Fuel Filler Won't Unlock

The fuel filler flap on our 2003 V70 won't unlock. The dealer couldn't help
today as all the technicians had gone home. We took the side trim off inside
the car but were still unable to access the solenoid. - Also, a couple of
weeks ago, we noticed that when you locked the car, the indicators were no
longer flashing. Could these be related?

Many thanks
Paul - Only 75 miles till empty!!! - Gulp

 

With the trim off, can you get to the wiring harness for the solenoid? If
so, tap in and apply power with a battery charger. Should just need a quick
touch to kick the release.

Also, I'd check fuses--the one for the indicators may also supply power
for the release.


Gary

 

You know...the dealers can be so ignorant sometimes, of even the most
basic operational features of their own cars, and they will be DAMNED if
they're going to give any free information to a driver in distress.
Well, here's another Volvo of Las Vegas story. I was in there on a
Saturday when the service dept closes down early. There was this man
that drove in and said that he couldn't get his fuel door open and, he
was told "precisely" the same story...that they were just ready to
close. I think that his was an '01 because on the back door it said V70
XC. AnyHoo, to make a long story short, I pulled off the little carpeted
panel, fished around inside for this crappy little pull loop that looks
like it's a piece of leftover edge welting and pulled it. I told him,
"Now open the filler door". Presto-Changeo. This is another Volvo quirk
that is DESIGNED to make your car absolutely unserviceable, requiring
the owner to have to take the vehicle to the dealer for expensive
service. On any "normal" car, whatever that is these days, that has a
filler flap where you must push a button inside the car to get the flap
to pop open, if that fails, there is always a wire protruding into the
trunk with a yellow handle with wording that states something like "Pull
to open filler door"...or something like that. Anyway, that cheeeeeep
little cloth loop is in there behind the panel. You have to feel for it
back there because you can't see it with the panel off.
Good luck.