[mpw991]

Have a friend pull on the door slightly while you push on the lever to release the door. If your friend can open the door easily then you have a broken spring. Otherwise the latch is busted. I had both problems. a trip to the junkyard would help, you can use the parts from any years of the Z31.

Good luck.

just make sure you get a cable from the same model car you have. coupe and 2+2 are different lengths. i had the same problem on my 86. i fixed it with 3 zip ties. one goin around the plastic end of the cable and the other 2 going through that loop and around the metal holder thing. if you need some pics i can shoot some tomorrow.

 

[mpw991]

Yes, do that please. This might be a sticky since a lot of us either have had or will have this problem........

Sorry guys I have not forgoten about the picture of the fuel door fix. I went to take the picture tonight and all 4 sets of batteries I tried were dead. The batteries will be juiced tomorrow and I will shoot the pic in the morning and get it posted asap!!! Once again I apoligize for the delay!!

 

[mpw991]

There are 2 zip ties used. One goes around the plastic piece that is molded to the protective cover of the cable. The second goes through the first zip tie like the links on a chain and around the metal arm. I put some pliers on them to get them super tight. I would also recommend lubing up the latch on the fuel door also if it is kinda sluggish just to make for a smooth release. I hope this works for you guys!

 

[mpw991]

Take a larger pic of the whole area too, so we can see the location. Honestly, that could be anywhere in my trunk........

Here ya go.

 

[mpw991]

Yeah, now I know exactly where that is, but why when you pull the lever the fuel door does not open still escapes me. Is it because the whole cable moves, housing and all, as such doing no pulling work, or what......

It you look at the picture of the cable close up there is a piece of plastic in between the metal swing arm and the bottom half of the cable. This little circle of plastic was originally part of the upper section of the cable. It was connected to the molded plastic part at the of the protective covering for the cable. What happens when you push on the fuel door release is the protective cover is pulled to the front of the car and the piece of plastic that once used to be connected to it pulls on the metal swing arm. This then pulls on the cable to the right and opens the fuel door. When the plastic part breaks away from the rest of the cable there is nothing to pull on the metal swing arm anymore, thus the fuel door doesnt open. I hope this explaniation is clear enough. Later today when I get back to my desktop I will highlight the plastic piece and work with the picture a little to make it a little clearer. On how the motions actually work.

 

[mpw991]

pics

I had to move the pictures to a different server here they are

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