Charging flap getting stuck

Davehaslanded

Active Member
Jan 25, 2017
43
12
England
Last couple of mornings, my charge flap has been getting stuck. We've had some cold weather, so i assumed maybe it was a bit frozen. The odd the thing is that i didnt have this issue once during the 2 weeks of snow and ice a month or so back. Annoyingly, it feels like it losens when the car unlocks, but just won't pop out. On the first day, I was able to unlock it by repeatedly locking and unlocking the car while firmly, and repeatedly pressing on the flap. But today I had to wait, until it got warmer, and even then it was stuck, without the locking unlocking process.

any suggestions? WD40 any particular parts?
 

SRGTD

Active Member
May 26, 2014
2,563
1,409
Sounds a bit like the problem with fuel filler flap not opening on some (mostly early) mk7 Golfs.

I’m assuming the mechanism to keep the charging flap closed when it’s unlocked and the actuator for locking used for locking the flap is the same or similar to the mk7 Golf’s fuel filler flap locking mechanism. If so, then your problem is may be either;
  1. the plastic loop on the reverse side of the charging flap getting stuck in the recess it moves into when the flap is closed or
  2. the actuator is failing or has failed, so the locking pin doesn’t retract when the flap’s unlocked.
For 1. above, VW’s warranty fix was to shave off a small amount of plastic from the plastic loop - presumably to give the loop more clearance between the loop and the recessed space it moves into when the flap is closed. If the issue is 2. above, then the actuator will need replacing.

Presumably your car’s still under warranty? If so, then I’d take it back to the dealer and get them to sort it.
 
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Davehaslanded

Active Member
Jan 25, 2017
43
12
England
Sounds a bit like the problem with fuel filler flap not opening on some (mostly early) mk7 Golfs.

I’m assuming the mechanism to keep the charging flap closed when it’s unlocked and the actuator for locking used for locking the flap is the same or similar to the mk7 Golf’s fuel filler flap locking mechanism. If so, then your problem is may be either;
  1. the plastic loop on the reverse side of the charging flap getting stuck in the recess it moves into when the flap is closed or
  2. the actuator is failing or has failed, so the locking pin doesn’t retract when the flap’s unlocked.
For 1. above, VW’s warranty fix was to shave off a small amount of plastic from the plastic loop - presumably to give the loop more clearance between the loop and the recessed space it moves into when the flap is closed. If the issue is 2. above, then the actuator will need replacing.

Presumably your car’s still under warranty? If so, then I’d take it back to the dealer and get them to sort it.
Took it to dealer. Turns out the actuator has gone. Its being collected, fixed and returned next week, all under warranty. I work nights, so that actually works quite well for me.