Lost A Sidelight

[Nickt]

On my 11 plate C3 Exclusive HDI the O/S sidelight doesn't light up, replaced bulb, still no joy. Checked lamp-holder and it is receiving no power. All other electrics seem fine.

 

I suppose I could tap into the N/S light and put power across to the O/S, but am wary of Citroen's weird electrics and causing more problems. On the other hand, I don't want to spend ££££ on trying to trace an odd fault.

 

Any thoughts from people out there who know about these things?

 

And don't get me started on intermittent power steering faults!!!

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

Nickt 

[Johndouglas]

Might it be you've replaced a dud bulb with another dud one.   Check the power supply with a multimeter also check the negative supply by using the engine block.    Intermittent power steering could be because of a low battery supply on start up.   Check your battery voltage before starting.   It should be around 12.7

[paul.h]

Have you also checked the fuse list in your handbook ?

[Nickt]

Thanks guys, it continues to defeat me. Using a multimeter I have checked the bulb and that is fine, there is continuity across the lamp-holder BUT no power going in to it. Checked the fuse list - F4 in the engine compartment fusebox is supposed to be for 'Daytime Running Lights' but removing that for checking leaves the sidelight which does work still lit! It looks as if I might have to spend ££ on it  :(

[paul.h]

I do not have a wiring diagram for the C3 but in the Haynes manual for the C4 it shows each side light has a separate wire from the bsi (cabin fuse box) and the other wire from the bulb connector goes to the same earth as the other lights in each light unit. So you need to check the wiring all the way back to the bsi for damage and a 12 volt supply out of the bsi. Citroen do not use colours to identify wires but instead have numbers on them which may need a magnifying glass to read. So get the number at the connector and then try to find it at the bsi.

[Nickt]

Just to close this one and add to the sum of human knowledge.  Took it to my local very good independent garage (Bad experience with Citroen main dealer) who read the 'puter and diagnosed water ingress to wiring loom, which hopefully will cure both the failed sidelight and the intermittent power steering failure. This is a fault well known to Citroen but they have so far refused to recognise it nor issued a recall. I now face a bill of £500+ plus loss of car for 3 days while a new box is fitted and the wiring loom stitched back together.  You are unlikely to see me on this forum again since I intend to sell the beast soonest and get something more reliable. 

 

Thanks for advice down the years.