Things that go click in the night.....

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
Rhothgar
Donor 2023
Posts: 1804
Joined: 22 Nov 2004, 00:21
Location: Nottingham - UK
My Cars: 2013 Peugeot 3008 Allure 1.6HDi - FD63 FWA VF3**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1995 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD S1 - M728 GDL VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1996 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD SX S1 - N707 MGP (Currrently laid up)
2000 Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi S2 - X435 JGJ VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] (Clutch died Dec 2017 - Resurrected Easter Sunday 2021)
1997 Citroen ZX SX TD - P788 AJL
1959 Landrover Defender S2 - Two owners from new
1968 Triumph Vitesse Convertible 2.0
1980 Ford Escort RS2000 Customer - 2nd Owner
1988 Saab 900 T16S - A 1980's exercise in understated Hooliganism...
Oh! and two Harley Davidsons - A 1990 Sportster and a 2003 Fatboy 100th Anniversary (the only vehicle I have owned from new)
x 80

Things that go click in the night.....

Post by Rhothgar »

Great drive to Austria in Sylv's ZX.

Brussels at rush hour - not good! If you think the English are bad drivers, go to Belgium!

It rained through Belgium and Luxembourg. Wipers were not in the best shape.

Total trip time 19 hours 15 minutes inc. ferry. Nice smooth crossing for £19.

Sylv clocked 180km/h. Thankfully I was snoring. 46mpg on first tank with sensible driving. 51mpg when driving fast. Very bizarre!

For those that are interested, tank filled to brim by Sylv (I didn't witness it though). Covered 569 miles on 55.92 litres and remainder of 397 miles on 35.17 litres.

I have a question / statement.

When I was driving, we heard a relay clicking fast. No lights were flashing. I actuated the indicator and switched off and the clicking went.

Also, a job I was going to do whilst back seems to have rectified. Everytime we out the front windows up the door solenoids clicked.

Totall unrelated I pulled the indicator relay out today and a purple one in the engine bay (no idea what it relates to) and the solenoid click from the doors when the front windows are actuated is now cured!

Any of you guys want to hazard a guess what could have been the cause?

To end, I was really dreading the drive in the ZX but as it happens I reckon the ZX is probably more comfortable than any Xantia.

As much as I love my Xantias, it shocked me just how good the ZX was overall. For a small car, it is incredibly comfortable.
citroenxm
Posts: 8061
Joined: 30 Dec 2004, 23:10
Location: Somewhere in North Wales, Anglesey
My Cars: M reg Xm S2 2.1td Auto Exclusive. 269k and rising
L reg XM S1 V6 12v Manual SEi
L 94 XM 2.1 TD auto total resto

2008 Peugeot 207 Sw 1.6 16v hdi. 217k and rising
2010 Peugeot 207 SW 1.6 8v HDi 161k and rising
x 71

Re: Things that go click in the night.....

Post by citroenxm »

Roger,

Thats a faulty INDICATOR stalk lever, NOT the relay. Its a common wear inside the indicator unit.. Replacment is needed as fires have been known to develop from it...
Sharing a pug 207 1.6 hdi Sw 16v.
M reg Xm 2.1 td auto exclusive S2 269k and rising
L reg XM V6 12v SEi auto .. Light project

A very sad...
1994 XM 2.1 d auto
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13743
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 3007

Re: Things that go click in the night.....

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I had a similar issue (rapid ticking) with Gracie when indicating right. I got a replacement (which turned out to be faulty), and when I removed the column shrouds I found the connector for the indicator stalk wasn't properly fitted. I swapped the stalk anyway (and found the new one to be faulty), put the old one back one (connector fitted correctly) and the problem has not happened since.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
citroenxm
Posts: 8061
Joined: 30 Dec 2004, 23:10
Location: Somewhere in North Wales, Anglesey
My Cars: M reg Xm S2 2.1td Auto Exclusive. 269k and rising
L reg XM S1 V6 12v Manual SEi
L 94 XM 2.1 TD auto total resto

2008 Peugeot 207 Sw 1.6 16v hdi. 217k and rising
2010 Peugeot 207 SW 1.6 8v HDi 161k and rising
x 71

Re: Things that go click in the night.....

Post by citroenxm »

I would STILL look into replaceing the stalk, and not ignoring it.

Its a standard item, depending on your Fog light configuration, theres a few formats..
Sharing a pug 207 1.6 hdi Sw 16v.
M reg Xm 2.1 td auto exclusive S2 269k and rising
L reg XM V6 12v SEi auto .. Light project

A very sad...
1994 XM 2.1 d auto
jacksun1987
Posts: 450
Joined: 03 Sep 2009, 18:47
Location:
My Cars:
x 1

Re: Things that go click in the night.....

Post by jacksun1987 »

My indercater relay clicks now and again it weird Weeks not here the clicking. Then a couple of days when driving click click. Then back to ok again
Rhothgar
Donor 2023
Posts: 1804
Joined: 22 Nov 2004, 00:21
Location: Nottingham - UK
My Cars: 2013 Peugeot 3008 Allure 1.6HDi - FD63 FWA VF3**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1995 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD S1 - M728 GDL VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1996 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD SX S1 - N707 MGP (Currrently laid up)
2000 Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi S2 - X435 JGJ VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] (Clutch died Dec 2017 - Resurrected Easter Sunday 2021)
1997 Citroen ZX SX TD - P788 AJL
1959 Landrover Defender S2 - Two owners from new
1968 Triumph Vitesse Convertible 2.0
1980 Ford Escort RS2000 Customer - 2nd Owner
1988 Saab 900 T16S - A 1980's exercise in understated Hooliganism...
Oh! and two Harley Davidsons - A 1990 Sportster and a 2003 Fatboy 100th Anniversary (the only vehicle I have owned from new)
x 80

Re: Things that go click in the night.....

Post by Rhothgar »

Might whip the stalk off and take a look.

It didn't happen when indicating from memory but indicating cancelled it.
citroenxm
Posts: 8061
Joined: 30 Dec 2004, 23:10
Location: Somewhere in North Wales, Anglesey
My Cars: M reg Xm S2 2.1td Auto Exclusive. 269k and rising
L reg XM S1 V6 12v Manual SEi
L 94 XM 2.1 TD auto total resto

2008 Peugeot 207 Sw 1.6 16v hdi. 217k and rising
2010 Peugeot 207 SW 1.6 8v HDi 161k and rising
x 71

Re: Things that go click in the night.....

Post by citroenxm »

It will Roger as it just adusts the connector inside the lever... It will get worse over time, the more its used...
Sharing a pug 207 1.6 hdi Sw 16v.
M reg Xm 2.1 td auto exclusive S2 269k and rising
L reg XM V6 12v SEi auto .. Light project

A very sad...
1994 XM 2.1 d auto
red_dwarfers
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 2504
Joined: 29 May 2008, 15:59
Location: Zomerzet UK
My Cars:
x 54

Re: Things that go click in the night.....

Post by red_dwarfers »

Sounds like a good trip! I've been warned about Brussels, we took a detour on our European road trip so we didn't have to drive anywhere near the place!


The title reminded me of a memorable carnival float I saw last year, very well put together it was and the women in costume were something else :shock: :-D

Kev

'19 C4 Cactus 130 Flair
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 25465
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
Location: Washington
My Cars: Mazda 6
Ooops.
Previously:
2009 Honda Civic :(
C5, C5, Xantia, BX, GS, Visa.
R4, R11TXE, R14, R30TX
x 4920

Re: Things that go click in the night.....

Post by myglaren »

I liked Brussels, it was pretty sleepy in September though :)

Image
Rhothgar
Donor 2023
Posts: 1804
Joined: 22 Nov 2004, 00:21
Location: Nottingham - UK
My Cars: 2013 Peugeot 3008 Allure 1.6HDi - FD63 FWA VF3**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1995 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD S1 - M728 GDL VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1996 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD SX S1 - N707 MGP (Currrently laid up)
2000 Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi S2 - X435 JGJ VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] (Clutch died Dec 2017 - Resurrected Easter Sunday 2021)
1997 Citroen ZX SX TD - P788 AJL
1959 Landrover Defender S2 - Two owners from new
1968 Triumph Vitesse Convertible 2.0
1980 Ford Escort RS2000 Customer - 2nd Owner
1988 Saab 900 T16S - A 1980's exercise in understated Hooliganism...
Oh! and two Harley Davidsons - A 1990 Sportster and a 2003 Fatboy 100th Anniversary (the only vehicle I have owned from new)
x 80

Re: Things that go click in the night.....

Post by Rhothgar »

I reckon you must have been feeling sleepy if the driving didn't faze you!
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 25465
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
Location: Washington
My Cars: Mazda 6
Ooops.
Previously:
2009 Honda Civic :(
C5, C5, Xantia, BX, GS, Visa.
R4, R11TXE, R14, R30TX
x 4920

Re: Things that go click in the night.....

Post by myglaren »

I cheated and flew, walked to the Atomium but took taxis from and to the airport. It was very quiet, I think everyone was on holiday.
bxzx16v
Posts: 1696
Joined: 29 May 2011, 22:11
Location: Sheffield
My Cars: Past Frenchies , 4xBx16v,1xBxGti,1xBxTzd,2xZx Volcanes,1xZx reflex,1xPug 405mi16, 3x Xantia 1.9td's,1x Xantia activa, 2x Renault 25 V6 turbo, 1 Zx16v ,1 Pug 406 V6 coupe ,1x C8 , 1x Berlingo van , 1x Xanti 2.1td , 1x Renault Laguna 3
x 35

Re: Things that go click in the night.....

Post by bxzx16v »

My Zx makes the same noise from the door solenoids when the window is fully up and closed . I've not had the indicator issue . I wouldn't say my Zx16v was as comfy as a Xantia but the volcanes/avantage and reflex models I've owned or driven certainly are . A very underrrated car the Zx , the only thing I've drove which comes close and possibly betters it I hate to say is the Mk1 fraud focus [-X .

Mark
2009 Landrover Freelander 2 TD4se (killed an Audi) , sadly now gone .
2012 Landrover Freelander 2 SD4 AUTO Love it . Now gone .
2014 Ford Bmax 1.0 Ecoboost Zetec . Fantastic little machine .Gone now.
2014 Ford Focus 2.0 Tdci Zetec S with the French heart.
Xantidote
Posts: 1146
Joined: 03 May 2009, 22:07
Location: Merseyside
My Cars:
x 5

Re: Things that go click in the night.....

Post by Xantidote »

Rhothgar wrote:When I was driving, we heard a relay clicking fast. No lights were flashing. I actuated the indicator and switched off and the clicking went.
Like Paul, my money's on the stalk switch. Had same problem on my Xantia, and took the switch apart which was a bit fiddly, but did manage to make it work properly. However, problem came back a year later, so replaced the switch.

Hope the rest of your trip goes smoothly.
Martin

1995 Xantia TDLX (deceased :( )
User avatar
Clogzz
Posts: 2115
Joined: 15 May 2005, 18:04
Location: Australia
My Cars:
x 36
Contact:

Re: Things that go click in the night.....

Post by Clogzz »

Working the emergency flasher switch a few times may fix the clicking sound.
2002 C5 2.0i AL4 230,000 km 76372389
citronut
Posts: 10937
Joined: 29 Apr 2005, 00:46
Location: United Kingdom east sussex
My Cars:
x 92

Re: Things that go click in the night.....

Post by citronut »

i recon your door solenoids click is fractured/broken wires in the door shut,
as you open and close the door they could be making and breaking, or earthing
Regards, malcolm.

current ride a BX 1.7 TZD estate
1986 MK1 BX 1.9na D Auto(in Mothman Andy's stable )
layed up roppy 1.9TD XANT estate, now gone to meet her maker
purple and lilac metalic 2CV(VIOLET)registered to her in doors
1972 DS special been layed up aprox 31 years
Post Reply