2000 Toyota Camry fuel release door will not pop open when pulling interior button...
 

2000 Toyota Camry fuel release door will not pop open when pulling interior button. I had my wife pull the fuel button inside the car and the black plunger button does function but the door will not pop out that inch so you may reach your fingers behind it to than add fuel. I tried to make adjustments to the metal bracket that the black plastic plunger button plugs into. I realized that maybe something happened to the hinge part of the door. Is there supposed to be a spring action part that makes the door pop open after pulling the fuel release lever on the floor in the car?
I noticed on my Subaru, when I pull the release button the door is stiffer as if when the plunger button goes in something helps the door pop out just enough to get your fingers behind it to add fuel. Your help would be greatly appreciated!! Just to be clear, when we pull the fuel interior lever, I can open the door only if I sneak a flat blade screw driver behind the door to pry it open. The black release button does go in and out as the release lever is pulled inside the car!

Yes, there is a spring loaded hinge (attaches door to chassis) that pops the door open when the plunger is released. The Toyota dealer may have the part or be able to get it.

The part does fail.

thanks!