XM Series 2 relays - Where?

stuartb · Unread post by **stuartb** » 19 Nov 2005, 21:02

The climate control panel on my '97 XM TCT has gone totally dead - no digital display, no blower motor, only the backlighting when I turn on the lights. Looking at the wiring diagram, it looks like there are 2 relays used to provide power to the panel. 1 provides the power and the other provides a signal that the engine is running (i.e. from the alternator). There relays seem to be a good place to start looking for the problem, but does anyone know where they are physically located on the car? I'm quite happy to get the multimeter out, but I don't know which relays to start at because there are so many!

Thanks for any help,

Stu.

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 19 Nov 2005, 21:24

Start with the small fusebox just behind the battery, there is a fuse that controls both the blower and control panel, it may not have blown but is prone to bad connections. If that is the problem it will probably look burnt on one end. Sometimes just moving it will restore power but the contacts really need a good clean and tensioning if possible.

stuartb · Unread post by **stuartb** » 20 Nov 2005, 17:46

Peter,

Thanks for the tip. I looked in there and although the fuse looked ok at a glance, when I removed it, it left one contact in the socket and the whole thing was looking pretty rough.

A good clean-up and a new fuse has sorted everything out.

Cheers again,

Stuart.

Jade Falcon · Unread post by **Jade Falcon** » 21 Nov 2005, 23:14

I've had erratic problems with my Climate control on my 95 XM, and when it fails the main headlights fail, would it be worth checking the fuses under the bonnet as well?

I tried sussing out a car electric place and they were very vague.

Jade Falcon · Unread post by **Jade Falcon** » 22 Nov 2005, 17:53

I just checked out the auxiliary fusebox in my XM today and checked the No. 2 30 amp fuse. The metal strip at the top is fine but when I pulled the fuse out one of the prongs was blackened as was some of the plastic. Replaced it with a spare and it seems fine. Although twice it didn't cut in when the engine had trouble turning over in the cold, afterwards the climate control, headlights and rear demister worked fine.

This is what the fuse looked like

http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~dnicol/fuse1.jpg

http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~dnicol/fuse2.jpg

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 22 Nov 2005, 18:58

All the electrics near the front seem to be a problem, I think it is probably due to the ingress of salty road water, particularly from the motorways. That fuse box is the favorite though.

Jade Falcon · Unread post by **Jade Falcon** » 22 Nov 2005, 19:20

Well the town I live in is a coastal town which won't exactly help.

I'm relieved because I was thinking of taking it to a car electrics place, but the prices they quote just for looking at it can be frightening.