New Owner, New Issues

[Stekelly]

Having a few issues with my X reg Xantia I just bought, thought I'd be better off with a newthread rather than tacking it in at the end of my central lockign thread.

 

It only has 53500 miles (with a FSH) so hopefully nothing major is wrong

 

I'll start from the front and work my way back.

 

This one I had in the other thread but may aswell put it here. I drove the car from Birmingham to Holyhead and after about 20 mins of motorway driveing, probably touched the brakes once if at all, the ABS light came on and stayed on till I stopped for food. Then after another 20 mins of motorway drivgin it came on again. When I got back to Dublin and was doing city driving for about an hour there was no sign of the light. Had the car in work today and again no sign of the light, it's a commute of about 12 miles each way in city, no long sits in traffic though, Any ideas?

 

 

There is a buzzing noise that from the best I can tell is comeing from behind the clock/temp display above the radio.

 

The rear suspension (I think it just needs new spheres) is harsh and when I go over a speed bump it kind of just lands with a bump, nothng major but just doesnt seem to have any bounce to it. The spheres look fairly worn and I doubt they were changed whereas the front ones look brand new

 

Theres a very annoying spueky rattle comign from the boot area. Not sure if it's a suspension related thign or something within the boot instelf (boot is empty, I'm thinking trim or somesuch)

 

Think thats it, thanks for any help.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hi there! Welcome to Xantia ownership! I'll answer your questions one at a time as well as I can.

1. Regarding the ABS warning lamp. This appears to be indicating an intermittent fault which could be anything. It's most likely to be a failing wheel sensor, Your local dealer will be able to interogate the system and read any fault codes stored in the memory and tell you exactly what's what. It may be something as simple as a bit of water in one of the sensor plugs. The sensors are not particularly expensive and are relatively easy to change. Another possibility (Though unlikely) is a loose reluctor ring. The rear ones are part of the hub/bearing and the front ones are on the driveshaft outer CV joint. Citroen will only supply the entire shaft (About £200!) but there is a place which now makes replacements for the Xantia/Synergie for about £40. It can be found at http://www.reluctorrings.com/
   
2. Buzzing noise! NO IDEA!
   
3. For a step by step guide to changing your spheres, have a read of my answer to Willie in this thread. http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citro...?showtopic=4507
   
4. The squeaky rattling noise may be coming from the spare wheel carrier. It's secured under the boot floor with a bolt which can be accessed inside the lip of the boot. The bolt can seize in the hook which holds the carrier and then won't do up properly. If the bolt is cleaned up and the thread well greased the carrier can be screwed up tight under the floor. If it is at all loose it can allow the tyre to move and squeak against the floor. The carrier can rattle too. It's a good idea to take down the wheel, clean it and wrap it in a big plastic bag to protect it from the elements. Also check out the jack is OK in the wee box inside the wheel.
   

Cheers Hope this helps :rolleyes:

[Stekelly]

Cheers Colin. Much appreciated.

[bobpm45]

For many months my abs light would come on then go off again( 1995 1.9td) ! Then one day it stayed on all the time. Now its failed the m.o.t. ! When I phoned my local specialist , they said they would plug it into the diagnostic computer to indicate where the fault was for £25 . When I got there ,there was no computer. The mechanic stated that in his experience it was usually a front sensor gone , so he put it up on the ramps , removed the under belly cover , pulled apart the sensor plug where it joins the loom ,and then put his continuity tester ( ohmeter) on the two prongs of the plug going to the sensor . The reading was about 1000 ohms (okay ). He then did the same on the other side .Reading was showing no continuity , therefore the sensor was gone ! He quoted me £80 pound for a new one ! I told him I had seen them for £45 on ebay.I gave him £20 for his troubles , I then went home grabbed my meter , went down the scrapyard to a xantia that I knew was there , accessed the sensor and pulled the plug apart , tested the continuity , reading was 1000 ohms about , removed sensor from car , paid man £10 , fitted it when I got home . Hey presto light went straight out !!

[Stekelly]

Thanks bob, wll give that a go.

 

 

ne other thing I forgot, theres a ticking noise coming from the left front side on cold startup. Anyone know what that might be. It goes after a while of driving.

[DaveWalling]

Hi,

The ticking you describe is quite normal, it is just the acummaltor sphere charging up. The only time to be concerned is if the ticking is rapid, if it is then the aforementioned sphere is cream crackred and needs replacing.

Hope this helps.

Dave

[Stekelly]

Thanks for the help.

 

Just checked the Hydraulic fluid level and its a bit low (checked with the suspension on highest and engine running). Was thinking of doing a flush and replacing the fluid. Is this to be recommended or should I leave well enough alone and just top up?

 

Also, how much fluid do I need to completely refill the system from empty? The book suggests 1L in the levels section but that seems very low.

 

Have decided to change all the spheres too for peace of mind.

 

had a scan of the posts about changing the rear spheres (will read in detail in a bit), is there one giving the details for the front or is it the same?

 

Whats the situation with the rear centre one? I assume this gets changed along with the two outer ones? Is it a standard rear sphere?

 

Thanks again folks.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Have another read of my first answer. You'll find this reply.

1. For a step by step guide to changing your spheres, have a read of my answer to Willie in this thread. http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citro...?showtopic=4507
   

The rear centre (Anti sink) sphere is much the same to look at and the construction is basically the same. However, if you look at the "Throat" of a suspension sphere you will see the valves which control the flow of oil into and out of the sphere and act as the dampers in a standard car. The throat of the front accumulator sphere is completely open and the rear centre has an insert which has a connection for a small diameter pipe, which connects it to the system.

 

When you come to change it, slacken off the pipe coupling first, then slacken off the sphere. Hold the pipe coupling with a spanner while turning the sphere and they should unscrew at the same time. BE CAREFULL NOT TO DAMAGE THE PIPE. Make sure it's not twisting up as you unscrew the sphere.

 

The centre sphere is another accumulator which will help the car self level when the engine is off and the car is being loaded. If it's not working it's not a disaster as the car will level up as soon as you start up. It's not anywhere near as important as the accumulator on the engine. If that's shot then the system can be subject to rapid variations in pressure which can lead to damage.

 

When changing the fluid in the system it's not possible to get all the old fluid out, but by changing the fluid at the same time as the spheres you'll get a very high percentage. If the fluid is clear and green it won't matter if a little is left behind as it's still servicable.

 

It will take at least 3 or 4 litres to completely fill the tank. Best people to ask are Citroen. They will have this info as part of one of the standard services which include changing the LHM.

 

Cheers. Hope this helps. :D

[Stekelly]

The rear centre (Anti sink) sphere is much the same to look at and the construction is basically the same. However, if you look at the "Throat" of a suspension sphere you will see the valves which control the flow of oil into and out of the sphere and act as the dampers in a standard car. The throat of the front accumulator sphere is completely open and the rear centre has an insert which has a connection for a small diameter pipe, which connects it to the system.

 

 

Thanks for the help Colin. Just to clarify ,is the rear centre one is just the same as the standard rear ones,?

 

EDIT. looking on GSF and theres a specific centre rear one (N45354)

 

Just checking, theres a front centre one aswell is'nt there? I assume the front accumulator you mention in the link is the front centre one? GSF have a front centre shpere and an accumulator sphere listed ( N45322 & N45304 )

 

 

 

 

 

One thing I did forget though. I bought a new key on Ebay and got it today (2 working buttoons, yay) . I plan on getting it recoded but can anyone tell me how to get the key blade out to swap it with the one that fits the car? does the pin push out or do I just pull the edges apart?

 

Sorry for all the questions and thanks for the help, much appreciated.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

The rear centre sphere has no sealing ring as it merely screws onto a mounting bracket. The fluid goes in & out through the small pipe in the centre. When you get the new ones you'll be able to see the differences quite readily.

 

Not sure about your key. I think I might try drifting the pin out with a small pin punch. not at all sure though. I suppose it won't matter if you wreck the old one as it doesn't work anyway. don't want to bugger the new one though! Again the people to ask are your local dealers who may even do it for you! No harm in asking!

 

Cheers. Happy tinkering! :)

[Stekelly]

Thanks again Colin, it really is appreciated.

 

I'm going to order the bits and pieces I need in the morning . I'm sure I have the right things but just in case: (copied from GSF)

 

N45366 SPHERE-REAR XANTIA 1.816V/1.9TD/2.0/HDI x 2

 

N45372 ANTISINK SPHERE-REAR XANTIA ANTI SINK x 1 (or this? N45354 SPHERE-REAR CENTRE XANTIA CENTRE REAR (is it the same thing?)

 

 

N45332 SPHERE-FRONT XANTIA 1.8 16v/1.9TD/2.0/HDI NON Hydractive x 2

 

N45322 SPHERE-FRONT CENTRE XANTIA CENTRE FRONT (again is this the same as this? N45304 ACCUMULATOR SPHERE XANTIA ACCUMULATOR )

 

Thanks again.

[BarbsC1]

Thanks again Colin, it really is appreciated.

 

I'm going to order the bits and pieces I need in the morning . I'm sure I have the right things but just in case: (copied from GSF)

 

N45366 SPHERE-REAR XANTIA 1.816V/1.9TD/2.0/HDI x 2

 

N45372 ANTISINK SPHERE-REAR XANTIA ANTI SINK x 1 (or this? N45354 SPHERE-REAR CENTRE XANTIA CENTRE REAR (is it the same thing?)

N45332 SPHERE-FRONT XANTIA 1.8 16v/1.9TD/2.0/HDI NON Hydractive x 2

 

N45322 SPHERE-FRONT CENTRE XANTIA CENTRE FRONT (again is this the same as this? N45304 ACCUMULATOR SPHERE XANTIA ACCUMULATOR )

 

Thanks again.

[BarbsC1]

My hubby has been a Citroen Tech for more years than I can remember and he says he has never replaced the sinking sphere on any Citroen yet, the easiest check if it needs replacing is run the engine with the suspension on normal height setting and put your foot on the brake if the back end does not go down leave the old one on, and the sinking sphere is not the same as a centre one and not all Xantias have the additional centre supension spheres

[Stekelly]

Hi,

The ticking you describe is quite normal, it is just the acummaltor sphere charging up. The only time to be concerned is if the ticking is rapid, if it is then the aforementioned sphere is cream crackred and needs replacing.

Hope this helps.

Dave

 

 

Thanks again for the help everyone.

 

Had a chance the other day to check out the ticking noise and it actually coming from a brown cable connector ( I assume it's some sort of a relay if it's ticking?) at the front right of the engine bay as you look into it. It between the grille and the battery. It seems to run from somewhere to the side of the battery (between the battery and wing and off across towards the left of the engine bay..

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

My hubby has been a Citroen Tech for more years than I can remember and he says he has never replaced the sinking sphere on any Citroen yet, the easiest check if it needs replacing is run the engine with the suspension on normal height setting and put your foot on the brake if the back end does not go down leave the old one on, and the sinking sphere is not the same as a centre one and not all Xantias have the additional centre supension spheres

 

The only reason I had to change mine was due to excessive surface corrosion and pitting which was the subject of an MOT advisory. I had changed the suspension spheres 2 years before as they had gone hard. There wasn't actually anything wrong with the anti sink sphere other than the rust.

 

Cheers <_<

[Stekelly]

Hi folks.

 

Just an update on the sphere change. Got the fron two done fine but the rear two, the accumulator and the anti sink wont budge. It's like they're welded on. Cant get a movement at all. :-(

 

 

A guy across the road works at a main Peugoet dealer. Might see if he fancies the rest of the job as a nixer. It'll probably be an easier job with a pit/ramp.

 

Between this and the football not going to plan, it's turning into a frustrating day.