Different Xantia Heater Problems

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fatbugger
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Different Xantia Heater Problems

Post by fatbugger »

Why do all these problems come together?
97 Xantia 1.9TD LX with aircon. If heater blower is used on full to defrost screen or heat car after about 15 mins it either starts to slow down or get noisy or sometimes both.If you try to switch it off you cant it stays on slow no matter what the position switch is in. The only way you can switch it off is to turn ignition off. If you then restart the car blower will not work. If you switch to full or auto you just get a clonking noise. If left then for a couple of hours we are back to full power again for another 15-20 mins and so on.
Can anyone help?
Merry Christmas Eveyone
Mike
Mike
mickhorler
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Post by mickhorler »

I have a similar problem on a 97 TD Xantia with aircon, and it's driving me nuts!
The blower motor is currently not working at all, then it will occasionally work at a slow speed, and every once in a while (when you don't need it), it works ok. Trouble is, it's my wife's car, and I keep getting grief about it!
I'm going to check out the charging system on the car, as apparently the blower motor needs more than 12 volts to get it started, and if the alternator/ battery aren't giving enough power, then it won't kick in. It also needs a signal from the ignition switch to get it going once the engine is running, and it won't work without the signal, unless you bypass the relevant relay, which I did some time ago, and it worked ok for a while, but now has the old problem back!
Jon

Post by Jon »

I'll double check, but this problem may be caused by something called a Bitron unit.(also known as the Aircon ECU).
Its a kind of relay fitted by the LH headlamp only in cars with Aircon that also controls the engine cooling fans. As it senses temperature, its possible that its cutting off the fan motor in cold conditions?
Someone else may confirm this, but its definately a known problem on Xantia's with aircon, and we sell quite a few of them.
The heater motor itself on Xantias with aircon is also unreliable. Unfortunately its expensive and "Citroen only" at the moment.
Jon Wood
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fatbugger
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Post by fatbugger »

Thanks for the info Mick & Jon.
Could be the bitron sensor as I have'nt heard the rad fans kick in for some while even on hot days in the summer when the gauge has crept up a bit.Do we know what the difference is between aircon/non aircon heater motors as I dont fancy even asking Citroen their prices.
Might have to be a visit to the breakers if I can find one with the right car.
regards
Mike
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nick
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Post by nick »

I think on later models the bitron system was fitted whether or not they had aircon. Certainly my '97 1.9TD has bitron controlled fans, despite not having aircon.
Not sure if heater fan motors were standardised between later aircon/non-aircon models though ?
Nick
fatbugger
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Post by fatbugger »

Got round to checking heater blower fault today<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>Looks like it is the heater motor. Took motor out from under dash as not working at all now.With switch set to full if you spin the fan it sometimes runs very slowly for a couple of seconds but makes a very strange noise. Looks like ringing Citroen in the morning.Any one know of a second hand heater motor must be for aircon?
Mike
fatbugger
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Post by fatbugger »

Heater problem sorted with new heater motor. Wallet now some £115.00<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>
lighter. Must recommend Modern Citroen 0121 624 6060 who were very obliging with Technical info that Citroen main dealer refused to give.
Happy New Year To You All<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Mike
AV
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Post by AV »

I had a heater fan problem with a Xantia 1.9 td, which started of with the same symptoms you are having, when playing with the ignition failed I resorted to tapping the casing with a hammer which worked for a while. when it worked no more , I decided to change the motor brushes, I used some suitable ones from a friendly starter/alternator repairman, for the price of a pint, trimmed and filed them to fit, soldered them in place and the fan has worked, including the climate control (although my aircon is U/S but that's another story)ever since, give it a try.
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