Not Another Cavalier

Here ya go:

[Pic of Jaws of Life failed to insert]

This might get you headed in the right direction.

http://www.idmsvcs.com/2vmod/reardoorrods/index.html

Very good informative link. Thanks.

Sure, bring it over here!

Have to ask. Is the passenger side door OK?

It's not the police interceptor model?

You have to remove the door panel, as best you can, and reach in and manually manipulate the door release mechanism....here's a video that probably won't help at all...but shows the fix...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYjd4DPEk10

Legally, that classifies as an Act of God.

If it is anything like the doors on my Explorer, then there is a spring inside that goes from the handle to a lift bar connected to the latch that has broken. I "fixed" two of my doors just by removing the inner panel, finding the binding post on the linkage, and stretching a silicone rubber band from the handle linkage to the binding post. It's quick and reliable. The spring was only removing the slack and lifting the linkage weight and the rubber band tension is enough.

You may have to yank on the inner handle strongly enough to force the door open from the inside first to get the panel off, but after that it's a 30min job good for several years.