S2 Xantia - No lights on dashboard

[Rhothgar]

What have you done to me?

It’s like I’ve opened Pandora’s Box!

Getting the connectors removed has ran me out of plasters...

And inside! Well!

Where do I start?

I can see some dry joints on the top surface but I’m left wondering if I should separate both layers and check for other dry joints on all sides?

A good couple of hours work I reckon taking it steady...

So pleased really though that you suggested this.

[Rhothgar]

In fact, I don’t think it’s easy to split that board unless you have a reflow oven and compatibility to manually handle the component whilst still in an oven.

So for now I am going to reflow all the ones I can see with lead solder.

If I hear to the contrary, in the meantime, then all I can do is go with that methinks.

Happy to be enlightened further though.

[Rhothgar]

xantia_v6. You absolute genius!

Add another car to your list that have suffered this problem.

Started the car and then decided to cut the solder wire whilst sweating like a bomb disposal expert. Car continued to run.

I could see minute stress fractures in some other solder joints so I licked them up with a bit of flux and reflowed with a bit of extra solder. Only had lead-free to hand anyway.

Another job done together with the leaky front O/S strut return pipe.

Next the speedo binnacle is coming out to effect that repair whilst I’m on a roll.

Then, at some point, refit all the interior bits I have stripped out, buy and fit window regulator repair kit for front O/S, repair cabin temp sensor and I think it might need a heater matrix at some point (can’t quite remember).

Probably regas all suspension.

Some of that work can wait to make sure it passes MOT before I spend another beam on the car.

Back friends with the car. Not quite in love yet. That may take some time to rebuild trust.

[CitroJim]

Roger, that's great news

[admiral51]

Good result Roger
Side note if the only issue with the binnacle is the rev counter needle at max then somewhere in my grey matter a simple way to fix it is use a thin wire pushed through the hole for the trip reset button and after lots of swearing flick it back to zero.

Colin

[white exec]

...or a strategic Citroen thump on the dash, iirc.

[Rhothgar]

...or a strategic Citroen thump on the dash, iirc.

I've tried those guys. I'll do a fresh post just in case there's more untapped knowledge out there.

So the car is fixed but I have no illumination on the dash. I've checked all the bulbs and about 5 or 6 are blown so need to check something simple like a fuse maybe!

[admiral51]

When you say Dash do you include the radio and heater panel ?
Have you taken the wheel out and not re connected it ?

Sorry by wheel i mean the dimmer wheel under the steering wheel housing

Colin

**Edit**
If you have the binnacle out replace the whole lot, been there and put it back and 2 weeks later one of them blows that i did not replace

[Rhothgar]

Oh Colin. Yes I disconnected the dimmer wheel to do the wiring checks for the non-start fault.

Now where's that faceplant emoji?

Ah yes!!!

Deserves 3 methinks.

As for replacing all the bulbs. Really? There's 31 in mine!!! They're a £1 each for Lucas.

Before I delve in and check which fuse it is, I'll replug the dimmer in. What a total clown! Would never have thought of that.

Be interesting to hear your thoughts on the rev counter post too. I think taking the needle off will solve it or some of it...

Thanks again.

[Rhothgar]

Have you taken the wheel out and not re connected it ?

Sorry by wheel i mean the dimmer wheel under the steering wheel housing

Colin

**Edit**
If you have the binnacle out replace the whole lot, been there and put it back and 2 weeks later one of them blows that i did not replace

All done! They're fine with the dimmer switch back in.

On the subject of the bulbs, I've checked them all with a jewellers loupe and some are intact in that quantity I've mentioned but have blackened glass so I will definitely be changing those unless I can find a bargain bundle of 31 bulbs. Don't want to really be buying Chinese though and fingers crossed that others don't go.

Let's hope the speedo is working right now. Got the rev counter working on spec.

Been a good day at the office.

[white exec]

Rapid Electronics (and others) will sell those small capless (T5) bulbs, 1.2W for instrument illumination, but 14v, which will have a longer life than cheapo 12v.

[Rhothgar]

Oh that’s interesting.

I thought they were 286 unless T5 could be simply another denomination. I’ll double check.

Found some Lucas 286 on Ebay for £2.95 for 10. Does make me question whether they are genuine at that price.

EDIT: Yes. A quick check reveals they are the same.

[admiral51]

All i can say Roger is ..............



Colin

[Rhothgar]

Spoke to MOT Station today and they are ordering me a complete set in for next week.

One more quick question though if I may.

May dash has around 10 empty holes? Should all holes be filled in a PCB or does it depend on the HDi model?

[admiral51]

Roger i would suggest you get the MOT done first and then replace the missing bulbs.

If you have the binnacle out i would recommend you shine a torch behind it as this will show the warning symbols that are missing a bulb. It would not be unusual for a previous owner to remove a bulb from an unused slot to replace a blown bulb.
I would guess that all binnacles would come complete with all bulbs from the factory as standard.
Colin