Fuel Flap

[Pete38]

Pulled up to ll up with fuel and my flap wouldn't open. Used Nanocom to find the switch is making ground so it's working, and sending the open flap command from nanocom doesn't open it either.

Ended up pulling the trim off in the boot to open it up.

Any suggestions where to start? I believe he fuse is shared by instrument cluster and that works so haven't checked the fuse (yeh I know how hard is that to check anyway but I am not at the car at the moment ha ha). Is there a regulator in the engine bay for it (yeh yeh I should look at rave).

My guess is the little actuator (assume thats what opens it??) is playing up.

I don't think the inertia switch would be the cause (think I read somewhere it can stop opening the flap) because that also also stops the fuel pump.

[Keithy P38]

My old (green) P38 had this problem once. It was the solenoid for the fuel flap sticking and not allowing it to open.

A cheap repair from memory, can't remember the fine details as it was 5yrs ago!

[Scouse]

Did you try to open it manually while someone operated the release button?


It's just that there's a spring on the hinge to 'pre-load' the flap so it pops open. If the spring breaks, the flap won't open as normal but can be pulled open when the release button is pressed.

[Pete38]

My old (green) P38 had this problem once. It was the solenoid for the fuel flap sticking and not allowing it to open.

A cheap repair from memory, can't remember the fine details as it was 5yrs ago!

Makes sense. I had wondered if that could be the case. I guess it makes sense to be a solenoid rather than an actuator. I'll have a look at it.

[Pete38]

Did you try to open it manually while someone operated the release button?


It's just that there's a spring on the hinge to 'pre-load' the flap so it pops open. If the spring breaks, the flap won't open as normal but can be pulled open when the release button is pressed.

Good idea. But it did pop open when I manually pulled the rod from inside so doubt that's the problem.

[Pete38]

I might pull the car apart a bit more and measure the voltage at the plug for the solenoid. Problem is that means my after market fully sick compact subwoofer has to be removed from that area ha ha.

[p38arover]

LR made a kit to allow on to open the fuel flap from inside the car in the event of a fault (see the P38A TSBs). I tried to get one but they were no longer available. It looks simple to make but I couldn't get my version to work.

If we could get one to copy....

Attached is page 1 of the TSB

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Hoges]

LR made a kit to allow on to open the fuel flap from inside the car in the event of a fault (see the P38A TSBs). I tried to get one but they were no longer available. It looks simple to make but I couldn't get my version to work.

If we could get one to copy....

Attached is page 1 of the TSB

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=93471&stc=1&d=1430730968

Shame they didn't make a similar kit for the tailgate:censored:

[TheTree]

It seems that FUW100000 is available for around $12.00, well it's listed but may well be NLA. And the other bush is basically a self adhesive cable clip.

Should not be hard to make something to do this job and the :censored: tailgate :p

Steve

[p38arover]

Scouse has a release on his tailgate.

[Hoges]

I discovered a few well-placed fist bumps around the button sometimes prompts the switch out of its "lethargy"... ;-)

[TheTree]

Scouse has a release on his tailgate.

Yeah my MY99 had one as well, seems they added it after a few customer issues

Basically they just put a bush or clamp on the actuation shaft and then hook a bit of cord to it. It's on my list !

Steve