Today started off a bit rough. The car did not want to start, like it might have a low battery. I let it warm up and drive to the gas station as I was on bingo fuel, and go to pop the gas panel open. Nothing. Odd... Lock and unlock the car. Still stuck. Temps are just above freezing, so whatever snow might be jamming things up is melting. I hop back into the car and try to start it... only to discover not enough battery left to turn the engine over.

All right, well at least I'm at the fuel pump. I pull out my manual to find the manual release. Find the loop in the passenger door frame and pull. The loop itself was not connected to anything - just six inches of plastic that it looks like the previous owner had broken off and just put back into the hole. The alternator (as the battery was just replaced) is probably suspect. Not getting gas in the car... outch...

So. Is there another trick, other than the manual release, to open the gas cap?

Second - and of course all sorts of dire warnings about being below 1/3 a tank and loosing battery power - which I am and did - an easy way to reset the gas meter? Figure I would top off the tank, then remove the battery, then put it back on. Anyone?

2001 C4, btw.

 

Sorted on the gas cap. I was able to reach the stub with a long pair of needle nose pliers and pop it open manually. Will need to fix the manual release this Spring. The fuel indicator thing an issue?

Also got the car to the shop. The alternator was bad. Should have a new part in a day or two. Wonder if the electrical fluctuations were connected to the gas cap. One very odd thing I noticed is the back tail elevated when I pulled up to the gas station. Never came close to 75, so who knows....

 

low battery will prent the acuator from unlokcing, and will also casue the wing to lift.
as long as all is well with the new alternayor i wouldnt worry