I washed my car a few days ago, i opened the gas tank lid and sprayed a little bit of water in there just to wash off the dirt thats in there off becoz snow has been melting lately. So then i accidently closed the lid with the pressure washer(stupid huh).

So my gas came down half and now it's at half of the last 1/4 and i still cant get the lid open. i tried to wash it, thinking there might be ice build up in there but im sure theres no ice stuck inside.

when i press the lid release button i could hear it working but it seems like the lock that's holding the lid is not pulling back!!

Anybody had this before?

 

Get someone to pop the release while you pry at it with a credit card or something that won't ruin the paint.

 

yeah did that with bro, not working
it felt like i was trying to steal my own fuel u know

 

so helpless now, running out of gas....
it seems like the lock is not unlocking.

you guys never had this?

 

You may have knocked the fuel door spring off with the pressure washer. Try the credit card trick again and also you can try a hot water bottle on the fuel door for a couple of minutes if the temperature has been below freezing. Good luck.

 

The release button on the door only moves the release for a split second even if you hold it. Having someone work it with a card will only work if you keep pressing the button. It's also not too strong so if the door is jamming the lock it won't move. You'll still hear the click too.

There's a manual release in the trunk. Open the trunk and pull the lining back on the left side. You'll have to reach behind a metal panel towards the fuel filler. Just follow the wire.

The wire takes you to a box attached to the fuel filler. There's a button on that box you can PULL to release the tab in the filler. If it's jammed up you may have to use pliers. Let us know how it works.



This is the inside of the filler door. That black tab holds the door closed.


Inside the trunk with the lining pulled back. Follow the black wire that goes behind the metal panel towards the filler.


This is the switch that works the fuel filler door. The button sticking out of the side is the release. Pulling that button slides the back the tab that holds the door closed. You can't actually get this view. I held the camera in there with a flash to get the picture.
You may still have to pull the door if it's really jammed. You should be able to pull the button and work the door with a card yourself.

 

good stuff derrick. You actually took pictures!!
Muranos have this issue where those things fail to open. That actuator goes all the time. Perhaps by spraying water with pressure you introduced water into the actuator perhaps shorting it. So when you pull it out try locking and unlocking with remote and plunger should move. If not you know what it needs.

 

bad news guys, i did everything Derrick said and it's not working.
the black tab that holds the door closed is not working and there's no reaction when i pull the white tab in the last pic ^^.

it seems as if theres not connection between the white and the black tabs.
i dont know what to do and im getting stressed out coz my back up car is down too and now i have to use brother's car.

 

Is the tab moving when you pull it? If so, how far?

 

The only other thing you can do is get a thin flathead screwdriver and wrap a cloth around it and pry it open forcefully. This will most likely break the door and maybe even the actuator but at least you'll be able to use your car until you can get those fixed. But remember if you do that you'll probably have to get a new gas door and have it painted by a body shop.

 

I can't even understand your typing.

 

seriously, just stick a screwdriver in there wrapped in a washcloth or something and pry the **** open. It's only a weak little tab that holds it closed. If you break it, big deal.

I can't believe this is such a difficult problem to solve

 

Yea this is pretty simple. Done it on other cars before.
If you're that worried about it why dont you just take you're back seat cushion out unscrew the cover that goes to the fuel pump and fill the fuel tank thru there

 

I know you're being sarcastic, but this is HORRIBLE advice.

DO NOT do what PeteusMaximus has suggested.

 

i cant really say how far, but it's pretty much the same as pressing the release button and when i pull the tab inside the trunk, the tab inside the lid didn't even move a centimeter.

 

yeah, the whole idea is not to break anything.
but i'll let that be my last option.
and i tried what u said too but no luck

 

Thanks bro.
Maybe its annoying for other people but i love my car.
I'm not gonna pry the lid open and look for a new one while my lid is open all the time. it's just me.

 

How can you tell how far the black tab is moving? You shouldn't be able to see it.

Breaking the fuel door isn't that bad. It attaches with two screws so installing a new one is easy. You could probably find a blue one used somewhere. It wouldn't require "bodywork" to fix.

 

LOL

 

ok so i went to the auto shop, they tried, couldnt get it out.
then the manager suggested to go try a body shop, they might have a trick.

went there the guy some how got the unit out.

what happened was, when the pressure washer hit the lid, it went in too fast which snapped the black tab in half inside the actuator.



now im in the hunt for a new actuator.
best price out of 3 local dealers is $111.94+12% tax

sorry big pics

 

lol

 

Call Dave B. Order it from out of state and don't pay sales tax.

 

whos dave b. ?
u have his org ID?
i also sent out a few PM's to those who's parting out their car, so far only one reply with $68 shipped. im just gonna see who has the best price.

 

I had to order 2 gas fuel doors with in the past 3 years because of the spring breaking in it. Dirt always seems to accumulate in between the fuel door and cap. This is one of the main reasons why I hate my car.

 

Get another car and stop bringing old threads back from the dead.