I am almost sure the latch actuator arm has disengaged from the outside handle lever -- that the door won't open from the outside is a pretty good indication.

Issue: Do I have to take the window out to fix this? Car guide only says to remove the interior handles and door panel. Did that. No way in hell I can get inside the door to disengage the actuator arm and reattach it to the handle lever.

Thoughts or recommendations?

 

Just remove the door panel and water shield(after the arm rest and handles) and stick your hand back in there. The arm makes a right angle bend and goes into a plastic retainer with a metal retaining clip into the latch mechanism. If you are lucky, sticking the arm back into the plastic and 'flicking' the metal clip up and squeezing it so tight your eyeballs fall out, may work. Otherwise, you will need a new retainer and clip.
Jim

 

I know what to look for, but the way the actuator arm is attached, I can't even see the edge of the retaining clip. Do I need to use pliers or something to disengage it?

 

I always did it by feel, luck and several tries. To remove, pressure from the tip of a screwdriver to push it off seemed to work.
Jim