Gas light on, and cant get the gas door open. Scheisse!

[zomgsupra]

So I was about to go out, and when i went to fill up the tank, the gas door wouldnt open... :cry: So i've been doing some research, but correct me if i'm wrong. People generally say that it has a latch, not a magnetic mechanism. Also I hear that if you pop off the panel on the passenger side in the trunk, you can reach through and undo the latch. ?? Would that be the same panel as the one to gain access to the antenne motor? Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated as I would rather like to drive her again :icon_bigg

 

[mkiiichip]

You likely just broke the spring. Get someone to help you open it while your holding the lever.
If that works the springs are cheep at toyota.
If that does not work something is wrong with the latch, lever, or cable. My bet is the spring.

 

[87mk111]

i have to put a rock under my handle to prop it up, then open the gas door myself

 

[RazoE]

sometimes the cable stretches out..

replace it, but be warned, you have to remove almost the entire interior..

 

[shaeff]

Easy way to get into the gas filler if your cable is stuck-

Open the hatch, reach through the access panel where the power antenna is. Grab the end of the cable, pull. It's possible. Ask me how I know. (and yes, I did fix it properly shortly after, and yes, much of the interior needs to be removed but it's not a bad job.)

 

[zomgsupra]

k thanks for the advise. Im going to try and open it while my friend holds the lever up. hopefully its just the spring!

 

[zomgsupra]

So I ended up having to reach through the panel in my trunk. I was able to push the mechanism and open the hatch. It turns out the cable will move the thing , but not enough to make the hatch unhook and pop open. So how do you tighten the cable? from the front by the lever? or somehow from the back?

 

[Poodles]

Can't be tightened, no adjustment built into it like the e-brake.

 

[zomgsupra]

So its not able to be adjusted? Can you explain that to me? If the cable is stretched, couldnt I just cut off a little of the end and then re-attach it?

 

[te72]

How exactly does cable "stretch" anyway? I mean I realize it's 20+ years old and all, but they are made of steel, are they not? While we're on the subject of replacing the cable, about how much would those cost anyway? I will have my entire interior out for a few modifications here shortly anyway. Had to do my hatch struts today, figured now is as good a time as any, I'd like this to be the last time I pull my interior apart...

 

[closetnerd]

So I ended up having to reach through the panel in my trunk. I was able to push the mechanism and open the hatch. It turns out the cable will move the thing , but not enough to make the hatch unhook and pop open. So how do you tighten the cable? from the front by the lever? or somehow from the back?

I dremeled the little black piece down a smidge that the cable pulls and is what the gas lid latches to. Works for me. No issues.

 

[shaeff]

If you don't want to rip up the interior right now, you can always put a spacer on the gas tank end to take up the extra slack. That works too.

 

[RazoE]

once you get it open, unbolt the "pulling arm" and attach some velcro to both sides while you source a new cable. That way it'll remain shut, but you'll be able to open it, and remove the velcro once you fix it..

 

[Fuzz420]

LOL, i have a stretched cable

I pop the trunk everytime i need to put gas in, but i only have the front half the interior intact the rear is wide open

 

[zomgsupra]

Lol. I feel bad for you fuzz420. Thanks for the great advice everyone.