Citroen Xsara Brake Lights

toik1961 · Post by **toik1961** » 02 Jul 2003, 14:53

I bought a 52 Xsara from my local main dealer in Feb 03 thinking I would get a more reliable car than my aging Escort, how wrong could I be!
The problem is the brake lights keep fusing! It's been in to the main dealer 5 times and they still can't fix it. The last time it spent a whole week in thier workshop with the ECU being replaced, prior to this it was 3 days with various switches being replaced. The fix usually lasts about 2 weeks then guess what ? Yep the 10 amp fuse goes again, the main dealer has suggested I uprate the fuse to 15 amp to stop it blowing! I'm a bit reluctant as the fuse is blowing for some safety reason!
Does anyone out there in www. have any experience of this problem with the Xsara or any other Citroen, I can't believe it's limited to little ol me. Any information would be gratefully received as the main dealer is now scratching his bald head.

Post by **Jon** » 02 Jul 2003, 15:02

have not heard of this fault before on the Xsara, nor has my Citroen dealer.
They said to ask, has any additional electrical equipment been fitted to your car such as Phone handsfree, towbar wiring etc. Apparently that can cause this sort of problem as the Multiplex wiring gets confused.
If I can find out any more then I'll get back to you. One of our Members, Wheeler may also be able to assist if he drops by..........

toik1961 · Post by **toik1961** » 02 Jul 2003, 15:21

Jon,
Electrics are as standard nothing has been added! This problem is driving me mad, I've been stopped twice by the boys in blue....
Any info you can provide would be much appreciated.

wheeler · Post by **wheeler** » 03 Jul 2003, 04:17

do you know exactly what was replaced ? was it the BSI ECU that was replaced ? although it is a multiplexed system i think that the brake lamp circut is just a regular basic circut.i dont think that putting in a 15amp fuse is such a bad idea its only an extra 5amps,if you got a direct short circut it will still blow,it may just be that there is a slight surge from somewhere & 10mps is just too low.do you know if there is anything else on the same fuse ? i know it would be hard know exactly when it blows but has it ever blown and then blown another fuse straight away (a definite short) ? if not then i would go with the slightly higher fuse & monitor it.another thought is maybe one of the rear light clusters letting in water & getting in the bulb holder or multiplug (saw it on a peugeot once causing the fuse to blow once there was enough water),it should be obvious if water has been getting in (oxidisation on connectors).as the fault only happens once a fortnight it could make it quite hard to find.if there is a short then the wiring will have to be inspected from the fuse to the lights,a possible area where it could short is at the wiring from the switch chaffing on the steering column as it turns.let us know how you get on.

David Goddard · Post by **David Goddard** » 03 Jul 2003, 04:22

One check I would do is to remove both 21W brake lights. Then remove the 10A fuse replace it with an Ampmeter. Measure the current with the high level brake lights, measure the current with the RH 21W lamp; measure the current with the LH in (and RH lamp out). Check for similar current.
I don't know how many brake lights are fitted. One 21W lamp takes about 2A, the repeaters perhaps another 2A so with two lights and the repeater all on it should be about 6A in total. The initial current will be a bit higher, but a 10A fuse should be OK.
If there are more 21W lamps, like in a Xantia, the current will be closer to 10A. Hence, when the higher intitial current is also taken into account, a 10A fuse won't last very long. My Xantia lists a 20A fuse for the stop lights (but it also powers some other things).
I know nothing about Multiplex wiring, I know the C5 uses it, wasn't aware that the Xsara also uses it. Incidentally, where are the fuses. Under Multiplex operation, I would have thought they would need to be near the lamps, with a much higher rated fuse protecting the "ring main".

wheeler · Post by **wheeler** » 03 Jul 2003, 05:27

not all xsaras are mux,it started on the late mk1's. on the xsara there are some fuses in the BSI + a normal fusebox in the usual location.the fuse should always be as close to the power source as possible,even on mux.i should also have said dont forget the centre brakelight when thinking about water in bulbholder/connector (possible leaky washer jet ?)

tom c · Post by **tom c** » 27 Jul 2003, 04:51

my xsara 1998 estate suffered from a broken loom where it passed thought the rear hatch to the brake lights, i ended up with being able to turn the high level brake on with the intermittent rear wash wipe.two broken wires, repaired and back to normal.[8D]

toik1961 · Post by **toik1961** » 06 Aug 2003, 00:44

[:)]Seems my dramatic action had a result!
Basically I rejected the car back to my dealer, (didn't want now with or without problem) Seems there was an intermittent short in the wiring somewhere in the roof lining! When tested the fault reset the diagnostics machine....
Now gone for a Picasso instead....
Toik1961