Fuel Door release sticks
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Fuel Door release sticks
Hey guys, when I press the button under the steering wheel to open the fuel door it opens after 1 or 2 presses, but the little plastic piece that holds it closed stays in the hole and never comes back out, making it impossible to shut the fuel door. If I open the trunk and push on the manual it pops back out fine.
Think it's just a lubrication issue (too stiff/something gummed it up?) or is there a problem with the electric switch or the latch itself? Just wanted to see if this was an issue anyone else had before I start troubleshooting further.
Think it's just a lubrication issue (too stiff/something gummed it up?) or is there a problem with the electric switch or the latch itself? Just wanted to see if this was an issue anyone else had before I start troubleshooting further.
#2
Instructor
I just started having this problem too, it's like the return spring in the solenoid is stuck or broke and not moving the cable/pin back out so I have to do it manually. I will probably take mine apart this weekend and look at what I need to do to fix it. I will post pictures / info once I have something.
#3
It's called the fuel door actuator. You can try wd40/liquid wrench as a temporary fix, but you're eventually gonna need to replace it. I had the dealer put a new one in for $100. Problem free ever since.
#7
Drifting
Thread Starter
Dang, looks like I'm not getting off easy on this one - WD40 was no help. New actuator it is... how do I swap this out, is it something I should attempt myself or have the dealer do it? I'm out of warranty.
#8
PHOTOSHOP SPECIALIST
Attached is a DIY courtesy of CF member SilverDevil.
See below.
-------------------------------------------
You can purchase the Fuel Door Actuator
from Gene Culley (GMPartsHouse.com) at this link:
http://www.gmpartshouseusa.com/partl...layCatalogid=0
Hope this helps!
Last edited by *FAÇADE*; 04-26-2010 at 12:51 PM.
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DEV-06C6 (08-28-2016)
#9
Instructor
Here is a DIY courtesy of CF member SilverDevil:
Fuel Door Actuator Replacement
-------------------------------------------
You can purchase the Fuel Door Actuator
from Gene Culley (GMPartsHouse.com) at this link:
http://www.gmpartshouseusa.com/partl...layCatalogid=0
Hope this helps!
Fuel Door Actuator Replacement
-------------------------------------------
You can purchase the Fuel Door Actuator
from Gene Culley (GMPartsHouse.com) at this link:
http://www.gmpartshouseusa.com/partl...layCatalogid=0
Hope this helps!
#10
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2006
Location: God Bless America
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I had the same problem and WD-40 will work for a little while, but replacement is the best option. Make sure when you install to save yourself some trouble and remove the rear wheel well liner and carpet inside the hatch. Biggest problem I had was getting the cable through to the fuel door, other than that the install was not bad once I pulled the wheel well liner out.
#11
Instructor
Root cause for my sticking fuel actuator door pin is water intrusion into the pin housing that also houses the return spring. The water caused the spring to corrode and fail and no longer “spring” the pin back out to hold the door. The solenoid that pulls the cable back still functions correctly and the cheap fix would be to clean out the pin housing, replace the spring, put some grease in the housing and re-install it. Since I have already purchased the actuator assembly I will be installing a new one, but with a little cleaning and hunting for a replacement spring this would be a $2 fix. Hope this helps someone!
Old and New complete part
pin and spring up close
Once I find a spring I will clean out the debris a little more, grease the housing (to avoid water in the furture) and this will be as good as new!
Old and New complete part
pin and spring up close
Once I find a spring I will clean out the debris a little more, grease the housing (to avoid water in the furture) and this will be as good as new!
Last edited by 1988Bullitt; 11-07-2009 at 04:03 PM.
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DEV-06C6 (08-28-2016)
#12
5th Gear
Member Since: Feb 2010
Location: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
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Help!
Here is a DIY courtesy of CF member SilverDevil:
Fuel Door Actuator Replacement
-------------------------------------------
You can purchase the Fuel Door Actuator
from Gene Culley (GMPartsHouse.com) at this link:
http://www.gmpartshouseusa.com/partl...layCatalogid=0
Hope this helps!
Fuel Door Actuator Replacement
-------------------------------------------
You can purchase the Fuel Door Actuator
from Gene Culley (GMPartsHouse.com) at this link:
http://www.gmpartshouseusa.com/partl...layCatalogid=0
Hope this helps!
"This account is not valid." Thats not cool, I need to replace my actuator too. Are there any other 'how to' articals that anyone knows of?
Thanks,
#13
Racer
Member Since: Jul 2009
Location: Newport News Virginia
Posts: 340
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I have read others saying that a ball point pen spring will serve as a replacement. I don't know that to be true...just what I have read. Others have said that the spring is normally damaged by water intrusion. Seems like a great place for a stainless steel spring!
Andy
Andy
#14
5th Gear
Member Since: Feb 2010
Location: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Posts: 5
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I'll be damned, it worked. Looks like an ok temporary fix till my new actuator shows up.
#16
Team Owner
Member Since: Apr 2001
Location: Elmhurst, IL (West Suburb of Chicago) & Home of MEGA Horsepower
Posts: 26,714
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St. Jude Donor '06
On my 2006 Z I am having the exact opposite problem. When I go to pop the button to open the fuel door it makes the clicking sound like it would if it was popping open, but it does not want to pop open and I have to mess around with for a minute or so pressing on the fuel door etc., to get it to open.
I hit it with WD 40 and even brought it in under warranty to my vette/chevy dealership and they lubed the cable and thought it was fixed but its not.
What is the permanent solution to get this fixed?
I hit it with WD 40 and even brought it in under warranty to my vette/chevy dealership and they lubed the cable and thought it was fixed but its not.
What is the permanent solution to get this fixed?
#17
Melting Slicks
On my 2006 Z I am having the exact opposite problem. When I go to pop the button to open the fuel door it makes the clicking sound like it would if it was popping open, but it does not want to pop open and I have to mess around with for a minute or so pressing on the fuel door etc., to get it to open.
I hit it with WD 40 and even brought it in under warranty to my vette/chevy dealership and they lubed the cable and thought it was fixed but its not.
What is the permanent solution to get this fixed?
I hit it with WD 40 and even brought it in under warranty to my vette/chevy dealership and they lubed the cable and thought it was fixed but its not.
What is the permanent solution to get this fixed?
Replacement may be your best bet, but you can try lubing the piece that is mounted in the rear hatch area.
The piece on the far right of the picture is basically a cylinder with a strong magnet and a bullet shaped piece, about 1 1/2" long, that has the cable attached to the "nose" of it and a large spring behind it. When you hit the button it "turns the magnet on", which pulls the "bullet" back against the spring, towards the end where the electrical connection is. This, in turn, pulls the cable which is attached to the opposite end of the "bullet".
When you pull on the emergency cable, you are doing the same thing as the magnet does, pulling back on the "bullet" shaped piece. It sounds like you need a little lube in your cylinder.
#19
Sorta same problem
My 09 does not open at all when pressing the button. I don't even hear a click. I think mine is electrical. I heard that the harness connector under the console sometimes is not completetly connected. I guess I will be taking the console apart this weekend.
#20
PHOTOSHOP SPECIALIST