Xantia Clock Fading and Zeroing

[ecohouse1]

I have this random thing with the clock/thermometer display in the Xantia dash fading away. The lighting stays bright (when the lights are on) but the LCD display can completely disappear then fad back in again. Sometimes it resets to 0.00 time and 1/1 on the date. Not always on starting but sometimes!

I thought at first the battery needed a boost so removed, fully charged then replaced the battery but no change!

Anyone else had this?

[CitroJim]

Had it on one of mine but never came close to finding the cause I'm afraid.

I'd say a replacement clock module would be advised as it can't be loosing all power else it would reset every time...

[Hell Razor5543]

I had something similar on my BX. It was due to a poor solder join. I sorted it out with a soldering iron and some solder. If you know what you are looking for it is easy to find; a dry solder join is usually silvery grey (a good join is shiny silver), the other possibility (joins wise) is a cracked join, a good look can find these, and again a soldering iron and solder can fix these.

[Mandrake]

YES! I have this all the time now, to the point where the clock is useless. It started with random resets to 00:00 which could happen at any time - sometimes when starting the car, but also at random whilst the car is parked or driving.

More recently the display has intermittently started fading right out and back in again, also at random, usually while driving the car. When the display first started fading out I noticed things like the display blacking when the key was off but coming on when the key was on accessory, sometimes the reverse where it would go off in accessory but then come on again in ignition etc.. so it does seem to be related to the power from the ignition switch.

There is obviously a constant live feed to keep the clock running all the time, and an ignition switched feed (or accessory, not sure) as the temperature is only displayed when the key is on, and you can only program the time with the key on.

The first step is probably to check both the constant and switched supplies to the clock but I have not had time to do this as I've been battling with more serious problems...

If you figure it out please let us know

[Chris570]

My Hdi had this. It wasnt' temp related nor engine start related or anything else.

My suspicion is it's the clock itself as the wiring to it is ok. That said mine is now behaving following a removal of an amplifier

[Mandrake]

I might take mine out and check it for dry joints then. (Assuming it can be disassembled sufficiently) It's pretty useless as it is now as a clock since it can't be trusted, and even as a thermometer its not great as its faded out half the time...

[PavlosV6]

Had it on one of mine but never came close to finding the cause I'm afraid.

It's still happening lol!

[CitroJim]

Had it on one of mine but never came close to finding the cause I'm afraid.

It's still happening lol!

I think I might have a spare MK1 clock knocking about Paul... If I have you can try it... I'll be in touch

[Hell Razor5543]

Jim, if you can get Paul to send you the old one, I'll be happy to look and see if I could fix it (if it is solder joins).

James

[CitroJim]

No need for Paul to send it James, he lives locally

[Hell Razor5543]

Jim, in hindsight (and with knowledge of your career background) I realised that your soldering skills are probably a lot better than mine. Please accept my apologies, and that the offer was made with good intent (and still stands, if needed).

James

[CitroJim]

That's no worries at all James Paul is of the same background too. In fact we both started our apprenticeship on the same day over 37 years ago and have been good friends since...

So Paul is quite capable too and a lot more capable than me. I've seen him delve into such small electronics I can barely see and successfully fix them...

[PavlosV6]

That's no worries at all James Paul is of the same background too. In fact we both started our apprenticeship on the same day over 37 years ago and have been good friends since...

So Paul is quite capable too and a lot more capable than me. I've seen him delve into such small electronics I can barely see and successfully fix them...

James, I'd like to reiterate Jim's comments - no problem. And we still use the stuff with lead in it

Best,

Paul.

[Hell Razor5543]

Snap. It works properly. If I were to solder the clock joints, I would want to use the same type of solder as in the original joints.

James

I still have a full reel of good solder. I am very sparing with it.

[Mandrake]

Count me in as another person who hates lead free solder. Yes, it's good for my health but its not fit for purpose IMHO. I still have a trusty roll of fine gauge 60/40 leaded solder that I brought with me from NZ...