servis washerr dryer M9409 - door won't open?

I hv tried various cycles but the door still won't open. I hv sprayed wd40 inside the door handle. that didn't work either. There is no water inside m/c. It was only on cycle 12 when it happened.
I hv tried prising the spring on the inside behind the handle but still nothing happens - probably because I don't know which direction - either up or down. To avoid a costly repair - If I remove the grey handle to reveal the mechanism behind will I be able to see what's wrong and take it from there? And if that works - do I really need a grey handle?
Thanks for your help.

moira
February 2013