While washing my 2001 V40 the other day, I noticed that my fuel door wasn't locking. After the wash I did a little testing and could feel the bar wanting to come out and lock the door but wasn't. Is this something I should just replace or is there a trick to these things? If it is a replacement piece, what is the easiest way of getting in there?
Thanks in advance,
Dave

 

It's possible it may just need a squirt of good ol' lube on the locking mechanism. I would try that first. Possibly fidget with the "emergency" gas latch.

If you don't know where that is, keep reading.

1) Open the back hatch.
2) Look to your left in the back storage area and open up that little cubby compartment by twisting that ****.
3) Remove anything that is in that cubby hole and pry out the little rectangular rubber stopper on the back wall of it.
4) Stick your finger in there (if something bites you, it wasn't meant to be played with)
5) Pull the little hook to lock the door. Wiggle/jiggle it a tad after you lube the latch and hopefully this might help it out.

As far as replacing the locking mechanism I haven't a clue. And if you don't live in a bad neighborhood where you have enemies that would put maple syrup in your gas tank or have people siphon gas out, I would just leave it alone.

If you have money burning a hole in your pocket, send some to me but save just enough for yourself to get a new mechanism.

Good luck again!