Corolla Fuel & Boot Catch Broken

[Alchemist]

Hi Guys,

Big booboo last weekend, well it wasn't intentional I just happened to be the unlucky one driving my missus car to pull the boot release latch next to the drivers seat and it came all the way up, and is stuck there.

My guess is the cable has snapped, I can still use the key and the boot lock which is fine.

What we hadn't thought of is the petrol flap release is also on the same bit of plastic, they seem to be connected, so now we can't pop open the fuel cap.

So my questions

1. How complicated/costly is it to buy this cable and replace it?
2. Is there a way to get the fuel hatch open until I get the time as an interium solution that my missus could do when she needs to get petrol?

I don't know the exact chassis code as she's off driving it at the moment, it's a '94 Corolla Sprinter(Import & FWD with the 7AFE). AE101 or something maybe?

Thanks

[blacktop]

should be able to see the fuel cap mechanism from the boot, just pull some of the trim away and it should be a little switch/button thingo that releases the cap.

the cable should not really be a problem to buy, and it should be easy to replace, its no different from running stereo cable to your boot from the front of the car.

and the cable should be the same as the Aus AE101

cost about $20 from a wrecker, and about 45min to put in.

[wa5]

is this a two way lever IE pull up to open hatch and push down to open fuel door?

If so it may not be the cable that is broken, it may be the lever itself. if both funtcions dont work, my bet would be the latter, dont get a cable until you are sure that is the problem....
I would guess that the lever assembly would come off with the removal of a few philips head screws? ..... once it (or its cover) is removed, it should be fairly easy to check whether the cable is broken... or the lever.

good luck.

[Hiro]

The fuel filler door lever in my AE102 is stuffed at the moment too, it still operates fine but the door itself doesn't open, after looking at the latch it appears the cable has stretched (or I've straightened out a kink/bend in the cable run somewhere)


To open the fuel door from within the boot, pull off the carpet on the passenger's side of the boot, and you should see the lever wheel (like a throttle wheel). Push that towards the front of the car, and the door will open. A pain in the arse to do each time you fill up, but at least you can get to it, I remember being stuch behind someone in a servo who took ten minutes to open his filler door because the lever didn't work properly.

And your car will be the AE102, as it has the 7AFE. They are imports in the sense that they weren't manufactured in Australia, but they were sold here new, which is one positive (it means that they are more likely to appear in parts listings, as opposed to grey imports)

[wa5]

Hiro, AE101-2s were made here (check your compliance/build plate) Except Sprinters.... which are like a longer tailed Seca ( with different tail lights) and were fully imported, and pretty rare. They still used the 7A.

[Hiro]

Hiro, AE101-2s were made here (check your compliance/build plate) Except Sprinters.... were fully imported.....They still used the 7A.

Read what I posted, that's exactly what I said. The OP wasn't sure what chassis code he had, and I clarified that (due to Toyota's naming structure, the Sprinter shares the same chassis code as the sedan and hatch/Seca). I know that the sedan and hatch/Seca AE101/102s were manufactured here (they were the last locally built Corollas), and I know what the 102 Sprinters look like, and I know that they (the Sprinters) were imported as opposed to made locally.

[wa5]

I was simply clarifying for the benefit of Alchemist..... you mentioned nothing about local production or that only the Sprinter model was imported.

[Hiro]

I was simply clarifying for the benefit of Alchemist..... you mentioned nothing about local production or that only the Sprinter model was imported.

And your car will be the AE102, as it has the 7AFE. They are imports in the sense that they weren't manufactured in Australia, but they were sold here new, which is one positive (it means that they are more likely to appear in parts listings, as opposed to grey imports)

I am directly referring to Alchemist's g/f's Sprinter here. It clearly states that it's an import. Obvisouly since he is referring to it as an import then he knows that the normal sedan and hatch/Seca were locally made, otherwise there'd be no need for the distinction.

[wa5]

He just seemed a little unsure in the first post. So I tried to help out with some extra information, no need to blow a fuse.

[Alchemist]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your help

Yea I know Supra, MR2 and Celica chassis codes, but with Corollas I'm lost...

I know Toyota Imported them and sold them here new, they look pretty much exactly the same as the locally sold Corollas except different boot hatch, front bar, lights and suspension and all electric options(I'm lead to believe). Unfortunately a number of parts like the electric window motors etc. are all different

This has got a compliance plate etc...

So just clarifying to pop open the hatch I'm pulling up carpet on the floor of the boot, I don't need to get into the side plastic paneling?

Thanks again, rep coming to you all

[Alchemist]

It's this car btw...excuse my crappy plate blocking...no photoshop here at work...

See attached photo

[Hiro]

It's this car btw...excuse my crappy plate blocking...no photoshop here at work...

See attached photo

Yeah thats the one, as far as parts go basically anything that's not a body panel or exterior trim is probably compatable with locally made models, but they scored a different dash cluster and the digital clock as well. And mostly RV trim too I think

[wa5]

Without being an expert on the cars, I would think that you would have to go through the paneling, (Perhaps Hiro is refering to the sedan....which probably does not have plastic trims, only carpet up the sides...) to open the fuel door.
if there is a compartment in that side (plastic trim) have a bit of a feel around in there, if there is a lever etc, it will be right near the fuel neck also have a look in the manual they may have something in there ..... I know that Falcons do.

If the pivot is broken on your lever set up, you may be able to cheat it, by pushing down and pulling the whole lever forward at the same time.

Good luck

[Alchemist]

Yea there is a access hatch on both sides, here's hoping it's easy to reach....

[Hiro]

Without being an expert on the cars, I would think that you would have to go through the paneling, (Perhaps Hiro is refering to the sedan....which probably does not have plastic trims, only carpet up the sides...) to open the fuel door.
if there is a compartment in that side (plastic trim) have a bit of a feel around in there, if there is a lever etc, it will be right near the fuel neck also have a look in the manual they may have something in there ..... I know that Falcons do.

If the pivot is broken on your lever set up, you may be able to cheat it, by pushing down and pulling the whole lever forward at the same time.

Good luck

Yes, the sedan does have carpet on the sides of the boot, forgot that the Secas (and most likely the Sprinter too) had plastic panels. Either way, you remove whatever trim is in your way and the wheel should be right there.

The lever assembly should be the same as the local models, if not then rip the carpet up and attach an old choke knob to the cable