I need to remove the drivers internal door panel

Linda, The door latch linkage is probably damaged or fallen off inside the door. Pop into a good body shop and have them check the door lock/latch mechanism for you. The body shop rates tend to be more reasonable then dealership for this type of repair. Links below are just to give you an idea of what may be involved in repair.
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Remove the cover off the inside and check a rod has not fallen down and jamming the mechanism.

try some house hold oil spray it on the inside off the lock.
let it for an hour to penetrade.
then make a fist and knock on the inside where the lock sits.
the panel is off so see also for child lock inside the door.

you will need to remove the inside door trim to gain access to the door latch connector,, ,once the door panel is off you will be able to see if the latch plastic lock is just off or broken from the linkage

I have a 2002 pontiac grand am with both power windows and door locks. Everything else works except the lock assembly on the rear driver side rear door latch. I have removed the inside panel , aboth rods are connected. all power is disconnected to that door. I moved both of the rods correctly and the door will slightly open but that is all. How can I get it to release so I can repair or replace the latch and lock if nescessary ? I had the same problem only reversed with the frond door it would not close but after some trying I fixed that problem.

You likely have a "link rod" that has either broken it's clip, or come unclipped from the lock and handle assembly. It could also be a broken door handle itself. It's very difficult to tell untill you have the door panel off to inspect. First, pull the door panel. Should be one screw in the inside door handle (#2 phillips), and 1 or 2 (can't remember) in the inside of the hand grab (also #2 phillips). To get the door latch and lock assembly off the door panel, after removing the screw push the assembly forward (towards the front of the car) and pull outward lightly on the back of the latch assembly. Once off, you will see two metal link rods with plastic clips on them, one for the door release and one for the lock. To remove the rods from the clips, look for the "open end" of the clip and push it. This will swivel the clip out of the way and the rod will lift out of the hole. About 90 degrees of rotatiojn should be enough, and from what I remember, they will rotate (looking down) counter-clockwide to release the clips After that, it's just door panel trees. If I remember correctly, there are between 8 and 10 of them. Start at the door catch/latch and work your way around. If you have a door panel removal tool, use it. If not, a single, or even better a pair of thin (1 inch wide) putty knives can be used. Flat blade screwdriver is the last resort. Once the door panel is off, check the other ends oif the link rods you just took off. If one isn't connected, bingo. If it is, then remove the door latch from the door frame using a 10mm socket and an extention. I believe there are 3 bolts holding the latch to the door. Check the opperation of the latch off the car using a screwdriver to act as the door striker, and opperate the levers the link rods move by hand. If the latch is bad, replace! the Stick

buy new door latch need to take apart the door might have to take it to a body shop

Have you tried unlocking it with the key? If that does not work, try moving the latch with a scredriver, back into the open position. If the latch has broken internally you will need to remove the inner door panel and remove the latch assembly for visual inspection and replacement. You can get another latch at just about any scrapyard and key will not need to be changed to do this.

Rear
Removal

1. Using a small screwdriver, remove the screw cover from the armrest of rear door trim panel (27406).
   

1. Remove the two retaining screws.
   

1. Using Trim Pad Removing Tool from Rotunda Windshield and Moulding/Trim Removal Kit 107-R0401 or equivalent, pry rear door trim panel from door inner panel.
   

1. Disconnect electrical connectors.
   

Installation

1. Position rear door trim panel on door inner panel, aligning two locators on rear door trim panel. Reverse Removal procedure.
   

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rear
Removal

1. Remove door trim panel and watershield. Refer to Section 01-05 .
   

1. Check all connections of remote control links and cables. Service as necessary.
   

1. Remove remote control assembly.
   

1. Remove door latch remote control assembly from latch assembly.
   

1. Drill out rivet at bellcrank and link (264B14).
   

1. Remove three screws attaching latch assembly to door.
   

1. Drill out rivet that attaches actuator motor to door.
   

1. Remove latch assembly with actuator motor and door latch control rod lever link assembly.
   

Installation

1. Install new bushings and clip onto latch assembly.
   

1. Install latch with links and power lock actuator into door cavity.
   

1. Position latch assembly to door, aligning screw holes in latch and door. Install three screws. Tighten to 10-13 Nm (89-115 lb-in).
   

1. Attach door latch actuator motor to door with a new rivet.
   

1. Install bellcrank and link to door using a new rivet.
   

1. Install inside door handle and remote control assembly to door.
   

1. Open and close door to check latch assembly operation.
   

1. Install watershield and door trim panel. Refer to Section 01-05 .
   

Item Part Number Description 1 221A00 Door Handle to Door Latch Actuating Cable 2 26446 Rear Door Control Rod Retainer 3 377901 Plug Button 4 26412 Rear Door Latch 5 W623451-S2 Push Nut 6 224A32 Counter Balance 7 22450 Door Outside Handle Tension Spring 8 W701210-S309 Screw 9 224A20 Outside Door Handle Anti Rattle Pivot (2 Req'd) 10 22404 Door Handle 11 224A24 Front Door Outside Handle Spacer (2 Req'd) 12 264A64 Rear Door Actuating Rod 13 22408 Outside Door Handle Anti-Rattle Bumper 14 22428 Outside Door Handle Large Pad 15 N621906-S2 Nut (2 Req'd) 16 N807329 Screw (3 Req'd) 17 26595 Rear Door Electric Latch Actuator (RH) 18 W701566-S47 Rivet 19 431C04-A Rear Door Latch Striker Assembly 20 — Door Lock Striker Plate (Part of Door Shell Assy) 21 W525172-S Rivet (2 Req'd) 22 264B14 Bellcrank and Link (RH) 23 264A50 Bushing 24 N802034-SG Rivet 25 26420 Rear Door Latch Control Rod Link 26 W525172-S Rivet (2 Req'd) 27 21818 RR Door Latch (Inside) 28 A26460 RR Door Latch Push Button Rod 29 21982 Door Latch Rear Striker Assembly 30 N808377-S101 Screw (2 Req'd) 31 250A04 Rear Door Catch 32 N801010-S100 Truss Head Bolt (2 Req'd) 33 N804234-S2 Screw 34 266A74 Rear Door Latch Actuator Retainer 35 24630 Rear Door 36 26552 Rear Door Latch Control Escutcheon A — Tighten to 21-29 Nm (16-21 Lb-Ft) B — Tighten to 10-13 Nm (89-115 Lb-In) C — Tighten to 7-8 Nm (62-70 Lb-In) D — Tighten to 26-34 Nm (20-25 Lb-Ft) E — Tighten to 3-4 Nm (27-35 Lb-In)