front ps door handle won't open the door...the 2nd latch does...the one by the back .do i need to take the door panel off? i am a total newbie so easy on me pls...i did pop off door panel on ds when the rubber stuff (?)around the window got sucked into the door panel, pulled it out and put it back on...easy fix...for me anyway lol

 

When you refer to the handle, is it the inside or outside one that doesnt work? If you could, Take the door panel off and take a pic of the linkage that runs from the handles to the locking mechanizm on the backside of the door at the catch.

 

probably, the linkage for the forward door handle has come loose.
I'm guessing you can't roll the passenger window down all the way either, right?

Mine does the same thing but since I never ride in the passenger seat and I know the rear handle works, I'm not in a hurry to fix it.

 

its the inside door handle to open the door....yea lol just using the back one now...window rolls down though...can i just pop off the panel or is there a special way to take it off....?

 

yes the panel just pops off, i just put my doors back together after painting my truck, there are these little plastic clips that hold the door handle rods to the handle itslef, if i had to guess id say one of these broke, (i broke one taking it apart kinda brittle after 20 years) my you can go to the dealership and get them for like 1.77 i think, and they may even have them instock, pop you panel off look for a rod just floting in there and it should point you to where the broken clip goes, replace the clip, snap in the rod and you good to go, good luck

 

all i had to do was bend the bar between the frt and rear handle no the door till it worked...it didnt take much and was a easy fix.

 

Thanks...dealer is 50+ miles away...i will try napa parts store in town?

 

Take it apart and inspect the door handle rod. Something probibly just popped off. If you pull the panel off you should see the problem..

 

ok..finally had a day off to play with the door. ok now how do i get the handles off....?? newbie warning again...i fiquered how the panel "pops off" but can't get past the other stuff...details pls...im going to go get a beer and be right back ok? thanks

 

There are 3 screws to take out first. one in the center of the inner handle. Then the whole handle assembley slides toward the door hinge to release, Then unhook the little plastic clip holding the metal rod to the inner handle. Next 2 are easy, take the litte round plastic covers off the door handle that you use to close it when setting in the seat. There is a screw under each one. after these are out work your hande around the outside edge of the door to release the plactic pins

 

omg the inspiration from a sierra nevada beer ...i went back out an looked again...thanks..the plastic is still in place and a little bending and the door is back in service....!

 

Beer is your friend! Hope the info helped

 

it did of course....thanks...truth be told BF had panel off while i was writing above post and with beer in hand I went to have a look...complained loudly about i need to learn this stuff so he put it back on and i took it all off myself...those silly clips by the window...all the plastic is still on and i re-bent the arm so that now the door opens....(there was a very degraded foam thing onit...inthe trash!) re-attached the panel with a putty knife and some choice words...all is good onto other newbie things...maybe a engine rebuild....lol
coni