how do i replace the driver's side door handle on a 1996 eclipse RS

I would imagine that you need to take the door panel off and go from there,,, you mean the handle that you use to close the door or the one that opens the door?

the one that opens the door. i took the panel off, but there is like a kind of "tar" tape blocking me from getting to the problem to fix it

just gonna have to remove that tar and get to it then

i didn't know if that was a type of heat shield or something of great importance or not

I doubt that but it should be fine,, just reassemble it as you found it before you disassembled it

got a pic of it ?