98 Tacoma Door lock issues

I can't seem to find a fix to the problem I am having anywhere on this forum.

I have a 98 Tacoma. When I unlock the door, as soon as I lift the handle to open the door, there's some resistance and the door locks again. At this point the door is in that 'half way point', not fully shut, but won't open either. I try the key again and it opens.
Occasionally, I can pull up quickly on the handle and yank the door open and it doesn't re-lock itself. Also, the door will not remain unlocked when it is shut again.
Now, it is equipped with power door locks and the switch inside works fine. It 'feels' like this is a mechanical problem.
Understand, I'm not that mechanically inclined. Never removed a door panel before, so I'm hoping for an easy fix.

Thanks!

 

Haha i had this same problem. Friggin crazy to watch the door lock as you are opening the handle hu?
The panel has to come off and its one little moving part right there at the handle/lock area. After watching the moving parts when i had the panel out of the way i identified the problem spot. Put a lil lube there and thats all it took.

There are a couple, atleast, videos on the ole you tube showing panel removal. Both manual and electric doors. Not really any difference between the two as far as procedure but the vids are there.

 

My truck was having similar issues like this since I bought it, and finally a week ago I got around to pulling it apart. I would recommend to just pull off the "master switch" I think is what the google called it. (The box with the buttons) Unplug her and take it apart (4 screws I believe). Be careful there will be toggles and springs that wanna fall out. Just take a pic of it as soon as you open it in case you drop it like I did, especially the window lock button. Spray the crap out of it with electronic cleaner, let it dry. I sprayed the relays too. And plug it back in. Magically for the first time since I owned the truck everything in there started working correctly. Hope this helps.

 

Its not the electronics, it is a mechanical problem like you think op.

 

happened to me way back in the day when i got my truck. H shaped piece of plastic jammed up and ended up failing, had to make my own.