What are the reasons why the 2010 Tiguan gas door won’t open?
By
Vroomouk
This article will explain the “2010 Tiguan gas door won’t open” problem. The gas door, not the opening problem, is a common issue faced by many people worldwide. Therefore, this article will explain the causes behind the fuel door, not the opening problem.
The fuel door in a vehicle is often overlooked during maintenance services. The notice on the fuel door goes when it becomes an inconvenience. A fuel door that gets stuck can be frustrating, especially when you urgently need fuel at a gas station.
The fuel door works on the principle of latch and cable mechanism. A cable is connected to the latch, which is responsible for opening and closing the fuel door on the vehicle. If the latch gets damaged on the vehicle, the fuel door won’t open. The fuel flap door in a vehicle can be opened in different ways. In most vehicles, the fuel can be opened by lifting the lever which is present inside the vehicle. Meanwhile, the gas door can be opened in some vehicles by pressing the fuel door. The fuel door in the VW Tiguan is operated by pressing the fuel door.
What are the reasons why the 2010 Tiguan gas door won’t open?
There can be different causes behind the faulty fuel door in a VW Tiguan. The possible causes are mentioned below.
- Damaged or loose fuel door lever
- Damaged release cable
- Faulty Hinge or spring
- Blown Fuse
- Damaged wiring
These are some of the reasons behind a faulty fuel door in a VW Tiguan. The faults mentioned above are explained in detail below.
Causes of Jammed or locked door on VW Tiguan
Faulty Hinge or spring
The fuel door is operated using a spring or a hinge in the VW Tiguan. Thus when the driver presses the flap of the fuel door, the spring mechanism actuates and opens the fuel door, then pops out from the latch. However, the spring or the Hinge that opens the Tiguan fuel door might be damaged.
The damage in the fuel door spring or Hinge can be caused due to a dent near the flap. Another reason behind the non-functionality of the fuel door hinge or spring can be rusting. Since the component is water, there are chances that the spring might get rusted and eventually, due to rusting, the spring breaks. In such a situation, the fuel door won’t open.
Thus for the proper functioning of the fuel door and prevention of spring from breaking down, you need to lubricate the spring at regular intervals continuously. You can use WD40 motor oil or silicone-based grease to lubricate the fuel door.
Blown Fuse
The other reason behind the inoperable fuel door on a Tiguan can be blown fuse. In Tiguan, the fuel door is connected to an electric motor, and when the car unlock button is pressed, the fuel door gets unlocked. When the driver presses the fuel flap, the motor works, and the flap opens.
Since there is an electrical circuit involved in the operation of the fuel door, a fuse is also present in the circuit to protect the circuit from getting damaged during overload. Suppose a situation where the circuit gets more than the required current. Then, in that case, the fuse of the fuel door will get short, and the circuit won’t work. Therefore, even when the driver presses the fuel flap, the fuel door won’t open. In such a case, to fix the fuel door, you need to change the circuit’s fuse, and the circuit will start to work again.
Damaged wiring
Since an electrical motor is present for the operation of the fuel door, wires to provide power to the motor are obvious. Unfortunately, the wires that transfer the electricity to the motor to actuate the fuel door can get damaged.
The common damages observed in a wire are cuts along the surface of the insulation. Thus, the water can seep through and cause short circuits due to these cuts in the wires. Therefore once the wire gets short circuit, only wire replacement can bring the system back into its operational state.
Conclusion
This article successfully addressed the “2010 Tiguan gas door won’t open” problem. To address the issue in detail, we have explained the various causes which can lead to a faulty fuel door in the Tiguan. Moreover, we have briefly explained the various fixes that a person could do for getting the fuel door back into operating condition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 2010 Tiguan gas door won ‘T open.
How do you open the gas door on a VW Tiguan?
Opening the Gas door on the VW Tiguan is different from other vehicles. In conventional vehicles, there is a lever present in the car, which helps open the fuel door. But to open the fuel door in a VW Tiguan, you first need to unlock the car and then press the fuel door to open it.
What is a fuel door actuator?
The fuel door on some vehicles has a fuel door actuator. The fuel door actuator is responsible for opening and closing the fuel flap. The actuator allows the driver to open the fuel door at a button push.
How much does it cost to fix the gas door?
The fuel door repair can cost you around 200$ if a part is faulty in the fuel door. Because the fuel door part cost is around $104. Meanwhile, the estimated labour cost is between $74 and $94.
