I really need some help here.

I'm low on gas (display only says - 20miles DTE) and the fuel door release will not work.

I know sometimes you have to press it a few times but this is different. When I press the release button I can usually hear the actuator operate (click) at the fuel door but now, all I'm getting is a click of the relay in the dash somewhere. The actuator doesn't make a sound.

Any way I can open this? Is there an emergency opening device or something?

I don't think I can make it to the dealers right now........

Thanks

 

This has already happened to me, but only 2 clicks of the button and it finally engaged. I would rage if I were in your situation. What happened?

-Travis

www.TeamSynergySD.com
www.CourtneyDay.com
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/CourtneyDayGroup

 

Yeah it usually does open with a few clicks. But not this time ...........

Drove it 35 miles to the dealer with no gas !!!!
According to what I've read on the forums the 'DTE' gauge is a bit over-zelous and we have around 2 gallons left even when it reads "- - -" so no worries running out on the way.
The car's still there right now, I guess I'll find out shortly.
Seems stupid that there is a manual overide for the trunk but not for the fuel door

I also have them doing the 30k service so it wouldn't surprise me if they say "we didn't have time to fix that" or some Bullsh*t....

 

Same problem...slightly embarrasing when I pull up to the pump and have to go back to the button 2-3 times before it finally opens.

 

Yea, mine did the same thing but I'd have to hit it 15 or 20 times. There was finally a TSB releasd for a fix. First time every time now. It was very frustrating. Around the 3rd time I took it in for repair I pressed so hard on the release out of frustration that I pushed it through the dash.

 

Sometimes if mine doesn't pop open the first or second try, I use a credit card to pry it slightly and it pops right open.

 

did that

mine did it once, never did it again...

 

I dipped my fingler in motor oil and rubbed it on the smooth flat surface the gas door is hinged on. When I pushed the button, the door actually popped open about 2 inches. I've never seen the door work so well.

 

If you haven't already read the TSB, order the parts and fix it yourself if you dont want hours or days for this simple fix. I fixed mine with the new parts and it has worked every time for the past two months.

 

yup, same here, HOWEVER, the door seemed A LOT more flush to the body BEFORE they fixed it (not very noticeable, but i'm VERY picky)

 

When that happened to me, at the gas station (had to click it twice) I realized it was a matter of lack of lubrication, when I got home I cleaned the area where the plunger moves and lubed it with silicone grease, have not had a problem since then.

 

Yes, I realize this thread is nearly ten years old, but it came up high in the hits from a Google search for "350Z Fuel Door Actuator." So for the benefit of anyone who finds their way here the same way I did, and might have the same problem, I thought I'd post a solution.

The actuator is made to be able to deal with this problem. You just have to remove the right rear interior trim to get at it. Start with the lip of the trunk, gently pulling up. Then remove the trim retainers that hold the soundproofing into the rear corner. Remove the soundproofing and you can easily see the actuator.

The actuator is vaguely y-shaped. One one branch of the y is the electrical connector. On the other is a small, white, plastic protrusion. This is a manual actuator handle. Pull it straight back, and the fuel door will pop open.

 

no problem with you updating a 10yr old thread. You win the forum award for new user providing useful information vs posting a stupid thread.

 

i am having the same issues. When i look at the actuator there is no little nub (or striker) like it was broken off, so there is nothing for the fuel door to actually grab onto when i push the door closed. So my question is if i buy the actuator does it actually come with the nub or stiker as one (actuator unit) or is it a separate piece? HELP dont wanna get robbed by the dealer

 

I would think so since it is what keeps your door shut to begin with.

 

i was almost 100% sure it came as a whole unit but i figured it couldn't hurt to ask someone who might know better than me, before dropping 80 bucks on it. Going to order one tomorrow thanks for the quick reply