DickieG

Whilst getting the wifes Picasso serviced I noticed that Citroen are about to release two new colours on the Berlingo, Iron Grey, a graphite grey and Olive Green, both metallic. I imagine the green will look rather similar to the Peugeot green. While I was there I took a look at the 'newer' rear parcel shelf, fold over rather than blind type. It does have the facility to carry a small weight on it but being cloth will be harder to keep doggie type smells at bay. I enquired as to cost, the older blind type, £140-160 (I think), new fold over type, £70. Maybe that explains the reason for the change. I must chastise myself for being cynical :D

When it comes to being uncomfortable in the back, the wifes Picasso wins the day as the base of the seat is quite hard, one hour is enough for me so have a sore/numb rear end. (Or is that a different story). Whereas the Berlingo is just fine, although you can't adjust the rake of the seat back.

The chances are that the fault will lay with the ignition switch as the heater fan takes it feed from there and this is a known weakness. You will have to remove the airbag if fitted and the steering wheel to gain access to the shroud around the ignition switch. Look for any signs of arcing/burning if none visible then start the car and run the fan then feel for heat from the switch.

The best thing to do is to get the 'fault codes' read by someone who has the appropriate tool, not a 'Gunsons' one! This could be done at a local garage or even me if you live near Heathrow, you do not have to have it done by a dealer. This will save you wasting money replacing correctly working parts. If the ECU is at fault then it will cost around £150 for a refubished item and hopefully less from a breakers, but then the problem you have is that you won't know whether your 'new' item works,. Faulty ABS may be the reason the car was scrapped, so what I would do if taking that route is to look for a crashed Xantia in the hope that the car was working correctly until it was reduced to 'Kit-form'.

Call me a cynic but personally I would treat this 'Known fault' diagnosis with a pinch of salt. Quite clearly the cap was not replaced correctly by the 'Mechanic' refilling the oil, so in order to pass the buck away from the service dept a 'Cock and Bull' story was invented. If the dealer insists that it is a known fault then ask him to show you the Citroen 'Service Bullitin'. I fear that he will be looking for it for some time............................................................

This could be a difficult one because the location of warning lamps on Xantias varied literally every few months, I kid you not. I and my father bought new ones in 1995 just a couple of months apart and both had different positions for the lamps, then when I bought another new one in 97 that was different again! Is your car fitted with heated seats and headlamp washers by any chance? I ask that because if so it will also, as part of the 'winter pack', be fitted with a windscreen washer fluid warning light. After a period of time the sensor has a build up of washer residue which can trigger the light to illuminate. If so the get under the car and basically pull out the sensor, then clean and replace.