Toyota Repair: 1999 Sienna Rear Hatch Door Handle Broken, fastening clips, rear hatch


Question
I pulled the latch towards me to raise the rear door and the
handle broke!  It looks like a diecast handle and the main
handle broke away from the operating lever.

(1)how do I replace this part?
(2)how do I open the hatch door to work on this problem?  
There is no interior release!

Answer
Roll the rear window down and remove the pull strap from the panel you will have to pry the panel off with a small prybar, this will release the fastening clips, once the panel is off uou need to enter the cargo area with a flashlight and locate the release cable that goes to the lock, you may be able to pull on this cable to open the door or you will have to locate the release lever on the lock and manually move it.