Gas cap door was pried open

[kf4zra]

Well, maybe.

My car lives at the airport as I travel constantly. It's a 2013 R-spec sedan with 2200mi on it.

I just got back from a 7 day trip to see that my gas door is wide open.
I have never left it open before, but figured maybe I hit the button when i opened the trunk. I did not see any damage to the door. The gas level was the same, figured it's probably pretty tough to siphon a tank these days. Was worried that someone put something in my tank, but the gas cap was tight and the engine ran as smooth as ever.

Being as there is no damage, no missing gas, and no fuel contamination, I am thinking that it was a malfunction with the door release mechanism.

I tried to close the door, but it will not latch closed.

Hit the gas door button several times, but the little solenoid pin that sticks out to latch the door closed would not pop out. It clicked and made a thump noise each time i pressed the button, and i could feel something in the car move, but the locking pin that pops out of the solenoid would not pop out.

I drove the 30 miles home with the gas door flapping in the breeze. I figured I would take it in to the shop tomorrow. I looked at as soon as I got out of the car and the solenoid pin was now in the right position again. Closed the door and it latched properly.

In the last 10 years of driving i have had a remote release on my gas doors. I have never once left it open. I am thinking that something caused it to open while I was gone, as I would never have left the door open. I am leaning toward the switch as being faulty, but it clicked & made a thump noise each time i pressed it. do you think it could be the solenoid?

Should I just chalk it up to one of those things? Should I take it in anyways?

I could not find any record of the gas door not latching in my searching.

Thank you for any advice/suggestions

John

 

[Fast55]

I wouldn't worry too much. I remember taking the E55 to work one day (it usually sits in the garage) and noticing the car was almost out of gas thanks to the wife. I stop to get gas at lunch and I can't get the gas tank door open. I'm scratching my head thinking about it, remembering there is no release button, it unlocks with doors. I finally realize I'm screwed, the door is locked shut like the car is locked and I barely make it to the MB dealer and tell them I need service NOW, I don't have the gas to drive home and make an appointment.

I think yours is the same, but fortunately, it failed open, not locked shut.

 

[mikec]

There is a backup release cable inside the trunk - to open the cover if the electrical mechanism fails. There is a plastic handle on the driver side of the trunk interior panel... any chance some luggage snagged it?

mike c.

 

[shagnat]

There is a backup release cable inside the trunk - to open the cover if the electrical mechanism fails. There is a plastic handle on the driver side of the trunk interior panel... any chance some luggage snagged it?

mike c.

I thought that release was to release the trunk...... seems like they started putting those in because so many kidnappers would stash their victims in the trunks.... this gives them a way out..... (at least that's my way of thinking)

 

[Fast55]

The 2013's have both. Not sure about earlier cars.

 

[AgentSmith007]

The 2013's have both. Not sure about earlier cars.

My 2011 has both.

 

[kf4zra]

There is a backup release cable inside the trunk - to open the cover if the electrical mechanism fails. There is a plastic handle on the driver side of the trunk interior panel... any chance some luggage snagged it?

mike c.

you know what? You are probably right! I had my 2 large suitcases in the trunk, and my backpack was stuffed tightly between one of the suitcases and the drivers side wall of the trunk. I bet that was it! I'll check in a bit and let you know

 

[mikec]

I thought that release was to release the trunk...... seems like they started putting those in because so many kidnappers would stash their victims in the trunks.... this gives them a way out..... (at least that's my way of thinking)

My early 2009 (you know, the ones with the worse rear suspension) has two backup/emergency releases in the trunk area:
1: a plastic "T" handle hanging from a wire cord to open the gas filler door. This has a little Velcro to attach it to the trunk sidewall.

2: next to the latch on the trunk lid itself there is a finger-slot opening, with a glow-in-the-dark label, to push the latch open. In case kids playing in the car lock themselves in the trunk. Or kidnappers. Or somebody trying to figure out "I wonder if the light goes out when the trunk is closed?" haha

mike c.

 

[kf4zra]

you know what? You are probably right! I had my 2 large suitcases in the trunk, and my backpack was stuffed tightly between one of the suitcases and the drivers side wall of the trunk. I bet that was it! I'll check in a bit and let you know

yup, my backpack was laying on the cable keeping the rod from popping back out to latch the door. feel like an idiot, but at least it's not my car's fault.

Thank you guys