Fuel flap stuck! (AA/audi assist unable to resolve)

**gdallas** · 14-07-2018,08:40 PM

Driving north to South today and went to fill up in Inverness, only to discover my flap wouldn't open. Had half tank which got me home with 80 miles to spare. Car still in warranty so AA came out. The boy snapped the red manual chord! I didn't force it as I knew that would happen! Anyway, I've to drop it off at local dealers tomorrow. But just wondering if anyone has experienced complete inability to get in before? I've replaced the actuator on my old 58 plate A4 before, but the chord at least let me open the flap. This motor didn't!

**Crasher** · 14-07-2018,08:50 PM

The fuel filler flap on the A4/A5 and A6 have been a joke for years now, almost (but not quite) as unreliable as A3 type 8P rear wiper motors.

**Elansear** · 14-07-2018,09:12 PM

Hi. Started a thread on this a week ago. The red cord was solid on mine as well. In the end after pulling on it and pumping the flap it released. It now is unlocked all the time, the action of the spring loaded pin that releases the flap works ok and correctly it just doses not now lock. I will be taking it to the dealers next week to get it sorted, and will insist that it is done under warenty as only two n half years old. The flap on my 2003 TT has ALLWAYS released when the button in the car is pushed, so much for things improving !!! Try pumping the flap it may release, mine did and I don't think holding the cord had any real effect as it was solid no slight movement like you would expect.

**johnsimcox** · 14-07-2018,11:15 PM

There are many posts on here about this and I have posted several times as it has happened to me on both my c7s. Surprised the aa did not know what to do. A short term fix is to insert something between in the gap between the flap and the wing and gently force the flap open. Once you have done that you won't be able to close the flap but you will at least be able to fill the car. The red cord is useless in this situation as it is not the lock that has failed but the locking pin that has seized. Hope it gets sorted quickly by the dealer. Takes about an hour to replace the surround that contains the locking mechanism

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**gdallas** · 14-07-2018,11:19 PM

Thank you guys. Seems issue after issue with this car! Sheesh!

**A6S** · 14-07-2018,11:28 PM

Originally Posted by gdallas

Thank you guys. Seems issue after issue with this car! Sheesh!

It’s not isolated to Audi’s. Similar thing has happened to my wife’s merc.

**JayNana** · 15-07-2018,09:32 AM

I've had this part replaced twice under warranty now - same symptoms.

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**Silane** · 15-07-2018,10:43 AM

If you keep pressing lock/unlock on the key while pushed the flap in and out it will eventually open, you will look like a right tool on the forecourt of a filling station though. I really regretted turning on the lock/unlock beep that day.

**gdallas** · 15-07-2018,12:06 PM

That worked! After the 100th try. Nice one cheers. I've rearranged the warranty work until Friday now since no urgency to get it done.

**Elansear** · 18-07-2018,06:50 PM

Hi. FYI been to the dealers today with my flap, being done next week under warenty. Thing is they did not even want to look at the issue just accepted my word and booked it in, in the past when I had the MMI control panel replaced I had to jump through hoops to get it resolved. I therefore conclude that Audi know this is a problem but are not actively publishing it by a recall, just doing it if reported to them. To be honest if it was out of warenty I would not bother as it has failed unlocked, probley many are likewise...