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When I bought the 1986 244GL I now drive, it had the same problem. RR door would not open, no matter what I did. Knob up or down, use driver's door to open/lock, use handle inside or outside.
The PO told me it was like that from a slim-jim user.
Fortunately I have another 240 parts car, and I was able to pull the RR trim panel and work on the problem.
For this method to work, the window must be able to raise/lower.
I fashioned a long wire (unwound coat hanger) that I could work down into the latch mechanism with the window open.
I found the pin on the latch mechanism that, when pulled upward, releases the latch. It is maybe 1/4 inch long, points towards the front of the car, and hard to see as it is hidden in other linkage things.
Once I could release the latch on the parts car, I went to work on my daily driver. (1) do it after dark with a flashlight. Your eye pupils will be more open and seeing down inside the door is thus easier. (2) I have a small flashlight that I can grip in my teeth, leaving both hands free. (3) I had to re-shape the long wire many times. (4) it took almost an hour of fishing around in there but the door finally opened.
The problem was instantly apparent. The latch mechanism is in the rear of the door, the lock knob is at the front. Between the two is a long rod that is either pushed (to unlock) or pulled (to lock). It is pretty stiff rod, since it has to push and not flex. If it cannot push far enough, the unlocking linkage is never moved out of the way, and the door will never open.
The slim-jim had been pulled up while caught on that rod, and pulled hard enough to bend it a good bit. Bent enough to shorten it - the locking system therefore remained always engaged.
Long story I know - hope it helps.
Finding that pin is the key. Even if you cut a hole in the trim panel it is still necessary to find the pin, unless you see that the long rod is bent and can straighten it out.
Good Luck,
Bob
:>)
Moral of my story: 240s can be unlocked with a coat hanger, don't use a slim-jim. AND - get an extra key and carry it.
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