Fuel flap won't open

[marcb]

Just tried to fill up but fuel flap won't open. It's not done this before. I think I've got enough petrol to get home but what's the solution. Car is a 2005 V70 2.5T.
Thanks

[Brendan W]

Maybe all that's wrong is the solenoid is stuck and a thump or two to the left of the flap will shift it. Failing that I would try to get at the solenoid behind the interior trim. On some cars it's just about reachable with a spray of WD 40 or similar through the access panel for the rear light cluster. Failing that you are looking at trying to get at the four plastic expansion rivets on the hinge side from underneath and tapping them out.

[100K+]

There is a manual release way of opening the flap, but you have to remove the trim over the off side wheel arch in the "boot" There is an access flap in the boot for the rear light cluster, but I'm not certain if you can get your hand/arm through there to release the flap.

You need to slide an activator rod to unlock. Its usually the solinoid that stop working, although if you are mechanically/electrically minded, they can be fixed to work again.

Hope this helps


Cheers

Bob

[marcb]

Originally Posted by 100K+

There is a manual release way of opening the flap, but you have to remove the trim over the off side wheel arch in the "boot" There is an access flap in the boot for the rear light cluster, but I'm not certain if you can get your hand/arm through there to release the flap.

You need to slide an activator rod to unlock. Its usually the solinoid that stop working, although if you are mechanically/electrically minded, they can be fixed to work again.

Thanks Bob - managed to get home but fuel is now very low. Do you know where the rod is exactly - the lock seems to be at the top/rear of the flap but does the rod go in horizontally from inside the car?

I had no idea the car had a locking flap - it looks to be useless as anyone can rip the flap off in a second anyway.

[Chris_Rogers]

There is no rod, you will need to remove the access hatch and feel up insde the trim until you can find the lock soleniod, if you can manage this will of course depend on how long/thin you arm/fingers are.

Once you can feel the solenoid there is a plastic tab on the side of the moving portion which you can slide towards the back of the car to unlock the flap.

If your arms are too short/thick then you will have to remove the side trim, good news is you only need to remove the load cover and look for the 13mm bolt head exposed, remove the bolt. You may need to move the rear of the back seat forward as well.
Having removed the bolt then grab the trim under the side window and tug it away from the side of the car. The fuel lock is still hidden behind some more foam etc. but it's fairly obvious how to gain access to the motor and move the locking portion to the unlocked position.

[Simon Jones]

Originally Posted by marcb

I had no idea the car had a locking flap - it looks to be useless as anyone can rip the flap off in a second anyway.

Looks like you've got your 'plan B' sorted . I guess you've tried a few lock/unlock cycles whilst giving the flap a gentle tap in case its just sticking.

[AndyJudge]

Happened to me on the S60 the other day. 30secs tops to undo the light cluster access flap feel for the hook on the back of the solonoid & slip it back.

All working again now after a bit of a clean with WD40

Sure it must be almost the same on the V70

[marcb]

Thanks all - just managed to squeeze my hand in via the light access hatch and release it and sprayed some WD40 on what I can see is the lock part under the flap. It works now.

Chris - it's your old V70 - going well - only other issues have been an anaemic power steering pump and that pesky parking assist is on the blink again.

[Chris_Rogers]

Glad you're enjoying the car, faults don't seem too bad given its age.

[flintlockandsteel]

Thanks for posting this
Only had it 9 months so presumed there wasn't a lock or it didn't work.
Saved me a load of hassle and managed to get to the tab and fill up.