Not every hero wears a cape. I was at the pump, couldn’t open the door which was very frustrating! I needed gas so I googled the problem, your video came up and boom the door popped right open!
Thank you so much! Daughter stuck in SC with an empty tank and the gas tank on her Tiguan wouldn't open, Tried the pressure trick a few times with no luck and then as she was walking away (nowhere near the tank) it just popped open for her! This saved the day.
Applying pressure to the gas tank door while unlocking was the trick - thank you! It helped my daughter out at college (5+ hrs away from home and 45 minutes away from college @ the gas station). Much appreciated!
The unlocking just the driver door worked for me. Thanks for being the hero. Really annoying that I’m having such a weird issue less than a month after getting a brand new car, though.
Thank you for making this video. Three years later you just saved me with the lock/unlock trick in the middle of an 8 hour out of state relocation drive with my cat and lots of my belongings in my Tiguan!
Thanks youu! In the middle of nowhere in a random gas station 1.5 hours away from home; had to quick google the issues after being super scared and frustrated. God bless you! Your unlocking the door trick and applying different levels of pressure worked!
You're the man! Locked the car, unlocked just the driver's door, to listen to the gas door mechanism, and the door popped open, which just about hit me in the face. Must have been jammed. Good to know. I would have stood there longer, adjusting the pressure of the push onto the door, which would have never worked! Glad I looked it up. Good to know stuff. Thanks!
Man you just saved my life!!! I have a 2016 Tiguan, and I fixed it by: keep the car in lock, press down the fuel door and hold. Unlock the car, then release the door. I also successfully replicated the problem: keep the fuel door open, lock vehicle, close fuel door, then try to open the fuel door, then unlock vehicle, and now the fuel door is stuck there. Wish you a very cheerful and wonderful 2018! Thank again!
Thank you .....I was unable to get gas because my gas cap on my Tiguan 2013 was stuck. I followed your instructions when I returned home after viewing this video....The very 1st thing that you said to do seemed so simple.....and IT WORKED !! Thank you !
you are a genius.. My boyfriends car had the issue.. i watched your video and asked him to go around and click open just the drivers door, and gas door opened... cant thank you enough for posting this video.
Fuel flap not opening at all. After I gently pried open, I applied a bit of silicone lubricant to locking mechanism post and is working fine for now. I will probably order new solenoid to replace at a later date. Your video helped. Many thank yous. Steve
Excellent tip thanks, saved me when I was on a roadie. I have a 2018 Tiguan. Checked the switch out once I got home and found a quick spray of CRC Lubricating Silicon has freed it up and it's now working fine. Might be a maintenance job to do every 6mths or so now.
My daughter's was stuck (at the gas station). Applying a little bit of pressure to the door while unlocking worked for her. Thanks for the tip. This is not the first time it has happened, but it only happens occasionally.
Just had this exact issue. I literally ripped the metal panel off of my fuel door before I found your video. Your video helped me fix it and I ripped the door off for nothing LOL!!
@@HumbleMechanic haha, it’s actually so funny to me that it was so simple and I just went straight to hulking out. Oh well! I’ll make sure to refer to your page before I rip parts off my car next time 😂
Thank you so much. The temps are double digits below zero right now and your pressure trick saved the day so we can fuel up safely without damaging the car! Thank you thank you!!!
This was the problem. Thank you so much for your assistance. Unlocking and locking the door eventually with the different motor on the gas door allow the doors open on a Volkswagen golf
We went to a gas station and we were on empty and could not figure out how to open up this problem! Then we saw your video! You saved us buddy! Happy new year.
Thank you! Just saved my GF with empty tank 90 miles from home - locked and unlocked 2x and it opened. She’d been banging on it for 10min before she called me. Now I’m a hero (thanks to you ;-)
Thank you! This helped me fix the problem. Even if it is temporary, I know what to do if it happens again. We'll be looking for a new fuel door actuator just in case. Thanks again!
Thank you! I was literally at the gas station on E. Gas door wouldn't open. Google sent me to this video...unlocked door and gas door opened...Thank you again
I am in the red zone on the fuel gauge and tried the unlock 1x and pushed on the door, relocked and unlocked and viola...it opened! I left it open until I fill up and can then go get that actuator replaced. THANK YOU!
Good info. finally got the fuel door open and played push pull with the actuator a few times and it repeated no function once. Magic grease is working on it so far though = WD40. Hoping that retains function until the replacement makes its way by the "buy stuff here" store. Again, thanks cause I didn't have to use a crowbar to open the fuel door.
holy moly.. I didn't even know this was a thing. Sure enough if you mess with the door locks, it starts working. I never used to have this issue when getting gas, and now it seems like its always locked. have to lock/unlock the car to get it to work now (or that's what works in my driveway after watching this video). Sometimes it works with just the driver side unlocked, sometimes it works with all the doors unlocked, and it even stays unlocked when the car locks itself after some time. Sometimes the same doors are unlocked and the gas door stays locked lol.. guess Ill have to mention it to the dealer next time I take it in.. thanks for the help!
Thanks humble mechanic, you really saved the day. I was on the way home from crashing my boat and this horrible problem occurred. Locking the door, putting variable amounts of pressure on it worked totally well. I bless you.
Ours was sticking and had to use a credit card or something to pry open. We could hear that the actuator was unlocking though. A quick application of WD40 did the trick. Thanks and cheers!
Thank you so much, after 3hrs trying to open my fuel cap. I pressed it as I unlocked it and boom it popped open 😀 I was just about to take a crow bar to it
Thanks for this video!! I was literally losing my mind and couldn’t open my gas cap for my 2018 Tiguan. Turns out that if the doors are locked on the car the gas cap won’t open, as soon as I unlocked the doors it popped open 🤦🏻♀️
The actuator is the little button behind the gas door, that when you unlock the car then press on the gas door to open it. When you are pressing on the gas door you are pressing on that little button behind the gas door lid which is the actuator ( button) component . If that makes sense.
Always fill tank at 1/2 empty, that way the day the actuator fails and had gone out completely , you have 1/2 tank of gas to drive to shop. This was a bad idea for Manufacturer to add the gas door to the electronic fob. The manual pull up handle near driver’s foot worked just fine. Bunch of geniuses😢
I had this issue on my Tiguan, it was painfully intermittent. I just replaced it. I would agree to just replace the actuator, which is, unfortunately not as simple a job as you might expect. Charles, I'm sure can enlighten us ; )
Hey Charles, thanks for the remedy (Tech Bulletin by VW - unlocking the car while depressing the fuel cover). Works for me. After opening, like you said, I filed it down a bit and added some WD-40. Much appreciation for your channel and your contribution to the VW community.
Great video! Like others, I had no idea the lock/unlock controlled the actuator, or that VW had published a tech bulletin about this issue. Had the actuator replaced yesterday after being unable to pry fuel door open on an empty gas tank so am good to go for now - but I'll be ready for the next time, if there is one.
This problem that the fuel door won't open is becoming more frequent for me too on my 2015 VW Polo. Almost every time now. Seems like the automatic central locking from inside will not release the door. Anything I am missing here? Ignition off, start key removed and driver's door must be shut?
@@Latsson2 It seems to happen randomly, but when I have removed the ignition key with engine off, driver door is closed. If I then press the automatic lock button on the door handle to unlock (even if it should already be unlocked) and close the door again, it usually lets me open the fuel latch/door. If not I try again. It seems to/must have something to do with this unlock release being intermittently faulty. I have not done anything to fix this permanently because I don't know what to do about it.
Thanks for the video, unlock the front door works for me. I think it's the electronic as I can unlock the door but he fuel door still locked. The actuator seems to work fine. Will changing the actuator fix the problem?
It's quite really difficult especially during winter time especially if it goes below freezing point here in Finland. Is there any emergency release from inside the trunk/boot???
Hey chief, great info, seems you’ve help so many! Bless😊 I’m wondering if you might have an idea for my situation. 2018 Tiguan, all of a sudden the gas door will not close and stay locked. I checked the actuator, it seems fine, it pops in and out and twists as it does. When I close the door and lock it with remote, it just doesn’t catch, and sticks out open, any ideas brother?
After being able to open it, i locked again I lubricated the pin from The actuator in, my vw polo. Never had problems since. From time to time it works
Common issue on VW polo 9n3 series. If stuck, you can manually trigger the actuator and, last case scenario, simply disconnect it from the electrical system.
Ok I experience this exact issue today (10/7/17) on my 2013 VW Tiguan. I was able to get it to open by pushing on the door and pressing upwards after unlocking. I was surprised it open so easy. The door has some forgiveness to it. I wasn't able to hear the actuator making any noise and figured as long as I can get it open, I could replace it for the 35 bucks. After getting the door open I realized the actuator is stuck, jammed, dirty whatever you want to call it; so I sprayed it with cowrc's Moo-Kleen and pumped the the actuator a few times and the jam let up, makes noise when locking and unlocking now and appears to be a functioning lock again. I followed that up with Moo-Slick to see if that helps long term. These products are from Cowrc.com, I do NOT recommend WD 40. It would be awesome if this fixes this issue because is just as simple as cleaning the actuator not having to replace the whole thing. Glad I didn't have to suss the cable thing.....
Not every hero wears a cape. I was at the pump, couldn’t open the door which was very frustrating! I needed gas so I googled the problem, your video came up and boom the door popped right open!
Just broke the f'n door...😑 I bet u VW cn have this one bck
Thank you so much! Daughter stuck in SC with an empty tank and the gas tank on her Tiguan wouldn't open, Tried the pressure trick a few times with no luck and then as she was walking away (nowhere near the tank) it just popped open for her! This saved the day.
We were at the gas station and opened your video. The varied pressure to open it worked! You saved our day!
Applying pressure to the gas tank door while unlocking was the trick - thank you! It helped my daughter out at college (5+ hrs away from home and 45 minutes away from college @ the gas station). Much appreciated!
The unlocking just the driver door worked for me. Thanks for being the hero. Really annoying that I’m having such a weird issue less than a month after getting a brand new car, though.
Thank you for making this video. Three years later you just saved me with the lock/unlock trick in the middle of an 8 hour out of state relocation drive with my cat and lots of my belongings in my Tiguan!
Never knew why my fuel door was sticking. I had no idea the lock/unlock controlled the actuator. A small but major headache solved thank you!!
Thanks youu! In the middle of nowhere in a random gas station 1.5 hours away from home; had to quick google the issues after being super scared and frustrated. God bless you! Your unlocking the door trick and applying different levels of pressure worked!
Sorry you had to deal with that, but glad you got it open
You're the man! Locked the car, unlocked just the driver's door, to listen to the gas door mechanism, and the door popped open, which just about hit me in the face. Must have been jammed. Good to know. I would have stood there longer, adjusting the pressure of the push onto the door, which would have never worked! Glad I looked it up. Good to know stuff. Thanks!
Awesome
Man you just saved my life!!!
I have a 2016 Tiguan, and I fixed it by: keep the car in lock, press down the fuel door and hold. Unlock the car, then release the door.
I also successfully replicated the problem: keep the fuel door open, lock vehicle, close fuel door, then try to open the fuel door, then unlock vehicle, and now the fuel door is stuck there.
Wish you a very cheerful and wonderful 2018! Thank again!
Cannot thank you enough. This did work, first try!
My Tiguan also 2016 and lots of petty issues. My next car would be a Toyota.
I just had this happen and did the lock and unlock drivers door , worked , thank you , you are a life saver .
I'm at the gas station right now. Your video helped. Thank you!
Thank you .....I was unable to get gas because my gas cap on my Tiguan 2013 was stuck. I followed your instructions when I returned home after viewing this video....The very 1st thing that you said to do seemed so simple.....and IT WORKED !! Thank you !
you are a genius.. My boyfriends car had the issue.. i watched your video and asked him to go around and click open just the drivers door, and gas door opened... cant thank you enough for posting this video.
Woooio
Just had this issue at the pump and your video helped me! Was literally on empty with my kids in the car freaking out crying 😭 thanks for saving me!
Fuel flap not opening at all. After I gently pried open, I applied a bit of silicone lubricant to locking mechanism post and is working fine for now. I will probably order new solenoid to replace at a later date. Your video helped. Many thank yous. Steve
Thanks for this video!!! Just got me out of a major bind!... Locking & unlocking and varied pressure on the fuel door did the trick!
Same here! Just worked for us too!
Excellent tip thanks, saved me when I was on a roadie. I have a 2018 Tiguan. Checked the switch out once I got home and found a quick spray of CRC Lubricating Silicon has freed it up and it's now working fine. Might be a maintenance job to do every 6mths or so now.
My daughter's was stuck (at the gas station). Applying a little bit of pressure to the door while unlocking worked for her. Thanks for the tip. This is not the first time it has happened, but it only happens occasionally.
This just saved my ass. I've been stuck at a gas station 15 mins trying to open it. Thank you
Same for me. Thank you!
@@JoshuaReinert 9999
Thank you sir!!
I took a small screwdriver and popped the fuel door open. The actuator was stuck but now the door opens okay.
Just had this exact issue. I literally ripped the metal panel off of my fuel door before I found your video. Your video helped me fix it and I ripped the door off for nothing LOL!!
Oh man I’m sorry :(
@@HumbleMechanic haha, it’s actually so funny to me that it was so simple and I just went straight to hulking out. Oh well! I’ll make sure to refer to your page before I rip parts off my car next time 😂
Thank you so much. The temps are double digits below zero right now and your pressure trick saved the day so we can fuel up safely without damaging the car! Thank you thank you!!!
Awesome!!!
thank god for you! you helped me get my fuel door open when i only had ~5 miles with of fuel left!
The video helped me so much. I was panicking and had to drive back home😅, and then I finally found this video. Thank you🎉🇿🇦
Thanks dude great advice... missus was stuck at petrol station until I watched your helpfull video..👍👍
Oh jezz you saved our lives. It worked locking and unlocking one time. 🤩🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Sweet!!!!
KH, Thanks, Your tip worked perfect. Gas cover opened right away.
This happened to me at the gas station today and I got home and watched your video and it worked! Thank you 😊😊
Thank you so much for your help. You have no idea how much I appreciate this video
The lock unlock trick with the key 100% worked. Took 5 or 6 try’s but it opened right up.
This was the problem. Thank you so much for your assistance. Unlocking and locking the door eventually with the different motor on the gas door allow the doors open on a Volkswagen golf
Unlocking just the drivers side door worked for me!! Thank you!!!
We went to a gas station and we were on empty and could not figure out how to open up this problem! Then we saw your video! You saved us buddy! Happy new year.
Happy it worked for ya
Thank you! Just saved my GF with empty tank 90 miles from home - locked and unlocked 2x and it opened. She’d been banging on it for 10min before she called me. Now I’m a hero (thanks to you ;-)
Thanks alot, it was very helpful... the only guy that was straight forward, the door opened and i fiddled with the actuator to confirm its faulty.
Thanks for the info. Is there any manual way to desengage the fuel door in case of locked it?
Which is what everyone actually came here for
Still looking for this answer
You can take the latch out. But it won’t ever close all the way
Thank you so much for this! It worked on the first try! Thank cover seems to be functioning properly now! Much appreciated!
You just saved me a trip to the dealership with this. Thank you thank you 👍🏻
Hey bro. Thanks very very much for your advice. Yesterday I tried that trick of unlocking the driver door and it worked. God Bless you.
Thank you! This helped me fix the problem. Even if it is temporary, I know what to do if it happens again. We'll be looking for a new fuel door actuator just in case. Thanks again!
Didn't work last night but when I tried again this afternoon I got it to open. Thanks!
Thank you! I was literally at the gas station on E. Gas door wouldn't open. Google sent me to this video...unlocked door and gas door opened...Thank you again
This happens to my Tiggy a couple times a year and I always forget how I get it to work.. And continue to refer to this video every single time lol
I am in the red zone on the fuel gauge and tried the unlock 1x and pushed on the door, relocked and unlocked and viola...it opened! I left it open until I fill up and can then go get that actuator replaced. THANK YOU!
AWESOME! And I am sorry you had to even do it. LOL
Thank you. You sorted out our sticking fuel door.
Used the variable pressure while pressing unlock on the remote and it worked to reset the actuator. Crazy!
Was at the station with like 2 miles left and this happened to me! Locking and unlocking worked thank u so much
Awesome.
Dude! You saved me! I walked up to the car and pressed the button and the door popped open! Thank you!
Woooo!!! Glad to help
thanks veeeery much!!! I got sticking door yesterday your video helped me get out of trouble
Good morning HM. I've said it before and will say it again.a HM video is like shaking hands with a good friend...cheers
+Javier Rocha thank you my friend. Happy Friday
Worked great! Thanks! It was just a sticky actuator.
Good info. finally got the fuel door open and played push pull with the actuator a few times and it repeated no function once. Magic grease is working on it so far though = WD40. Hoping that retains function until the replacement makes its way by the "buy stuff here" store. Again, thanks cause I didn't have to use a crowbar to open the fuel door.
I had this problem and unlocking while pushing on the fuel door worked!! Saved me a tow to the dealership so thank you!!!
holy moly.. I didn't even know this was a thing. Sure enough if you mess with the door locks, it starts working. I never used to have this issue when getting gas, and now it seems like its always locked. have to lock/unlock the car to get it to work now (or that's what works in my driveway after watching this video). Sometimes it works with just the driver side unlocked, sometimes it works with all the doors unlocked, and it even stays unlocked when the car locks itself after some time. Sometimes the same doors are unlocked and the gas door stays locked lol.. guess Ill have to mention it to the dealer next time I take it in.. thanks for the help!
Thanks humble mechanic, you really saved the day. I was on the way home from crashing my boat and this horrible problem occurred. Locking the door, putting variable amounts of pressure on it worked totally well. I bless you.
You crashed your boat)
Ours was sticking and had to use a credit card or something to pry open. We could hear that the actuator was unlocking though. A quick application of WD40 did the trick. Thanks and cheers!
Thank you. Your tip of locking the car, and then unlocking it worked.
awesome
Awesom! I didn’t even know the gas tank locked when the car is locked! Lol
Thank you so much, after 3hrs trying to open my fuel cap. I pressed it as I unlocked it and boom it popped open 😀 I was just about to take a crow bar to it
LOL AWESOME!! And Boy do I know those feelings.
Thank you. I just bought it and stuck door with tank on empty. Unlock the front door worked to release actuator in gas cap door.
Thanks for this video!! I was literally losing my mind and couldn’t open my gas cap for my 2018 Tiguan. Turns out that if the doors are locked on the car the gas cap won’t open, as soon as I unlocked the doors it popped open 🤦🏻♀️
I was going frantic on empty at gas station. This video helped me, thank you!
awesome!!!
For the mechanically-challenged like me, it would have been helpful to explain what an actuator is and how I go about replacing it.
The actuator is the little button behind the gas door, that when you unlock the car then press on the gas door to open it. When you are pressing on the gas door you are pressing on that little button behind the gas door lid which is the actuator ( button) component . If that makes sense.
When the actuator has failed, what's the trick to opening the gas door without breaking the door? Thanks!
Always fill tank at 1/2 empty, that way the day the actuator fails and had gone out completely , you have 1/2 tank of gas to drive to shop. This was a bad idea for Manufacturer to add the gas door to the electronic fob. The manual pull up handle near driver’s foot worked just fine. Bunch of geniuses😢
Thank you for your advice. After about 6 unlockings the door opened. Cheers.
Hahaha glad you got it
The trick you suggested worked the first time! Many thanks!
AWESOME!!
Thanks a lot you saved me it worked after locking and then open the door thank you very much
I had this issue on my Tiguan, it was painfully intermittent. I just replaced it. I would agree to just replace the actuator, which is, unfortunately not as simple a job as you might expect. Charles, I'm sure can enlighten us ; )
Pressing down on the flap while unlocking with the key worked for me... Thanx
Information is still good. Just worked for our 2016 Tiquan.
Thnx tip Absolutely worked for me lock door and unlock it again , walaaaah it worked
AWESOME!
This worked! So grateful 🙏🏻😃
wow ... at the garage this morning , struggling to open it ... got to work saw your video and "Hey Press(to)" ... literally !!!
Awesome
Hey Charles, thanks for the remedy (Tech Bulletin by VW - unlocking the car while depressing the fuel cover). Works for me. After opening, like you said, I filed it down a bit and added some WD-40. Much appreciation for your channel and your contribution to the VW community.
This just saved us!! Locked and unlocked a few times and I heard the click! Thank you!
AWESOME!!!! I mean I had you had to do it, but happy to help. :)
Thank you!! This video saved me at the gas station. :)
Im sorry it had to, but glad it was there.
You are a genius thank you. It made my day.!!!!!!!!🔥💥🔥💥🔥💥🔥💥🔥🔥
Wiggle door + unlock worked right away. Thanks!
Great video! Like others, I had no idea the lock/unlock controlled the actuator, or that VW had published a tech bulletin about this issue. Had the actuator replaced yesterday after being unable to pry fuel door open on an empty gas tank so am good to go for now - but I'll be ready for the next time, if there is one.
First solution worked for us! Thanks for getting us out of a bind!
When I worked for VW we use to stock actuators and doors. Sometimes it was the actuator but most of the time both were changed.
Thank you! Your tip really helped me. From Yorkshire, UK.
This problem that the fuel door won't open is becoming more frequent for me too on my 2015 VW Polo. Almost every time now. Seems like the automatic central locking from inside will not release the door.
Anything I am missing here? Ignition off, start key removed and driver's door must be shut?
Exactly the same problem on my 2015 Polo. Did you ever solve it? Thanks!
@@Latsson2 It seems to happen randomly, but when I have removed the ignition key with engine off, driver door is closed.
If I then press the automatic lock button on the door handle to unlock (even if it should already be unlocked) and close the door again, it usually lets me open the fuel latch/door. If not I try again.
It seems to/must have something to do with this unlock release being intermittently faulty.
I have not done anything to fix this permanently because I don't know what to do about it.
Thanks for the video, unlock the front door works for me. I think it's the electronic as I can unlock the door but he fuel door still locked. The actuator seems to work fine. Will changing the actuator fix the problem?
Oh my god thank you so much I was about to have a heart attack at the gas station, you're a life saver
Thanks for your help. I am going to try it out.
This worked for me! We locked the vehicle and pressed on the fuel door at the same time as unlocking
Thank you. Life saved!
It's quite really difficult especially during winter time especially if it goes below freezing point here in Finland. Is there any emergency release from inside the trunk/boot???
Audis have a red strap connected to the actuator which will release the flap
You're really helpful. Thanks man.
Hey chief, great info, seems you’ve help so many! Bless😊
I’m wondering if you might have an idea for my situation. 2018 Tiguan, all of a sudden the gas door will not close and stay locked. I checked the actuator, it seems fine, it pops in and out and twists as it does. When I close the door and lock it with remote, it just doesn’t catch, and sticks out open, any ideas brother?
The lock unlock worked for me thanks
Thank you so much! Saved me from prying my fuel door open with a screwdriver!
AWESOME!
@humbleMechanic - why don’t the seller tell customers this stuff.
Had the same problem, after watching the video I fixed it. Thanks!
After being able to open it, i locked again I lubricated the pin from The actuator in, my vw polo. Never had problems since. From time to time it works
Thank you , the unlock slight touch to open worked !!’
Aweosme
Worked first go, thanks for the help
Common issue on VW polo 9n3 series. If stuck, you can manually trigger the actuator and, last case scenario, simply disconnect it from the electrical system.
Try just using the lock/unlock on the key fob. Worked for me.
Ok I experience this exact issue today (10/7/17) on my 2013 VW Tiguan. I was able to get it to open by pushing on the door and pressing upwards after unlocking. I was surprised it open so easy. The door has some forgiveness to it. I wasn't able to hear the actuator making any noise and figured as long as I can get it open, I could replace it for the 35 bucks. After getting the door open I realized the actuator is stuck, jammed, dirty whatever you want to call it; so I sprayed it with cowrc's Moo-Kleen and pumped the the actuator a few times and the jam let up, makes noise when locking and unlocking now and appears to be a functioning lock again. I followed that up with Moo-Slick to see if that helps long term. These products are from Cowrc.com, I do NOT recommend WD 40. It would be awesome if this fixes this issue because is just as simple as cleaning the actuator not having to replace the whole thing. Glad I didn't have to suss the cable thing.....
Charles which part of the door do I need to file down? My Golf fuel door is sticking from time to time. Love your content, thanks again
My question is can you use obdeleven to permanently disable the fuel door auto lock?