Fuel Door Cap won't lock

[johnstah]

When I close the gas door cap, it won't lock. Could it be the freezing cold weather that is causing this issue? Anyone know how to get it to lock? I did used a blow dryer to melt all the ice surround the cap and inside but no luck...

[cspcrx]

did you lock the doors and try?

[bpang1]

When it's crazy cold like it is in your neck of the woods...weird things start to happen to cars. Like you get creaks and rattles when you don't normally get anything. Steering feels tighter. Etc.

I would still take it in to the dealership though...might as well make use of your warranty.

[whiteq]

Its happened to me on a B8 A4 and B8 S5, the actuator dies, its not a hard or expensive change.

It is accessed from the boot and is located up near the fuel filler line.

[johnstah]

So I fixed it. Heres how -

I unlocked the car door, push the gas tank cap in and hold it in that position. Then I lock the door and the cap tank is now locked.

I assume it was from the frigid cold weather in New England. I did spray the car down earlier at the car wash to get rid of the salt.

[LYKUNO]

So I fixed it. Heres how -

I unlocked the car door, push the gas tank cap in and hold it in that position. Then I lock the door and the cap tank is now locked.

I assume it was from the frigid cold weather in New England. I did spray the car down earlier at the car wash to get rid of the salt.

Glad it's working for you, and it was probably related to water freezing from the car wash. That said however, you shouldn't have to lock the car doors to have the fuel door latch in the closed position. This following photos may be helpful:

Inside the fuel door, there is a plastic latching assembly. When the fuel door is open, the latch is in a vertical position, as shown here ...



As the fuel door is pushed to the closed position, it presses the pin of the latching assembly, which in turn rotates the latch 90 degrees counter-clockwise to the closed (horizontal) position ...


If you push the pin of the assembly by hand, you can clearly see the latch rotating, unless of course, it's broken. Hope this helps explain the functionality of the gas door latch. Most people have a problem with the door not unlocking, not the reverse.

[johnstah]

Glad it's working for you, and it was probably related to water freezing from the car wash. That said however, you shouldn't have to lock the car doors to have the fuel door latch in the closed position. This following photos may be helpful:

Inside the fuel door, there is a plastic latching assembly. When the fuel door is open, the latch is in a vertical position, as shown here ...

As the fuel door is pushed to the closed position, it presses the pin of the latching assembly, which in turn rotates the latch 90 degrees counter-clockwise to the closed (horizontal) position ...

If you push the pin of the assembly by hand, you can clearly see the latch rotating, unless of course, it's broken. Hope this helps explain the functionality of the gas door latch. Most people have a problem with the door not unlocking, not the reverse.

Thanks man. Yeah i did notice that too when I was trying to get it closed. It was definitely the water freezing.

[johnstah]

EDIT - Well that didn't last long. It wont latch into the close position... It always stay on the open position. I assume the weather migght have a role in this. I will wait and will go to dealer if the issue doesnt fix itself when it gets a little "warmer"

[chilort]

It is a part known to break. Had my replaced under warranty already.

[johnstah]

It is a part known to break. Had my replaced under warranty already.

yup got it replaced under warranty. It was indeed the actuator.