Remove door panel on drivers side 1998 sienna

It's the automated door model? Try checking the fuse panel and locate the door fuse, try replacing it.

how to remove door panel on a 97 expedition, pull up on master window switch bezel careful clips break easily and unplug the connectors, remove triangle trim piece top right side of panel pull out then up, screw behind it remove it, remove red lense plastic piece on bottom of door small screw driver careful breaks easily screw behind it remove it, remove bezel around door handle turn it to get off handle screw behnd it remove it, pull straight up on door handle gently then hard if needed, after it is loose from door remove light bulb socket from behind door panel turn it, unplug power window switch.
thats it reverse to put back on

To replace the outside handle, you will have to remove all the screws, locks, and windows controls from the inside door panel. Some are hidden pretty good so make sure you get them all.
Then take a large flat-tipped screwdriver, and gently pry all the way around the panel until the entire things is loose. It is best to pry directly next to the plastic studs that hold the panel on.
After it is all loose, lift it up and off the door.
Now you will have access to the door handle. Pop off the rod from the handle. Should pull off or you may need to lightly squeeze the plastic retainer that holds the rod on.
Then you can remove the 2 screws that are holding the handle on.

i know on some toyotas, you do not need to remove the door panel just the handle where the switch assembly is located...if the panel around the switches is plastic then pry GENTLY up on the plastic to dislodge it from the door handle and inspect connections there...if everything checks out fine, then check fuses...perhaps this was a problem for so long that the window motor finally blew a fuse. if so replace both fuse and motor...if fuses okay, then with a long screw driver locate any screws under the door handle, bottom of the door panel, mirror panel etc, and remove...then gently pry outwards on door panel until it is released. disconnect your harness at the window motor and hook in a test light and operate the switch..if light illuminates, replace motor..if not, then replace switch or switch panel..which ever/.

On the inside trim, you can remove screws (these screws may be covered by filler pieces or may be visible, or they may require you pry a plastic piece off that covers the screws) that are by the door handle, arm rest, under door and side of door and then gently pull back on the panel as there will also be retaining clips attached and you don't want to break them. You'll need to lift the door panel upwards in order to get it off the window ledge. Then you'll need to manipulate the panel and disconnect the door handle linkage from the door handle and disconnect the wiring for your controls.

That is not true.
The handle fell off on the inside. You can remove all the screws, remove window and lock controls. Then take a large flat-tipped screwdriver gently pry off door panel. Pull up and off when loose. You will now have access to inside off door and put the rod back in the handle hole. If the plastic holder piece is broke you will need another one. Cheap.

I had this happen as well on the rear doors, and on both sides now. The door panel is easy to remove, the problem is accessing the bolt nearest the rear of the vehicle because the entire locking/door latch mechanism is in the way. At the factory the door handle was obviously installed through that hole first before the locking mechanism/latch went in.

To remove the door panel, pop out the two plugs pieces in the pull handle, then unscrew the screws there. There is another screw in the opener handle of the door and two more around the edge of the plastic frame (one on side, one on bottom). Once loose disconnect the handle by un-clipping the plastic pieces from the metal rods. Then pull the door loose my going around the edges and popping out the plastic retainers. The electrical connection is easily unplugged so you can remove the panel completely to get it out of the way.

1. Remove the phillips screw that holds the door handle trim piece (under the door handle)
   
2. Remove the phillips screw at the upper front under the small round trim cap. Pry gently around all sides of the cap, prying a little more each time.
3. Remove the arm rest by forcing it up with a screw driver. Start with the end towards the front of the car. Start prying at the front edge and next to the door panel. The arm rest has two clips (one at front edge and one about three inches back. Once the two clips are loose the arm rest flips towards you which unhooks the back two prongs.
4. Pry off the control panel. This trim piece has a metal clip that you need to press from the front edge. There is a small indent to allow a small screwdriver. Don't use a screw driver! Use a thin putty knife, but a scredriver will work. There is a lip that the knife will catch on and release the trim. The back of the trim has a fixed clip, so unless you release the front clip it ain't gonna budge! Then unplug the attached wires.
   
5. Now remove the 2 screws that appeared once the arm rest is off. I think that's all the screws. Pry the bottom of the panel away from the door starting at the bottom back corner (you will feel where there is resistance) and the plastic retaining clips will pop loose one after the other.
   
6. Your panel should now be completely loose on both sides and the bottom, held on only by the top lip (that is supposed to lift off) and the door handle trim
7. The door handle trim is a little tricky but once you know its not that hard. First of all its held it place by two clips. One is directory over the lock switch and one directly under it. Carefully pry underneath the trim in both of these location and twist the screwdriver to pop off the clips. There is still a hook clip nearer the front of the trim so to pull off the trim you have to kind of pop out the two clips while pulling towards the rear of the car since the hook clips slides out towards the rear.
8. Once that is off its just a matter of lifting the whole panel up until it unhooks from the top of the door.

I replaced both of my sliding door handles this weekend. It was actually pretty easy. Cheapest I could find the handles was a little over $70 each. The interior panel is held on with one screw and 10 nylon clips. The one screw is in the cup holder. Put you hand in the cup holder and push out at the bottom. It pops right off exposing the one screw. I started on the clips from the top at a corner. Seemed to be the easiest place to slide a screw driver under. Once I got the screw driver in, I started working my fingers under the panel. The clips run mostly along the top and bottom about 6 inches from the edge. I made an effort to apply the force as close to the clips as I could to reduce flexing the panel. Once I got the first clip to pop out the other followed pretty easy and the panel lifted right off. Carefully peel back the plastic barrier. The exterior handle is held on with two 10mm bolts. Connecting the short cable was pretty obvious once you could see everything. Now I have to teach everyone to open the side doors very gently! Hope this helps.

I hope I can help, I had the same problem on my 2001. I called the dealership and they said 375.00 + parts to fix. Being mechanically inclined I decidet to try it myself. Please understand, this is not exact, but is a pretty good guide. To open from the outside, make sure doors are unlocked(mine relocked after a minute or so) place a screwdriver, long and thin, into the slot that the handle passes through the door on the right side. Raise the handle of the driver, and you should be pressing down on a cable that operates the latch. the door should release. If you cant do that, from the inside, remove the two side trim pieces. Then remove the inner door panel, One screw under plastic cap on handle, one under cap on strap... and pop off all plastic buttons(hidden) between the door and cover, a 1" putty knife will work for this. You will see the cable that used to connect to the handle. Remove the cable by pulling it through the slot(apparent when you get to it) and now remove the two screws that hold the handle on. Also, you have to remove a screw from the passengers side of the cover plate over the handle. the plate will slide(not sure which way now), and it will come off. replace the handle and etc..... inreverse.. Took me 25 minutes, start to finish. Further questions, let me know. remember, mine was 2001 Sienna.