I have a 1998 Satur SL2.

The rear passenger side door is locked shut. It does not open from the inside or the outside.

I took the inside panel off and I see the locking rod and the handle rod are still connected. But I noticed from comparing it to the one that works that there is a small rod/strap that goes under the little platform that is pushed down that gets pushed down (so in a sense pulling something from the door lock) and this is what relases the door lock and enables it to be open. This rod/strap is snapped in the broken door.

I believe this rod/strap is what disengages the car door from being locked and enables it to be open. So in a sense the car think its locked when it isnt.

Does that make sense??

Like the little metal hook that close on the metal square bar when you shut the door, is not being disengaged and thus the door wont open. I cant take the outer panel off because the darn door wont open. PLEASE HELP!!!