Re-assembled my door lock mechanism wrong, now door won't open

[xxaarraa]

2008 4runner. Rear driver side door cannot be unlocked from outside or inside.

OK, I was repairing the rusted door handle hardware (using instructions here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/64327-rust-beneath-door-handle-s.html). Got everything done, reassembled the door lock mechanism and closed the door.

Now door won't open from outside or inside (child lock was on).

I think I know what happened. See photo below. The yellow clamp on the handle needs to be positioned to lock against the locking cable from the inside of the door panel. When I put it all back together, I did not reconnect that, and now the lock mechanism cannot be triggered from the inside or the outside. And since inside panel was re-installed and door closed, I am shit out of luck.

Question - how screwed am I?

I assume it is not possible to remove the door panel with the door closed. Is there another way to trigger the unlock?

Does the good old fashioned coat hanger trick work anymore?

Help much appreciated guys, thanks.

 

[collierunner]

If you move the rear seat out of the way. You'll have enough room to wiggle the door panel out of the way. It a fight but you can remove the inner panel with the door closed and not damage it.

 

[xxaarraa]

OK I figured it out.

The panels cannot be removed from the inside. They seal right underneath the door jam, so I don't see a way that's possible, even with the rear seat bottom removed.

I was able to wedge the top of the door panel off the metal frame enough to get a long blade screwdriver in there to push down on the latch of the door handle manually and open the door. I did remove the two screws holding the panel up first (elbow pad and door lock) to give it some room.

Phew.