Xantia 2.0 hdi estate

[bill hughes]

Hi
can any of you gentlemen out there tell me how to remove the number plate lamp holder, the Haynes book of says just prise it out with a screw driver, I have gently tried this knowing how fragile old plastic can be but there is a lot of resistance and I am worried about breaking it. thanks for any advise

Bill

[wheeler]

They are very easy to break, especially when that old. The last time i replaced one (which was quite a few years ago now) they were only around £7 new from the dealers.

[bill hughes]

Wheeler Thanks for your reply as I was not sure if these are still available, some parts are not now but will check with Citroen

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

Can't be sure about the Xantia Estate, but I'd guess its likely to have the same set up as my 405 Estate of likely similar age (1995)

There's more than one way into the Number Plate light, see pics.

[bill hughes]

PUG XUD
many thanks for your reply but I think my Xantia is different as the lamps are nowhere near the windscreen wiper motor, I think I will remove the tailgate inner lining and see it there is anything securing it from the inside as I said in my post it wont prise out as Mr Haynes suggests

Thanks Bill

[Estately]

Hi Bill,
That 405 number plate light in the photos looks nothing like our X reg 2.0l HDi estate number plate light holders, now sadly gone.
Neither will you find a way in from inside the tail gate, you will only disturb the plastic shield that prevents water getting in. They have used witchcraft to get a seal so unless you practice the black art and feel like a spending an uncomfortable half hour leave well alone.
What you really want to do is raise the tail gate preferably on a dull day and look carefully (ok I know you did already) up at the plastic holders using your best glasses for the focal length and a decent light. You will see a small slot, one per holder if I remember correctly in the narrow edge of the oblong. A small jewellers type flat bladed screwdriver will fit, it just levers out, anything bigger is used it will break the plastic, not that it can be guaranteed not to crack anyway given the age.
Doubly frustrating in that you will be working in an uncomfortable position.
I would try searching the ether for a couple of new ones as super glue may give in when you try to push a repaired one home.

Good luck
Andy.

[bill hughes]

Hi Andy
many thanks for your sound advice which I have duly noted especially the tailgate bit, the problem I have is that one lamp is out and was entered as an advisory on the last mot but I failed to notice either, I presume that it will fail if I present it this year with just the one lamp working. I expected it to be just a bulb blown but no luck, I dont know what to look for if I do get the holder out but I will give it a go, thinking back to the last mot I remember they charged me for a bulb somewhere else which leads me to think maybe they tried a new bulb in the lamp and just left it when it failed to cure the problem, I think I will need your "good luck "
I will let you know how I get on

thanks again Bill

[Estately]

Hi again Bill,
Dredging what is left of my memory, I think the number plate bulbs are all glass, no metal and solder, but with the connections folded around each side of the glass shoulder. They may be the same (5w) as the interior light bulbs up by your ear on the door pillar and are just a push in fit. Tricky to clean the holder. You probably realise that the inside of the bulb tends to go black but if I am right at least if the interior lights work you have a couple of spare bulbs. I blamed my passenger door slammers for rattling the bulb connections with a regular no show interior light.

Now there will be those on here who know the MOT rules and regs well, but it may be that after a recent change if only one of the two rear number plate lights work that is an advisory not a fail.
Must say a couple of bright number plate lights will not attract unwanted attention from the traffic gentlemen if there are any left on our roads and is preferable for the looks of the car.

Hope that helps
Andy.

[RichardW]

I'm pretty sure these work arse about face - there should be a small hole at each end of the plastic lens. Insert an appropriate device (bradawl or similar) in the hole and then gently lever outwards along the long axis of the cover, i.e. away from the lens, and this should release it. Easy to break so go gently as Wheeler says.

Under current MOT regs only one needs to work.

[bill hughes]

Richard and Andy
thanks again for your replies,, I managed to get the glass lens off no problem, had a pack of new bulbs, all glass as Andy said but still no light so I have been trying to get the holder out itself, that's the problem, I have now noticed that one of the two offside tail lights is not working and a new bulb is not curing that so I think it maybe time for an auto electrician, I hate giving up but Citroen electrics are not my forte, thanks Richard for the mot advice

Cheers Bill ps there might be a xantia estate on the market soon

[Estately]

Hi Bill,
A voltage tester will be required to check the bulb holders.
Anything not working in the tail gate after a bulb holder test will be down to the wires fracturing inside the plastic insulation where they come out of the main car bodywork and are twisted/flexed as the tail gate is opened and closed. Often you will see signs of the plastic cracking when you look at the wires protected inside the ribbed rubber conduit.
Once again patience, some suitable wire and a soldering iron and tape could be used to splice in new lengths of wire. I suspect that the tail gate loom is no longer available or would match the current gold price if you could get it from Citroen.
Thinking about it check the earths for rust and or loose fitting first.

Hope that helps.
Andy.

[bill hughes]

Thanks Andy
a mate is coming round at the weekend with a multimeter and we are going to have a go at it, will keep you posted

Bill

[admiral51]

Bill i have been watching as i have never had an estate, but this S2 Xantia Estate Tailgate Lights Not Working may help you out if you have missed it
Has some very good wiring info in it
Colin

[CitroenCrazy]

As the one who started the "S2 Xantia Estate Tailgate Lights Not Working" thread, I would say definitely look in the rubber concertina between the body and the tailgate first.

[bill hughes]

Thanks Andrew I will have a look at that also
Cheers Bill