Suspension, Starting, Alarm Issues

[Guest Andy Solihull]

Bought my first Xantia. A 1.9TD SX, 1994 L plate.

 

Has a few issues, which I would really appreciate some pointers on.

 

1. The front suspension bounces like a little boat on the rough seas. Is this the sphere's or something more sinister and expensive?

 

2. I have to turn the engine over for quite a while before she fires and starts - sometimes two or three times. Plan to run some injection cleaner through the next time I get the tank low, but is this a symptom of anything else?

 

3. The alarm doesn't work, but the lights flash every time I get in and start, or open anything other than the drivers door. The flash for about 30 seconds, whether I have started the car or not, so it is just embarrassing rather than a real issue - any clues on sorting this out?

 

4. Front brake pad warning light came on - are these easy to fit, or should I plan a good few hours with some ramps?

 

Overall enjoying the car, it's covered over 150,000 so bought it to use for towing the trailer tent and enjoy, not to love and cherish.

[Guest rowls]

Probably the spheres that are causing your bouncy front suspension. Hard starting possibly glow plugs on way out? With the alarm i think theres a switch under the bonnet at the bottom of the windscreen that you put your key into to switch the alarm off. Pads are fairly straighforward, remove h/brake cable off caliper, knock out locking pin at bottom of caliper after taking out locking 'r' clip, (pin will probably be quite tight!) you may also need a tool to wind the piston back into the caliper. Before you jack the car up, with the engine running put the suspension into high, stops it sinking when you jack it up.

[Guest Andy Solihull]

Probably the spheres that are causing your bouncy front suspension. Hard starting possibly glow plugs on way out? With the alarm i think theres a switch under the bonnet at the bottom of the windscreen that you put your key into to switch the alarm off. Pads are fairly straighforward, remove h/brake cable off caliper, knock out locking pin at bottom of caliper after taking out locking 'r' clip, (pin will probably be quite tight!) you may also need a tool to wind the piston back into the caliper. Before you jack the car up, with the engine running put the suspension into high, stops it sinking when you jack it up.

 

I found the alarm key thing, so turned it, but it appears it is already off. I tried turning it the other way, and it screamed as well as flashed the headlights, so I managed to turn it back "off" but still have the headlight flashing problem.

 

Anyone had similar or got any ideas?