VW polo petrol flap will not open with central locking

John Haworth, May 2011

'58 polo petrol cap stuck and central locking wouldnt open. I removed the felt panel on the inside of the boot and the white plastic unit was tucked up inside the body. I eased it upward once the doors were unlocked and the mechanism freed. Now works perfectly and have lubricated with silicone spray

Hugh, August 2014

If you undo the carpet on the right side of the boot, look forward (you might have to remove the polystrene block over the locking pump unit) you will see the actuator for the flap, there is a rod going from tha actuator, if you give it a pull the flap will open.

If the rest of the central locking system works OK the flap actuator might of failed or it could be the vacuum pipe has fallen off/split

nigel, May 2011