fuel door will not release...

[carboncow]

Wife got stranded today with a fuel door that would not release it's lock. She called me and I gave a helpful stranger permission to bust the door so she could get home since she was two hours away.

It appears the rod that goes through a receiver is to blame that will not release. So the plastic receiver how to be broken as well as the plastic hinge. I'm not overly worried about the hinge as I can find a replacement but the receiver is into the door.

Questions:

1. She got a alarm system needs serviced message shortly after this but I have not seen it yet. Is this due to the door not sensing the pressure of the door being closed on a switch?
2. What has failed with the release? Is there a fuse that could be the cause and thus not needing the break!
3. Any procedures on a R&R of the door?

EDIT: OK it's not the fuse as I see that controls the rear hatch which she said was working fine and the 20a fuse checks out fine.

Thanks.
2003 XC70 108K

[jda2000]

if not the fuse, then the lock motor fails.

Remove the motor, clean it and lubricate it and test to see if still works with 12V power.

As a backup, I tied a piece of wire to the bottom loop of the lever and ran it backwards to the area of the Right rear access panel to the tail lights. When the lock fails, a gentle pull on the wire opens the fuel door

[carboncow]

Thanks JDA...that's a great idea but we already ruined the latch on the door but I did get a new hinge. The new one had two of the push rods that engage the connector already break off!

Is there a write up removing the panel to get to the motor? I just took a quick look and don't see obviously how it pulls out...and I'm over breaking little plastic pieces today!

[jda2000]

IIRC, you need to remove the floor panels on the cargo area. Then remove the Right rearmost access panel. Then you need to lift the panel over the tire area by lifting from the bottom to access the fuel door motor. 2 screws accessible from the outside holds the lock motor in place.