Exterior door handle - it don't work.

[Jobi-Wan Kenobi]

I went to leave for work this morning and my drivers door was a bit froze shut (was 9F here). I had to tug the handle a couple times but then something inside the door broke so now the handle is not functional. The inside handle still works though.

I was messing around with it after I got home tonight. Got the interior panel pulled off but can't really see anything without more disassembling which I don't want to because I need to drive to work in the morning. If I pull off the vynil cap on the end of the door I can see a little finger inside there that engages with the handle along with a spring. Both are is loose. Anyone know what I need to get this functional again? Is it just some reassembly?

 

[89Suburban]

Probably one of the plastic connectors

 

[OR VietVet]

More Information for DORMAN 77261

When I used to live in a state where it got cold enough that there was ice or snow on my outside vehicle, I had a strong wide trim tool that I used to pry the door open with while holding the handle in the open position.

 

[Jobi-Wan Kenobi]

So the door handle does indeed need to be replaced? Mine are color matched so I'll to figure out where to find one.

@OR VietVet I seem to remember something about silicone spray used on the weather stripping to keep it from sticking to the door. I never worried about it though because I never had a door handle break.

 

[OR VietVet]

So the door handle does indeed need to be replaced? Mine are color matched so I'll to figure out where to find one.

@OR VietVet I seem to remember something about silicone spray used on the weather stripping to keep it from sticking to the door. I never worried about it though because I never had a door handle break.

The door seals and other rubber sealing areas are part of a maintenance schedule that I use a silicone lube ointment on every year but even then they can stick at times. I kept the trim tool to use so I did not yank with the handle.

 

[tuck16]

Ice storm in Oregon this weekend and I did a similar thing, pulled the rear passenger door handle out, the handle is in-tact and it still opens from the inside. I can see the rod through the opening, anyone have any idea which part(s) I would need to put it back together? I assume there may just be a plastic connector that broke or popped off the rod?
I looked at 1A Auto, ebay and carparts.com for a replacement handle, but mine is Summit White and i only see chrome or black. Is the Chevy Oxford white the same or similar enough to not notice, if i have to go that route?
Thanks