Gas door button help

[craze K]

I have a problem that's in need of advice . The problem is that the gas door on my J30 was partially open when I got the car on saturday. My friend pulled the lock tab and bent it back to its original position on the door to get it to close all the way (which worked) then closed it , so now it looks fixed, however now the button on the driver door that opens it does not work. Is there a way I can get it back open? Do you have any info on what I should do to get the button working. Luckely I just filled it up. Thanks

[GerryO]

Do you know if the both button and the door worked properly before your friend ditzed with 'em? There may have been a reason that the fuel tank door wasn't completely closed when you got the car.

Do you hear any sounds in the vicinity of the fuel tank door when you press the button on the arm rest? At this time it's not clear if your problem is electrical (the button, fuse or a relay) or mechanical (a bent/stuck door) or both (damage to the electrics caused by trying to release a physically stuck door).

Maybe there's some sort of access from inside the trunk or under the wheel well, after removing a panel or two?

If you can hear the latch releasing, then you might try gently prying the door open using something made of plastic or wood, or carefully pulling on it using a very strong suction cup or magnet (with something in between to protect the paint).

Maybe a photo or two of the insides of an OPEN fuel door/compartment would be helpful?

Hopefully someone has more experience with this type of problem than I do (zero). And have you Googled it? You'll be the expert (a has-been drip under pressure) when you're done, so let us know your solution.
Modified by GerryO at 7:17 AM 7/24/2008

[craze K]

Hi GerryO,I did not hear any sound when I pushed the button. My friend also was pulling while I pressed the button. No luck. I will try to google it to see if there might be a saftey release. I also found out that the truck release button does not work either so I'm leaning towards maybe a fuse, Fingers crossed, since thats the easy fix. I will also look where you said to see if I can find anything to release it. I tryed to stop him before he closed it but it was too late, as I was saying what if, he was pushing it closed. Just my luck. I think I will go and buy a book to help me trouble shoot these things. I'll let ya know if I figure it out. Thanks for your reply. Its much appreciated.

[GerryO]

The previous owner could have disconnected wiring that affects both switches if he had problems with the trunk not closing/latching after popping the trunk using the release switch on the arm rest.

If you find a book on the J30 along the lines of Haynes manual let me know. I'm not sure they exist and have thought of looking for one that applies to like-model years of the 300ZX. The factory manual is very helpful, but also sometimes lacking in detail. Highly successful and affluent J30 owners are not supposed to work on their own cars.

[craze K]

Hi GerryO Well I found the release through the truck. If you remove the side panel inside the trunk and reach carefully behind the opening were the gas door would be, you will feel a wire, run your hand down that and you'll find the mechanisim that you pull to release it. My friend put a string on it so all I have to do is open the trunk and pull the string and wala good to go. Also if you go to ebay, there is a man who sells CD manuals for the 94-97 J30. Here is the link http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...19888 I bought one and I'll let you know if its good when it gets here.

[GerryO]

Very nice, and thank you for the follow-up note with the small French lesson. I look forward to hearing more about that manual on CD.

From the dictionary:Voila is an interjection from the French 'see there!'-- it is used to call attention, to express satisfaction or approval, or to suggest an appearance as if by magic.Pronounced: voi·là or voi·la\vwä-ˈlä\

[Gerardjg]

You can download the FSM here http://phatg20.net/index.php?o...id=49