1997 GMC Safari Owner's Manual - Page 87

Rear Hatch and Dutch Doors Release (Option) If you have this option, your vehicle must be in either PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to release the hatch and unlock the Dutch doors. If your battery is dead, the hatch and Dutch doors will not open, even from the outside with a key. To release the hatch and unlock the doors from the inside of the vehicle, press the REAR HATCH button on the instrument panel. To release the hatch using the optional Keyless Entry hand-held transmitter, see "Keyless Entry System" in the Index. I To release the hatch and unlock the doors from the outside of the vehicle, put the key in the lock and turn clockwise. Then, pull up on the hatch and open the right rear door first. Grasp the handle and pull the door open. The hatch and doors will automatically lock when the hatch is shut. It is located on the right side of the steering column. The hatch will release with or without the key in the ignition. Then, pull up on the hatch handle and open the doors. If the hatch is partially closed, the rear doors will lock and you will need to use the key or the REAR HAT(J,H button to unlock them. Also, see the Caution following "Hatch," located in this section.