ZX Blackout

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Jon

ZX Blackout

Post by Jon »

I think that we covered this one on the forum a few months ago, but I cannot find the posting.
Car is 93 ZX Aura TD.
Anyway, the illumination for the heater controls and cigar lighter in the centre consule is now non existent, and I would be grateful if someone could talk me through the replacement procedure. I seem to remember that it involves removing the radio.
Talking of that, only about half the front of the radio still lights up, and I wonder whether there is any way to restore the brightness.
Any help gratefully received as ever.<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>
Thanks, Jon
Jon Wood
IT Supervisor
GSF t/as Andyspares
alan s
RIP 2010
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x 6

Post by alan s »

Hehehehe,
Even GSF guys have these problems hey?
Can't be any help about how to go about it apart from saying if it's as bad as a BX nobody envies you the job<img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>
Just thought I'd poke my nose in and mention that the latest thinking on these lights is to convert to LED's as they give a better light and apparently last as long as the car, hence you don't have to look forward to another battle in the future<img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle>
Hope that's some help anyway.
P.S. Keep your eyes open for a list of required bits heading your way in the next day or two.
Alan S
Jon

Post by Jon »

Ha ha. We just sell the parts, it doesn't mean I know how to fit the things too??!!!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
I'm interested in hearing about the LED bulbs, more info would be appreciated.
Anyone know how to fit them???
Cheers
JW
Jon Wood
IT Supervisor
GSF t/as Andyspares
NiSk
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Post by NiSk »

You can buy 12V led:s from any electronic component supplier (or Maplin via e-trade /mail order). You just find one the right size or smaller (they're often a lot smaller than filament lamps)and choose a colour of your liking. Then just solder in place of the old filament lamp. Some are polarity sensitive, so check that its connected the right way before soldering.
//NiSk
B_Draper
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Post by B_Draper »

Hey Jon
Found the page in question if you select Show Topics From Last Year - It is on Page 12
Took the liberty of copying text from myself!
"I found I had to take off the following in this order - I may be wrong in places as it was a while ago!
Leg Side vents next to centre console,
Ash Tray - there are Torx? bolts behide this,
Centre Console around handbrake,
Radio - you'll need to completley disconnect this,
Plastic Unit comprising of the centre airvents above the radio down to the plastic which is located behide the ash tray
Unscrew and slightly move the control panel but DO NOT bother to disconnect the wires/cables at the back as I did! Just CAREFULLY prise off the front with 2 wide flat screwdrivers and you should be able to change the bulbs!!
Basically follow the Hanyes manual up to the point where it tells you about removing the bulbs behide the unit."
For standard bulbs, all you need is the little interior 12V babies without the plastic holder! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>I've not heard of the bulbs being replaced by LEDs - Might try this next time they all blow! That'll be next Thursday at 3:00AM when I'm using them!
Not too sure about the radio - Does the manual say anything about adjusting the brightness <img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>
PS It is me or Citroen make their diffcult and cumbersome for the home DIYer to work on?<img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>
PPS: That's it - Too many post-scripts<img src=icon_smile_clown.gif border=0 align=middle> and too may icons for that matter!
Hope this helps
<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Jon

Post by Jon »

Thanks for that! That gives me a good idea of how to do it now. Cheers.
I'll try and do the job over Easter when I do full service and front and rear brakes too. The joys of ZX ownership.
As for the radio, its actually bulb failure that means one side of it no longer lights up. I may just have to live with that due to the fact that the cassette player gave up the ghost ages ago and for some reason the radio seems reluctant to receive any station but Radio2!!! Weird.
Jon Wood
IT Supervisor
GSF t/as Andyspares
B_Draper
Posts: 61
Joined: 16 Feb 2001, 17:51
Location: United Kingdom
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Post by B_Draper »

Not weird - that's just plain freaky !
Forgot to say when you come to remove the gearstick surround, don't remove it completely, simply move up and above of the mounting bolts and carefully twist 90 degrees so it sits parallel to the front of the seats
Would you mind doing a detailed post on how to change a ZX brakes
If poss. could this include front disks and pads and rear drum shoes
What probs do you encounter when changing them, etc
Cheers
hardmanm
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Post by hardmanm »

Hi Jon,
Now you mention it the radio reception on my Xantia is terrible too, with lots of crackling when the car is moving (fine when stationary)
I have changed the radio to a Kenwood which worked brilliantly in a previous car, so the fault looks like the aerial
If anyone has any pointers on this one I'd be grateful
Mark
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Thanks for that! That gives me a good idea of how to do it now. Cheers.
I'll try and do the job over Easter when I do full service and front and rear brakes too. The joys of ZX ownership.
As for the radio, its actually bulb failure that means one side of it no longer lights up. I may just have to live with that due to the fact that the cassette player gave up the ghost ages ago and for some reason the radio seems reluctant to receive any station but Radio2!!! Weird.
Jon Wood
IT Supervisor
GSF t/as Andyspares
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
Jon

Post by Jon »

Going back to what Mark was saying about radio reception, this is another common fault on all Citroens with the roof mounted aerial.
The problem is caused by the aerial base, water gets in there and it corrodes internally. Causing poor reception. The answer is to fit a new aerial base. Easy enough job. Citoren ref is 656110, and we also sell them at Andyspares for £3.00. Not the end of the world.
I'm sure thats whats wrong with my ZX. If I could be bothered I'd change it, but by now I have become used to the Terry Wogan show!!!
<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Jon Wood
IT Supervisor
GSF t/as Andyspares
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