backlights, flashes are OFF, stoplights work.HELP!

[schumifer]

Hello!
I have been here many times but never had to bother with with my staff since all my questions were already answered.
Now i got myself in a weird situation and since i am abroad (car bought in Greece, now live i Sweden) i have pretty limited acquaintances to help me out

Here is the issue.


Citroen Xsara II is the car, has about 113.000 km.
Tried to change the interior w5w bulbs to some led stuff. Worthless by the way. In the process i blew a fuse, changed it, and went home.
Next time i used the car i realized that i had NO turn lights (flashes) and no trail lights. Brake lights work. I also got an ANTIPOLLUTION error and that irritating orange bulb in the control panel lid up

When i use the flashes i have NO working bulbs, and the indication at the control panel flashes at double the speed!

I have checked both the fuseboxes without any success.

Any hints?

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

It would seem that the LEDs you have fitted are not suitable for the lighting circuit in question, as LEDs do not draw as much power as a conventional filament bulb. This will certainly casue rapid flashing of lights and other problems. The easiest way to check this is to replace the bulbs with the W5W original bulbs, then check your fuses afterwards. Be careful though - if you use a metal screwdriver to get the bulbs out you may cause a short circuit.

[schumifer]

Maybe i didn't explain it, i already replaced the led-crap with the original, besides i did not change the flashe-turnindicator bulbs but only the interior.
In any case only original bulbs in the car just now!
How come all flash-lights are dead and the back (trail) lights?

[GiveMeABreak]

Tried to change the interior w5w bulbs to some led stuff.

What you said above says you have changed the W5Ws to LEDs, hence why I said to change them back. Don't worry, it must have got lost in translation

Rapid flashing can also be caused by a failed relay - if something has blown the fuse then whatever it was may of caused more damage. Double check all the fuses again. What is you VIN?

[schumifer]

Thanks Marc

I actually checked and doublechecked the fuses, both under the hood and over the driver's knee.
I was actually hoping that it would be a fuse problem...
The relay then, can it be the cause behind non working flashes??? I mean all four of them are suddenly dead. White is it located? Under the steering wheel? Can I check it somehow???

I do not have the vin, it is a xsara phase II, 2002 modell. I Will go find it if you need it

Thanks again for all your help

[GiveMeABreak]

The VIN is on the outside of the windscreen, at the bottom left hand side in a small window, Should contain a 17 alphanumeric code.
Don't rush - I'm doing the dinner! It will help me locate the relays / fuses for you.

[schumifer]

Hey Marc

Sorry for the delay but I hurt my foot yesterday so it takes a century to go to the car

Thanks for your help

Vin
VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

[GiveMeABreak]

No problems. I've sent you the information via email regarding the various fuseboxes on your car, plus your specs sheet. Hopefully this will help you to double check all the relevant fuses. Also, you can try a BSI reset too, which can often cure electrical niggles. I've put that in the email too for you. I hope your foot is better soon!

[schumifer]

I 'll go down to the parking as soon as i can put some weight on my foot.
Do you know where the flash relay is located?
Do you think that a burnt-out bulb can do all this? If a turn light burns out shouldn't the rest still work?
Where is the BSI located?

[GiveMeABreak]

The BSI is in the cabin - you have a left hand drive model so will be on the driver's side dashboard - usually where there is a storage compartment. I've sent you a PDF with the fuse locations on the car to help. The lighting circuits are funny things - a blown bulb could result in some odd behaviour - check they are all secured into the sockets properly - especially as you have gone and taken out all the LED bulbs and put the originals back in. If some of the outside bulbs had been replaced with LEDs - then the last owner may have fitted some load resistors to make the LEDs work. If this is the case, you would need to remove the resistors if you have now replaced them with filament bulbs.

[schumifer]

I am the first owner, all bulbs are original. I changed only the w5w at the front on the inside, the one that is near the rear view mirror, and then i changed it right back.

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, I understand now! When you are not hobbling about, try the reset procedure I emailed you first. That will ensure it is not an electrical niggle. Then you have the info to check the relays and or fuses in case you weren't aware of all the hidden ones!

[schumifer]

Wow it took forever to dismantle the BSI case, it is really jammed in there.
Unfortunately no fuses that are burnt, no cables that are gone or something.
I couldn't get access though to the inside of the BSI, although i do know what i could have fixed in there

I am starting to believe that it is BSI issue unfortunately.
Any other ideas?
I still have no flashes, no registration-plate lights, no dipped lights. The flasher on the control panel flashes at double the speed when i turn the indicator switch up or down
Indicator bulbs are ok

Thanks in advance

Alex

[GiveMeABreak]

I'd be very careful with the BSI, it is very delicate and expensive to replace. The fuses should be checkable without having to take it out, but yours is a LHD so may be more inaccessible. If you have checked everything you can with regard to the fuses and the relays, then your next step should be to get it onto a Lexia for a diagnostic.

This should identify if there are any specific faults and where to start looking next. Checking the fuses and relays was an obvious first step, but there looks to be something more going on there now. I'm thinking of the Comms 2000 unit that your car has - this handles all the signalling and lighting commands. Is the indicator stalk a bit loose or floppy? Were you noticing any issues previously were the indicators may not self-cancel or any other erratic behaviour with the main or dipped beam lights? It may be difficult finding somebody where you are located in Sweden with a Lexia - but that really should be your next step. If it identifies a communication problem with the Comms 2000 unit, then these can be bought from places like here either new or reconditioned: the Comms 2000 unit part number for your Xsara II is 6242 C2.

http://www.peugeotpartsforsale.com/inde ... rch=6242C2

I would strongly suggest you do get a diagnostic done on it first though Alex before replacing any parts.

[schumifer]

The indicator stalk had never misbehaved before.
I am going to try and get it checked as soon as possible as it is almost time fir my annual car-check routine here in Sweden...
Thanks for your help Marc.
Do you by any chance know where the flash relay is located?