Taking off the door panel on a stuck passenger door

[Dr Gil]

Edit update* AAA came and could not get the door opened. We both used a Slim Jim and could feel the rod mechanism push down and see the handle come up, telling us we in the right area, but the door would not open.
Can the right front fender be removed to be able to take off the door from the outside? How can the door panel be removed without opening the door and damaging the speaker or door panel?


I know the door mechanism is the problem, but I can't get the door panel off to see what the problem is.
Any tips on how to take off the door panel without damaging the door panel or speaker and grill?

I've taken off this panel several times but always with the door open. How can I get the door panel off without damaging
the door panel or the speaker (and grill cover)? I know I have 2 screws that are sandwiched between the dash and the speaker grill
that are holding the door panel on.

I have a slim jim but I don't know what mechanism or direction it is to try to open the door.

I read several threads about this. I called several locksmiths and all said this is not a locksmith
problem it's a mechanic problem.

 

[Cruiserlab]

What part of the mechanism is broken? Are the rods disconnected? Or is the latch broken internally?

 

[Dr Gil]

What part of the mechanism is broken? Are the rods disconnected? Or is the latch broken internally?

I don't know, I can't get the door panel off to see. The lock mechanism will lock and unlock. When locked the outside door handle will lift up all the way, when unlocked the door handle partially lifts.

 

[Nframe]

Dr Gil, did you ever figure out how to get the panel off?

 

[Dr Gil]

Dr Gil, did you ever figure out how to get the panel off?

I didn't get the panel off, but I was able to lift it up above the lip and took it to a body shop and they opened up the lock mechanism in 2 minutes.
I didn't know where on the lock mechanism to disengage it.
The very next day I had the exact same problem with the driver side door, but this time the door wouldn't latch closed. I found the part from dcashley84 and he connected me a part pretty quickly. Easy install.