2002 V70 - Where is the fuel door release button?

krenekj · Post by **krenekj** » 12 Jul 2015, 15:57

Yes, it sounds like a stupid question, but bear with me. The fuel door latch is broken so the door just flops around - no big deal as it stays closed most of the time on it's own. I want to fix it, but I cannot find a fuel door release button. The manual says it's on the light switch panel, but it's not there:

There is no button on the door or floor. I'm not sure where it is. Were release buttons optional? Any ideas?

Maybe this switch unit is not original to the car. It has a fog-light switch, but the car does not have fog lights, and not even any wiring I can see behind the bumper (in case someone removed them).

Any pointers are welcome.

Thanks.

difflock54 · Post by **difflock54** » 12 Jul 2015, 19:21

I am not familiar with the V70 fuel flap setup but on my 2002 V40 the flap is simply opened by hand externally when you fill up. (push the left side edge in and the right side pivots out on the hinge mechanism)
If the car is locked it then cannot be opened at all.
Maybe your V70 is similarly operated?

Post by **JDS60R** » 12 Jul 2015, 19:33

I have seen some without the button on the light switch (they were 2001's). Try to open the fuel door when the car is off.

If it was controlled off the ignition reference and has failed it is likely the fuel door motor. Open the hatch and remove the access panel on the right side of the rear interior panel towards the hatch. Inside you will find the emergency release or at least the motor. You can pass the motor with your hand and pull back the plastic locking pin. You can unplug the motor if it has failed.

Post by **GBS** » 13 Jul 2015, 12:02

Sounds like there are other options but figured I'd upload a picture from our 02 V70, it doesn't have fog light so button is empty. I have a 03 X70 that does have fog light and the middle button is enabled.

Post by **JRL** » 14 Jul 2015, 15:20

When exactly was this built?
It's either an 01 or possibly an extreme early build 2002

krenekj · Post by **krenekj** » 14 Jul 2015, 15:39

The manufacture date is Nov 2001. The VIN decodes to a 2002 MY.

I'm still stumped.

Post by **abscate** » 15 Jul 2015, 05:05

Have you tried pushing the fog light button to see if it opens the gas door?

Maybe some replaced it with the wrong switch or perhaps someone in Goteberg had too many Benzin Maitais that week?

Post by **precopster** » 15 Jul 2015, 08:25

Both my 2001 XC70 and 2002 XC70 have no fuel release button and have foglight button.

The fuel door is simply released by central locking. When car is locked fuel is locked; simple and easy.

krenekj · Post by **krenekj** » 15 Jul 2015, 11:44

I took a closer look at the owner's manual. It has conflicting information.

In chapter 5 (keys, locks and alarms), there are references to locking and unlocking the fuel door:

Turn the key once to unlock the driver's door and the fuel filler door.

On the fob:

Press the LOCK button once to lock all doors, fuel filler door and tailgate.

Press the UNLOCK button once to unlock the driver's door only. Press this button again (within 10 seconds) to unlock all doors, fuel filler door and tailgate.

Here is the source: http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/200 ... v70_05.htm

But later in chapter 6 under refueling, there is reference to an unlock button on the light switch panel:

Press the button on the light switch panel (see illustration on page 32) when the car is at a standstill to unlock the fuel filler door. Please note that the fuel filler door will remain unlocked until the car is driven again at a speed of over approximately 5 mph (8km/h). An audible click will be heard when the fuel filler door relocks.

Here is the source: http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/200 ... a.htm#pg82

And page 32 has a diagram showing the button on the switch panel, not the panel I have.

This seems to indicate that the fuel door is operated with the key, fob and light panel button. But I don't have the button.

The 'catch' has been broken from the fuel door so I cannot easily test. Anyone have any good fixes for the catch?

Thanks.

krenekj · Post by **krenekj** » 15 Jul 2015, 11:53

precopster - thank you for the confirmation on your setup. It seems to be the same as mine, which is a California-market vehicle. I checked the 2002 V70XC manual for yours, and it has the same conflicting information as the vanilla V70.

Maybe just using the central locking system was an experiment for a few years. I'll get used to using the lock/unlock button on the door arm rest.

Thanks again!