1996 Pontiac Grand Prix Special Edition
the passenger door handle on the outside on the door is not working. how should I go about fixing this for my mother. I'm hoping its an easy fix. people are also keying the crud out of the black car as well

 

One of the linkage retainer clips probably popped off so the handle mechanism isn't engaging the lock. You'll need to pull the door panel and inspect to be certain. Once the panel is off look in the bottom of the door for the clip.

 

so the handle is fine i just need a new clip?

 

You won't know that until you pull the door panel. A clip popping off the linkage is a very common cause of the outside handle not working, so that is the first thing I would look at. It could be that the lever on the handle itself broke, but it's impossible to say for sure without pulling the panel so you can see exactly what portion of the linkage (or handle) is at fault.

 

it is like getting stuck on the post and not self popping off of it all linkages are ok i WD-40'd all parts and all handle pieces are working im thinking the door must be sagging and getting stuck. it completely mimics the driver side mechanism that works fine.

 

If the door is sagging maybe the door hinges pins are worn ..
you could get hinge pins & bushing kit ..

 

you guys think that would fix it?

 

all the rods going to the door handle and latch are in place as they should be right?

to me it sounds like the lock is not disengaging. the saggy door probibly didin't help but i doubt it's the root of the problem ( i've had a few cars with saggy door hinges, they're a pain in the butt, but still open and close.)

 

it does still open and shut but only if you stand behind the door and give a good tug my mom had trouble opening it but i didn't. it just acts funky it almost seems caught and unwilling to let go when you pull

 

so it will open and shut from the outside?

ok then it does sound like the latch is hitting the striker, probibly caused by the weak hinges (check them by lifting the door up and down, if it moves they're weak) lubricate the hell out of the latch and hinges for now and look into rebuilding the hinges or replacing them with good used ones.