Xsara Speedo Problem

[Rat]

I have a problem with the speedo on my Citroen Xsara. I got the car jump started yesterday and when it was jump started the needle on the Speedo whizzed all of the way round so that instead of resting at 0 MPH, it just points straight down.

 

I note that someone else had this problem previously on the forum but there was no solution.

 

Could it be possible to jump start it again to try to see if the needle jumps back? Is it okay to jump start a car that doesn't need a jump start without damaging the car?

[kfk]

go find yourself a faily powerfull magnet (an old speaker one), place it close to the instrument panel casing and carefull (without scratching the dash) using the magnetic field move the needle anti clockwise......it takes a bit of patience but can be done without stripping anything down.

 

Incidentally, as you have already found out, jump starting modern cars can have its risks.....lost count of the number of injection ecu' s damaged by jump starting.

[Guest pmthomo]

Hi, I have the same problem, spoke to a Citroën garage and apparently this is common problem when jump starting another car or when your battery is flat.

He recommended that I should disconnect the + battery terminal, turn the ignition ON (position II) then tap the battery + terminal a few times with the + cable, this should make the speedo needle jump back round, He said it will take a few attempts.

 

another Citroën garage said it will cost me £80+vat to fix!!!

 

I will try this tonight and let you know how it goes.

 

Peter

[kfk]

......or you could try the magnet trick as mentioned previously.

[Guest pmthomo]

Great news, the battery trick worked, took a few attempts.

Just make sure that the a/c, radio, etc... is turned off, one person needs to watch the speedo the other taps morse code on the battery terminal, as soon as the needle jumps back STOP!!!, otherwise the needle goes back again.

:D