99 Camry fuel door

[Buddhau]

My fuel door does not open when I pull the remote release lever. Is this a mechanical or electrical (soleniod) system. How do I get to the parts to make repairs, under the car or in the car? Thanks

[cam2Xrunner]

It's probably the metal u shaped spring on the fuel door. On my 99 it broke off. Use the seat belt to hold the lever up and then open the fuel door. The spring will probably fall out or it is just loose.

[SnakeyeS]

I dont' know this for sure, but it seems to me by simply the feel of the release lever that is just a cable that unlatches the door and the door itself is spring loaded.

99% sure there is no electronic solenoid involved.

When you pull on the release lever is there any tension or does it just flop around?

[Thundercat]

It is the metal spring inside that broke. There is no electrical system to it. It is just a wire that releases the lock on the door and then the spring pushes the door out.
Same thing happened to my '99 (wonder if its a defect). Just hold the lever up with something like someone already suggested and go over and open the door with a quarter or key on the edge (dont sratch the paint). Get some epoxy of JB Weld and glue it back on if the spring is still there or still works. and it should be fine.
I was surprised my broke too, because my '90 still worked just fine. I noticed that the '90 has a stronger medal spring and better design. I just pulled out the stonger spring from my '90 and glued it on the '99. Works like a charm. the '90 got the weaker spring but also works fine.
Just glue the broken one back on, or find something similar and glue it back on. The metal spring is inside towards the back of the door. this spring is like a v-shaped piece of metal that is compressed when the door is closed and pushes the door open when unlocked.


-LL
1999 Camry LE
5S-FE
B&M SuperCooler
Ridin' on Chrome....

[Buddhau]

Fixed. The spring was 'weak'. The seat belt trick worked like a charm. Thanks again!