Fuel filler cap not unlocking - Citroen C4 Picasso 2017

[danlat1415]

I've had an intermittent problem with my fuel cap on my Citroen C4 Picasso 2017
VIN - VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

When I exit the vehicle at a fuel station and push the fuel cap cover, a lot of the time it does not open (locked).
I have to stand there looking like an idiot locking and unlocking the car a few times before you hear the lock on the filler car release and I can press and it opens.

It doesn't do it all the time, but it is now becoming more common and I don't want to get to a point where it no longer opens and I run out of fuel.


I've run Diagbox scan and there are no faults displayed.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Is the lock and release different parts?

I think the actuator/lock part is 9678313180

How would I even access behind the panel to replace anything if a part needs replacing?


Thanks

[RichardW]

Here's the diagram for your car:

Showing a different part number for the actuator - 9810871780 - £35.86

No idea how you get to it - via the wheelarch possibly? Is is the actuator not unlocking it, or is the other that holds is shut faulty? On Mk1 cars the end of the pin used to catch and prevent the flap opening, could be fixed by shaving a bit off it.

[danlat1415]

Thanks.
I'll take a look to see if anything is catching.

It sounds like the locking mechanism.
You can hear when it unlocked, and when you don't hear anything it doesn't open - which suggests it's the lock.

[danlat1415]

It's definitely the actuator that was dying.

I've had a look at it to see if anything was catching, and you're right - it's the part number you quoted, not the one I had initially.

I've ordered a new one because after locking and unlocking for ages to finally get it open, it now won't lock at all.

When you push and it opens, then you push to close - pushing is no longer doing anything, it's just springing back open. It's not pushing and clicking back in.
I've had to tape the fuel filler cap closed because the cap is the seal for the pipe, and not good when it rains.

[danlat1415]

All fitted and fixed.
It was the faulty actuator.

Thankfully I didn't need to take out the wheel arch and go in from behind, the fuel filler cap surround simply pulls out from the car (the rubber seal around the edge of it, you put a trim tool in the top left and top right and pull it forward from the top - not the bottom) and it all pops out, with cover and hinge and all.

You then access the back of it and easily pop off the old actuator (it twists slightly and pops out - no screws).
Simply replace with new one, then push the fuel filler cap surround back onto the car and push it back in (give it a little thump with your fists).

The fuel cap now works perfectly every time again now.