One of the back doors of my 88 loyale won't open from the inside or outside, the handle doesn't feel like it's doing anything. I don't think I can get the inside door panel off very easily with the door closed. Is there a trick to getting these guys open?

You might get it open going old school with a coat hanger and time if if it turns out it's the only option besides cutting up the door up. If i were you i would take out the bottom portion of the rear seat and take off the door panel since it's easy to do but might be a challenge to get the bottom off.

You should still be able to pop the clips along the bottom of the panel, and that may give you just enough room to slide an arm in to reach the rods to the lock. Might have to employ a small child or a skinny wife if your arms are too big.

I just had one of these doors apart last night. I took out the guts of the door before I scrapped them. The inside and outside latches are on seperate rods. I would bet that the latch failed internally and its not either of the handles. I think you need to get the internal panel off. I don't think you need much room to pop them off. Just remove the trim piece for the internal handle first and I think you will be able to get that panel off. I can take pictured of the latch mechanism tonight if it will help.

ive had this happen to my wagon after jacking it up near the back door, and now i have to lift straight up kinda hard on the handle to get it open.. just an idea, ive never had any malfunctions with the mechanisms before so just throwin it out there

I would remove the panel on the opposite door and use that as a reference to see how maybe a 'slim jim' would work from the outside to open the door.   Then maybe reference the good door to determine how to fix to bad door.

BoostedBoxer, my other rear door is like that, only opens from the outside, and only if you lift hard on the handle. This door won't open from either side no matter what.

so is it like the handles, inside and out, dont move any of the mechanisms? do you have electric door locks?

If you have to lift your doors to open them, try opening the door and placing a jack underneath, raise it up a little bit. Lower it, check it, repeat if necessary. Be careful. Should work it up enough to with time.