After messing around with it, I determined that the primary issue is just that the vertical threaded rod just isn't springing far enough upward once the paddle is release. So I greased just about everything involved, but especially in & around the bushing that rod slides through near the bottom of the door. Then I actuated the rod about a 1000 times (some call it "the honeymoon maneuver") and it is suddenly working much better. I was also able to get the key tumbler rod back in place.
Now everything appears to be working perfectly from all approach vectors: exterior handle, interior handle, lock switch, key, and in just about every sequence.
And having all that success I moved on to the driver's side door, which I wisely removed the panel before testing. It had the same problems, but some grease & actuation later, it seems to be working 100%.
I'm a little hesitant to put the door cards back on, just because it's such a hassle to be wrong and given that the guidance is usually involving adjustments I didn't perform, there's a nonzero chance I've only temporarily fixed things.
Now everything appears to be working perfectly from all approach vectors: exterior handle, interior handle, lock switch, key, and in just about every sequence.
And having all that success I moved on to the driver's side door, which I wisely removed the panel before testing. It had the same problems, but some grease & actuation later, it seems to be working 100%.
I'm a little hesitant to put the door cards back on, just because it's such a hassle to be wrong and given that the guidance is usually involving adjustments I didn't perform, there's a nonzero chance I've only temporarily fixed things.
