I just got my door open. In my case and probably yours the latching mechanism operating lever bracket gets bent over time allowing it to slip past the end of trip lever. To get the door open I had to first drill and grind out an inspection hole in the back inside of door panel approximately in line with the releasing rod to be able to grab it with neavy needle nose pliers as close to the latching mechanism as possible. First pull the wire forward levering the pliers against hole in the panel to pull the actuating lever past the trip lever to the normal operating position ( you should feel it slip by the tripping mechanism) and then while pulling the rod towards you with the pliers ( this ensures that the operating lever fully engages with trip leverdue to slop in the operating lever pivot pin) push the rod backwards until latch pops open. I will take a picture of latching mechanism and send if you e-mail me.
Lou
e-mail: louisheli@att.net