Nissan Repair: 1996 Nissan Pathfinder - rear door stuck in locked, nissan pathfinder, nisaan

Question
I have a 1996 Nisaan Pathfinder.  The passenger side rear door is stuck in the locked position.  It will not open from the outside or the inside, or if I have someone assist and try both at the same time.  The outside handle seems to not engage - it just flops around.  The inside seems to engage, but it does not open the door.

I have kids, and it is possible that they played with the child safety lock mechanism.

Any ideas on how to best fix this?

Thanks so much - great service.

Ames

Answer
Ames,

You could try to slim jim the lock.  But, it seems that the linkage has fell off in the locked position and that means that the door panel will have to come off to get to the linkage.  I would try the slim jim first as taking a door panel off with the door closed almost always messes up the door panel.  But, that is the plan of attack.  First try the slim jim to get the linkage un stuck and if that fails take the door panel off and work from the inside.