Fuel flap

[Diddydave]

Is there a common fault with the electric lock not locking on the petrol flap on the V70 04 MY? I do know there is a designed delay, but I have checked hours later to find it is still unlocked?

[Jim314]

Some people have taken apart the solenoid that locks the flap, only to find it is OK. If you do want to investigate this, it would take investigating possible failure modes and understanding the signs of each failure mode.

Have you checked for a blown fuse?

Given that the European set-up has the delay before the flap locks automatically, you would have to connect an electrical meter which would record a pulse. I don't know if such a meter would be commonly available.

(In the North American Volvos there is no automatic locking after a time delay. The flap only locks when the vehicle is being driven away. There is a button on the dash to unlock the fuel flap. This button is not a toggle--it does not lock the flap if pressed when the flap is unlocked.)

[Diddydave]

I can check the fuse but I hear the Solenoid operate when I unlock the car on the remote

[vjck_uk]

if the flap on yours is as flimsy as my 2007 model i wouldnt bother i could break mine off complete with one hand ,ive gone for the locking fuel cap after it cost me £97.68 to fill my 960 up

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by Diddydave

Is there a common fault with the electric lock not locking on the petrol flap on the V70 04 MY? I do know there is a designed delay, but I have checked hours later to find it is still unlocked?

Cancel/ misread your post. Sorry

Darryl

[Jim314]

Originally Posted by Diddydave

I can check the fuse but I hear the Solenoid operate when I unlock the car on the remote

If you can hear the solenoid, then of course it's getting power and no need to check anything to do with this. I can hear the solenoid locking and unlocking when I'm in the driver seat of both of our Volvos.

Is the plastic loop on the flap intact? This is what the solenoid actuated rod passes through to secure the flap. With a proper light you may be able to look into the slot and see if the rod is moving when the solenoid actuates. You could probe the slot with a wire and feel if the rod is in place when the flap is supposed to be locked and compare to what you feel when it is unlocked.

Like a poster above said this is a flimsy arrangement which a determined fuel thief could easily break. From what I understand though one cannot siphon fuel out of the fill hole of a modern car. This is now a check valve designed to prevent fuel spilling in a rollover. I have heard that thieves now drill or punch a hole in the fuel tank.

It seems to me that the sole benefit of the flimsy flap lock would be to leave a sign of forced entry through which a vandal could have put something harmful in the tank.

[Jim314]

Originally Posted by Diddydave

I can check the fuse but I hear the Solenoid operate when I unlock the car on the remote

It could be that it is the plastic hinge that is broken. When this breaks the door does not spring shut and the internal mechanism does not capture the loop.

Look at the top of this set of forums and you will find a whole thread on this subject.

[Diddydave]

found the problem guys, the motor has sheared a couple of the plastic teeth which drives the worm of the locking pin, the motor is just spinning in the gap where the teeth were. Probably need to buy a new unit unless I can get a replacement plastic gear wheel?

Regards Diddy