Just Bought One. List Of Known Problems!

[avoneer]

Hi All,

 

Just purchased an R reg 1.9 TD SX to trundle me up and down the motorway - 500 miles per week.

 

Managed to get a 131k miler for £500 with 12 month mot and 2 months tax.

 

Interior is a bit tatty, but nothing I can't live with, although I'll keep my eye out for a new set of front seats.

 

Anway, just a few niggles to start off the list:

 

When the ignition is on and all the dash lights lit, something under the dash makes a quiet electric buzzing/humming, like the heater fan wanting to start.

 

The heater also only works when the engine is running.

 

Any thoughts?

 

There's also a few bulbs out on the dash display which need changing and after looking at the manual, should I have a digital external temp on the RPM dial?

 

Air con button lights but nothing happens.

 

When braking hard, feels like the ABS is on and off really slow as the car brakes, let's go, then brakes etc.

 

Not even gonna post about the engine yet!

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Pat...

[DickieG]

The buzzing is the small fan behind the alarm LED, remove the radio to gain access to it then lubricate it with a light oil.

 

The heater only working when the engine is running is normal.

 

The external temp display wasn't fitted to MK1 SX models.

 

The aircon needs to have the engine running and the heater fan set to either a speed or auto position. Check under the bonnet to see whether the compessor is engaging.

 

Is the ABS light illuminated? It may well be that a previous owner has removed the bulb, it should light up initially when you start the car. The braking fault could also be due to warped discs, further info required on the nature of the fault really.

[avoneer]

Hi,

 

Thanks - wasn't expecting such a good responce so quick!

 

What does the small fan do behind the dash????

 

Fitting a radio this week so will do the fan, change all the bulbs that illuminate the heater controls and may even progress to the few that are blown behind the dash (couple round the dials and light and main beam).

 

Is this a bit finicky and a full days job???

 

I can stop looking for a temp display I don't have now - seems I may have the handbook for a Mk2 then!

 

Good news on the heater - at least it works and get hot anyway.

 

How do I know if the air con compressor is engaging?

 

May not worry about that until mid summer though, but would be nice to progressively get things out of the way.

 

ABS light is on on the ignition switch, but goes out after a few seconds as it should. You hardly have to push the pedal to brake hard like other cars I've driven (none had ABS though) and they work very well. Just wondered about the pulsing! Does make me think warped discs now you've mentioned it, so may get the wheels off this weekend and have a nosey.

 

Then it's the cam belt, service and suspension in that order, but I'll start another post when I get round to doing them (and when it's getting warmer).

 

Many thanks,

 

Pat...

[DickieG]

Behind the alarm LED is the interior temperature sensor for the aircon, the fan draws air across the sensor etc etc.

 

In order to remove the dash you need to remove the steering wheel and column shroud in order to gain access to the screws securing the panel below the dials. This means removing the airbag which is secured by two torx screws behind the wheel, make sure you take precautions with the airbag such as disconnecting the battery for 30 mins before starting work, if you don't feel confident with this take a look in a Haynes manual. Bear in mind that should the airbag go off unexpectadly you will end up with more than just a black eye :blink: You should be able to complete the job within an hour.

 

To check if the aircon compressor is working, open the bonnet with the engine running and look down at the auxillary belt, at the bottom of it you will see a pulley with several bolt heads sticking out of it which is attached to a large cylinder (the compressor, at the other end of which should be two large rubber pipes). If the aircon is working, the bolt heads mentioned above will be spinning. Another check is that the cooling fans should be running when the aircon is turned on.

[Steviebax]

Hi,

 

Thanks - wasn't expecting such a good responce so quick!

 

What does the small fan do behind the dash????

 

Fitting a radio this week so will do the fan, change all the bulbs that illuminate the heater controls and may even progress to the few that are blown behind the dash (couple round the dials and light and main beam).

 

Is this a bit finicky and a full days job???

 

I can stop looking for a temp display I don't have now - seems I may have the handbook for a Mk2 then!

 

Good news on the heater - at least it works and get hot anyway.

 

How do I know if the air con compressor is engaging?

 

May not worry about that until mid summer though, but would be nice to progressively get things out of the way.

 

ABS light is on on the ignition switch, but goes out after a few seconds as it should. You hardly have to push the pedal to brake hard like other cars I've driven (none had ABS though) and they work very well. Just wondered about the pulsing! Does make me think warped discs now you've mentioned it, so may get the wheels off this weekend and have a nosey.

 

Then it's the cam belt, service and suspension in that order, but I'll start another post when I get round to doing them (and when it's getting warmer).

 

Many thanks,

 

Pat...

 

Hi.

 

My Xantia 1.9td r reg is doing exactly the same thing with the brakes.

 

Just wondering if you found out what it was ???

 

Cheers

[techbod]

if the ABS light goes off its working ok , the breaks need little effort to work due to them being hydraulik and pulsing depends on what you mean? if the break peddle pulses with it then its probably warped disc(s) and always fit new pads regardless of how new they are because they have been worn to the bad discs so will quickly ruin the new discs ad remember the pistons on the breaks on the front have to be rotated and pushed in at the same time because the handbrake is on the front wheels( halford sell the tool for that £20 )

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Quite a common problem on older ABS Xantias is failure of the front "Reluctor rings". These are the small toothed wheels that fit on the outer CV joint and generate the frequency that the ABS system uses to compare wheel speeds. The rings become rusty over time and then crack and either spin freely or drop off entirely, rendering the ABS inoperative at the same time. Citroen do not supply these rings seperately, you need to buy the entire shaft, but there is a place that makes replacements that can be fitted relatively easily. Full instructions and prices can be found here. http://www.reluctorrings.com/

 

The pulsing you describe sounds as though it could be ABS related. A similar thing happened to my S reg 110 HDi when a front wheel sensor failed. A colleague said his Xantia was the same when the reluctor ring split. If you suspect the ABS is the culprit removing the relevant fuse will cure the problem in the short term. You will then have ordinary brakes but the car won't pass another MOT until the problem has been properly sorted out.

 

Cheers. Hope this is of help. ;)