Can't open gas filler door

auntiedonna · Post by **auntiedonna** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 1:40 pm

I got my new Vibe last week, with a full tank. Today I wanted to put gas in it for the first time. I pulled up on the opener lever and it moved easily but the door didn't open. I tried it with the key turned off and on. Neither worked. The manual doesn't say anything about there being a trick to it. I tried pushing on the door, but nothing happened, and I don't know what it's supposed to feel like.Fortunately I have enough gas to get it back to the dealer Monday, but if there's something I should know will someone please tell me?

KaosStarr · Post by **KaosStarr** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 1:50 pm

It doesn't matter if its on or off, it really doesn't have a pull on it from the lever. Have you tried to open it with 2 people. Like have someone outside looking at it as u pull to see if it even slightly moves, or even maybe take something and kind of wedge it to give it a slight amount of presure to pop it to see if maybe its stuck or if its a latch. Thats all I can come up with off the top of my head for ideas.

auntiedonna · Post by **auntiedonna** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 1:54 pm

I'll ask someone to help me tomorrow in the daytime, Thanks.

tcam · Post by **tcam** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 2:24 pm

KaosStarr is right that it won't make a difference on or off. As far as I know there is no electrical connection involved in opening that door, so there is just something wrong mechanically.I would also suggest just prying it out with a screwdriver or something if you really get in a bind. But obviously try the dealer first. lol good luck with it

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:24 pm

Yea have someone pull and hold the lever up and then try to pop the door open with your fingers or something soft so you wont scratch the paint on the gas cap.

Katscan · Post by **Katscan** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 9:55 pm

Obviously it is a defect but be carefull when prying as there is a latch on the inside that is released when you pull the lever(it also pushes the cap out)

auntiedonna · Post by **auntiedonna** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 11:06 pm

I've seen a Toyota Matrix parked across the street. I think I'll go knock on their door and ask if I can see how it's supposed to work before I get forceful with mine. ... laterI went over there and they showed me how theirs worked. She came back with me and she pulled the lever while I pried the door open. It worked. The problem is with the spring that should pop the door open but doesn't. When I go to the gas station I'll have to ask someone to pull the lever for me while I pull it open because my arms aren't nearly long enough to do both.Thanks all for your help.

Lancer · Post by **Lancer** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 8:19 am

Quote, originally posted by auntiedonna Â»When I go to the gas station I'll have to ask someone to pull the lever for me while I pull it open because my arms aren't nearly long enough to do both.Screw that! Take it back to the dealer and make them fix it! You paid a lot of money for the car, it should work perfectly if you got it from a dealership.

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 8:36 am

for sure get an appointment with the dealer to fix that under warranty aka free!

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 8:41 am

I would bet that you're missing the spring. My spring pops out all the time and then you can no longer use self service gas because you need to have someone at the gas door to open it, while you pull up on the lever. Normally we notice the spring pop out and put it right back in, but sometimes we don't, and we've actually had to order it from the Pontiac parts department.

auntiedonna · Post by **auntiedonna** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 8:46 am

Oh, no question, I'll make them fix it. But now that I have filled the tank it's no longer an emergency and I can take it in at my convenience and have them fix that and a couple of other minor things. I'd have run out of gas and been stranded by Tuesday afternoon if I hadn't been able to get it open, so I'd have had to rush it in on Monday. I figured out that I can get a loop of string around the door while it's shut, then I can reach to lift the latch and tug on the string and pop the door open. It's easy once you know how.Thank you all for your help and concern. What a nice group.

auntiedonna · Post by **auntiedonna** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 8:51 am

"I would bet that you're missing the spring. My spring pops out all the time and then you can no longer use self service gas because you need to have someone at the gas door to open it, while you pull up on the lever. Normally we notice the spring pop out and put it right back in, but sometimes we don't, and we've actually had to order it from the Pontiac parts department." I'm sure you're right. I don't know what it's supposed to look like, so I can't tell what's wrong. I didn't notice in the neighbor's car what the spring looked like. I was paying attention to the unlocking mechanism. Whatever it is, I'll get them to take care of it.Thanks.

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:06 am

Its black - maybe an inch long, and its V-shaped. It just slides into a slot on the door and on the car. You'll always have to watch for it popping out once its popped out once. Its a pain in the (removed).

auntiedonna · Post by **auntiedonna** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:38 am

I have a piece of black metal that is probably it. One side is attached to the door and the other isn't attached to anything. I need to get a shop manual so I can figure out what's what.

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:45 am

Its probably it. Its just slides into the door - although I've never put it back in. Usually its the hubby who puts it in.

Katscan · Post by **Katscan** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:32 am

To be honest youd be better off just using some tape to keep the latch from catching.

se8472 · Post by **se8472** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 12:52 pm

anyone else have the problem where the door will open while out on the road?This has happened to me a few times, where I will pull into my destination and see that the gas door is open.

tcam · Post by **tcam** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 1:35 pm

Quote, originally posted by auntiedonna Â»I figured out that I can get a loop of string around the door while it's shut, then I can reach to lift the latch and tug on the string and pop the door open. It's easy once you know how.lol, I could only imagine someone trying to perform this while at the gas station. I'm sry that u have this silly problem. I hope that u are able to get it repaired soon with little cost.

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 2:23 pm

Quote, originally posted by Katscan Â»To be honest youd be better off just using some tape to keep the latch from catching.Don't know about in your neck of the woods, but as far as I know, there are still idiots that siphon gas..

tcam · Post by **tcam** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 2:29 pm

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa Â»Don't know about in your neck of the woods, but as far as I know, there are still idiots that siphon gas..There was also once an idiot trying to siphon gas at night, and when he couldn't see where his tank of gas was due to the darkness he decided to light a match. kaboommm! I saw this on tv not too long ago as one of the strangest self-inflicted injuries. he had some major burns to go along with getting arrested. what an idiot sry to go off topic, but I had to say it. lol

SuperSpeedWagon · Post by **SuperSpeedWagon** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 3:34 pm

Why are you guys saying to pry it open just get in the back take off that little plastic crap then use the little lever in there oh well just take it back man should be good as new

binary · Post by **binary** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 3:48 am

Quote, originally posted by tcam Â»There was also once an idiot trying to siphon gas at night, and when he couldn't see where his tank of gas was due to the darkness he decided to light a match. kaboommm! I saw this on tv not too long ago as one of the strangest self-inflicted injuries. he had some major burns to go along with getting arrested. what an idiot sry to go off topic, but I had to say it. lolPriceless... Yeah, I noticed finger prints in the dirt around my gas door a few nights ago when I was parked in a public garage in chicago where gas is >seriouslyI'm glad they didn't get in... I had a full tank.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 9:02 am

Quote, originally posted by auntiedonna Â»I have a piece of black metal that is probably it. One side is attached to the door and the other isn't attached to anything. I need to get a shop manual so I can figure out what's what.Here is a picture of what the spring looks like on my 2003 Vibe's gas door(big pic, for detail)Instead of a string, get some thing that is firm and about 2 1/4 to 21/2 inches wide, and you can use that to hold the lever up. It looks like the way the release works, and the way the door is held shut that prying open the gas door without releasing the catch would be a bad idea, I strongly recommend against it except in an emergency

Attached files

auntiedonna · Post by **auntiedonna** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 1:05 am

Thanks for the picture. That's exactly what mine looks like. But when I watch as I close the door it never seems to get close to anything that would make it pop open.But that's OK, I have a temporary fix with my piece of string that allows me to pull on the latch and open the door. I'll make them fix it at my convenience, along with any other problems I find in the next few weeks.By the way, with a little practice it's very easy to slip the string around the door. I don't have to force anything, and that makes my reach long enough that I can do the latch and the door at the same time.

Can't open gas filler door

Can't open gas filler door

Re: (auntiedonna)

Re: (northvibe)

Re: (auntiedonna)

Re: Can't open gas filler door (auntiedonna)

Thanks for your concern

To Sputnik

Re: To Sputnik (auntiedonna)

Re: (auntiedonna)

Re: Thanks for your concern (auntiedonna)

Re: Thanks for your concern (auntiedonna)

Re: Thanks for your concern (Katscan)

Re: Thanks for your concern (Jahntassa)

Re: Can't open gas filler door (auntiedonna)

Re: Thanks for your concern (tcam)

Re: (auntiedonna)