I had the same issue, the clip broke off and I had to have a buddy open the gas door while I held the lever on the other side to open it. Rigged up a hood spring to open it for a while. It worked, but it flew open like it was exploding every time. Eventually found another one in a junk yard. Let me know if that ends up being your problem, I've got one on the parts car I can pop off and send you.