Help, Gas Tank will not open

[Jerosko]

Hi i am new here and i am having problems with my gas tank.

It will not open no matter what i do. I read instructions on another page but need stuff clarified.

for example i saw this

1. Open rear hatch.2. Locate rubber gasket.3. Gently lift gasket edge away from carpeted sidewall.4. Lift carpeting enough to stick your paw in there.5. Helen Keller your hand towards gas cap.6. You will feel a smaller opening that your hand will fit through to allow access to the actuator.7. When you feel the actuator (it feel about the diameter of a pencil) pull it towards the rear.8. Gas cap should pop open, if not, while lifting actuator, press on the cap door like you normally would.9. Fill 'er up.

but i am not sure what this rubber gasket is they are talking about.

2nd i heard that you can somehow disconnect the lock feature on your gas cap so you can pop it open even if your doors are locked.

please help.

thanks

[MrPote]

i have a similar problem a few months ago, i tried to open it for almost an hour and finally did it... i activated and desactivated the alarm a lot of times and works.. but to avoid this problem i pulled out a lock inside the gas and i can use it with out lock.. i dont know if i was lucky but try it..

[EvoRay]

wow...i couldve used this awhile back when my gas door didnt open.........ended up havin to rotate the usage of cars for a few days till i could take it to the dealer.....but i just got it fixed...it was like $80, no biggie

[djniv]

yeah im having the same problem with mine, i sat for like an hour yesterday lcoking and unlocking the car trying to get the stupid thing to open...i will try the tip above about going in through the trunk, is there a simpler way though? also is this covered under factory warranty? i dont see anything that mentions it.

[Timmbo]

I remember back when I had my '03 this would happen when it got cold outside, once I hit that area with a little heat, it opened right up.

[nissanpartsnow]

You probably need to replace the fuel door actuator. It is a pretty common issue.

[brigitte marie]

I have had my 03 for almost two years before this happened. I was unable to open the fuel tank door in July and after contacting my nissan dealership was advised to bring it in and they would replace the actuator and that it's a common issue that it stops working. After $177 and now 50 days later, it's happening again. After reading my owners manual, I found that if I lock and unlock my car about 25 times (sometimes more), the fuel door eventually pops open. What pain. Maybe the actuator never needed replacing in the first place? The dealership informed me that there is a release switch somewhere in the back of the car for just these emergencies and to just pull it and the fuel tank door would just pop open. I ripped the back of my car apart looking for the release mechanism to disconnect the lock feature but couldn't find it. Is there not an easier way? Is this an electronic issue?

[Timmbo]

I remember when I had my '03 Murano that the same issue would happen from time to time. I sprayed silicone spray on the little actuator and it really seemed to solve the problem. I think sometimes dirt and stuff gets in there and prevents the actuator from moving freely.

[PUTT57]

All of you are lucky it happen to me last week and i went to the dealer LEGEND NISSAN in Syosset NY where i Purchased the car and they want $336.00 to repair ? I Sprayed some Contact Cleaner in the Actuator and it Works,I spoke to Nissan Consumer's and they in so many words told me too BAD,I am S'''''''t out of Luck,Nissan is the WORST Co.to deal with,I was also told when i purchase the EXtended WARR.That it was BUMPER to BUMPER,that is a LIE Also ther is no such thing.