Hi,
Your guess is right. Remove door panel and look, see.
Linkage is disconnected or broken(not likely). A c-clip fell off
or small part is worn out.
Tony

D/A Fischer wrote:

> OK here's the deal, the right rear door on my 97 Civic won't open. The lock
> is still working, atleast that's what I'm figuring considering that I can
> still work it with the electric lock system. When you move the handle on
> both the outside and inside they are both very fluid, almost like they're
> not attached to anything. I'm figuring that there is some sort of linkage
> or cabling that has broke. Am I correct on that? Short of taking it to a
> dealer, is there any way to remove the inside trim to check this problem out
> or am I screwed? I figure I'm not the first one to have this happen to
> himself. One last thing, my son was playing with the child proof locks on
> the door, are they tied in to this somehow?
>
>