It's not been a good month for my TJ 2001 3.5L. First the muffler, now the fuel door won't open.

The cable isn't broken as the latch moves when the lever at drivers seat is pulled, so it must have something to do with the latch not connecting with the door hook thingy.

Any suggestions on how to fix? I've tried yelling at it.

I've tried yelling at it.

maybe some gentle words of encouragement and a soft caress? jokes aside, open the boot and locate the cable on the passenger side behind the fabric. if you can get a second pair of hands to pull on the latch with some bent wire or something while you watch to see if anything is happening with the cable/sheathing then you may find your issue. failing that it might just pay to use a screw driver to pry it open.

I just leave a bit of foam in mine so when I release the latch the door pops open.

The cable goes into the door through the boot.

You can see the cable over the passenger side rear wheel arch.

Replacing the cable is a massive shit. So as a stopgap, perhaps run a new cable so you can access it in the boot or convert it to the electrical release.

For now, take the carpet moulding off the passenger side and then take the power antenna bracket off. There will be 2 nuts on the inside of the flap unfortunately, so you have to try and pull the cable from behind the door.

I would cut the cable with pliers and then use the plyers to pull the cable through the cable shroud. Hopefully the break in the actual cable is not close to the door.

Mike

I just leave a bit of foam in mine so when I release the latch the door pops open.

foam? what sort of foam? where?
thanks

Any that can be compressed. Just throw it in and close the flap.

There's a spring on the hinge, if it is not strong enough to pop the lid a couple of cm it's just a matter of bending it slightly. There is no need for Ghetto style foam inserts. lol

Cable and latch are fully adjustable, shouldn't be hard to get it to co-operate without resorting to violence, like prying with a screwdriver. (Only teenage petrol thieves "visiting" your yard at 2 am do that. lol)

Here's a pretty drastic way to refuel a car!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPa3UhulSBQ

Cheers

Tge spring isnt always there max buddy

Here's a pretty drastic way to refuel a car!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPa3UhulSBQ

Cheers Im going to start carring an Axe around in the boot..:)



Tge spring isnt always there max buddy

It should be unless its been lost or broken..

Tge spring isnt always there max buddy

I couldn't see a spring anywhere on the hinge, or a place where a spring ought to be (in case it had fallen out). Nor could I see any adjustable/compressible part that would give the fuel door leverage.

Sad to say, I took the ghetto option - for now.

Perhaps it is the hinge itself that can be bent back into position?

The spring is a folded piece of metal, in the shape of a "Z". Have another look.

Right in the centre of this enormous picture.

http://i881.photobucket.com/albums/ac19/rons105/DSCF4306_zps6c2425f2.jpg

Release can be adjusted by loosening the 2 10 mm nuts and moving it about.

http://i881.photobucket.com/albums/ac19/rons105/DSCF4307_zps28356826.jpg

Yep, that little z-thingy is what's missing - and it looks like it used to be there. Off to the wreckers then.....

Thanks for the pics MadMax. Very helpful!

Didn't know they could go missing. We both learnt something then. lol