fuel door problem
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Franklin MA
fuel door problem
Fuel door that has been working properly all year long all of a sudden on a cold night will not open. When I push the auto release button it makes the sound as though it wants to open and after that it makes a clicking noise as though it is open. I have tried to push in and also pry it while pushing the button with no results. The manual release also will not open it, it has no give to it when I pull it. It is obvious that the pin is not being pulled back enough to allow the door to open. I have a friend that is a Vette owner and he also seems perplexed by the problem. Any thoughts please let me know. Thanks- Joe 
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 743
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From: Bartlett IL
Last winter mine froze, I pulled the cable in the trunk and it just broke. Cold brittle plastic. Nice. I thaught it was a backup. I had to get a cup of hot chocklate from the gas station and poor it on the lock area of tha gas cap. 
It thawed the lock and it poped open with the button. After that I srayed some lube on it and never waited untill its empty to refill.
It thawed the lock and it poped open with the button. After that I srayed some lube on it and never waited untill its empty to refill.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Franklin MA
The weather has been warm enough for a few days to allow for some thawing and still will not open. But I will try some hot liquid and then try some WD40. Will let you know, thanx for the advice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 920
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From: Rogers, AR, USA
I have a 97 and had the same problem in 98, and it started in the winter. The plastc sleve that holds the pin that locks into the gas cap was too tight on the pin and when it got cold and contracted, the pin wouldn't move. I had to take the latch out from inside the car and slightly enlarge the sleve so the pin would move freely inside the sleve. Has been fine since.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Franklin MA
I do not think itis the switch because when I push it I can hear the sound that it wants to open but something is not allowing it . When I hit the switch again it just makes a clicking noise as though it is already open. I will drive for a while then when I lock it up and come back out to try it again it seems it has reset itself and the first time I hit the auto switch it will make that pop noise like it wants to open , then all I get is a clicking sound. I think it just might be the sleeve contracted and the pin cannot move. I think I have access the the area from the wheel well. I will keep on trying. When they said owning a Corvette was a way of life they were not kidding, I'm having trouble sleeping at night. 
