Fuel door won't open
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Fuel door won't open
Went to gas tonight.
Fuel door stuck.
Dammit!
Reached in and pushed the key, felt a motor thingy spinning one way to close, another to open, but still the door was stuck.
Reached in further and discovered the piece that goes into the door was seperated from the however it's connected to the motor, and it's rather hard to reach.
Found this from the manual and this from EPC.
Still not clear on how it's broken, but at least I can open manually.
Since whatever attaches the motor to the piece that slides into the door, the advise from the manual doesn't apply.
It does however push the plunger back into the locked position when locking the car. Nice eh?
It just doesn't unlock.
Suggestions?
Fuel door stuck.
Dammit!
Reached in and pushed the key, felt a motor thingy spinning one way to close, another to open, but still the door was stuck.
Reached in further and discovered the piece that goes into the door was seperated from the however it's connected to the motor, and it's rather hard to reach.
Found this from the manual and this from EPC.
Still not clear on how it's broken, but at least I can open manually.
Since whatever attaches the motor to the piece that slides into the door, the advise from the manual doesn't apply.
It does however push the plunger back into the locked position when locking the car. Nice eh?
It just doesn't unlock.
Suggestions?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
It appears that part #120 is called an "Actuator" and sells fro 25 bucks at
getmercedesparts.com pn is A2108000079
BODY HARDWARE / QUARTER PANEL / QUARTER PANEL & COMPONENTS / Actuator Actuator
MSRP Core ? Online Price $32.00 $0.00 $25.60 View Part Diagram -- Item #12
getmercedesparts.com pn is A2108000079
BODY HARDWARE / QUARTER PANEL / QUARTER PANEL & COMPONENTS / Actuator Actuator
MSRP Core ? Online Price $32.00 $0.00 $25.60 View Part Diagram -- Item #12
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
why do we even need locks honestly if mine ever breaks and fixing it becomes a pain i will just cut the lock or bend the tab so it doesn't catch.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 385
Likes: 5
From: Richmond California
2021 GLC300 4Matic
disconnect the Rod from the locking mechanism and you will be able to open the gas door. since the rod is the locking component it will leave your gas door unlocked until you buy the actuator and replace it. I had to do this on my car and if i remember correctly you will need a 8 or 10 mm socket to disconnect the rod.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Glyn, you old tart.
I See you still have a sense of humor.
Interestingly, if you look at the picture of the part, it doesn't show that the plunger piece is a separate part that clips over the motorized part that comes out. So, a very easy fix. I learned the hard way, you don't need to remove the screws, just loosen. The holes they mount in, are the kind you slide out, the holes get bigger as you move it forward.
BTW the lock piece is metal, not plastic.
My girl and I had great fun as I explained the operation and demonstrated the now working lock plunger, closed, open, closed, open.
It gave her some ideas.
I See you still have a sense of humor.
Interestingly, if you look at the picture of the part, it doesn't show that the plunger piece is a separate part that clips over the motorized part that comes out. So, a very easy fix. I learned the hard way, you don't need to remove the screws, just loosen. The holes they mount in, are the kind you slide out, the holes get bigger as you move it forward.
BTW the lock piece is metal, not plastic.
My girl and I had great fun as I explained the operation and demonstrated the now working lock plunger, closed, open, closed, open.
It gave her some ideas.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; May 4, 2013 at 12:17 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
You have an older car when they were still metal ~ Good!
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
'05 MBZ C230K and '09 MBZ C350
Sorry, I have to resurrect this thread. I have an inoperable door lock (actuator). I bought a new part from Autohausaz for $24 and some change.
I opened the trunk and pulled the side panel out. I was surprised that the actuator is hidden behind the steel panel. I can feel it with my hand (I put my hand behind the steel panel to reach the actuator). How in the world do I unbolt and remove broken actuator??
Does anyone ever replaced it?? how did you do that?
I opened the trunk and pulled the side panel out. I was surprised that the actuator is hidden behind the steel panel. I can feel it with my hand (I put my hand behind the steel panel to reach the actuator). How in the world do I unbolt and remove broken actuator??
Does anyone ever replaced it?? how did you do that?
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Sorry about replying to such an old thread, but I think it is justified.
My actuator broke in my W203, and I just had to replace it.
So just as a heads up, note that the newly built actuators with the same reference of A2038201997 (mine has a build date of 2021) don't have the manual opening mechanism with the knob.
It looks like this now:
I seriously can't understand what went through their mind to remove such a useful feature. Maybe the knob itself was causing some issues? Anyway, remember to carry a T20 torx screwdriver with you, as you will need it to release the actuator if it eventually gets stuck.
My actuator broke in my W203, and I just had to replace it.
So just as a heads up, note that the newly built actuators with the same reference of A2038201997 (mine has a build date of 2021) don't have the manual opening mechanism with the knob.
It looks like this now:
I seriously can't understand what went through their mind to remove such a useful feature. Maybe the knob itself was causing some issues? Anyway, remember to carry a T20 torx screwdriver with you, as you will need it to release the actuator if it eventually gets stuck.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
In this example the man is us owners and the horse is Mercedes.
Sounds like you're better off buying a used one.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
From: Kentucky
2004 C230K 2 door coupe 1.8l m271 6 speed manual
Went to gas tonight.
Fuel door stuck.
Dammit!
Reached in and pushed the key, felt a motor thingy spinning one way to close, another to open, but still the door was stuck.
Reached in further and discovered the piece that goes into the door was seperated from the however it's connected to the motor, and it's rather hard to reach.
Found this from the manual and this from EPC.
Still not clear on how it's broken, but at least I can open manually.
Since whatever attaches the motor to the piece that slides into the door, the advise from the manual doesn't apply.
It does however push the plunger back into the locked position when locking the car. Nice eh?
It just doesn't unlock.
Suggestions?
Fuel door stuck.
Dammit!
Reached in and pushed the key, felt a motor thingy spinning one way to close, another to open, but still the door was stuck.
Reached in further and discovered the piece that goes into the door was seperated from the however it's connected to the motor, and it's rather hard to reach.
Found this from the manual and this from EPC.
Still not clear on how it's broken, but at least I can open manually.
Since whatever attaches the motor to the piece that slides into the door, the advise from the manual doesn't apply.
It does however push the plunger back into the locked position when locking the car. Nice eh?
It just doesn't unlock.
Suggestions?
