I recently changed my front driver's side inside door handle and power window assembly. The window works fine, which is good because I still have to roll it down to get out of the car. I have checked and rechecked my handle install and can't see why it isn't working. I'm afraid that it may be the tension cable, maybe at the other end, but am wondering if there is any way to determine that before taking apart the door latch and risking screwing up the exterior handle operation. When I pull the tension cable it does nothing.

 

I can't see it from here. But if it moves and does nothing it is probably not connected to anything.
The only way to diagnose it is to look at it. The only way to fix it is to get to it so you can see it.

 

^^^You need to look at it.^^^

 

The cable isn’t connected correctly, common problem. You will need to pop off the door panel

 

Update! After much frustration and procrastination, I finally fixed my driver side door. The hardest part was undoing the three bolts (had to get help) at the end of the door, so I could reattach the tension cable to its harness (which WAS the problem). Once that was done, everything went back together perfectly and the door (handle, window, lock) works great. Thanks to the helpful posts and responses on this forum, I no longer have to reach out of my window to use the outside latch or climb out of the passenger side door (at 5'10" and 55 years old) to get out of my car.