Just an FYI. I recently had an incident with a broken rear driver's side door handle on my 1993 classic wagon where I was unable to open the door from the inside because the child-lock mechanism was engaged.

I tried to open the door with a slim-jim, but this was unsuccessful. After about an hour, I decided to attempt to remove the door panel from inside the car. By removing the sill trim piece and door weatherstripping, I was able to gain enough access to carefully pry off the door panel. Yes, it is a tight fit and involved many expletives and careful application of brute force, as well as slight bending of the panel.

I do not recommend this approach, but if you find you are unable to open your door, it is possible to remove the door panel from the inside of the car without completely trashing it.

Once you had it off, could you see any way to have avoided removing it using a better guided approach with the Slimjim? Flipping the child lock?
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Merry Christmas!

Possibly. The main problem I had is that it was very difficult to direct usable light and slim-jim (coat hanger)into the roughly 2"x 1/4" opening in the top of the door. Also I was not smart enough to figure out or remember the child-lock was engaged until after I opened the door.

At any rate, the door panel is none the worse for wear, and the subject handle is now replaced, although I now have one chrome and three black until I find a source for a new(er)black one. Unfortunately rebuilding the handle was not really an option.

Oh, ok. I was just curious, as I've read many posts about the back seat doors not opening, yet I forget about those posts every time I have the opportunity to look inside, to fix a door handle or tighten the bolts on the window regulator. Glad you were skilled enough to lift those snap-in buttons without ripping up the panel, like I probably would. I have enough trouble getting that right with the door open, and the correct tools applied.


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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Merry Christmas!

hi sages- i did this exact job about 5 years ago on a 80 plymouth volare wagon due to a rusted stuck latch . door could not be opened. tried pb blaster, various tricks- nothing worked . had to take the panel off with the door closed. had to take the rear seat back and cushion out to gain access and leverage. exactly as you describe. tore the inside of the panel in a few places and had to reset the wire snaps with carpenters glue. panel is only cardboard. very much like the description here. much time, cussing and pia . did get it fixed though. regards oldduke