new beetle petrol flap problem

Managed to sort it. Disconected it from the solenoid, and managed ot get a grip on the cable with a set of old surgical clamps, and pushed downwards.

if you can get to the back via the boot ( remove panel ) disconnect the servo and stick 12v to it, if that doesn't work just break the fuel flap, its only plastic, cheap and easy to replace. Failing that if its new enough this is a warranty job so phone up VW garage and tell em to come get it...

Managed to get tools onto the pull cable in the end. He's getting a new servo/solenoid/motor fitted in the end. His GF's dad managed to open it last week, but he's been trying to do the same this week to get a fill up and now he has hit red, and was started to panic. Car is a 2001 LHD inport model.

Am I the only person who thinks having a servo to open your fuel cap is just a bit bloody silly? I bet it weighs 2 or 3 times what a locking filler cap and a normal springloaded / clip flap does, and it's more likely to go wrong.

yep. Mine has a solenoid that locks with the central locking - the software means it locks a couple of minutes after you lock the car so you can get out at a filling station then lock your doors before opening the flap and filling, it then locks automagically when you shut it.

Shutting your keys in there would be an experience....

Shutting keys in the boot is another non-clever thing to do, you can only fold the seats from a release inside the boot....

New Beetle Cabrio - electric releases for boot and fuel flap.

Buttons on the doors, but.. no easily accessible lock button. No access to the boot from inside. There is a ski-flap, but I don't think it can be accessed from inside the car, you probably have to open the boot first. No boot release. There is a keyhole in the VW logo, but no button or handle like on the hatchback.

Lock your keys in one of those, and you'll look even sillier than when driving it ;)

To whoever suggested access through the boot - I'm not positive, but I don't think that will apply, since the filler is on the rear wing.

Richard

The filler is in the wing. but by opening the boot, and removing the plastics you can get to the solenoid/servo that pulls on the release cable throuhg a very small 1 inch by 3 inch slot which the cable runs along the top of.

How the hell do you know that, SAAB man ?

:)

I'm screwed with mine. I'll need to carry a midget. I can't even get into the boot really, the opening is tiny :)

Still, the 1.6 feels like it won't be such a disappointment after all - and it's an 8v, so should be quite torquey.

Richard

Actually, it'll be less torquey than a 16v - but it'll make it lower down the range :)

Well, his GF's dad is a mechanic, he showed him how to find the cable. Unfortunatley, once the plastic is off, they forgot to add an emergency full tab, or cable psuhing bar.

I had to borrow an old set of surgical clamps/forceps from one of the computer engineers, because they lock nicley on the cable and let you put all the effort into wiggling it the right way.