Petrol cap issues
- Thread starter Starry
- Start date
I've had the same thing a few times. Had the car a year and never happened and then randomly one day I couldn't open it. I just have to press unlock on my key and then it pops open. Seems to only happen randomly.
The fuel flap is linked to the central locking.....so yours seems to be randomly not working for some reason.
Im assuming you have the auto lock function enabled, so have you tried to open it when you unlock the car for the first time before driving?
Im assuming you have the auto lock function enabled, so have you tried to open it when you unlock the car for the first time before driving?
It’s the same thing that happens with most cars
The actuator in the lock mechanism are known problems with these style of caps.
If you look carefully there’s the bit that rotates when you lock/unlock. Dirt gets in there and it will stop turning and will be either stuck in a locked state or unlocked. That’s one way they break and the only way to open this is to force it open and break that clip that rotates. Had this happen to my a6 and the AA guy wanted me to sign a disclaimer to say if it damages the paint while he tries to wedge it open they will not take responsibility. Told him to leave it and let Audi sort it under warranty. The tech at Audi said that’s the only way if it breaks like that is to wedge it open.
The other way it breaks is the push and pop mechanism. If you push and it doesn’t pop then you might have a chance as there’s a red pull cord in the boot behind the cover. Pull that cord and it should release the cap.
Suppose third scenario is both breaks at the same time. Then you are stuck especially when low on fuel. Only way is to wedge it open with a wooden/plastic spatula so you don’t damage the paintwork.
If it’s out of warranty I think the bits are like £25 to repair yourself.
Similar thing happened to my merc as well but luckily that was stuck unlocked.
The actuator in the lock mechanism are known problems with these style of caps.
If you look carefully there’s the bit that rotates when you lock/unlock. Dirt gets in there and it will stop turning and will be either stuck in a locked state or unlocked. That’s one way they break and the only way to open this is to force it open and break that clip that rotates. Had this happen to my a6 and the AA guy wanted me to sign a disclaimer to say if it damages the paint while he tries to wedge it open they will not take responsibility. Told him to leave it and let Audi sort it under warranty. The tech at Audi said that’s the only way if it breaks like that is to wedge it open.
The other way it breaks is the push and pop mechanism. If you push and it doesn’t pop then you might have a chance as there’s a red pull cord in the boot behind the cover. Pull that cord and it should release the cap.
Suppose third scenario is both breaks at the same time. Then you are stuck especially when low on fuel. Only way is to wedge it open with a wooden/plastic spatula so you don’t damage the paintwork.
If it’s out of warranty I think the bits are like £25 to repair yourself.
Similar thing happened to my merc as well but luckily that was stuck unlocked.
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Same thing happened to my Scirocco before I got the S3, found that a generous squirt of WD40 around the mechanisms to clean out the grit every now and again sorted the problem.
It’s the whole black cover bit behind the flap that’s replaced not just the pin if I remember right. It’s all 1 piece.Ok, looks like a good clean would be my 1st job and then if it's still playing up then a new locking pin. Thanks guys
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Really interested in this as I'm experiencing identical issues.Ok, looks like a good clean would be my 1st job and then if it's still playing up then a new locking pin. Thanks guys
Keep us posted on how the cleaning goes. If you manage to take a few photo's as you go...you would be my new best friend
mine did this for the entire 2.5yrs I had my A3. no problems at all. apparently the lock breaks in two ways. like this or just fails to open completely. only ever bothered me when I needed to put in fuel. when I got out of the car and the car was open I would have to take the key out of the car and unlock again, even though the whole car was locked. It really was no hassle, 1st world problem! I saw it as an extra line of safety!
Update!! it seems it was as easy as just squirting WD40 into the little locking pin. I realised that if i put pressure on the flap then it would lock and unlock so i thought there must of been some resistance on the locking pin. All seems ok now, cheapest ever Audi fix
