New Beetle Fuel Door Sticks

[rinflor]

Can anyone describe how to replace or repair the plunger mechanisim in 2000 New Beetle ? Plunger retracts, when you push the button in the driver door, but does not release unless you get a pair of needle nose pliers and pull it out... then it is free again and it will hold the fuel door in place. Tony

[Mr Vegas]

You can remove the rear wheel arch cover below the flap to expose the mechanism more clearly.
From there you can basically see if the cable is stiff/jamming,i have replaced a handful of those cables on new Beetles so it may need replacing.
Firstly try lubricating the cable if possible-it may free up.The fault may also be at the locking end(motor).This is positioned just above the seatbelt behind the trim(which can be a bit of an annoyence to remove)

Good luck!

[rinflor]

Originally Posted by rinflor

Can anyone describe how to replace or repair the plunger mechanisim in 2000 New Beetle ? Plunger retracts, when you push the button in the driver door, but does not release unless you get a pair of needle nose pliers and pull it out... then it is free again and it will hold the fuel door in place. Tony

I read from someone else, that the access hole for the tail light also shows the cable than runs to that locking mechanism for the fuel door, I see there is a clip that removes from the fuel door compartment, this releases the plunger. Once that is done, can you pull on the cable from the tail light access hole and expose the plunger from there? Thanks for the help.

[Mr Vegas]

Yeah you can do it both ways,probably quicker doing it the tailight way.