Getting the Fuel Cap Door Open

slidefighter

slidefighter

Junior Member
Messages
52
Maseratisti: Maybe I'm not using the right search term(s), but nothing is coming up on this issue. My 2001 4200 needs gas and all of a sudden the fuel cap door is not responding to the switch in the glove box. I've located and tried pulling the "cable" release (mine is actually a nylon cord) in the trunk just above and forward of the battery, but it will not release the door either. The cord doesn't release the solenoid at all or at least, whatever it is, it doesn't budge.

I've cycled the locks, started and shut down the car, removed the key, etc. etc. No luck.

Is there a mechanical or a reset procedure that I haven't come across? Right now I'm stuck.

Any help would be appreciated---thanks!


Lee...
 
philw696

philw696

Member
Messages
25,469
Lee try getting some one to push inwards on the lid whilst the cord is pulled.
Can you hear the solenoid click when the glovebox switch operated ?
Cheers,
Phil.
 
Stewart

Stewart

Junior Member
Messages
472
Remove the switch from glove box then clean the buttons with sand paper ,make sure everything is operating smoothly and refit.
 
slidefighter

slidefighter

Junior Member
Messages
52
Okay, enclosing a picture worked! Above is a picture of the right side of my trunk/boot that shows the red solenoid release cord (split in two, but now fixed) and a small electrical connector that I found disconnected adjacent to the release cord. Anyone know if this connector has anything to do with the solenoid release? I can't seem to find where it goes...

Phil: I will try your suggestion tomorrow---THANKS!


Lee...
 
rockits

rockits

Member
Messages
9,172
A credit card should do it. Not to give to a main stealer to hammer it to repair! Just slide it gently in and it will move the catch & it will pop open.
 
rockits

rockits

Member
Messages
9,172
I have a spare solenoid assembly/part as bought one for the 4200 hybrid but it turned out to be the fuse!

It is a bit of work to get to though if this was the issue as back seats, rear shelf & rear door panels need to come out to get to the part in the C pillar. Try everything else first....I talk from experience! You don't want to be taking all that stuff out & put it back again for no reason!! Not the best use of two hours of my life on this planet
 
slidefighter

slidefighter

Junior Member
Messages
52
Voila! The credit card trick got it open---thanks Rockits!

I've lubricated the solenoid lightly and it moves easily, but is still not responding to the glove box switch, even with the fuel door open and no load on the latch. Next up are the fuses, I suppose. Apparently (Maserati M138 Couple Workshop Manual) R19 and F48 (NG and N7 in the Owner's Manual) are the applicable fuses (don't know why there would be two).

Thanks to everyone who chimed in and for all the good info including the link to the previous discussion.


Lee...
 
allandwf

allandwf

Member
Messages
10,995
Does the glove box switch operate OK when tested with a meter on ohms, just try shorting across it to test the rest of the circuit.
 
rockits

rockits

Member
Messages
9,172
Good news. Might be worth silicon spray down the catch & manually push it in & out a load of times. Does the red cord in the boot near battery not work? That is a manual operation so I would be surprised it wouldn't work. Sometimes it needs a good tug...pardon the term!
 
slidefighter

slidefighter

Junior Member
Messages
52
Been busy again with other issues, so I've been off this awhile---my apologies for the slow response to the some of the help provided.

1. I think the problem may well be the "loose" white, two-element plug in the picture I submitted. Visually, the wire pair it is attached to appears to originate at the solenoid. I cannot find anywhere it connects to, however. None of the harness layouts I have show the connections to/from the solenoid and no amount of flashlight/mirror/tactile "fishing" for it has been successful. The problem could be as simple as the plug becoming disconnected but for sure, I can't find where it connects to.

Anyone know where to look for where it goes or have a visual aid of some kind that would help me find it?

2. Most everything else seems to be working: (1) The glove box switch moves easily, is dry, and is not compromised electrically, (2) The solenoid latch has been lightly oiled, and (3) The fuses all test good, however, they are not installed in the auto in the same layout as the owners manual I received with the car.

3. The pull cord latch release does not work.

Thanks very much!


Lee...
 
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