I have a '97 Camry that I bought for my daughter to drive to school. It's got some wear and tear, but that's to be expected on this age care. Most of the things I (she) can live with but one item I'd like to fix is that the rear driver's side door will not open from the inside. It's like the child lock is on all the time, but I've made sure that it isn't engaged. I took the pannel off the door, and took the handle mechanism off as well, but that's as far as I can get. I'd rather not take it to a dealer... Any ideas on what I can check now that I can see the guts of the door?

Since you've gotten this far, you may take a close look at where the inside door handle attaches to the linkage. The inside door handle is often broken here.
Another place to look is at the door latch end of that same interconnecting rod. So much plastic in today's cars.
You may also benefit from attacking the passenger side rear door to compare what's working and what it should look like (in a mirror... )
Persevere! I know you can do this!

Thanks CaptainRich. I took checked the linkage and it seems to be working. I took a video of what's happening with the door and posted it to YouTube.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n50Sf4DZgHI

It looks to me like there is a gear or latch that is skipping/stripped in the internal mechanism. Is there any way to replace that thing without swapping out the whole door? Any other thoughts?

Thanks, Phydous

It looks like the latch mechanism will need to come out and inspected. Those 3 torx bolts on the end will remove it, but you must do several things first.
Disconnect all the rods going to it and mark their location.
That bolt on the end bottom which you have no idea what it is, that is the rear window channel bottom connection. And there's one at the top also. That all needs to come out also incl the window channel for access.
The rod going to the outside handle needs to be disconnected from the handle. Use a strong light to see, Flip up the yellow clip, and use a fat flat bladed screwdriver to pry and twist the rod away from the outside handle.
That's enough to get you started.
Seems like the latch is still good, but the inside mechanism isn't right.
Get ready to spend several hours with this and keep the band-aid box close by.
Good luck,

Thanks kitch428. Looks like a weekend project! There is a pick-a-part close that has a damaged door with the internal mechanism which works so I'll go get that piece. How do I re attach the yellow clip in that tight space if it has to be pried off?

Thanks kitch428. Looks like a weekend project! There is a pick-a-part close that has a damaged door with the internal mechanism which works so I'll go get that piece. How do I re attach the yellow clip in that tight space if it has to be pried off?

Look for access holes with either round clear tape or black plugs covering them. Can't remember if your car has either. Otherwise, diligence and patience with a good steady hand.

I've used various self-made tools to get those clips back on. One was fashioned from a discarded antenna mast. I bent the end into a hook and shaped the handle to provide leverage and to hold the hook at the correct angle.
You can build something similar from a stiff coat hanger. Mostly, you'll be working without being able to "see" where you're actually working.