If it's the spring you probably can't open the door with the handle too.
This because of the latch being stuck in the closed-position. If this is not
the case, it soon will be and replacing the spring isn't easy with a closed
door. So take action while you can and clean the spring (and replace the
spring). This one can be found at Rosenthal or mx5parts.co.uk.

Jeroen

"Chuck" > schreef in bericht
...
> On 10/11/2010 11:49 AM, Christopher Muto wrote:
>> My passenger side exterior door handle does not snap back when opened.
>> It has to be pushed back flush with the door in order for the door to
>> latch/close properly.
>> I have tried squirting some WD40 into the latch behind the handle but
>> that only marginally helped.
>> If I remove the handle from the door and give it a complete cleaning
>> will it function normally again or should I look for a replacement?
>> There is talk about this problem on miata.net but it is unclear if
>> cleaning is a permanent fix or if people had to replace the spring. If a
>> spring replacement is the answer where might I get a replacement spring?
>> Many thanks for your advice.
>
> The last one of these I saw turned out to be caused by a broken off pot
> metal thingy that held one end of the spring. I think that you are going
> to need to do a little door dis-assembly to really find out what is going
> on.