# Honda Civic Fuel Door Release does not operate **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 21, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-civic-fuel-door-release-does-not-operate/53891 "2010-08-21T03:26:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tllenton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@tllenton](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tllenton)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-civic-fuel-door-release-does-not-operate/53891/1 "2010-08-21T03:26:36Z")
I have a 2003 Honda Civic EX. I tried to put fuel in my car and when I pushed the fuel door release it would not pop open the fuel door. Therefore, I cannot get gas. Is this something I can fix and how or am I going to have to take it to a Honda dealer. This is my work vehicle so I need to correct this issue quickly. ---
**Author:** ![kizwiki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7cd45c/32.png) [@kizwiki](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kizwiki)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2010, 5:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-civic-fuel-door-release-does-not-operate/53891/2 "2010-08-21T05:07:31Z")
Bring it in to the dealer. You have a broken cable or something, and I seriously doubt you can access this part easily or before you run out of gas. It should be a fairly inexpensive repair, even at the dealer. ---
**Author:** ![87\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/f14d63/32.png) [@87\_Ranger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/87_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2010, 7:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-civic-fuel-door-release-does-not-operate/53891/3 "2010-08-21T07:09:27Z")
On my 02 Sonata theres a cable inside the trunk marked “Emergency fuel door release” Your Honda will have the same thing. Just give a yank. And now you can get this fixed “at your leisure thru the years.” ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2010, 11:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-civic-fuel-door-release-does-not-operate/53891/4 "2010-08-21T11:13:43Z")
Another thought is if the fuel release door has a broken spring or rusty hinge. The cable or solenoid is working fine, but the door just fails to open up. Have a friend push the button will you pull on the fuel door. If it opens, the release is working. Now find out why it doesn’t pop open. A broken spring needs to be replaced, but a bent spring can be re-bent. A rusty or sticking hinge can be freed up with some penetrating lube and working it in by moving the door back and forth. Use a good lubricant, not WD-40. WD-40 will evaporate too quickly, leaving you back here within a week. ---
**Author:** ![novafan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@novafan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/novafan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 2:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-civic-fuel-door-release-does-not-operate/53891/5 "2010-08-26T02:01:02Z")
'04 Civic here…that trick pull to open the trunk-push to open the fuel filler cable junction is north of $225 to replace (the whole cable assy has to come out). Been there-had to do that! ---
**Author:** ![tllenton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@tllenton](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tllenton)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 7:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-civic-fuel-door-release-does-not-operate/53891/6 "2010-08-28T19:02:34Z")
One week after posting this problem I found a solution researching the issue on line. Use the following website to correct this issue if you have this problem: [www.fueldoorfix.com](http://www.fueldoorfix.com) The part cost $19.95. I ordered it on a Saturday and received in less than 5 business days. The website has a video that explains how to use the part and repair the problem. I repaired my fuel door this morning in about 1/2 hour. It works like new. My local Honda garage quoted me $100 for this repair. I’m glad I found this website and want to pass it on to others that encounter the same problem. The website is worth checking out and it will save you a costly repair. My fuel door works like it always had. ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-civic-fuel-door-release-does-not-operate/53891/7 "2010-08-28T19:57:58Z")
Thanks for posting this. It is sure to help the next person with the same problem. And, I’m glad someone figured out a cheap fix. Typically, these cables must be replaced when the break like this.