I pulled up to the gas station and couldn't fill up due to my fuel door not unlocking. I figured out a way to repair it quickly, easily and cheaply. I didn't easily find another post like this so I thought I would post it and maybe help someone out.

My door would lock on its own but I had to manually unlock it. If your motor is dead in the lock then this won't help you out.

Parts needed:

Spring
Washer
small zip tie


I purchased the softest spring I could find at ACE hardwary $.75 and the smallest fender washer they had for $.11

I drilled out the fender washer so it would fit over the shaft on the backside of the latch.
Cut spring so that it is just longer than the shaft, put on the washer and zip the zip tie to hold it all together.

Test it out and enjoy.

When purchasing a spring you don't one that is too strong, try to get the softest one you can find.

 

good deal thanks for this .. one of the best ive read, im tired of pulling my trunk liner out. especially with my sub in the trunk lol

 

My fuel door has never locked since I got the car. I'm not too sure whats wrong with it and it doesn't bother me but there is a lock on it for a reason. I don't know if this $1 fix would help me though because my problem is the door doesn't lock at all.

But hey at least the door unlocks.