Locking Fuel Tank Actuator
 

My locking fuel door has become inoperative. It's a 2000 bonneville. It works if I hold the button and manually push it in and out, but no longer operates automatically. The fuel door stays lock when I place the car in park and turn off the motor. I presently have to use the pull cord in the trunk.

The dealer wants $55 for the part and $75-100 for labor. Does anyone know if this part can be purchased used, etc., and if they can be self-installed.

Thanks.

I think mine is going up...sometimes it works and other times i have to use the cord in the trunk. I hope someone has an answer for us!!! :)

Mine is doing the same thing.
Luckily I'm still covered under warranty and the dealer has ordered my a new one. :D
It must be a common failure. 5 year life....??....actually I have very low mileage so I would have expected a longer life. :(

It all depends on how often you lock/unlock your car as far as life goes.
2000SilverBullet, if you can and wouldn't mind, could you get the p/n for the actuator. I couldn't find it on AllDataDIY.com and it would be nice to know once my warranty runs out as well as for these guys to know now. Once you guys get/find the part number, just head on over to GMPartsDirect.com and see what the price is there.

For you guys that are looking to do it yourself, it looks like it is just push pin'd in. You should be able to see the back side of the actuator from the trunk by pulling back the carpet on the drivers side. Just follow the pull cord. You guys could also try lubing the actuator and working it.

Mine stopped working about 4 months ago. I removed and disassembled the actuator to inspect it. I cleaned it up (dirty) and sprayed some silicone lube internally on the mechanism and it has worked perfectly since.... It only took about 15 mintues to do it.

mine stopped working for MONTHS, it was stuck unlocked tho... but suddenly a couple weeks ago it started to work again..

mine has never worked maybe I'll try to clean it up and see if I have any luck with it

Two things I see here. Bonk...can you please do a write up on how you did this cleaning and reinstall. I'm sure these guys would appreciate it.

The other if there is an adjustment for where it catches (95 and 97 are adjustable) you should be able to adjust the catch mechanism back a little so it won't grab the lid and be able to lock it.

Pull cord? What pull cord??

Mine froze last Winter and wouldn't unlock on it's own until Spring came!

I had to pop it open with a screwdriver when I needed gas. How embarassing.

I pulled it out over the Summer and inspected it and lubed it a bit with a little white grease. Hopefully it won't freeze up again this Winter.

The actuator has two push pins holding it in place. They ara accessible from inside the fuel door. You can't get to the actuator from inside the trunk.

I used a small screwdriver to pry the pins out. Then the whole thing comes out through the fuel door.

Reinstallation is the reverse of the removal.

Cheers...

Locking fuel door
 

I dis assembled mine and cleaned it and greased it and works fine..took very little time and effort..