Ok, so I have a problem with my fuel door. When I bought the car (2002 BTW) the fuel door hinge was rusted and the spring was gone. the actuator didn't release the door either. So I bought a used door and actuator from another member on here. The original was missing the black plastic piece (see below) that latches the the door when pushed shut and releases it when the button is pushed. I need to know if the black plastic peice is removable or is supposed to be part of the retainer ring or what the deal is with it. The used one I got from another member doesn't have it either. I have my new door on but it won't shut because the latch isn't there. the actuator works when the button is pushed also. Just need the latch peice, anyone know where I can get one?

(not my pic, stole from another thread as a visual)

 

As far as I know it's all one unit. The ring just holds it in place, you access the whole unit from inside the trunk. I had to replace mine about a year ago and the new actuator came with the black piece. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the help, but I already swapped it out with the original one, hoping that maybe the actuator needed juice to stick out and mine was just defective (now thinking about it, that wouldn't make much sense). Nope. I don't get it. It was on a car that it worked fine and now the piece is missing. I checked the box it came it too.

 

Broke off? That piece stays out unless the fuel release button is pressed.

 

That's what I thought about mine so I bought another one and that one looks exactly like mine did.

 

Sounds like the one you got is busted too. A functioning one should look exactly like the one in the pic you posted.

 

You definitely have a broken one. Here is the drawing from the 2002 parts manual, section 844:

 

That's what I wasn't hoping for. Damn, I'll just try to get another one. Thanks guys.