[Ironhorse]

Most likely you are looking at needing a replacement door handle. When you remove the inside door panel you can access the outer handle which is held in place by two small threaded bolts. The outer handle has the thumb button with a shaft , spring and a plate. When you push on the outer thumb button you push the shaft in and the spring causes it to return as it bottoms by hitting the plate. The shaft pushes on a rotaing arm and plate that actuates the door release rod. Possibly the spring has broken but more likely the retaining crimps on the handle assy' itself snapped and the spring/ plate combination will not function without the resistance. If the crimps are broken my thoughts are you need a new or used outer handle. Have not found a good way to repair broken crimp tabs. Perhaps some one else has more or better info. Been a long time since I had to replace a outer handle, knock on wood. Outer handles can be had at your local salvage or are being re-produced. Hope this helps. Good luck.