeth. Zipper skips
may also cause misalignment of the zipper tapes. When pin misalignment occurs the
sliders cannot be moved into the correct position in order to properly disengage the zipper
completely (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 Zipper Pin Misalignment
1 - Zipper Tapes Aligned Correctly
2 - Metal Seperator Pins
3 - Misaligned Zipper Tapes
4 - Zipper Sliders

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23-001-13

DIAGNOSIS:
Zipper skips may cause misalignment of the zipper tapes and make it difficult to
disengage. If the customer describes the symptom, perform the Repair Procedure (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 Zipper Skip Condition
1 - Zipper Tooth Skip
2 - Zipper Tape Misalignment
3 - Soft Top Rear Window

PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty.

Part No.

Description

1

68202658AA

Zipper Repair Kit

SPECIAL TOOLS/EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
NPN

Needle Nose Pliers

NPN

Diagonal Cutters

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REPAIR PROCEDURE:
1. Using diagonal cutters or a similar tool, bend open each zipper end stop and pry it off
of the zipper stringers/tapes, being careful not to damage the zipper teeth (Fig. 3).
NOTE: Proceed to the next stringer until both zipper end stops are removed.

Fig. 3 Zipper Stop Removal
1 - Zipper Stop
2 - Zipper Tape
3 - Diagonal Cutters

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2. Once the stops have been removed from each stringer/tape move both sliders into
position and using needle nose pliers or a similar tool to press the doubled over
stringer/tape fabric, slide each one individually off the end of the zipper where the
zipper end stops were removed (Fig. 4).
NOTE: Note, the arrangement of the each slider in relation to the other. The sliders
will need to be replaced in the same arrangement in order for the zipper to
properly function.

Fig. 4 Zipper Slider Removal
1 - Zipper Slider
2 - Zipper Tape Fabric End
3 - Soft Top Fabric
4 - Needle Nose Pliers

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NOTE: For further instruction on how to remove and install soft top rear window
refer to the detailed procedures available in DealerConnect>TechCONNECT>
under: Owner Manuals> Jeep Wrangler> UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES
OF YOUR VEHICLE> SOFT TOP — TWO-DOOR/FOUR-DOOR MODELS.
3. Now that the two zipper stringers/tapes are completely separated, reinstall the sliders
by sliding each one individually onto the stringer/tape of the rear window and slide
towards the left side of the vehicle (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5 Zipper Slider Installation
1 - Zipper Sliders
2 - Zipper Tape

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4. Reinstall the zipper end stop on each stringer/tape (Fig. 6).
NOTE: The zipper end stops are to be placed immediately after the last tooth on
each stringer/tape and not around the zipper teeth. Crimp the stops in place
around the bead on each stringer/tape with suitable pliers. Apply enough
pressure to the zipper end stops to assure the proper grip without flattening
the stop.

Fig. 6 Zipper Stop Installation
1 - Zipper Stop
2 - Zipper Sliders
3 - Zipper Tape
4 - Pliers

5. Move both sliders toward the metal separator pins and reinstall the soft top rear
window back on the vehicle.
NOTE: For further instruction on how to remove and install soft top rear window
refer to the detailed procedures available in DealerConnect>TechCONNECT>
under: Owner Manuals> Jeep Wrangler> UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES
OF YOUR VEHICLE> SOFT TOP — TWO-DOOR/FOUR-DOOR MODELS.

23-001-13

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POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.
TIME ALLOWANCE:
Labor Operation
No:
23-30-38-93

Description
Remove and Install Zipper Stops to Soft Top
Rear Window Zipper (Skill Level = Semi-Skilled,
Training Level = 1)

FAILURE CODE:
ZZ

Service Action

Amount
0.2 Hrs.