Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Tell us your ongoing tales and experiences with your French car here. Post pictures of your car here as well.
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bobins
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by bobins »

My guess is that the whole headlight unit predates the lower LED DRLs and the mystery lamps were originally sidelight / DRLs. Mrs Bobins' VW Up! has a dual filament lamp that does either sidelamps or DRLs - they are also universally short lived so you'll often see an Up! with at least one DRL not working #-o
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MattBLancs
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by MattBLancs »

It's a good guess, I'm not sure, but I think all the "facelift" 308 had LED daytime running lights in the bumper, as per this one and I also think the "pre-facelift" first generation 308 had different headlamp units (slightly different shapes between them, I think!)

Plenty of I thinks there to be honest! :)
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MattBLancs
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by MattBLancs »

MattBLancs wrote: 21 Apr 2025, 20:20 the "facelift" 308 had LED daytime running lights in the bumper, as per this one and I also think the "pre-facelift" first generation 308 had different headlamp units (slightly different shapes between them, I think!)
Pre facelift headlights
Pre facelift headlights
Vs

Post facelift
Post facelift
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MattBLancs
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by MattBLancs »

In fact that red one shows the bonus bulb reflectors quite clearly!
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CitroJim
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by CitroJim »

Is there any wiring to it Matt?
Jim

A bit of a Citroen AX fan...
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MattBLancs
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by MattBLancs »

CitroJim wrote: 22 Apr 2025, 05:13 Is there any wiring to it Matt?
Good question Jim, I'll have a look soon. It's bottom of the lamp unit so might need a bit of a dig down to confirm :)
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mickthemaverick
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

A thought just occurred to me. Does the car have 'follow you home' or 'round the corner' lights? :-D
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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mickthemaverick
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

Pursueing that thought I came across this, it may suggest the answer!! :-D

https://www.peuclub.com/pgcont-1134.html
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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MattBLancs
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by MattBLancs »

Thanks for the digging Mick!
mickthemaverick wrote: 22 Apr 2025, 10:15 Pursueing that thought I came across this, it may suggest the answer!! :-D

https://www.peuclub.com/pgcont-1134.html
I've had a good read of that, unless the manual is "dumbed down" for the average reader, but that seems to talk only of Dipped Beam being used for the "exterior welcome lightning" and "manual guide me home lighting"

Not sure on the cornering lighting - will have to have a play (one I've confirmed if there's any wiring to these bulbs, as Jim suggested) :)
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bobins
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by bobins »

I reckon the reason your headlight assembly has the extra lamp fitted is actually rather boring - it goes something like this :
The styling and design departments were tasked with coming up with a headlight unit for the new model, which they accomplished and the design got passed and the contracts for manufacture of the headlight units were awarded and production of them started.
Then along comes the marketing department who suddenly decide that what the public really wants is a string of separate LED DRLs as that's what the competition is fitting to their cars.
Cue : Facepalming of the styling and design departments as the string of LED lights is cludged onto the bumper #-o

End result - the original design of headlight units still have their DRL fitments, and a string of LED fairy lights is used as DRLs instead ](*,)
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MattBLancs
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by MattBLancs »

bobins wrote: 21 Apr 2025, 20:16 My guess is that the whole headlight unit predates the lower LED DRLs and the mystery lamps were originally sidelight / DRLs.
Bobbins gets the points I think, here is Haynes:
Picture from Haynes (covers pre- and post- facelift 308)
Picture from Haynes (covers pre- and post- facelift 308)
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MattBLancs
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by MattBLancs »

bobins wrote: 22 Apr 2025, 20:45 I reckon the reason your headlight assembly has the extra lamp fitted is actually rather boring - it goes something like this :
The styling and design departments were tasked with coming up with a headlight unit for the new model, which they accomplished and the design got passed and the contracts for manufacture of the headlight units were awarded and production of them started.
Then along comes the marketing department who suddenly decide that what the public really wants is a string of separate LED DRLs as that's what the competition is fitting to their cars.
Cue : Facepalming of the styling and design departments as the string of LED lights is cludged onto the bumper #-o

End result - the original design of headlight units still have their DRL fitments, and a string of LED fairy lights is used as DRLs instead ](*,)
Definitely! :-D
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MattBLancs
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by MattBLancs »

My next wonder is whether they can be switched back on in Diagbox, and then perhaps be swapped for these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/356031062871
eBay jazzy LEDs
eBay jazzy LEDs
Temptingly cheap, as usual!

Think I'll leave that for another day "when I've nowt else going on" :)
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MattBLancs
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by MattBLancs »

This is more a priority - curing the poor car of it's current cataracts (headlamp cloudy plastic)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184431151152

I'll have a search if the forum to see that's been noted down by others to fix this problem. Sure I've heard mention of toothpaste for the task....
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mickthemaverick
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Re: Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

Search no longer!! K2 is the best I have found and I've used many of them over the years! :-D

viewtopic.php?p=830816#p830816
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!