Xantia dash mostly not working

[stoofer]

Hi, 1st post, w00t!

I have just bought a 98 R reg Mk 2 xantia to repair and put back on the road after it had a minor front impact (bumper, bonnet and headlights casualties.)

apart from the obvious bodywork, it appears that only the coolant temperature works on the dash. I have ABS and AIR BAG lights on (the airbags were not triggered in its accident), the tacho and speedo do not work. when ignition is turned, there is a spanner on the mileometer, which vanishes after a short time when the mileage comes on. I have checked the fuses after seeing that 'F2' in the manual is for 'instrumentation', and it appears to be ok.

any ideas what I can look at? the headlamps and sidelights are missing from the car at the moment, but I wouldnt have thought that could cause any problems?

many thanks for looking, more thanks if you have ideas

[f00lzz]

Maybe a main connector got seperated in the impact!!

[wheeler]

I have ABS and AIR BAG lights on (the airbags were not triggered in its accident)

Have the seatbelt pre-tensioners fired ? (the seatbelt stalks will be pulled down about 2 inches) these cant deploy independently of the airbags in less serious impacts.

[stoofer]

Maybe a main connector got seperated in the impact!!

the car rolled off a driveway and hit another stationary vehicle, the resulting damage is very light... I will try tracing wirees, but I doubt they'd come apart from an impact like this or they'd just fall apart all the time naturally

[stoofer]

I have ABS and AIR BAG lights on (the airbags were not triggered in its accident)

Have the seatbelt pre-tensioners fired ? (the seatbelt stalks will be pulled down about 2 inches) these cant deploy independently of the airbags in less serious impacts.

I guess that's a possibility, but Im hoping for a '1 fault fixes all' really, as it seems odd for all of these dashboard items to fail independantly? the car is at work so I cant check the pre-tensioners till tomorrow.


Im off outside to take parts off my other xantia to fix up this one with now so I'll check back later - thanks for the replies so far

[stoofer]

having had another look today, the tacho isnt reading 0, it appears to have spun all the way round to max and got stuck there. so now Im thinking possible very dodgy earth?

[RStacey]

If its a Mk 2 you might find the main wiring loom runs across the front of the lower cross member behind the bumper and not at the back of the cross menber as is usual in earlier cars - if the bumper is damaged it might be worth checking the loom as its not got as much protection.

[stoofer]

thanks, Ill have a look at that before I go home tonight.

its currently a red Mk 2 (with my green Mk1 front end on)

[jeremy]

The loom that RStacey refers to is also prone to corrosion. Its in a trunking which unfortunately can fill with water wheic . . . corroded the thing!

[stoofer]

that loom is under the radiator... I guess if its there then inspecting it is going to be a royal pain?

[f00lzz]

Take my advise and wear some goggles..... when I tried to examine mine I reckon all the accumulated muck flicked into my eyes.

[RStacey]

If its like mine and runs behind the bumper it will be fairly clean and dry - its much better protected than the looms that run under the radiator.

[f00lzz]

Perhaps they modified it for the HDi.... mine was coated with muck..

[stoofer]

its under the radiator and surprisingly... very clean and tidy

I went for a drive around the works car park, and at above about 10mph the speedo will spring to life, although it seems a bit optimistic of my speeds (indicated 30 when I believe I was doing 15 max, I can check with a GPS device later...)

which leaves me with ABS light on and a flashing AIR BAG light to sort out for the MOT (Ive been driving cable tachoed citroens and pugeots for a while now, I can live without a rev counter )...

[mezuk04]

Regarding the AirBag light, have you checked the security of the cable blocks underneath the drivers seat. These sometimes need to be pulled apart and cleaned a little or just pushed more securely.