Door lock mechanism?

[HersheyPAGreg]

My passenger side door had been a bit difficult to close lately but since I don't use that door often, I put off checking into the problem. Now, I can't open the door from the inside or the outside. I did a Google search and it seems that the problem might be a stuck or broken door lock mechanism, does this sound right? If so, what is involved in replacing it?

Thanks,

Greg

[narfire]

Not a difficult thing to check.
I'd be taking the handles and arm rest off and then the door card. if it hasn't been off before you'll likely run into some plastic. Pull off. There are a couple grey? plastic removable pieces and you can then see the inside of the door mechanism.
have a look while fiddling with the opening mechanism.
When the door was open like this, I cleaned (vacuumed) the bottom inside of the door and sprayed with Wurth's wax spray. Might help with any moisture and rust issues...

[HersheyPAGreg]

Thanks Chris, I'll give that a shot. I forgot to mention it's an 80 if/when we get to replacement thoughts. It was difficult to open from the inside too as well as troublesome to close before it stopped working completely.

[narfire]

Sounds like it is a bit seized. There are three small 8mm? nuts holding brackets that hold the mechanism in place. Might want an extendable magnet for when they invariably fall to the bottom of the door...
There is also a short metal shaft that is part of the locking mechanism. he plastic ends get freeking brittle and can easily break if or when you pop one end off. Pull the door latch and give it a good cleaning and lube. Install and put it all back together. perhaps a couple of hours to do the whole works.