A trick for stuck fuel doors

I just discovered a trick for an inoperable fuel door. With an assistant sitting in the car, open the trunk and push in on the manual door release. While holding it open, have the assistant press the console button. Because it's not fighting the spring on the door release, the solenoid will pop out easily. Now let go of the manual release and close the fuel door. The console button should work now. I think what I had was the solenoid was stuck from lack of activity, and actuating it without resistance let it pop loose from whatever was sticking it.