Fuel Door Won't Open and Trunk Won't Close

[jk_cahill]

Greetings,

Well, one day I was going to get gas and my fuel door wouldn't open when I pulled the lever. My civic is an '04 LX by the way. So I drove away from the gas station and called a mechanic. He told me to pull a chord on the left side of my trunk, which I did. Now, ain't life grand, my trunk won't close. I can only imagine that the mechanism that closes the latch when you slam down the trunk doesn't engage anymore for some reason because I pulled that chord. As for the fuel door....not a clue. If somebody could throw some expertise my way as to how to diagnose and/or fix these two problems. Thanks a bunch.

[civic402Lx]

aint that cord supposed to be an emergency cord in case someone kidnapped you and throw you in the trunk? lol
try pulling up on the trunk open lever first..
then look at the cord and see out it pull the latch open..i'm sure u can figure it out..

as for the fuel door, get something flat, have someone pull the lever and u pry the fuel door gently open..the fuel door spring might be worn out or not springy any more..good luck.

[emerican]

^ agreed that cord to my knowledge is if someone is trapped in the trunk and is supposed to be used in emergencys only i may be wrong though.

[lowlife9]

you need to pull up the carpet up near the fuel door you will see a cord going to the door turn the clip holding it in place then you should be able to open the door. one problem i had was the latch on the fuel door itself was bent its very thin metal try bending it a little and see if that helps.another thing that could be the problem is the wire could have broke inside the the lever that opens the doors this is a very commen thing for 2001-2005 civics you can replace the wire which is very difficult to do. or you could buy a prouduct called fuel Door fix at www.fueldoorfix.com . as for the trunk latch try lubeing the hatch with something then try to work it open with a tool .