Problems with petrol filler cap

[x31james]

Hi guys,

Went to fill my car up yeasterday (V8V 2009) and the filler cap didn't want to pop up, went to the boot to use the other filler cap release and that didn't work either so ended up using a credit card and pulling the filler cap release in the boot at the same time to get it open, any one else had this problem? Any advice?

[V8Andrew]

x31james said:

Hi guys,

Went to fill my car up yeasterday (V8V 2009) and the filler cap didn't want to pop up, went to the boot to use the other filler cap release and that didn't work either so ended up using a credit card and pulling the filler cap release in the boot at the same time to get it open, any one else had this problem? Any advice?

Aston Martin did a recent recall for the fuel filler cap so I'd call them up and book in. I've never had the boot release fail on me when the normal button didn't work.

[gmacdb9]

I had a similar problem with my 09 DB9 Volante. Normal release button did not work, nor did the release mechanism in the boot. It turned out that a plastic clip holding the filler cap release cable in place had broken so the release catch could not operate. (May not be the same issue as yours as I'm not sure I would have been able to use a credit card to release the cap.)

[x31james]

It sounded like the mechanism was still working as you could hear it but it just wasn't letting go

[Manwhoneverwas]

The fuel filler cover on my roadster stopped lifting when pressing the button in the driver footwell.
The fuel filler cover is lifted up by a very small damper strut which in the case of my car had lost its strength to physically lift the fuel filler cover.
Aston have modified the damper strut and it now comes with an additional spring with the new damper strut.
The cost of the new damper complete with spring is circa £30 and is an easy thing to replace for most people.
The backup mechanism within the boot is only to release the locking mechanism and will not lift the fuel filler cover (that is the function of the damper strut & spring)

[alanweston]

As above just replaced mine with new strut and spring from astonmartinbits circa £35 includind postage etc 10 mins and now popping up like a good un

[MichaelV8V]

Mine worked perfectly until I took it in to the main dealer and they were very happy to tell me that they had done the upgrade.

Then I went to fill it with petrol and the b***dy flap wouldn't open. Used the manual release, and bent my fingernails on the flap, and it eventually opened. Not impressed with the fix at all, I prefer the fixes that leave things better than they were

[x31james]

Infact now you mention it they did the fuel filler cap on mine at the same time they did the seat recall! Unbelievable! Well HR Owen in Cheltenham will be first call of the morning!

Edited by x31james on Sunday 8th March 18:56

[x31james]

you look a bit silly jumping back and forth between the driver seat button and the boot of the car in a very busy tesco petrol station!!

[jazzyjeff]

MichaelV8V said:

Mine worked perfectly until I took it in to the main dealer and they were very happy to tell me that they had done the upgrade.

Then I went to fill it with petrol and the b***dy flap wouldn't open. Used the manual release, and bent my fingernails on the flap, and it eventually opened. Not impressed with the fix at all, I prefer the fixes that leave things better than they were

lol…exactly the same thing happened to me!

[BiggaJ]

I'm looking for help on this also now.

Went to fill up and the button by the drivers door didn't work, not even a murmur from the mechanism so assumed it may have been a blown fuse. Managed to release the flap with the boot release but then it wouldn't close correctly so assume this is due to alignment.

Got home, looked at the manual and found fuse F47 is the one to look at, got the carpet up, removed the metal plate to access the fuse box and found the fuse to be intact!!

So now I need a trip to the garage to have it diagnosed. I did note the button light was not lit and something tells me it should be lit so perhaps its a new button that needs buying/replacing. I'm sure the strut and spring could do with a refresh as could the door alignment.

Any ideas? and does the little lit on the button come on when you open the drivers door? if someone could check that would be great as my memory isn't great.

[alscar]

From memory ( I’m not near mine ) the little red light is on all the time.
If fuse intact then maybe the wire itself?
When mine failed ( a few times ) I can’t remember if there was any noise from the switch but the red light was on.
I got quite good at releasing the emergency cable whilst lifting up the flap with a credit card and looking nonchalant whilst doing so.

[BiggaJ]

alscar said:

From memory ( I’m not near mine ) the little red light is on all the time.
If fuse intact then maybe the wire itself?
When mine failed ( a few times ) I can’t remember if there was any noise from the switch but the red light was on.
I got quite good at releasing the emergency cable whilst lifting up the flap with a credit card and looking nonchalant whilst doing so.

I thought it should be lit though this could be just a light failure, I've just booked it into AHM to have a look, it could be a solenoid failure also. Anyhow, thanks for your quick feedback.

[Phuketpaul]

Just looked at mine, the red light comes on when the door is opened.

[BiggaJ]

Phuketpaul said:

Just looked at mine, the red light comes on when the door is opened.

Thanks for checking.

[PatCub]

Fuse 47 is only for the led.
The switch connects CEM to earth which triggers the fuel flap solenoid.
The release solenoid is not directly fused but gets its power through the CEM.