I just obtained a 1989 Cadillac Deville...The drivers door wont open....Locks go up and down...trying to open it form the outside...there is no tension in the handle or from the handle inside either......I am guessingthe llinkage is messed up..but how to take the inside pannel off to access what the problem is....is this umusual

If you remove the cover that is behind the inside door handle and look you may see the arm that connects to the handle.if its connected then you will have to remove the inner door panel,if its come off the handle and you get a hold of it you can pull on it and the door should open.you have to be patient to remove the door panel with the door closed.you will need to remove some screws to loosen the panel from the steel door inner panel.(arm rest,cover behind the handle).pop up the power door/window switch control and remove the plug attached.pull out the inner door panel to unhook the clips around the outside edge of the panel,you will have to move the seat to get better access to some,then remove the panel and reach into the inner door and move the unlock arm to open the door.you move have clips that are broken that allowed the arms to come off that need replacing to fix the problem.