How to fix fuel door release

This article will explain “How to fix fuel door release” if it has become faulty. To address the issue of a faulty fuel door release, we will explain the various ways o fix the fuel door release on your vehicle.

How to fix fuel door release?

The different methods which used to fix the fuel door are as follows:-

  • Replacing the spring on the fuel door.
  • Changing the fuel door actuator
  • Lubricating the hinge of the fuel door.

MakeShift technique for the faulty spring problem of the fuel door.

  • Most vehicles with a latch and striker mechanism get a broken spring. The broken spring on the fuel door causes the fuel door not to pop up when the fuel release lever is lifted.
  • You first need to open the fuel tank door by using a screwdriver to fix the problem.
  • Once the fuel tank door is open, get a flexible metal clip and create a hole on its surface to be tightened underneath the fuel door.
  • With the help of a drill machine, drill a small hole in the plastic or rubber grommet present around the fuel filler. 
  • Once the hole is drilled, tighten the metal clip on the fuel filler with the help of a screw.
  • Now test the working of the popping up motion of the fuel door.
  • Close the fuel door and lift the lever again to open it. Due to the metal clip present, the fuel door will pop out automatically when the release lever is lifted.

Procedure to change the fuse of a fuel door actuator

  • The fuel actuators work when the lock or the unlock button is pressed on the vehicle’s key fob. 
  • The fuel door actuator uses the power from the car battery to actuate the movement of the lock pin, which is responsible for the locking and unlocking of the fuel door.
  • The fuel door actuator circuit consists of a fuse present in the vehicle’s fuse box. This fuse can get blown away if the actuator or the wiring gets shot, and once the fuse gets shocked, the fuel door won’t open.
  • To change the fuse, you first need to find where the fuse box is on the vehicle. The fuse box in many vehicles is present either under the bonnet or under the dashboard below the steering wheel. However, to find the exact location of the fuse box, you can take assistance from the user manual.
  • Once you find the fuse box, open its lid, and on the inner surface of the lid, you will find a fuse diagram that shows the various fuses present in the fuse box.
  • Read the diagram and search for the fuse, which is the part of the fuel door actuator circuit. 
  • After you find the fuse responsible for the fuel door actuator motion, please remove it from the fuse box and check the wire in it. If the wire is blown, replace the fuse, and the fuel door will work again.

Problems in a fuel door release

The fuel door release problem is a common problem many car owners face. The fuel door working depends on the type of mechanism used in the vehicle. Many vehicles rely on the conventional latch and striker mechanism. At the same time, many vehicles use the modern latch actuator for opening and closing the fuel door.

Irrespective of the mechanism used on the fuel door actuator of the vehicle, there are certain components such as the fuel door hinge, which is common in both latch and striker and fuel door actuator mechanisms. The different fuel door problems on the vehicles are as follows:-

  • Faulty fuel door latch.
  • The fuel door spring is broken.
  • The latch cable is damaged.
  • The release lever is broken.
  • The fuel door actuator is faulty.
  • The fuel door fuse is blown.
  • Dent on the fuel door.
  • The fuel door actuator circuit is faulty.

These are some of the main problems faced by a fuel door. However, one of the common problems on a fuel door that is fitted with a latch and striker mechanism is the breaking up of spring which causes the popup motion of the fuel door. In addition, while in a fuel door with a fuel door actuator, mostly the circuit’s fuse gets blown. Hence in the section below, we will explain how to fix the two common fuel door problems.

Conclusion

This article successfully explained “How to fix fuel door release” on a vehicle. To address the issue of a faulty fuel door on a vehicle, we have first explained the various problems which can lead to a faulty fuel door on a vehicle. Then we have also explained how to solve the problem of the two common faulty fuel door problems. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How to fix fuel door release

Why is my fuel door not opening?

One of the common reasons behind the fuel door not opening on your car is a faulty hinge. If the hinge on your car has turned faulty, then the vehicle’s fuel door will not open.

Why won’t the gas door close on the gas tank?

One of the common reasons behind the gas door not closing is the bending of the hinge, which is responsible for the opening and closing the fuel door. You need to get the fuel door hinge replaced to fix the problem.

How do you open a gas door without a key?

To open a gas door without a key, you need to arrange a screwdriver. Once you have arranged the screwdriver, you need to put the screwdriver in between the fuel door and the car body. Then you need to pry open the fuel door.

What is a fuel door actuator?

A fuel door actuator is a device responsible for the opening and closing of the fuel door on a vehicle. The fuel door actuator consists of a sensor that operates when the buttons are pressed on the vehicle’s key fob.

References

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZsb5aLkEok
  2. https://www.kevianclean.com/blogs/news/what-is-the-fuel-door-actuator-or-release
  3. https://itstillruns.com/locked-off-key-wont-work-7744041.html