Xantia blower woe!

[binhoker668]

Have any of you guys ever sorted out the common blower fault on these?

The blower is completely dead, and so is the heated rear window - these both died at the same time I think.  Have looked on FCF, and of course there is plenty of info on there, but to be honest, I thought I might get a more 'layman's terms' idea of where to begin on here.  I don't really have somewhere dry to work on it, and am a novice at best!  Worrying though - not a good time of year for this to have happened... Can anyone explain to a simpleton?

 

[The Moog]

It is because the power for both goes through the ignition barrel and they cant cope.  This is why they set up a relay. I had this the  Xantia but waggling the key fixed it, and now it has self healed. 

 

Ultimately it seems that you fit a relay which solves the issue. 

[binhoker668]

Yeah, been waggling the key loads, but no joy.  Arses.

[forddeliveryboy]

There's a good bodge which involves bridging two fuses, google it - could be 5 and 1 but double check.

[binhoker668]

OK, did some key wiggling on way to work earlier and blower/rear demist came on briefly.  More wiggling bore no fruit (only on autoshite!), so i guess the fuse has gone - will check later after work if time.  All of that said, I guess it should be doable to replace the ignition?  Does anyone possible have such a thing for a 1997 MK1 Xantia TD SX, or know where i might get one?

I suppose if I have to jury-rig the whole lot and just hotwire the car then it will do - but I defo need heat for the early morning starts!

Every one's a winner huh!

[angle]

Key wiggling stopped working on my Xantia of the same age, but as Moog said it's almost definitely needing a relay putting in rather than a fuse. Because I'm useless at anything electricity related, I took it to an auto electrician who as soon as I said 'Xantia' and 'heater' knew exactly what to do (and judging by the number of bits the C6 in his workshop was in, was probably glad of the distraction). Fifty quid later I was back to being toasty again...

[Dave_Q]

Yo, if it does need an ignition switch its a simple enough diy, did it recently on my berlingo which is presumably similar cos french.

 

Get the column surrounds off and there is a v small torx (t5 or t7 or summat) that holds the barrel in, you also need to put the key in pos 2 and the barrel just withdraws, obvs need to disconnect the wiring and pull it through.

 

There are various cheap switches on ebay, do check what yours looks like before ordering as there are variations on the theme because French.

[binhoker668]

Nice one Dink - by switches do you mean the whole ignition piece, or aftermarket dashboard add-on jobbies?  (Sorry - Idiot!)

[Dave_Q]

Sorry, I mean the ignition.

 

The complete barrel looks like this when you get it out - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IGNITION-LOCK-BARREL-AND-KEYS-Citroen-Dispatch-Berlingo-Xantia-Synergie-/151212133307?hash=item2334f20bbb:g:ypAAAOxyUrZS8UHm

 

But the electical switch part can be replaced seperately so you don't have to have a different key - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ignition-Switch-Cables-BERLINGO-SAXO-DISPATCH-SYNERGIE-XANTIA-Lock-Barrel-Plug-/111045591445?hash=item19dad54195:g:p74AAOxyUylTPu9S

 

I would suggest getting a wiring diagram and trying to bypass the ignition switch by connecting the relevant wires to see if it works before buying anything.

 

BTW, I notice you live in Forest Fields, we may have met IRL as I used to live around there.

 

Do you drink in the Frog and Onion? I used to work there occasionally, a couple of owners ago in about 2009.

[kee616]

dont get me started on Peugeot/Citroen fans 

the setup on my 405 to get it working it a xsara 1.4 motor, on a pug 405 with a pug 406 impellor. wired up backwards.... French 

[binhoker668]

Sorry, I mean the ignition.

 

The complete barrel looks like this when you get it out - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IGNITION-LOCK-BARREL-AND-KEYS-Citroen-Dispatch-Berlingo-Xantia-Synergie-/151212133307?hash=item2334f20bbb:g:ypAAAOxyUrZS8UHm

 

But the electical switch part can be replaced seperately so you don't have to have a different key - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ignition-Switch-Cables-BERLINGO-SAXO-DISPATCH-SYNERGIE-XANTIA-Lock-Barrel-Plug-/111045591445?hash=item19dad54195:g:p74AAOxyUylTPu9S

 

I would suggest getting a wiring diagram and trying to bypass the ignition switch by connecting the relevant wires to see if it works before buying anything.

 

BTW, I notice you live in Forest Fields, we may have met IRL as I used to live around there.

 

Do you drink in the Frog and Onion? I used to work there occasionally, a couple of owners ago in about 2009.

Dink, that is an amazingly helpful reply dude - appreciate it!  Pictures and experience turn the job into a way less daunting task.

Yeah, I was in there a few times years back, but not in the last 5 years since it became a HELLHOLE OF DISTINCTION!  No doubt we've crossed paths though.

Am living in FF again because poverty.  I would run a mile if I could!

[angle]

As I understand it, the problem with just replacing the ignition switch with another one is that the same problem will just come back - the switch isn't up to the job without a relay to protect it. If phrases like 'cut this live wire somewhere convenient' and 'connect the live side of the car to one of the pins on the switched circuit' don't make you come out in a sweat, then try this:

 

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=50146

 

Mine has been fixed with the original ignition switch still in place...

[binhoker668]

dont get me started on Peugeot/Citroen fans 

the setup on my 405 to get it working it a xsara 1.4 motor, on a pug 405 with a pug 406 impellor. wired up backwards.... French 

Ha ha - that's EXACTLY the fix I did on my first 405.  Worked a treat.

[binhoker668]

As I understand it, the problem with just replacing the ignition switch with another one is that the same problem will just come back - the switch isn't up to the job without a relay to protect it. If phrases like 'cut this live wire somewhere convenient' and 'connect the live side of the car to one of the pins on the switched circuit' don't make you come out in a sweat, then try this:

 

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=50146

 

Mine has been fixed with the original ignition switch still in place...

I think I'm gonna short-term it with a replacement for now, and just make sure I have the blower off everytime I start it - and try not to use both at once too often.  Just to get me to work for a month or two!  Might work... we shall see.  No work space or time to get mediaeval on it just now.  A mate's gonna help me do a relay on it though, once time & space become available

[binhoker668]

Ha ha, unbelievable. I bought the replacement part that Dink suggested above, and decided in my ultimate wisdom to strip the whole ignition down at lunchtime (30 mins) at work. I tend towards impulsiveness.

This resulted in much panic and "what the fuck am I doing" scenarios.

Especially when I found that it was the wrong part.

So back together it all went, and successfully too, apart from the bottom cowling needing some clips and of course the fan/HRW still not functioning.

Since then, I have just been very cold driving to work at 6am.

Tonight, I went to drive Mrs Hoker to the dentist. Forgot my car key. "No probs, I have the spare" cheers Missus.

Insert key, start car, yup. Everything works. HRW, blower, the lot.

FRENCH.

[omegod]

 i'm properly flummoxed as to how a different key solved it !

[binhoker668]

Fully true though.

[The Moog]

Might be a one off... Tempting you into a false sense of security

[binhoker668]

Shhhhhhhh......