fuel filler flap help, both switch and solenoid ok

[tlonghurst181]

Hi, im new to this forum and having trouble finding a post that can help, i have seen a couple on this but none that help with my problem.

i have the problem that quite a few people seem to get with the fuel filler flap not staying shut. most people say that they cant hear the catch release when they push the button. mine is releasing but the problem is the pin is not coming back down again. i have been manually pulling the pin back down from inside the boot and it doesnt feel stiff at all. i have read about changing the switch and solenoid but these are ok on mine. i swapped the solenoid with the one from the boot lock and had no change and i have tested the switch to make sure everything is working as it should, by the wiring diagram. i have also checked the 2 wires (blue/red and brown) that run to between the 2 and they are fine. i know the yellow/red wire at the switch is what connects to the blue/red when the button is pushed to release the flap, so i know that wire is ok. and i think the remaining wire at the switch is for the light inside the switch.

i cant work out what actually makes the pin come back down.

can anyone give me any information on how it should work? or any ideas on what could be the problem?

many thanks

[damien010685]

I just replaced the whole unit mate took 5 minutes remove the trim from inside the boot just remove the trim and unbolt the unit its easy mate they can seize over time and then there fooked mate

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Golf-Mk4-fuel-filler-flap-solenoid-/280913893451?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4167c5d84b#ht_576wt_80

There ya go I realise your saying yours comes down easily enough when you pull but so did mine and the only think that worked was to change the whole unit

[tlonghurst181]

thanks for your help, ill give that a try

although it works fine when i plug it into the central locking for the boot as they use the same solenoid, and when i plugged the one from the boot into the filler flap i had the same problem, so i dont think this will be the problem but ill give it a try anyway

[Dalo Harkin]

the gears are plastic and the parts create very small bits of plastic that jam the gears, I just used some light oil on the gears months ago and been fine since, also noticed the cover had warped so left that off  - been fine since