Fuel cover stuck or latch not working? Help

[jlr1218]

How do I pop the cover so I can fill the gas tank? It's stuck. Or the latch won't open it? Only one bar left on the gas gauge. Brand new car - less than 1000 miles - only filled the tank once thus far.

[marjam]

The filler door opener is on the floor between the driver's door and seat. Sometimes you have to pull hard on the latch. If the door does not pop open very far try to grab it gently or it will just close and lock again! That has happened to me. If this still won't open it, get thee to the dealer right away!

[eagle33199]

If it's really getting stuck on something, a short term solution would be to have someone pull the lever while you're standing there to try to pull it out... it may be that it's unlocking just fine, but not popping out. If you can open it this way and see any visible debris that was interfeering, then you'll be able to clean it out yourself without a trip to the dealer... if you can't tell wahts wrong and it's still locking up, a dealer trip may be needed.

[KMO]

This happened on the Prius I test drove. The leaf-spring in the filler door was bent so it didn't pop the door open. I had to get someone to pull the door open as I pulled the release catch. Then I bent the spring open to fix it.

[jlr1218]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KMO @ Aug 17 2006, 08:46 AM) [snapback]304614[/snapback]</div>

This happened on the Prius I test drove. The leaf-spring in the filler door was bent so it didn't pop the door open. I had to get someone to pull the door open as I pulled the release catch. Then I bent the spring open to fix it.
[/b]

Thanks for all the responses. I fixed it myself. I used a small door stopper to hold the latch in the "up/open" position and then used a plastic library card (slightly thinner than a credit card) to pop the door open. Turns out the latch is working. If I have trouble again 450 miles from now, I'll take it to the dealer and have the door inself adjusted.