Does anyone know where/if there is a manual release for the fuel door on a 2011 XJ ?

I can hear the solenoid make a noise when I unlock the car, but the door will not release when I push on it.

Thanks.

 

Sorry *manual fuel door release

 

Owner's Handbooks for models with an emergency fuel door release include the information on where it's located. The lack of any reference to an emergency manual release in the XJL Owner's Handbook suggests there isn't one!

Instructions for opening are:

FUEL FILLER FLAP
The vehicle must be unlocked using the Smart Key before the filler flap can be opened.

To open the fuel filler flap, press and release the rear of the flap to unlatch and then pull the flap open.

To close the filler flap, push the flap until latched closed.

Note: The filler flap will only be locked closed when the vehicle is centrally locked.

Is your filler flap completely stuck?

Graham

 

Yes. Completely stuck. No amount of locking/unlocking while pressing on various areas of the door itself will make it pop out (open).

 

I should add that the flap seems not to actually be "unlocked", despite the noise from the solenoid. That is, the door cannot be pried open once centrally unlocked either.

 

It seems to be a regular issue.

I found this method of getting in which may look savage but doesn't appear to do any damage.


Graham

 

I suspect it can be manually released, but will require the boot liner on that side to be taken out or release enough to get to the solenoid. A dealer should know, and it may not be in the Owner Handbook merely because they forgot to add the instructions.

 

Thanks for the help guys.

That prying method does look a bit brutal and with -5 degree Celsius temps here I will pass on it for fear of breaking the door.

I'm taking the car into the shop this morning to get sorted and will share whatever information the dealership provides.

Glad I wasn't in the middle of nowhere without fuel when this occurred.

 

Update after seeing the dealer.

The release solenoid/motor for the filler door was faulty and was replaced under warranty and everything works again as it should.

The mechanic advised me that there is no manual release cable for the assembly at all . Unbelievably, they had to do the work by going up through the rear wheel well after removing the wheel and liner.

They suggested the above YouTube method of breaking the door off in an emergency. Nice one Jag

On the bright side, for owners, they also said that they had never seen this problem on a current model XJ before. I just got lucky