S13 fuel door release needs fixed

[UTWarrenG]

The inside release for the fuel door on my S13 isn't working anymore, and i have to pry the door open with my key

When i look inside of the fuel door, I notice that the little hook that holds the door closed is no longer visible. Not sure if it's fallen back into the hole, broken off, or what.

I'm sure someone else has to have had this problem before as it was an issue on my last '90 F/B, so if anyone could help out with how you fixed this (other than to keep using the key) that'd be great

[AZhitman]

Mine's funky too, except on mine, the lever by the seat won't pull the pin back ENOUGH to release the door.

Gonna scour the FSM for adjustment instructions.

[180fan]

I had a similar problem, the problem with my car (fastback) was that the rear seats were pinching down on the cable and it wouldn't open properly. I moved the seat around and fixed the problem that way. But before that, I did bend back the little lock thing on the fuel filler door a little bit. That helped for a short while until I got fed up with the hit or miss situation that had me in.

[UTWarrenG]

After i posted this i decided to use that cute little blinking red button in the upper right hand corner....here's what my SEARCH yielded

the plastic latch is known to break on the S13...you'll have to get a replacement cable with fuel door latch.

to remove and replace the cable, you'll have to disconnect the cable for the trunk latch.

then remove the rear seat and release the cable from the handle next to the seat.

the passenger side interior panels will also need to be removed so that you can replace the cable.

feed the replacement cable through the interior and play with it til you can pull it through from the rear side of the car.

connect the end of the replacement cable to the trunk first, then do the fuel door.

don't tighten the plastic nut on the fuel door too tight or you'll break it and end up with another broken fuel door latch. just enough to have the latch hold is fine.

then connect the line to the latch next to the seat and put everything back together.

nissan dealer quoted $200 for this job...i bought a replacement cable from a forum member for $30 and spent about 1-2 hrs.

[w1ngzer0]

damn plastic BS i got the same thing and courtesy sent me the wrong damn cable. But anyway... Teh plastic is teh gay and its a endless scam.

[blu240hch]

Mines been like that from day one, I didn't have my FSM yet so I wasn't sure what was missing. Then when I removed all the nasty *** interior trunk panels, guy had a leaky tail light assembly, I found the gas door release assembly just dangling there. Still have yet to fix it though, got a price of $45 for the cable and release from the dealer. I guess i'll get to it when I get tired of the door flying open on hard corners. The process for replacing it isn't all that bad, as UTWarrenG has so graciously laid out... thanks. :thumbup

[UTWarrenG]

i just reposted what i found in an old post through the miracle of modern post-searching

my fuel door stays closed all the time...it just won't pop open by the release

[blu240hch]

Yes, I agree the search button IS magically delicious!It has provided hours and hours of brain swelling fun for me!

Mines just flapping in the wind [gas door]... literally LOL, at first I didn't know what the hell this occasional klunk coming from the back was. Then one time I happened to glance at the right side mirror and saw it waving at me.