My new Leon...4 questions (problems)

So I've bought a bright red 2001 1.8ltr Leon. It's lovely, drives really tight, interior feels solid etc. I read heavily on here before purchasing, and I think it influenced me, but I'm glad I did, it's an excellent car. However, I've got a couple of problems that searching here and google haven't solved.

1. The petrol cap has only worked once since I got the car, and that was the first time. Now the petrol cap physically won't close, the catch is too far forward and so physically obstructs it. I think it's something to do with the central locking, as when I lock and unlock the car, or press the petrol button, absolutely nothing happens to the catch that holds the cap in place. How far back should this catch be? How am I going to fix it?!

2. Cup holder in dash. When I press it in, it comes out about 1cm. Then I have to tap the bottom of it for it to release fully, as if it's caught on something. I'm guessing this isn't normal. Anyone had a similar problem, or knows how to fix it?

3. Flip keys! Everyones favorite subject. I've got a new flip key with a blank transponder and my existing remote key. If I want them both programmed to the car, do I have to buy a blank transponder for the existing key or can I just 'add' the new flip key to the cars ECU (with VAG COM) and retain the old one too?

4. I got a VAG COM lead from eBay. Is that playing with fire or are they relatively safe? I don't want to toast my new car for the sake of enabling autolocking.

I got ElsaWin to help me solve the first two problems but when I enter my cars details (VIN etc) it just says 'authentication failed'. Any ideas on that would be great too.

Thanks in advance for replies,

Matt

Excellent thanks for the info, I'll try the cup holder tip tomorrow. I've got both the VAG-COM lead and the software, I just wanted to check before I hooked it up.

1. It's hard to describe, if I don't do a good job I'll post a photo. Basically there's a metal clip on the car, it works like a latch (it appears to slide into the bodywork to allow the petrol cap to open, and out into the petrol filling hole to lock the cap closed). It's really stiff however, and is permanently stuck 'out' so that the latch on the cap gets obstructed by it, and therefore won't close.

Imagine a sideways 'U' as the catch (car side) as a 'I' as the latch (on the petrol cap itself). The 'U' should retract when the petrol button is pressed so that the 'I' can move sideways to open the petrol cap. When you're done filling the 'I' then slides back between the two stalks of the 'U' (closing the cap), and then the 'U' move back upwards to lock it (central locking). However my 'U' don't budge, so the 'I' just crashes into the side, and consequently flaps open - i.e. the lock is permanently in the closed position, but the cap itself is open.

Does that make sense?

Matt

i have the same problem with my toledo fuel cap! its like it just doesnt want to close even though there doesnt seem to be anything stopping it! i have had this problem a month or so and still havnt sorted it

also just realised this thread is 3 years old lol

anybody know how to fix this?