2004 Ram 1500 Door Pull

[Jackpurcell]

Hoping someone can help. I have a 2004 Ram 1500 pick-up, regular cab, long bed, all manual doors and windows. I locked the keys in today and had the door opened with a slim jim. The outside pull on the drivers side does not work now. Can't get it in for an appointment for several weeks. Can someone explain how to fix this? Hoping I can fix myself. I'm capable and work on my cars. Just don't want to start riping the door apart until i know what I am getting into. Specifically if there are things i need to look out for with the window crank etc I would appreciate it.

[BleedDodge]

I'm not familiar with the new ones, but usually when you have to break into a vehicle, you do it from the passenger's side. That way if something breaks, like a handle or a lock, the vehicle can still at least be driven without inconvenience.

[jrmcx]

I had a '96 Caravan for a company car. Opened and shut the side door 20 times a day. My 2001 Ram appears to have same handles as Caravan. The Caravan was always doing what your describing. There's an actuating rod with a 90 degree bend in it that slips out of a hole in the plastic door handle. If you take latch end of door panel loose you may have enough room to reattach rod.