Which fuse number, if any, for the fuel filler flap release solenoid?

[Greatbridge]

Yesterday the filler flap wouldn't release. I followed the threads here from about 6 or 7 years ago - mostly talking about fuses. There was a mention of '1 or 2 fuses in the dash behind the steering wheel'. This confuses me because the fuse box on the driver's side end of the dash contains a lot more than '1 or 2 fuses'. Is there a second fuse box which I have missed?

Not only that but the illustration inside the dash-end fuse box cover gives no indication of which fuse applies to the filler flap release solenoid. My oner's manual, on page 3.74, lists all the fuses, but again makes no reference to this solenoid. Does this mean that it is not fuse protected? If it is fused, what's the correct fuse number?

Anyway, armed today with the info from old threads on this topic, I tried the flap release before putting the key in the ignition - and it worked straight away. Is this the way it is supposed to work: fuel flap will release only when there is no key in the ignition? I tried this yesterday and it made no difference.

 

[LEE69]

Yes no key in or if it is in the key not turned.
There are some fuses under the steering column

http://www.icecavern.com/howtos/leonlowerdashtrim/main.php

 

[Greatbridge]

Yes no key in or if it is in the key not turned.
There are some fuses under the steering column

http://www.icecavern.com/howtos/leonlowerdashtrim/main.php

That's an excellent reference - thanks.

I assume from your answer that you are confirming that the fuel filler flap solenoid is fuse protected - which is why you have directed me to that location (in the car and the URL!). However, the highly detailed images don't show any fuses - just relays. So I'm slightly confused.

 

[LEE69]

Yes there is a fuse under there http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=258839

 

[Muttley]

See my post at the end of this thread.

 

[Greatbridge]

See my post at the end of this thread.

Thanks; that couldn't be much clearer. could it?

Bit of an unfortunate engineering design though: takes quite a time and a lot of effort just to get at the fuse. Even the end of dash main fuse box mounting needs tools to get it open. I would have expected the fuse box to be readily accessible and without the necessity for any tools, as on most other cars.

 

[LEE69]

I think it is under there for security.
The fuse board at the end of the dash is easily accessed by pulling of the cover.

 

[Greatbridge]

I think it is under there for security.
The fuse board at the end of the dash is easily accessed by pulling of the cover.

Assuming you have the required flatblade screwdriver. Have you tried pulling it off without?

Whose security? The security of those fuses under the dash is identical to those in the end of the dash: as good as the security of the car's interior, as determined by the locks, etc.

The difference is in accessibility, which has nothing to do with security (security by obscurity is no security) and inconvenience. Would I want to be accessing these 2 fuses on a garage forecourt, assuming I just happened to have the correct tools and would I be prepared to scramble around, in my current clothes, on ground that might be wet, oily and dirty, at night without inconveniencing other customers? Er... no. Sod it, I would just lever the filler cap off - oops, where's the security in that?

 

[LEE69]

Yes mine pulls of with my hand, easily.

They are not identical as the fuel filler flap fuse is tucked away under the dash quite away up and hardly easily accessible, hence i said i think it's there for security but tbh, as you have pointed out, a screwdriver will force it open it any case.
Just seat overthinking things imho, there are spare fuses locations for it to be moved to the end of the dash

 

[Muttley]

At least one of the fuses on the relay panel, the one for the electric seats, is a "thermal regeneration fuse", a kind of circuit breaker. If they all are, then it would make sense for them to be out of the way as they should reset themselves.

Of course, having moving parts, they can also break.