Boot light switch

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » 17 Sep 2009, 19:02

.

Anyone know where the tilt switch for the boot light is located on the Xantia?

Mine has been intermittent for a while but has now quit completely. I've checked out the lamp holder and bulb and these are OK.

Dave.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 17 Sep 2009, 19:05

I am positive there is one in the spring mechanism where the catch goes down, but I am always told I am wrong

certainly on my xant, if you press this sprung device the light goes on and off..

maybe there is another switch too, seems odd

john

red_dwarfers · Post by **red_dwarfers** » 17 Sep 2009, 19:11

John is spot on. I've had to test that switch on my S1 Xant. Basically the pushy down bit is tapered underneath which gradually pushes in a switch which is mounted 90 degrees to the pushey down bit.
My light isn't working either, another little job i must sort!

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 17 Sep 2009, 19:46

Unless I'm very much mistaken the switch mentioned above is for the alarm/(Hydractive suspension if fitted).

The light tilt switch is located behind the large black plastic panel on the inside of the tailgate, IIRC its somewhere in the middle. However I think the problem you're suffering may be being caused by a break in the wires where they enter the tailgate, pull back the rubber sleeve to examine them.

Xantidote · Post by **Xantidote** » 17 Sep 2009, 21:03

DickieG is right.

My 1995 1.9TD has the tilt switch behind the tailgate trim, held by 6 "plastic" screws in plastic plugs, plus 1 metal screw in the hand hold. There are also 2 metal locating lugs near the rear screen.

My tilt switch was tiny, and I prised it open to find 2 balls inside, 1 of which makes contact with a lug terminal to make the circuit. I cleaned everything up, to get mine working again, but 3-4 years on, it's playing up again. IIRC, part of problem was the balls didn't seem to be stainless, and I think there was a bit of corrosion, as one would expect on a car which was 10 years old at the time

Martin

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » 17 Sep 2009, 21:16

Thanks for the replies.

I agree that a broken wire is likely but putting the meter on the plug to the bulb holder shows 12v. on the +ve. wire but no ground connection on the -ve. wire.
I rigged a temporary earth and the light came on but failed to switch off when the boot was closed?
A bit odd that - seemed as though the -ve. wire was switched rather than the +ve. That's why I wanted to have a look at the tilt switch to see how it was wired (wish they had fitted a standard push switch as on the BX)

Any thoughts?

Dave.

Post by **myglaren** » 17 Sep 2009, 21:33

Replace with a Mercury tilt switch.
Had one for the tailgate and one for the under bonnet light (factory fitted) on the old Volvo. Never gave any trouble whatsoever.

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » 17 Sep 2009, 22:50

Martin,

Thanks, that was the info. I was hoping for _ I'll tear mine apart tomorrow.

myglaren,

Mercury is not considered to be very 'green' nowadays

so if I replace it with anything it will probably be a push to open type. Given the occasional squirt of switch cleaner, these have never caused me any problems.

Bit OT but where do you get your avatar images from? I like the one you use on DVD Reviewer forum.

Dave.

Post by **myglaren** » 17 Sep 2009, 22:59

The images are just off the net, some from Mylene Farmer forums.

Google Images.

Those mercury switches already exist, why not use them, much more durable than push switches.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 17 Sep 2009, 23:46

thanks Kev

as usual I am wrong

but why, when my boot is open, does the light go on and off when I depress /press the main sprung block set into the boot closing area ?

just curious

Xantidote · Post by **Xantidote** » 18 Sep 2009, 15:23

Re: myglaren's avatar images:

And there's me thinking he's got lots of attractive girlfriends!

As if all the information he passes to us isn't enough, he tantalises us with his beauties

Martin

Post by **myglaren** » 18 Sep 2009, 23:20

Off to see her live in six hours.
A vision of loveliness.
Dernier Sourire.