I have a '95 4runner, and when I pull on the little thing to open up the gas flap, it doesn't do anything. This is the first time it hasn't worked and its a pretty big problem considering I drove home (about 15 miles) on empty, and It's hard to fill up when you can't get to the gas tank. Has this happened to any of you before? suggestions? any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

When mine is sealed with ice or mud, I'll have someone pull the handle while I pry open the little door with a pen or something. Do that to get in and figure out what the deal is.

Of course if a cable rusted through that won't work

 

good thinkin, I'll see what I can do, thanks.

 

Yeah that happened to me once while I was at the gas station. I had already pre-paid, so it was a pretty big problem. I know I looked like an idiot, but after about 5 min. it just popped open. Hasn't happened since, but I now carry a flathead screwdriver in the console just in case.

 

Yep, happened to me at work about 3 years ago.
Luckily member Toddski came over to my parking spot later and stuck a credit card in the door while I worked the pull lever.

You can bend out that steel spring some also to give it more "spring."
Also put some grease on it.

 

It happened to me once also, but after I had worked under the dash. The cable had slipped out of the little handle and I didn't know it untill a week later when I went to fill up. You should be able to get to the release if you take the right rear interior panel out. Kind of a pain but if the cable broke it may be the only way.

 

If what I am understanding, I had a similar problem about two months ago.

When I would stick the key in the gas tank door, the key would not turn.

I found out it was my key and it was too worn out. I went to TOYOTA, picked up a new one and a wahala, it works perfect now.

 

Next time it sticks... leave it. You'll save about $40 bucks!

 

LOL Mine was stuck when I first got it but I have since (fater gluing the door back on the hing with JBwled) gotten into the habit of lubing the mechanisms with light oil about twce a year and it works smooth as butter.