Locking Gas Tank Lid Won't Open

MUDDY_RUNNER

MEMBER
NISSAN

Make: Nissan
Model: 200SX SE-R
Year: 1996
Mileage: 125k
Engine Size: 2.0l

HELP! My Fuel Filler Lid Lock won't release - and I'm at less than a 1/4 tank of gas left.

The control is a little lever next to the driver's seat which also controls the trunk lid release when pulled or opens the gas tank lid when pushed. The trunk opens just fine but the gas tank lid won't pop open. I don't think there was an impact to the area to cause it to jam. And I can HEAR the cables making noise inside there when I push down on the lever, but nothing opens.

I (THINK) I found where the cable runs back thru the body panel in the trunk and gave a gentle tug to make sure it wasn't disconnected - and the cable is still attached to whatever it's supposed to be attached to.

Is this an easy fix for me once the cable is revealed - or should I take it into the shop?

Would the assembly diagram be in a Chilton Manual? I have no fear if I need to disassemble panels and dig into the guts of stuff to replace or reattach something if that's all it takes for me to fix it - but I don't want to make problems worse if it's a potentially delicate type of diagnostic and repair.

Please advise - my little car gets good fuel economy, but I don't want to push it til I'm running on fumes - haha!

- Theresa :roll:

6 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

If you can get to the latch spray it with WD-40 might work.

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Thursday, September 6th, 2007 AT 6:57 PM

CASH799601

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4 POSTS

Hey these so called helper on here suck big ass they well not answer no? If u don't pay them and then it don't help. But on thous car they have a emergency cable in the trunk or hatch what ever one u have. Normally on the same side u put your gas in on it will be behind the carpet if not take a screw driver and open it

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Saturday, September 15th, 2007 AT 5:12 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Hey these so called helper on here suck big *bad word* they well not answer no? If u don't pay them and then it don't help. But on thous car they have a emergency cable in the trunk or hatch what ever one u have. Normally on the same side u put your gas in on it will be behind the carpet if not take a screw driver and open it
_________________
i have a 1991 buick regal at I have lost spark I have changed the ecm cam senser crank senser and still no spark I have no clue what could be wrong now what u think !

Don't test me you're dealing with the wrong person in here. In addition you're in the wrong forum to ask your question-don't you know how to read, when you 1st came in. Follow instructions, you might get your answers to your problem.

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Saturday, September 15th, 2007 AT 6:11 PM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

HEy Cash,

I saw your post and would have helped out if you went about it in a different way. I find it humorous that a stereo installer is giving advice while he admittedly doesn't have a clue about his own car. When you get a chance try to learn a little of the english language so you don't look as silly as yuour really are.

Didn't you find it it a little contradicting ( that means the opposite of your claim) that you accuse us of not responding unless folks pay when we are repsonding to a person that didn't offer any donation?

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Saturday, September 15th, 2007 AT 10:11 PM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Sorry for that Theresa,

I just don't put up with that non-sense.

While you pull on the release, have someone else pull on the door. Avoid prying if possible so the body doesn't get damaged. IF you need to pry, protect the body by wrapping a rag around the tool you are prying with. Once it's open, you'll probably find a a tab that is bent a little too much that holds it closed. Like Raz says the WD-40 may give it the extra friction reduction to allow it to work freely again.