How to remove the inside front seat passenger door panel

The easiest way in is usually to hook the rod with a slim jim. If the door panel has to come off with the door closed, you will probably want to remove the passenger seat for access.

You will need to remove the panel with the door closed. Not an easy thing to do, but not impossible. I have had to remove the seat in order to have enough room to get to the fasteners that hold the panel on.

Remove the front seat can give you access to remove the panel. But if it has screws around the outer perimeter, most likely will have to tear it out. Best to find a replacement first. Look at the drivers door, if it has screws, so does the passenger side. There are screws around the arm rest and door handle to remove, then it pops off. Again the seat has to be out of the way.

Key turning in the lock does not necessarily indicate it is working. You will have to remove the inside panel to get access to these parts. There are different ways in which a key lbock serves to prevent the latch from working. Most likely, the key operates a rod to the latch (if the key socket is seperate from the latch. If the key socket is within the handle, then probably you will have to drill out the key hole from the outside that should free up the latch. Then you will have to get a replacement latch and key section. Most of this becomes evident by observing the mechanism from the inside of the car. Depending on how tight the passenger seat is relative to the door panel, you may have to remove the seat. Even if you send up going to a locksmith, removing the inside parts will speed up his operation and save money.

The Acadia's battery is beneath the floor behind the front passenger seat.
Slide that seat all the way forward, then open the rear passenger door. If you've got a floor mat directly behind the front seats, it will have to be moved aside. There is a panel on the floor with one screw holding it closed. Remove this panel to access the battery compartment.

only one way i know off and thats to remove the front seats so the door panel can be taken off .its difficult i know but not insurmountable

1. Remove the door latch trim plate (coupe and sedan front doors).
2. Remove the ashtray (sedan rear doors).
3. Remove the seat belt retractor cover (coupe and sedan front doors). Use a suitable door trim panel removal tool to release the clip retainers
4. Remove the door lock trim plate and the power window switch, if so equipped.
5. Remove the window regulator handle by removing the inner retaining clip, if so equipped.
6. Remove the remote mirror control, if so equipped
7. Remove the trim panel retaining screws
8. Remove the door trim panel using a door trim panel removing to work loose the retainer clips.
9. Detach all electrical and remote mirror controls, as required.

To install:

10. Install the wiring harnesses through the openings in the panel, as equipped.
11. Position the trim panel to the door and align the clips. Press the trim panel to the door until all the clips are fully engaged. Align all the holes before engaging the clips.
12. Install the screws, remote mirror control and inside door handle bezel, as equipped.
13. Install the window regulator handle or power window switch.
14. Install the door trim plate, seat belt retractor cover or ashtray.

As I remember, you need to remove the front seat belt mount, & completely remove the back seats, in order to remove the rear door cards, without breaking them.
Have fun;)

Sounds like the plastic clip that connects the lock has broken however regardless of fault the inner door panel has to be removed to diagnose and repair.It could also be inner door lock assembly.

You'll need to remove screws that are by the door handle, arm rest, under door and side of door and then gently pull back on the panel as there will also be retaining clips attached and you don't want to break them. You'll need to lift the door panel upwards in order to get it off the window ledge. If needed, you can pull back the weather seal (can't reuse it, but it's not that important) and you will be able to access everything inside the door