I have replaced the driver door lock mechanism already once, and it was acting up again last week so the door would not 'latch'. I 'locked' it and that solved the problem of driving around with the door unlatched, but now the door is permanently LOCKED. It seems in order to fix the latch I need the door open to do so. A slim jim wont work because the door handle does not engage to open the door. Any bright ideas??? HELP!

 

I think you should change the door and the lock. Maybe the door alone is the answer.