RS7 gas door stuck locked...?

[blackout85]

Sort of a semi emergency I think... Anyone else had this problem? It's happened a bunch lately. Usually I just flick lock/unlock on the fob until it seems to work. But I looked like an idiot for 10 min today trying to get it to open and ended up leaving still empty. Not sure what the hell the do but I need to get fuel in this thing soon haha! My B8.5 S5 had an emergency manual pull cable under the liner, but not sure if this car does also. I'd rather not rely on that tho and have a fix for the problem.

Any help is appreciated. Especially if it comes within the next 24 hours before I seriously run out lol

Thanks!

[jcoleman_11]

Sounds like the actuator is failing.


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[blackout85]

Sounds like the actuator is failing.


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Ya did some research this last hour or so. It was a panic post for sure. But if the actuator.. Cheap fix? Easy fix? Any interim solution so I can get fuel in? I saw people pry open the door with plastic trim tools. Looks sketchy

[jcoleman_11]

I’m not sure on our C7s, but I had this problem on my Volkswagen CC and i was able to peel back my liner and pull the metal rod connected to the actuator to open it. I then eventually replaced the actuator which was a pretty easy job. Just a bit of a blind one as you can see much of that area.


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[3g_bishi]

There is a cable to pull in the trunk, funny you say that because my rs7 has door also been acting funny.

You have to remove the panel on the right side of the trunk


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[DocTJ]

The pull cable won’t release it if his actuator is broken.
I had to carry around a screwdriver and a microfiber cloth.
When it came time to fill my tank up , I’d pry the cover open. (No damage )
My first actuator failed on the a7 and had to pu the deductible for CPO

Then it failed on the s7, so I traded the car in .

(Jk) lol

But yes these are common

[PeytonBrandt]

Use a thin/soft towel and wrap it over the trim tool and pop it open. If you’re in a cold environment, heat it up and then it might pop it open. My wire thing in the side door of the trunk did not work for me.

I had mine replaced at the dealership. I think it could be done yourself if you’re confident enough (I’m not). The part number for my S7 C7 is 4L0-862-153-D, and cost $30.83 from the dealership, and $140.29 for labor. It didn’t take more than a couple hours at the dealership.


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[jcoleman_11]

The pull cable won’t release it if his actuator is broken.
I had to carry around a screwdriver and a microfiber cloth.
When it came time to fill my tank up , I’d pry the cover open. (No damage )
My first actuator failed on the a7 and had to pu the deductible for CPO

Then it failed on the s7, so I traded the car in .

(Jk) lol

But yes these are common

The actuator moves freely, not sure what you’re saying here. A failed actuator doesn’t seize, it’s just the motor that’s dead, but the gear still rotates.


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[ItsLarryG]

Use a thin/soft towel and wrap it over the trim tool and pop it open. If you’re in a cold environment, heat it up and then it might pop it open. My wire thing in the side door of the trunk did not work for me.

I had mine replaced at the dealership. I think it could be done yourself if you’re confident enough (I’m not). The part number for my S7 C7 is 4L0-862-153-D, and cost $30.83 from the dealership, and $140.29 for labor. It didn’t take more than a couple hours at the dealership.


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Can confirm, mine was about $180 to have repaired at the dealer. I was on super E when I pulled into the dealer so didn't have much of an option except have it replaced there.

[bpd]

Here is how to fix it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVMhTiJEmUc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwk0FVfcyvQ


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgAfGdHVlZE

[blackout85]

Thanks so much for all the timely help! Very much appreciated. Might take a week or more to get into the dealer since they are "always busy", so for now I will do the trim tool and cloth trick.

Should be covered under warranty (2017 RS7). Although I'm stage 2 tuned, they cannot possibly blame this on a tuned ECU/TCU but I'm sure crazier things have happened!

It was also quite cold last night (Toronto having a mild cold spell right now), but after being in the garage all night I'm hoping it will pop open. But as you guys eluded to it is likely dead regardless.

Thanks again!

[blackout85]

Here is how to fix it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVMhTiJEmUc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwk0FVfcyvQ


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgAfGdHVlZE

Saw a couple of those in my panic mode last night haha. Thanks for the research and help!

[mintytoo]

Saw a couple of those in my panic mode last night haha. Thanks for the research and help!

Temp fix, once you get the door opened by prying, spray wd40 into the actuator that the fuel door presses against. Work that actuator in and out to get the wd40 in there. It worked for me for at least a couple of months. Then I got the thing replaced once I had a couple of things that needed repair under cpo

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[blackout85]

Temp fix, once you get the door opened by prying, spray wd40 into the actuator that the fuel door presses against. Work that actuator in and out to get the wd40 in there. It worked for me for at least a couple of months. Then I got the thing replaced once I had a couple of things that needed repair under cpo

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Good tip. Will do. Thanks minty

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[prestige.phantom]

I had a similar issue happen to me last year too. I believe in my case it was the locking mechanism that broke, so the fuel door would just remain locked once I locked the car and could not be unlocked unless I pulled the manual release. Speaking of which, the manual release is in the truck on the right side (where the little pocked with the net is). Your owners manual should have instructions on how to access and use the emergency release tab. Good luck getting it fixed.

[blackout85]

Haven't tried the emergency cable yet. But the pry trick isn't popping it open. Maybe I'm not giving it enough but it was enough to get my fingers in there, spray with WD40 (didn't help) and then even with my fingers I pulled more.

All that just deformed the door, didn't pop open. Pulled hard enough that the door didn't line up with the rear quarter panel anymore. Had to push it IN with equal force to "deform" it back. Not sure I feel safe pulling it more. Something will break and Audi definitely won't fix that under warranty lol

Will try the emergency cable next. But I have 20km left to empty and need to get to work/dealer on Monday!

[mintytoo]

Haven't tried the emergency cable yet. But the pry trick isn't popping it open. Maybe I'm not giving it enough but it was enough to get my fingers in there, spray with WD40 (didn't help) and then even with my fingers I pulled more.

All that just deformed the door, didn't pop open. Pulled hard enough that the door didn't line up with the rear quarter panel anymore. Had to push it IN with equal force to "deform" it back. Not sure I feel safe pulling it more. Something will break and Audi definitely won't fix that under warranty lol

Will try the emergency cable next. But I have 20km left to empty and need to get to work/dealer on Monday!

Here's a trick, pry with fingers with one hand and keep clicking unlock and lock alternating back and forth on the remote

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[blackout85]

Ya. Emergency cable... That didn't work. Prying with alternating lock unlock. Didn't work.

Off to the dealer it is. With zero fuel left. The door doesn't sit flush now and I would rather blame them for ruining things. This is messed up. Such a stupid and frustrating problem.

[PeytonBrandt]

Ya. Emergency cable... That didn't work. Prying with alternating lock unlock. Didn't work.

Off to the dealer it is. With zero fuel left. The door doesn't sit flush now and I would rather blame them for ruining things. This is messed up. Such a stupid and frustrating problem.

The worst part is that the dealership will replace the actuator with the same part number, so you can count on this happening again in a couple years.

During the winter, I get gas when I have about a quarter tank left. Too risky going too low.


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[blackout85]

For sure they will. Boggles my mind!

And yes that will be the plan now. 1/4 tank fill ups. Just in case.

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[blackout85]

Update... Got it open after some F bombs and pulling the trunk cable very hard while also manually pushing on the door. Once open, I lubed the living piss out of it, and now the thing is cooperating. Gonna still get the new part tho. I'm not dealing with this long term lol

Thanks again for all the suggestions everyone

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[mintytoo]

Update... Got it open after some F bombs and pulling the trunk cable very hard while also manually pushing on the door. Once open, I lubed the living piss out of it, and now the thing is cooperating. Gonna still get the new part tho. I'm not dealing with this long term lol

Thanks again for all the suggestions everyone

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Yay! Unfortunately, even lubed, it will fail again. Don't go too crazy on that red release cable, some reported they broke it by pulling too hard.

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[blackout85]

Yay! Unfortunately, even lubed, it will fail again. Don't go too crazy on that red release cable, some reported they broke it by pulling too hard.

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Ya I figured it's a short term solution. Still going to get the replacement actuator. And cable is still intact now but I read about them breaking. Thanks!

[SpectreGadget]

It's definitely worth replacing yourself. Very easy. Just remember to use a line attached to the pull handle so you can easily pull the new one back through.

[saleen8927]

Ironically enough, I had zero problems with this until I read another thread a few months ago about this being common. Wouldn’t you know, the next day this happened on my 2016 A6. Repeatedly locking and unlocking (sometimes up to 20 times) would usually get it to open, but it started happening almost every time over the course of just a few days. None of the tips on here or YouTube worked aside from repeated lock/unlock cycles. I brought it to an independent shop that specializes in Audi and I think it was $100 total. They claim they used a higher quality part, but who knows.


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[prestige.phantom]

Update... Got it open after some F bombs and pulling the trunk cable very hard while also manually pushing on the door. Once open, I lubed the living piss out of it, and now the thing is cooperating. Gonna still get the new part tho. I'm not dealing with this long term lol

Thanks again for all the suggestions everyone

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Congrats! I should have mentioned that you have to pull surprisingly hard on the emergency cable. Hope your dealer does their best to remedy the issue!