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I hear about the possibility of the gas cap actuator not working in C7s and while it hasn't happened to me yet, I'm wondering if there is a quick fix while you're at the pump. A thought occurred to me but I'm not sure if this is an option. If the actuator is controlled by a fuse, will pulling the fuse make the actuator open by default? I've looked at videos online and the only fix I see is replacing the actuator which will be a major inconvenience if you're on the road and nowhere near home. Any thoughts?
Thx
The stuck gas filler door is not uncommon. Some folks say it can be opened with a credit card, but I don't know how. I did read on these Forums that installing a correct diameter "skrivet", or plastic body panel fastener, in the hole in the linkage receiver hole prevents the rod from latching the door. They are available at auto parts stores. I did so, and now my gas filler door stays unlocked. Handy for gas thieves. But I sure don't want the hassle of a locked gas filler door at midnight when I'm very low on fuel. My wifes car has a solenoid operated gas filler door lock that has been trouble free for 4 years. Knock on wood.
Happened to me. It wouldn't lock and I thought "guess that's okay". Then it wouldn't unlock. I had to reach under the wheel liner and fiddle around until it came unlocked. Ever since I've just put a screw I had lying around that fits in the hole that it latches into so the door never locks. I was concerned about foul play at first, but there are many cars today that don't have locks. Hellcats come to mind right away.
If you are concerned about the fuel door getting stuck:
Carry a flat tip screwdriver.
Then if the door becomes stuck:
Take two credit cards, slip them in the forward gap of the fuel door (gap nearest the front of the car, or at the 9 o'clock position looking at the fuel door), insert the screwdriver between the cards so as not to nick the paint, turn the screw driver until the door pops off (have a rag or another person available to catch the door). Then use the screwdriver to retract the fuel door locking plunger.
If you are truly concerned you are are going to get locked out you may want to practice the procedure in advance.
Take two credit cards, slip them in the forward gap of the fuel door (gap nearest the front of the car, or at the 9 o'clock position looking at the fuel door), insert a flat blade screwdriver between the cards so as not to nick the paint, turn the screw driver until the door pops off. Then use the screwdriver to retract the fuel door locking plunger.
Take two credit cards, slip them in the forward gap of the fuel door (gap nearest the front of the car, or at the 9 o'clock position looking at the fuel door), insert a flat blade screwdriver between the cards so as not to nick the paint, turn the screw driver until the door pops off. Then use the screwdriver to retract the fuel door locking plunger.
Put a small plastic interior type rivet in the latch in the door. Never locks and I don't care because the car is always parked in the garage. The way these fillers go into the tank, I doubt anyone can easily siphon gas out of your car. Now, I can't say anything about your jealous ex girlfriend dumping water in your tank though.
Some of your mechanics may be able to have a way to attach a piece of line like a fishing leader through the finder well so you can just yank the plunger back and open the fuel cap door for those who are concerned about it. GM already has the door lock set up so you may want to put it with that in the rear. looks like it could be easily done.
Insert in hole on door, done. No need for fuel door locking, most vehicles don’t.
If you install this I gues the pin from the aculator slams against this rivit everytime you open and close your entry door. What happens to the mechanism, does it stay powered on and do we drain power? Does it just momenttary have power to move the pin and then powers is removed? Just wondering about what it will do to the mechanism as it keeps slamming into the rivit. One thing though, you won't have to worry about a stuck gas cover.
It is a momentary stab of the plunger to lock the door. It will not hurt anything and it will not drain the battery. I plugged in a scrivet and don't worry about the problem. There is a device in the neck of the fuel pipe that stops hoses from going down in the tank to siphon the gas out.
Don't worry about people stealing the $50 a gallon gas. Plug the hole with a scrivet and forget about the stuck door problem forever.
Stuck gas cap
