Driver's door - exterior lock is not attached. I was told by a shop that I need tobuy a "door latch with linkage rods" and that I could probably figure it out myself.

In the meantime, I was just unlocking the car with the passenger door. Last night, I went out to my car, and the guts of the lock were on the ground, leaving an empty hole by the door handle.

I know how to take the door panels off, but not what to do after that. Thanks in advance for your guidance.

 

Keep the guts of the lock, otrherwise you'll have to get new keys made. Did someone try to break into the car? Once you get the door panel off and carefully peel back the vinyl moisture membrane you should be able to see where the lock cylinder goes and what screws may be missing and linkages disconnected so you can figure out what you need to replace.

 

there is an E-clip that connect the door lock ( where the key goes in ) to the door handle,, most likely it came off,,
remove the panel and the plastic covering as adviced,, look in the door cavity if you can find the e-clip and examine the lock for damage, there is also a plastic piece at the end of the lock that attaches to the lock rod ,, examine it as well,, If lock and plastic piece are ok, I would still install a new E-clip ,,