Xantia 2.0 hdi

[bill hughes]

Hi all can anyone advise me on this one, I have had this car for 2 weeks and noticed yesterday that when I apply the footbrake the speedo and rev counter are illuminated, I've never come across this before and am baffled, thanks for any help.

[chinkostu]

You've got a brakelight in the wrong way or a single filament where a dual should be.

[CitroJim]

Yes indeed. If not the bulbs then check the light cluster earth's are good. Had earth's can cause some really bizarre symptoms too...

[bill hughes]

Thanks for replies fellers, my xantia is an estate, and when I renewed the rear outside bulb on the passenger side I noticed a black wire which ran down the rain channel and into the back of the light unit, not connected to anything, as it wasn't part of the loom I thought it might be something to do with the tow hitch lighting, which I don't use, now I'm wondering if it is an earth lead as citrojim suggested, will give it a go in the morning, Cheers. Bill

[chinkostu]

thats possible, as the bulb is earthing back through the rest of the lighting!

[CitroJim]

A bad earth on an estate is very possible Bill, due to the well-known issues with the tailgate wiring where it passes the hinges through the concertinas....

I have the work going diagrams for this bit of the car if you need them....

[bill hughes]

Thanks a lot for your help Jim, it seems that someone at sometime has had an earthing problem on the rear lights and has run an independent earth lead from somewhere up front down the inside of the tailgate and into the back of the light pod, I've secured it to the bolt that holds the pod in and bingo! all is well, so Citroen forum does it again, cheers mate
Bill

[CitroJim]

Bill, that's excellent news

[bill hughes]

Hi all I thought I had cured this problem but its back again, chinkostu suggested that the bulbs might be wrong as it began when I changed the stop lamp bulb, the old bulb shattered whilst removing it so not sure if it was single or double filament so I fitted a single as it was just a stop light, is this correct, the new bulb is wedged in the holder and so far has refused to come out, could this be the problem, behind the drivers side lamp cluster looks like spaghetti junction, probably where someone has taken the tow bar wiring from so didn't want to mess with that, thanks for any thoughts you may have.

Bill

[chinkostu]

If its anything like the saloon all the sidelight and brakelight bulbs are dual filament!

Edit: servicebox shows duals for the rear sidelight and brakelights, singles for fog and reverse and yellow for indicators. Is the board a little bit crusty?

[Xantidote]

Bit late now, but you should be able to tell whether or not a broken bulb is dual filament by inspecting the bottom of the bulb. Two contact "nibs" = dual filament (at least it is on 21/5 watt bulb). I'd also expect the socket's contacts to tell you - either one or two contacts to marry with the bulb.

[bill hughes]

Many thanks for your reply Stu. that might explain why the bulb is stuck in the holder as if my memory serves me right dual filament bulbs have staggered pins, and yes there is a bit of crud in there but I've seen a lot worse, also there is water in the double skin of the lens, there's a round rubber bung inside the pod which I presume is to let the water out, but if I remove it god only knows how I would refit it, so I've just left it.

[bill hughes]

Many thanks Xantidote for your reply, but in my defence I have only come across a dual filament bulb in a combined stop tail light and didn't inspect the bottom of the bulb or the holder, a lesson learnt, so thanks mate, Bill

[chinkostu]

Yea the pins are staggered aswell although it is possible to put them in wonky (i've done it a few times)

[bill hughes]

That bulb is coming out tomorrow for sure, then I can look inside the bulb holder for 2 contact points, I'm certain there will be and hopefully end of problem, will keep you posted,