[xGE_97]

Gurus, My 2009 coach 1261 has 2 failed southco bay latches on the fuel door. One of the latches does not release with the safety pull cable. Does anyone have advice as to how to release this latch when the pull cable has no effect?

I had this happen to a latch in a pass through bay and was able to crawl in and remove the catch from the coach body by removing the two bolts. This is not possible in this case because the tank is in the way and batteries are in the bay on the other side of the coach. HELP!!

BTW, the latches failed at the same time when I lifted the release handle on the fuel door and the handle stayed out. I rushed to activate the bay door locks (which turn off the power) but it was too late. Both were dead. We had just left Newell after our PM, and were on the way to an appointment, so we couldn't go right back. We planned to go after we were free. Besides, I checked the release cable operation for both latches and they worked. Fast forward a few weeks and I had used the cables to release the fuel door several times. Today one of the release pull cables had no effect. Therefore no fuel could be added. Not enough fuel to guarantee making it to Newell.

I called Newell and the recommendation was 1. pull the release cable. 2. spray wd-40 into the southco latch. 3. try pulling the cable again while pushing in where the latch mates so the pressure is off the latch while pulling. No workee....