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Locking gas cap won't unock

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I got the Mopar locking on my Gladiator, but the darn thing doesn't seem to want to unlock in cold weather!
I tried several times to get it to unlock at the gas station and no luck, so am going to head to the dealership that sold it to me tomorrow to see if they can remove it. Its the one that does not use the key that came with the vehicle. I _think_ there are 2 different models for now or is it just that with the latest key design, they don't have one for those anymore?

It looks like it is this one based on appearances: Mopar 05278655AB Locking Gas Cap for 01-25 Jeep Wrangler TJ, JK, JL and Gladiator JT
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Freems

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I got the Mopar locking on my Gladiator, but the darn thing doesn't seem to want to unlock in cold weather!
I tried several times to get it to unlock at the gas station and no luck, so am going to head to the dealership that sold it to me tomorrow to see if they can remove it. Its the one that does not use the key that came with the vehicle. I _think_ there are 2 different models for now or is it just that with the latest key design, they don't have one for those anymore?

It looks like it is this one based on appearances: Mopar 05278655AB Locking Gas Cap for 01-25 Jeep Wrangler TJ, JK, JL and Gladiator JT
I have the one that uses a different key and itā€™s a PIA every single time I fill up, just putting the key in the hole is a challenge. Annoying at best, next time Iā€™m at the stealership parts department Iā€™ll see if they have a cork for a replacement. Canā€™t be any worse than that fine work of art thatā€™s in there now.
 

Lost1wing

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I'm sorry that you have to live in an area where they steal gas. I remember those days in the 70's, up north in Chicago. Nothing was more of a pain than to try to open the fuel cap. The issue we had was that we could not insert the key. We kept soaking it with wd40. Once we firgured out that it kept locking up, we packed it with grease. We just had to wipe the key off every time.

You didn't say what your particular issue was. Does the key go in but won't turn? Can you even get the key in all of the way?
 

Freems

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I'm sorry that you have to live in an area where they steal gas. I remember those days in the 70's, up north in Chicago. Nothing was more of a pain than to try to open the fuel cap. The issue we had was that we could not insert the key. We kept soaking it with wd40. Once we firgured out that it kept locking up, we packed it with grease. We just had to wipe the key off every time.

You didn't say what your particular issue was. Does the key go in but won't turn? Can you even get the key in all of the way?
I believe that the thing is just built cheap, to your point, Iā€™ve tried silicone, wd and even buffing the key down a bit, the key most of the time just sticks in the lock. My JT came with it on, Iā€™ve ordered a new non locker.
 

ConqSoft

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I have no experience with the one that uses a separate key, but I used the Mopar locking gas cap that you code to your vehicle key on my JL for 5 years without issue and just installed one on my new JT as well.

So if you are wanting a secure gas cap, may want to give that one a try. Quadratec has a great instructional video on YouTube to code it.
 

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My issue was that the key would not go in all the way (and even when it did, it was tough to turn.)
I finally got it out by "borrowing" my in-law's heated garage and using some lock de-icer I got from an auto supply store and then using a pair of pliers to RAM IT IN and CRANK IT until it unlocked. Not a recommended way to do it, but the next step was to try using a wood screw to make a hole in it and insert a screwdriver to twist the thing out (there are several videos online of this technique. Thank goodness it didn't get that far.

I did call the dealer and their parts store said there was a different, but more expensive cap that could be coded to use my "ignition key" (the part that pops-out of the key fob.) So I ordered that and went to pick it up the next day. The guy at the parts counter was getting ready to do the coding, then looked at my key and said something like "that's a laser cut key and it won't work for them." The kid who was also in the parts shop said he was surprised because he expected it would have flagged it as not working when he checked the VIN.
The senior guy who said it would not work, said if I really wanted to use it, he could give me two of the plain old-style keys and code it to that, but I declined. So...I got an el-cheapo locking cap off of Amazon. I am thinking it will be less likely to fail because it is double-sided. My thought is that since the cheaper Mopar one (the one that they can code to a key came to around $169-ish and I forget how much the one I broke was) was a normal style key, part of the issue was me not being able to easily tell which direction it should go in (that metal flap to try to keep contaminents out makes it hard to see which direction is correct), so part of the issue was probably me not being careful which direction I tried to insert it combined with super-cold weather and a lot of rain+snow.)
 

ConqSoft

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I think they donā€™t know what they are talking about. It will work with any JL/JT key.
 

Rusty PW

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Need to spray a light oil (not WD40) into the opening and work the key about a dozen times to coat all the pins inside the lock. Should do this about twice a year in the spring and fall.
 

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Need to spray a light oil (not WD40) into the opening and work the key about a dozen times to coat all the pins inside the lock. Should do this about twice a year in the spring and fall.
^^^^^ This

They make automotive lock specific lube, needs to be used.

Odds are your old one got water in it and just froze. The lube will prevent this.

As to not working with laser cut keys, HOG WASH, has worked just fine for 4 years.
 

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My issue was that the key would not go in all the way (and even when it did, it was tough to turn.)
I finally got it out by "borrowing" my in-law's heated garage and using some lock de-icer I got from an auto supply store and then using a pair of pliers to RAM IT IN and CRANK IT until it unlocked. Not a recommended way to do it, but the next step was to try using a wood screw to make a hole in it and insert a screwdriver to twist the thing out (there are several videos online of this technique. Thank goodness it didn't get that far.

I did call the dealer and their parts store said there was a different, but more expensive cap that could be coded to use my "ignition key" (the part that pops-out of the key fob.) So I ordered that and went to pick it up the next day. The guy at the parts counter was getting ready to do the coding, then looked at my key and said something like "that's a laser cut key and it won't work for them." The kid who was also in the parts shop said he was surprised because he expected it would have flagged it as not working when he checked the VIN.
The senior guy who said it would not work, said if I really wanted to use it, he could give me two of the plain old-style keys and code it to that, but I declined. So...I got an el-cheapo locking cap off of Amazon. I am thinking it will be less likely to fail because it is double-sided. My thought is that since the cheaper Mopar one (the one that they can code to a key came to around $169-ish and I forget how much the one I broke was) was a normal style key, part of the issue was me not being able to easily tell which direction it should go in (that metal flap to try to keep contaminents out makes it hard to see which direction is correct), so part of the issue was probably me not being careful which direction I tried to insert it combined with super-cold weather and a lot of rain+snow.)
This is the one I bought. It works with the laser cut keys on the JL/JT. Quadratec has a video available that shows you how to key it. The keys and lock are double sided, so it can be inserted in either direction. The cylinder is not removable, so you only get one attempt to get it right.

https://a.co/d/bA1mLQP
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