Well, I got the door open and the panel off... at first I thought it was the lock actuator/solinoid but I disconnected it and still had the problem - when its unlocked it works fine, but when locked it won't unlock... after further inspection, it looks like the latch mechanism is to blame. I'm looking for a replacement today, so hopefully that'll work...
thanks for the advice,
Paul

'96 rodeo, 3" lift with both calmini and DOR parts, 265/75/r16's on Eagle alloys, K&N drop-in filter and flowmaster exhaust, superwinch hubs, TJM Bullbar, and a custom (home-made) rear bumper, and still working on it...