How do you get inside the door of your 1998 mercury mountaineer to fix the door handle lock if the door is shut and wont unlock so you can remove the door panel?

I had this problem on mine. Using a flat screw driver starting form the window seal you can very gently pry the door panel up and then work your way down loosen the door panel enough to access the interior portion of the door and the lock. It takes patience not to break the door panel but it works.