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Hello, all. I have an 87 3.6 auto/ coupe here.
I am trying to figure out why the passenger door handle is stuck in the up position? The door will not open. The key does not open the lock, though it has resistance, but no click.
I think whoever designed the door card did not envisage this issue, as its difficult to get off to get at the lock inside.

I know how to push the lever inside the latch once the door card is off, but looks like the dash will have to come out to get at those two screws on the clamping plate. obviously i dont just want to rip the door card off




the locking lever by the inner handle does move but not all the way to open position and seems to spring back (towards locked) after you let it go, so something is jammed in the mech.

Your local car thief can probably open it in seconds with a "slim jim". I managed to open my XJ6 some years ago that way. There are several videos on "car door opening with a slim jim" that would probably help you. I made mine from an old hacksaw blade, though a strip of less brittle metal would be preferable, as well as reducing damage to the rain seal rubbers.

Looking at the pictures, your mechanism might be rusted solid, in which case you might not succeed without going through the door lining panel to spray penetrating oil over it.