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Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:13 pm
by Reidbria
HI - I'm a brand new member to the forum but annoyingly have just discovered the first problem I've ever had with my 2009 Scirocco. I can't get the fuel filler flap to open - I've opened and closed the central locking a few times with both keys but it seems to have jammed shut or disconnected from the central locking. Does anyone know of a solution or a manual workaround? Alternatively can anyone recommend a good independent VW mechanic in Northern Ireland?

Probably have enough petrol for about 150 miles after that its a ride on a low loader.

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:24 pm
by Peacock8
I had the same problem a while ago. I solved itself after a few goes with the lock :) Try to push it in when you lock/open the car :)

Ørjan.

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 9:02 pm
by Chungster
Use the manual cable override function in the boot.

Or just :rtfm: as Trix would say :yes:

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 10:32 pm
by Reidbria
Thanks Peacock8 - tried it numerous times and won't open. Chungster - I've looked in the manual and can't find the instructions for cable override - where is the cable?

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 10:53 pm
by RW1
The fuel flap cannot be opened manually without the following.......
(There is no emergency cord to pull. Manual 3.2 Tips & Maintenance refers you to the dealer.)

The way in to open the flap manually involves jacking up the car, wheel can stay on.
Emergency Fuel Flap Release.jpg
If it won't release, then the mechanism is goosed and the unit has to come out as a whole.

C. (edited 20.09.12 13:40)

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 8:26 am
by Fifer
Does anyone know how easy it is to remove the right hand inner boot liner? I'd hate to find myself in a fuel station with a low tank unable to release the fuel cap. I thought most cars had a cable release back-up?

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 9:12 am
by Reidbria
Thanks RW1 - I'll give that a go. I did notice the manual wasn't really helpful, it explained how to override everything on the central locking except the fuel flap release.

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 9:24 am
by Thommohawk
I had this same issue a few times, and yes I agree the manual is not very helpful as I was aware myself that there should be a pull cord but couldn't find out how to access it. Sounds a bit of a pain in the ar$e though,

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 12:44 pm
by RW1
My bad. Decided to do the rear brakes today (another story, I must learn to use the foot brake!) due to sticking calipers.

The faff of the boot shelf & lining removal isn't necessary. Easy to go in via the rear wheel arch area with the car jacked up without removing the rear right wheel.

See above post amended with picture how to.

Can't be fitted with a DIY emergency pull cord or other means due to the design.

C.

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 9:21 pm
by Reidbria
Guys - really glad I joined the forum - the advice has been great. Don't know why I didn't join earlier - guess I'm just getting old and lazy. I was a member of the TT forum when I got my first TT and it was similarly helpful, so thanks again for the interest and responses.

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 11:41 am
by RisingRoc
Peacock8 wrote:I had the same problem a while ago. I solved itself after a few goes with the lock :) Try to push it in when you lock/open the car :)

Ørjan.
Just had this happen to be. More than a little concerned given I had a range of 40miles and its New Year's Eve so dealer likely to be shut the next day or two.

Thankfully, due to this forum, Ørjan's advice and a fruit based smartphone I managed to get it open and fill the car. :yes:

Seems to be working no problem now. Is this one of those quirks you sometimes just have to live with and know how to deal with or can the dealers fix it permenantly?

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 12:58 pm
by Peacock8
Good that it worked! Only happened ones to me, so I just think it was a glitch of some sort.

Ørjan

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 7:50 pm
by Red201
I had this issue recently. Made for an interesting time in the Petrol station with the fuel warning light on and a fuel cap that wouldn't open.

I've just had the mechanism replaced under warranty today. No problems at the minute.

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 9:46 pm
by eidooo
RW1 wrote:The fuel flap cannot be opened manually without the following.......
(There is no emergency cord to pull. Manual 3.2 Tips & Maintenance refers you to the dealer.)

The way in to open the flap manually involves jacking up the car, wheel can stay on.
Emergency Fuel Flap Release.jpg
If it won't release, then the mechanism is goosed and the unit has to come out as a whole.

C. (edited 20.09.12 13:40)

Worked like magic . SUPER THANKS u saved my day

I was zero range in fuel and that things wont open . Tried locking and unlocking for 20 minutes

This must be added to the roccopedia

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 2:06 pm
by timdaker
Many many thanks RW1, Your tip really really saved me a whole heap of trouble.
Just as a footnote, there are no upper screws on my 2010 2.0Tdi 140, only the ones at the lower edges. They are also T25 s not T20 s. Maybe a production change at some point?
Thanks again
Tim

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:24 am
by sidewaysgrey
had mine mucking up the same issue at about 30K+ KM. Got it checked at the service guys and they added lub or something. Still had the problem, but intermittent. Took it back and got the locking mechanism replaced under warranty

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 5:14 pm
by maq
Had mine replaced a few days back, part was about £16 quid if I recall. Works just like new now!

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 4:12 am
by Replica
My fuel flap sticks every few months which is embarrassing when you want fuel. Maybe 30 mins of repeatedly pushing the flap until it opens. Read all the forum comments and now think I have a solution. Place your remote under the wheel-arch next to the flap and press disarm. Then try to push the flap again. Works for me.

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 7:44 am
by Ash1eigh
RW1 wrote:The fuel flap cannot be opened manually without the following.......
(There is no emergency cord to pull. Manual 3.2 Tips & Maintenance refers you to the dealer.)

The way in to open the flap manually involves jacking up the car, wheel can stay on.
Emergency Fuel Flap Release.jpg
If it won't release, then the mechanism is goosed and the unit has to come out as a whole.

C. (edited 20.09.12 13:40)
This worked nicely on 2011 GT (except it was a T25 as someone else mentioned). I put a small cut in the rubber boot and sprayed a little GT85, worked fine since.

Re: Fuel flap won't release

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 11:59 pm
by Iceash
Anyone know the part number for this, mine is throwing an error up and isn't locking. Could this also trigger my car alarm when I remotely open the car? Only triggers time to time.