A warning to owners

fidgell · #1 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 06:42 AM

Ill start by saying we LOVE our Routan, and have had 6 months of trouble free, happy motoring so far.

However, I wanted to bring to owners attention a potentially dangerous issue that I am in the process of notifying VW about.

At the weekend I was in a gas station to fill up. I opened the gas flap and removed the cap leaving it hanging. My daughter was shouting for something in the back so I manually opened the drivers side rear door to pass her the item then pressed the closure button. As the door was closing I put the gas hose into the van - THEN the problem. Our (EXCELLENT) monster mats had slid and the door closure sensor noticed this before me. The door opened again! Luckily I quickly removed the gas hose before the door hit the flap, closing it. The screw cap was snapped off the cable supporting it and it hit the floor.

No damage occurred to anything, BUT if I hadnt noticed, there could have been some serious consequences.

Now, does the van have a safety device on it? Shouldnt the door be disabled when gassing up? Im not out to blame or anything like that, but it is a concern.

In the meantime folks, watch out for it. I will post any replies I get from VW - and obviously this may also apply to Dodge and Chrysler vans.

Thanks

fidgell · #2 (**permalink**) 09-15-2009, 06:38 PM

Ok. VW say it shouldnt happen that the door would move whilst the gas flap is open...

SO, could someone please try the following and see if its just me.

1. Open the drivers side power door.

2. Press the closure button or external handle to close the door.

3. Whilst it closes as soon as able open the gas flap.

If its not just mine, the door will just about close, then reopen straight towards the flap.

NOTE. Keep your hand on the flap to close as the door returns! It doesnt happen too quick to be able to do this, but I dont want anything to happen!

Thanks. VW say it shouldnt happen so hopefully its just me, but I think itll happen to all as the door sensor is just programmed to reverse the door operation in the event of the gas flap opening, so if the door is closing, itll open it!

routan_guy · #3 (**permalink**) 09-16-2009, 09:16 AM

I'll try this tonight when I get home.

buchetti · #4 (**permalink**) 09-17-2009, 12:08 PM

I tried this. The sliding door does NOT open when the gas tank flap is open.

fidgell · #5 (**permalink**) 09-18-2009, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buchetti

I tried this. The sliding door does NOT open when the gas tank flap is open.

Did you try opening the flap whilst the door is closing? Did it not reverse and open?

Thanks for the info, I have to call VW back on Monday as they want to know if its happening so it can be rectified. Dont know why they cant check the ones out in their lot.... maybe theyve sold out!

Badge56 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 09:14 PM

I also tried this. The sliding door does NOT open when the gas tank flap is open

fidgell · #7 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 08:05 AM

Can you try it as stated though please, as mine doesn't do it while its open, but will continue to open if it is in return mode while the flap is opened. Ive 2 other owners with the same issue, we've even all driven to the dealer and shown them it in action as I'm certain 100% are effected...for some reason the dealer denies it even when it happens in front of him!

He even accused all 3 of us of "fixing" the closure system!

the wolf · #8 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 03:26 PM

Has anyone had issues with random automatic door opening, not closing? Having serious issues with my 09 routan dealer can't figure it out. Also, the door does open with the gas door open...have a nice scratch to prove it.

fidgell · #9 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 03:51 PM

What type of random opening??? We sometimes get the door opening whilst closing even though we see nothing in the way as it is supposed to reopen if there was something in the doorway. We thought it might be the monster mats as they are a little wider. The trunk has sometimes shown on the dash as being open when it isnt, but a quick open and reclose seems to fix this.

I luckily didnt get any scratch on the fuel flap, but it did snap off the flexi cap underneath off its cord. Could have been a BIG problem if the gas pump had been attached!!!

the wolf · #10 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 08:47 AM

Just random openings, sometimes when you come out of a store a door will be open, last week my wife was at the doc's and a guy came in and said he was sitting in the car next to the van, and the door just opened, she had been inside for a while and it was way out of range from the remote.

It also does the same as noted in other posts, that is, starts to close, then opens, like there is something setting off the sensor but there is nothing there?

It's been to the dealer 5 times and they can't figure it out.