RW>> Probably a lubrication problem, or the link may be corroded. Try
 RW>> some penetrating fluid at the point where the handle pivots.

 ml> it doesn't feel like a lube problem... there's no resistance when you
 ml> pull the handle... that's why i was thinking about a broken spring...

 RW> Good luck. The spring is part of the door latch, inside the door.
 RW> Since it's a back door, I wouldn't make it a priority to repair
 RW> unless you're using the car to haul passengers.

well, i discovered the problem the other day when i was enabling the child
safety lock mechanism to prevent someone from opening the back doors from
inside... that mechanism works just fine and also disables just fine...

 RW> If you leave the handle in it's out position when you close the 
 RW> door, does the door latch?

yes... that's why i suspect it is something to do with the actual inside
handle mechanism...

 ml>> 2. the driver's door speaker doesn't work but the front passenger
 ml>> door speaker does as well as those in the rear deck area... any
 ml>> ideas on where to look first?? is the door panel easy to remove?
 ml>> what about getting at the wiring under the dash and behind the
 ml>> console?

[trim]

 RW> Most door panels are easy to remove these days. Chances are that
 RW> the speaker wires may be corroded or have fallen off.

yeah... i've removed numerous ones over the years and generally might have
needed to get a few more of those "push plug" attachment items
that hold the panel on... i caught a quick glimpse, the other day, of what
appeared to be a missing "screw cover" and a screw holding the
panel on... kinda looks like they have gone to using screw and screw covers
for the panels instead of the pop-off/push-in type of yesteryear... but i
didn't take a closer look than that...

i'm just a bit hesitant to start pushing and pulling on stuff until i get a
bit more information... this vehicle has a huge amount of sentimental value
being as it is an inheritance item from my mother to me and i just don't
want to break anything... it is in excellent condition and was kept in
pristine condition... i remember visiting mom several times and seeing that
she had someone over to clean and detail it... i'm guessing that this was a
once a month thing but it may have been more often as the vehicle is
extremely clean and well kept...

 ml>> i don't have a good manual for this one yet but i will before too
 ml>> long... i'd just like to maybe get these two things fixed before i
 ml>> let my 1995 Gran Prix go... i'm gonna miss that 3.0L and its 30mpg
 ml>> :?

 RW>> I'll bet you can find a wiring diagram on the internet...

 ml> i might, that's true...

 RW> Watch out for those places that want to charge you for a schematic.
 RW> There are people who post that stuff for free and the schematics
 RW> are either available to look at or download.

yeah, exactly! i willbe getting a manual (chilton is the best IIRC) for it
and refuse to pay for much of anything that is available online ;)

)\/(ark