17 LC - Fuel Door Does Not Release

[NewLCGuy]

The lever under the dash does not release the fuel door or latch. Is there a hack to open it? I need to refuel the guzzler like now.

Not sure about the issue but will this be covered by CPO warranty. Or, any ideas of the typical cost to fix the issue? Thanks

 

[goldwater58]

I'm thinking you've got a missing metal spring clip thing. Very easy to replace, I don't have the PN on hand though. You could use a little suction cup or something to pull it open, although you might have to have someone actively pulling the lever.

 

[dnh1]

I'm thinking you've got a missing metal spring clip thing. Very easy to replace, I don't have the PN on hand though. You could use a little suction cup or something to pull it open, although you might have to have someone actively pulling the lever.

Happened to me as well with an LX

 

[goldwater58]

I think I found the most annoying part to break

'17 LC, Filling up with gas last week, noticed a small clip on the ground. Picked it up and kept it, but didn't think much of it. Come yesterday when I try to get gas again, I can't get the fuel door to pop open. Luckily the dealer got me right in and was able to get the spring/and plastic...

forum.ih8mud.com

There's a link to the problem I think you're having.

 

[NewLCGuy]

I'm thinking you've got a missing metal spring clip thing. Very easy to replace, I don't have the PN on hand though. You could use a little suction cup or something to pull it open, although you might have to have someone actively pulling the lever.

Thanks. I just opened the door by sticking a door key inside the bottom crevice of the fuel latch and pulling the lever. It worked and a great relief.

Do you think anything here is missing or needs to be replaced? I will love to avoid a visit to dealer if possible. Thanks

 

[CharlieS]

Yes, the spring that the people above told you about is missing.

 

[gaijin]

This is what that springy part is supposed to look like:

HTH

 

[Joeekrub]

Mine is currently broken. If you’re in a bind… jam your credit card in the crevice surrounding the fuel door and then go pull the lever inside. PITA but I haven’t gotten in fixed in the last month and got used to doing it

 

[aniche]

It could be the whole cable too. I had the issue. The cable is physically linked to the latch on the fuel door. The connector head on the steel wire got dislodged from the plastic fuel release mechanism under the steering column. The steel wire is supposed to spring back inside the cable and it lost its springiness somehow. The plastic lever mechanism relies on this spring back for the metal head to be consistently engaged. When the metal wire get disengaged (from the fuel door release lever), I could still open the fuel door by manually pulling on the metal wire using a nose plier. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the whole cable under warranty. 4-5 hr work.

 

[dougparis]

I had the same issue as well. Somebody posted that the cigarette lighter fits perfectly in the unlatch lever holding it open. And yes it does!

 

[nbraun18]

Yup as others said, spring missing. Had the exact same issue with the ‘15 we recently purchased. Was like a $5 part and took about a minute to install. Dealer had to order though, didn’t have any in stock

 

[elcie200]

I got a replacement spring at AutoZone. I think they had to order it and I picked it up in-store to save shipping. Same thing: $5 bucks, 1minute install.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

I just got my replacement today for my 2018. Should be the same across years though.
My dealer had them in stock which tells me it's a high fail item. Here is the Part Number / Description
77360-35040 / SPRING ASSY, FUEL

 

[Madtiger]

I have a backup one in the back of my LC.