mot failure..fog lights???

jakeuk · Post by **jakeuk** » 08 Mar 2005, 19:59

i replaced the back light units on my 96 xantia for ones from a newer model everything works as it should except for the fog lamp section,does anyone know if the bulb holder section different between models or is it just more likely to be a wiring problem?
its now got the lighter version in
cheers
jake[:(]

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 08 Mar 2005, 20:08

Have you got a towbar? Citroen lead expects you to have a lighting socket with a switch in the pin for the foglight. Power for foglight is diverted to socket. No plug in socket - pin out - contact made and car foglight fed via towbar. Plug in trailer, break contact - car lights go out.
Marvellous if you use the correct socket - otherwise find the relevant wire and bridge it using a couple of bodgelocks and a short bit of wire.
jeremy

jakeuk · Post by **jakeuk** » 08 Mar 2005, 20:17

jeremy....thanks for quick reply m8 but am totally lost now,,,i have a tow bar not fitted its in the boot are saying this will make the fog light work?
just off to scrappy to see if hes got an old cluster

ActivaV6uk · Post by **ActivaV6uk** » 08 Mar 2005, 20:38

the bulb wiring is identical (i've don the same on my activas) check that the cables are in snugly and of cause that the bulb is ok.
Andy

jakeuk · Post by **jakeuk** » 08 Mar 2005, 21:32

Hi Andy
bulbs are fine unless its a special rating bulb scrappy has 1 of older type clusters.....really hope its not a snapped wire that would be a real ball ache could it be possible that the actual circuitry on the older bulb holder is slightly different?

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 08 Mar 2005, 21:32

What I am saying is that if you have trailer lights fitted using the proper lighting adaptor cable you may have problems. Bar removed but lights not altered - problems. The trailer lighting adaptor is a plug that fits in the nearside rear light.
If your car never has had trailer lights then this is not your problem.
jeremy

ActivaV6uk · Post by **ActivaV6uk** » 08 Mar 2005, 21:37

the plastic bulb holder is the same on moth version (other than the color of the plastic). i'd check the connectors and tracks and even fined another backend of a lamp to try if it still dosnet work then its the wiring loom or a relay at fault.
Andy

jakeuk · Post by **jakeuk** » 08 Mar 2005, 21:42

thanks guys back to scrappy in the morning to check the older type bulb holder....????? although this is my third MOT with this car & sailed thru last two?????

jakeuk · Post by **jakeuk** » 08 Mar 2005, 23:55

apologies for the bump guys but i have 3 days left on my MOT so any input would be welcomed incuding names of any good citroen specialists in and around the leicester area....ta

andycarter · Post by **andycarter** » 09 Mar 2005, 02:34

Not sure about places in leicester itself as I'm in loughborough. I know of charnwood-cars and eurocars, both claim to be citroen specialists although personally have never used either as I diy.
If you're able to get over this way in the evenings I don't mind having a look at it for you - free help & advice etc.
Andy

jakeuk · Post by **jakeuk** » 09 Mar 2005, 11:43

Andy...very kind offer which i might take you up on if i cant suss it myself.....a workmate of mine reckons there should be a relay under the bonnet,can anyone confirm this???

andycarter · Post by **andycarter** » 09 Mar 2005, 17:53

Jake,
I'm pretty sure that if there's a relay under the bonnet that would be for front foglights.
Rear fogs only work when the headlight are on, the light on the switch should illuminate to confirm when they are on. - Can you tell us whether or not this light is coming on?
I'm at work at the moment and haven't got the wiring diagrams to hand, but potentially the problem could be either rear fog fuse / headlight switch / foglight switch / rear end wiring.
The reason people have mentioned towbars is because when towing a caravan the foglights would reflect off the big white box and distract the driver. The wires for the foglight go to a 4 pin connector behind the carpet near the right hand rear light - there should be two grey wires linked together with a small loop of wire (green on my car) this is the link wire that gets cut when installing a caravan socket. Find this connector block and check for voltage (multimeter or 12v light bulb will do).
Assuming you have power here; the wire returns behind the carpet, along the side of the parcel shelf and up behind the panel where the rear seatbelt is attached - into the bootlid. Check here for a break in the wire as it bends each time you open the boot.
The wires inside the bootlid go to one side first, then they run to the otherside by a flat ribbon type cable. This is the easiest place to test and should be your starting point, before buying any more rear light clusters...
Andy

tonespeed1999 · Post by **tonespeed1999** » 09 Mar 2005, 18:11

some xantias suffered with faulty wiring,i have done a couple where they have lost there feeds for the rear fog light.there is a loom that runs along the drivers side sill/floor area.they tend to loose the feed near the rear section of the loom where it disappears at the quarter panel.if you have a power probe you should be able to trace the feed etc.

oilyspanner · Post by **oilyspanner** » 09 Mar 2005, 19:24

Had a problem with rear fogs at MOT time on my MK 1 BX, turned out to be dirty switch contacts from lack of use, is there current getting to the switch?
Stewart

jakeuk · Post by **jakeuk** » 10 Mar 2005, 00:10

first off excuse the timing of my responses,i work nights...... wiring might as well be spaghetti to me,Stewart i had the radio out recenly which is quite near the fog light switch which is illuminated if i knocked a connection off would it still be able to light up? the only other thing i changed was i switched the alarm on under the bonnet and it seems to work perfectly...not over sensative like some except for the obvious when it rains
Andy if i dont manage to get it sorted is the offer of a trip to yours still on?