the new door handles have a push piece thats probably shorter , heard about it before...also 2 yrs ago I had the same problem ,found that prev owner had added a litte rubber tip on it to make it reach, that tip broke, slipped partly off...I thought then the stock handles HAD a rubber tip and was looking for this...got several peoples input...bought a used handle, had same problem....went in and re-bent slightly the piece that the push pin hits...works great now...

if you can open it up some ,see the piece the push pin is suppoesd to hit /engage, bend it , pull it towards the pin....it should work....hope thats clear enough....