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  #1  
Old 01-07-2002, 10:09 AM
repo man
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Red face Gas door release

I just bought an 89 190e from auction. No manuals. Trying to find out where the gas door release is located, and if the car is equiped with a trunk release. It is my first mercedes. So let's keep the laughing to a minimum

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  #2  
Old 01-07-2002, 10:49 AM
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Not real familiar with the 190E series, but I don't believe there is a trunk release or gas filler release lever for those models...in fact, NONE of mine have any such device...probably an MB thing...

You may have an actuator that "locks" the gas filler door in place when the ignition is on or the car is locked though...
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  #3  
Old 01-07-2002, 02:15 PM
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In the 126 there is a vacuum actuator that locks the gas cap door when the doors lock. Assuming the other doors lock/unlock, you might have a bad actuator or actuactor linkage at that "door" only. There is a manual release (cable loop pull) on the inside of the trunk...filler neck side. The 201 may be similar.

Bruce (I could be wrong) E.
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  #4  
Old 01-07-2002, 03:23 PM
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Repo Man,

Is your question "how do I get the gas door open". If so, you just go to the actual door and push in on the right side of it. It swivels on a pin and opens right up - all from the outside. There is no "release" like on most other cars. This is a common "first Mercedes" question.
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  #5  
Old 01-07-2002, 03:32 PM
repo man
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Smile fuel door

I tried to push on the door, but it didnt open. That is why I looked for a release. Maybe it rotates top to bottom?
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  #6  
Old 01-07-2002, 03:53 PM
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Remove the left side of the trunk carpet, you will see a vacuum actuator that locks and unlocks the door, it should operate with the door lock, in your case, it may malfunction. On my 92 400E I can just pull the vacuum actuator off by my hand if I don't need the gas door lock.
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  #7  
Old 01-07-2002, 03:56 PM
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No, it rotates out at the side closest to the rear bumper. Push on the other end of the door. If it doesn't open, look for the release wire in the trunk under the mat. It may be that the vacuum actuator is shot.

Good luck.
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  #8  
Old 01-07-2002, 04:48 PM
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Just another obvious one. You're trying to open the gas door with the car unlocked, right? Locking the car also locks the gas door.
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  #9  
Old 01-07-2002, 04:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by Dennis_300E
Just another obvious one. You're trying to open the gas door with the car unlocked, right? Locking the car also locks the gas door.
Make sure the car is unlocked, and then push on the right side of the filler door to open it.

If that does not work, then there is a override release in the trunk close to the filler neck under the carpet. If you have trouble finding it, look in your owner's manual, or swing by a dealer, and they'll show you.

If the filler door is not unlocking when the doors and trunk are unlocked, than you'll have the task of diagnosing that problem, and should preface your post with "vacuum problems" as there are some knowledgable folks here that will be able to help with vacuum lock problems.

Also, do a search for "vacuum door lock problems" and see what pops up.
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  #10  
Old 01-07-2002, 04:59 PM
repo man
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fuel door

OK, the doors are all unlocked, but the battery is dead. I have had it running after a jump start. Do you think I need to run the car and trigger the unlock on the doors? Another thing, The trunk has misteriously locked after I shut it. Key won't open it. I love this car...
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  #11  
Old 01-07-2002, 05:58 PM
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Repoman,

The locks on the car are supposed to be simple, and when they are working correctly they can be once you get to know the car. But to a new owner the German saying "Why make it simple when it is easy to make it complicated?" can apply.

First, you have two keys, one that has an oval black plastic head, and one that is more square shaped. The oval one will not open the trunk or the glove box and is designated a valet key. You are supposed to hand it to the valet and be able to feel secure as he can't get into the trunk or glove box with it provided they were locked with the square headed key.

With the square headed key, you have access to everything. The glove box is always a manual locking affair as it has no vacuum powered features. The doors and the trunk, and the gas filler cap have vacuum acutated locks. The vacuum comes from an electrically powered pump on the floor under the right rear passenger seat. If the electrical power is off, like with a dead battery, you won't get a vacuum system response to the square headed key in the driver's door lock. You may have to start the car to get power to the vacuum pump.

Anyway, the key system works by following the action of the driver or front seat passenger door locks, and the trunk lock, using the vacuum assist. This means if you unlock the driver or front seat passenger door, the trunk, the gas filler cap and the other doors all unlock. If you lock the driver or front seat passenger door, or the trunk, all these things lock. However, for the trunk you get a special position to remove the key and take the trunk out of the circuit for the vacuum assist system.

The key only comes out of the trunk lock in the horizontal or vertical position. My manual, which is German so I have to be careful here when I translate, says to unlock all the doors from the trunk, you insert the key into the slot and turn it to the left (counter-clockwise) until it stops in the horizontal position, then turn it back to vertical and remove the key. The vacuum system will open the doors. To open the trunk, you have to push the button in with the key in it when the key is turned all the way counter-clockwise (slot in the button that the key goes into is now horizontal). To lock the doors and trunk from the trunk you insert the key with the slot in the vertical position, then turn it all the way clockwise to the horizontal position, and then back to the vertical position, and then remove the key. In this case the door locks and the trunk are set to operate in the follow the vacuum system mode.

To lock the trunk and keep it independent of the vacuum system (using the valet parking key feature), insert the key in the trunk lock button (with the slot presumably in the vertical orientation), turn the key clockwise to the stop in the horizontal position, and remove the key. In this position you need to manually unlock the trunk to get it open, which consists of inserting the key, turning it counter-clockwise 180 degrees, pushing in on the button, and lifting the trunk.
However, you can always insert the key, turn it to the unlock position , and while in that position, push in on the button, and get the trunk open. If that does not work you have some other problem that is not related to the vacuum system afflicting your trunk lock.

The gas filler flap opens by pushing in on the front edge of the flap. This will pivot the door open from the rear edge. If this does not work, you should still be able to get it to rock, and see the little pin in the middle of the rear vertical seam between the flap and the fender. Try starting the car and cycling the locks by pulling the button up and down on the driver's door, then, with the car still running, see if the flap will open. If not, the actuator is likely shot as others have noted above.

You can manually disconnect the lock by moving the plastic liner in the trunk on the passenger side and looking up behind this liner just below the trunk spring. There is a rod that goes to the gas filler flap area, and if you pull this aft you will unlock the flap. You need to check to see if the rod stays in that position (it should, but may not depending what the failure mode was). If the rod wants to go back into the lock position, you will need to hold the rod in the unlock position with one hand (left) and open the flap with the other, or get a little help from another body.

Sorry this was so long winded and I hope it helps you. Jim
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  #12  
Old 01-07-2002, 10:51 PM
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Jim,

I wish I talked to you when I first got my E320! One of the most humbling experience going to the dealer and asking how to open the gas tank. :-)

Repo man hope the tips help you out! Even if you finally get it to work...learn how to release the "fuel filler flap" manually. I was driving last year and my flap wouldn't open when I unlocked the doors. I remember the manual having something about it but when I came time to put theory into practice I couldn't figure it out. Luckily I was able to get the dealer before my gas ran and they taught me how to do it. For some unknown reason when I bought a new lock pin from FastLane the problem disappeared. It was a cheap part...maybe $5.

Let us know how it turned out.

Ren
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  #13  
Old 01-08-2002, 11:46 AM
repo man
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Smile fuel door

Jim,

Thanks for the instructions. I will try to figure it out this weekend. I will get a new battery. I will let you know.
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  #14  
Old 01-11-2002, 11:19 AM
repo man
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Thumbs up fuel door

Well... New battery installed. Verdict... Fuel door open!!! Trunk open!!! Thanks for everyone's help.

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