Ebay Activa FS

handyman · Unread post by **handyman** » 24 May 2010, 23:07

Check out 320536907328, could be a good deal for somebody.

zz9 · Unread post by **zz9** » 01 Jun 2010, 00:08

It's looking good so far....

I bid for this and ended up winning it for £170

. Picked it up today and drove from Hull back to London at slightly illegal speeds... Engine runs perfectly. Temp gauge only reached about 1/4 but my other Activa does exactly the same and never had a problem.

There are a couple of issues, but at that price I'm certainly not complaining.
The heater fan doesn't work, a problem I had with an earlier MkI Xantia where the heated rear window went at the same time. I'll try to sort that because I want the AC working for the summer!
And it seems to be riding higher than it should, though it handles well. Got back home late and tired so I'll have a good look at it tomorrow.

The seller was expecting someone to buy it and put the engine into a Pug but I've assured him that's not my plan. The paintwork is a bit flaky in places but is otherwise sound and the inside is very clean. Hopefully it'll make a good runner and stay on the road for a long time.

I'm certainly not a mechanical expert so I may well pop back asking for advice from the far more knowledgeable people here.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 01 Jun 2010, 05:36

Delighted it's come to an Activa enthusiast rather than someone who would break it

Just post any problems and we'll help you get it into top order

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 01 Jun 2010, 08:26

Brilliant stuff! I'm pleased (and relieved) another one is owned by
an owner who knows precicely what it I'd they've actually got!!

It'd be great if you could keep us up up to date with your findings and
as Jim says, anything that needs advice (specifically Activa related) post
on the forum/Activa area - found at the foot of the forum main page;
certianly don't be afraid to ask away and somebody somewhere will usually
have the answer!!

Andrew

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 01 Jun 2010, 09:47

Thats good news, nice to see its gone to a good home

robert_e_smart · Unread post by **robert_e_smart** » 01 Jun 2010, 10:32

What a relief, its good to know that another Activa isn't getting Puggerised.

zz9 · Unread post by **zz9** » 01 Jun 2010, 14:47

Thanks for the support chaps. Glad to save it.

I've had a quick look (its raining) and it appears that the front is riding higher than it should. In the pile of paperwork (including every MOT its ever had and servicing going back to 1999) it had a local garage that did most of the servicing "Remove and repair front height corrector linkage" about six months ago.
Could it have been done wrong? Or gone again? Also with the engine running I can close the drivers door and rock the car. Shouldn't it stiffen up after thirty seconds? Because it doesn't. (I don't think I ever tried this on my other Activa, and it's off the road now hence this purchase)

Invoice for timing belt change at 70k, and it's now on 150, so that looks like a priority...

KP · Unread post by KP » 01 Jun 2010, 15:08

If you try to rock it the car will push back against you. mine does this and is very stiff in this respect. It coulde be worn height corrector linkages or the bush's they sit on may be shot too.

KevMayer · Unread post by **KevMayer** » 01 Jun 2010, 16:24

If it doesn't firm up after 30 secs it may have non-hydractive spheres on the corners. I had this on my Activa. It's usually done because the electrovalves aren't working.

What's the problem with your other Activa? Can we help?

zz9 · Unread post by **zz9** » 01 Jun 2010, 16:59

My other Activa, a MkII, has a LHM leak from somewhere around the engine. I've fitted a new pump and the Pliades main hose. It's lazyness on my part in not sorting it out.

Went for a spin and the Activa anti roll function is definitely working. Would that work if it has non hydractive spheres?

The ABS light is on and I found out (in a controlled test on a wet road) that the ABS doesn't work. The seller said a wire was lose under the front that is the cause so more investigation.

And I had another case of "Activa speed blindness" as I call it. On my old car I had people pull out in front of me all the time on roundabouts because, I believe, they see me coming around the corner but because they don't see any roll they assume I am going far slower than I actually am. I've been driving another car for months and back in this Activa today I had someone pull out in front of me. That's where the ABS could really come in useful.

I'm working for the next five days so barring any breakdowns I'll have to leave any more investigation until next week.

Unread post by **Dommo** » 01 Jun 2010, 17:28

zz9 wrote:Also with the engine running I can close the drivers door and rock the car. Shouldn't it stiffen up after thirty seconds? Because it doesn't. (I don't think I ever tried this on my other Activa, and it's off the road now hence this purchase)

If the engine is running, then no it shouldn't stiffen up after 30 seconds. The only reason it stiffens up after 30 seconds with the doors shut and the engine off is to save the battery, as the electrovalves are off when in stiff mode.

zz9 · Unread post by **zz9** » 01 Jun 2010, 17:37

Ahhh, thanks Dommo.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 01 Jun 2010, 20:26

ABS is very likely to be one of the sensors duff..

They can be easily tested with an ohmmeter. There are a few threads on here telling how. Note that MK1 and MK2 ABS ECUs are different and have different wiring.

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 01 Jun 2010, 22:48

Glad to see its been saved

Take a look at this thread for pinouts on both S1 and S2 Xantias.

zz9 · Unread post by **zz9** » 02 Jun 2010, 22:21

Thanks for that Red Dwarf. I'll have to check that out next week.