Xsara hdi indicator stalk problems

[dean36014]

I'm having a few problems with lights on my 2004 xsara hdi enterprise van. Basically I can flash the headlights when lights are off, but when lights are on no main beam and foglights don't work either. the dip beam warning light on the dash flashes constantly. Someone has been here before because the stalk has the switch for front and rear fogs whereas the van only has rear. the wiper stalk doesn't look original either as it has the position for auto wipers rather than intermittent. Now I'm assuming this is either a stalk or coms unit fault. when you rotate the light switch there is a slight delay before dip beams come on. The indicators work fine and the stalk isn't floppy.
If replacing the stalk will fix the problem does it have to be an exact same spec, i.e can it work with front and rear fog light switch when only rears are fitted?
If so would this cure my fault?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-Xsara ... SwP~tW4u4f
Or do i need to find a complete stalk unit? I've found one off a peugeot 206 which looks identical too, obviously need to get mine out and check the numbers.
thanks in advance.

[GiveMeABreak]

Can you post up your VIN and I'll have a look at what you are 'supposed' to have! These units are not all the same and have different Comms units (manufacturers & Types) depending on vehicle types, equipment levels and the type of multiplexed system. They have different chips inside and if these are not correct it can cause communications issues with the car's other systems. Just looking to see if they look the same is not enough.

[dean36014]

thanks, really appreciated. all the wipers are fine but headlights are strange and no fog lights at all.
Vin is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
Its a Citroen Xsara Enterprise van.
cheers, Dean

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok Dean, the Citroen Part number is 6242 J1. It is a Comms 2000 Unit made by Delphi in this case. I've cross referenced the alternate Part number and this is: 6477530XT

Here is a company that specialise in them - there are 2 choices they offer - a £120 Refurb unit or a £180 brand new unit:

http://www.peugeotpartsforsale.com/inde ... 96477530XT

Just watch out for second hand ones though, as given the age of these now, there's no guarantee what condition a used one will be in or how long it will last

One other thing to note - if you get a replacement COMMS 2000 Unit, make sure you retain your radio audio control stalk, as these are transferred over to the new / replacement units and don't come with the main comms unit. Usually, only the indicator and lighting stalks are included as these are part of the unit.

[dean36014]

Thats brilliant thanks. need to say some pennies up and order one.

[GiveMeABreak]

Thats brilliant thanks. need to say some pennies up and order one.

I've had a look at some of the fleabay ones, but at anything from £75 and up used, you'd probably be better off getting a refurbished / new one if you intend keeping the car - but for MOT issues for sure. Good luck

[dean36014]

So the link for the light switch above won't work because of the auto lights button? I notice on the part number you've supplied the fog lights has front and rear positions, will this matter as the van only has rears. the switch fitted at present has both positions. Also the wipers have an auto position just like my present ones instead of just intermittent like the van has. Your quite correct I won't bother with second hand but that delphi switch listed might be a solution for a fraction of price. Is it possible to just fit one half of the switch gear?

[GiveMeABreak]

The pictures are stock and are not representative in the links Dean - they have hundreds for all the PSA ones. It clarifies this if you click on either of the images, so don't worry. I've checked you specs. against your VIN and as you say no front fogs and intermittent wiper. You can always clarify this with them, as you now have the Citroen Part number and the long part number too. They should code it if necessary, but as you don't have a steering wheel angle sensor or ESP. it may not be necessary - they will know.

I wouldn't faff with changing parts - just replace the whole unit. If you have the audio stalks, they unclip out of the socket when you have removed the original unit so you can put them into the new one. The replacement unit usually has a couple of blanking plates in the socket of the Comms unit where the cruise control and audio control stalks would go - so just remove the audio one and put your old one in there. There's a 12 month warranty on the parts so don't change anything - just swap the new one in. Remember to disconnect the battery and leave it for 10 minutes before disconnecting the airbag connectors.

[dean36014]

Ok thanks for clarifying that, I googled the part number and found the same features on second hand stalks for sale so bit strange. Will get one ordered next month when i'm paid.

[Paul-R]

One other thing to note - if you get a replacement COMMS 2000 Unit, make sure you retain your radio audio control stalk, as these are transferred over to the new / replacement units and don't come with the main comms unit. Usually, only the indicator and lighting stalks are included as these are part of the unit.

I would imagine that if the car (unlikely in this case) has cruise control fitted then this stalk should also be retained to swap over.

[GiveMeABreak]

I think I mentioned that loosely Paul - but no cruise on this model, so just referred directly to the audio one.

[wheeler]

As far as the front & rear fogs go the stalk is the same on both models, the only difference is the symbol printed on the stalk, they are electrically identical. When the BSI is told the car has front fogs it just distinguishes one or two presses on the stalk.
And yes, neither the radio or cruise stalks (where fitted) come with the new comms unit, the need to be swapped over to the new unit.

[dean36014]

Just a little update. Driving it tonight hit a bump in the road and now everything is working and no flashing dip beam light on dashboard. Fogs work, main beam is working. Could it be possible that one of the connecting plugs has a dirty contact or lose?

[GiveMeABreak]

From what you are describing, we have several suspects and it is not going to be very easy to diagnose electrically because it is intermittent.

There are several possibilities, it could be the BSM engine fuse box which may have a broken solder joint / dodgy connector - as this is linked to the BSI and the COMMS 2000 unit under the steering wheel. The BSI and the Comms2000 unit both transmit information on this specific vehicle via the VAN 1 network as shown below:

As you can see the CV00 is the Comms 2000 unit, 5001 the rain sensor, 8038 the sunlight sensor and BSM is the Engine Fuse Box. These are linked to the BSI via the VAN 1 network.

The difficulty you have is in determining if this is a faulty Comms 2000 unit or the BSM engine fuse box / connection between them. If it is a solder joint, the cold weather may contract the break causing the problems to be more noticeable, but when it is warmer and the joint expands - it may become less frequent.

Regarding the Comms 2000 unit, is the indicator stalk slightly loose or wobbly? Usually, these are quite rigid and have no free play when gently moving. If the stalk is slightly loose and can be moved about, this could be causing the problems within this unit (fogs, headlights and main beam all on the same switch) - so I would still consider the comms 2000 unit the prime suspect - but due to the randomness of the problem (another comms 2000 characteristic) it would be hard to nail it with certainty. All I can tell you is that our dipped lights were going on and off on their own, main beam was sometimes not working, and the headlights would randomly switch off and on at night. We have the auto lights system - which again is handled by the comms unit. Sometimes switching to manual worked for a while but the problem got worse. A replacement comms unit cured everything.

[dean36014]

Sounds like its complicated the matter! The stalk feels, and looks like new. the van has a full service history from new but can't find any mention of them being replaced. As the van has done 271k there is no way they are original ones. The switches are nice and tight with no sloppiness, and jiggling the switches makes no difference to the light problems. Had a C5 years ago that had the dodgy light switches back then too but this doesn't feel the same at all.