Tales of a C3, a Goddess and some BMW's.

[citronut]

ok tar hun,

when i went to the Hever Castle Cit meet i looked at the wiring of 2 or 3 DS's but none were exactly as this one, even though one was an injection car,

apparently according to Darin at

http://www.citroenclassics.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

he has never seen a wiring diagram for a late RHD DS with three fuse box's,

as this would have bin very useful,

im in the process of checking a few of the front wing bullet connecters as a few have virtually lost there colour/faded,
so now down to continuity testing between back of the lamps to the faded bullets,

[DickieG]

As I sold my last Xantia a year or so ago it's time to change the title of my blog to something more relevant.

Starting with the C5 it's been rather uneventful other than the mirror indexing when reversing doing strange things so I carried out a BSI reset and normal service has been resumed. I've now had this car for two years at which point I generally tend to get a little bored with the same car but in this instance I'm still loving every minute of it with its comfort and general usability, a brilliant everyday car.

My daughters recently C3 posed me a real brain teaser in that the air conditioning would run normally for about 5 minutes after which the compressor would fail to engage. When it comes to re-charging the A/C system on a C3 there are a multitude of suggested amounts of gas with little in the way of clues to work out which is correct, quite why PSA decided that the cost of a sticker somewhere under the bonnet was either too difficult or costly is rather frustrating as almost every other manufacturer manages to run to the expense.

Anyway bearing the multiple combinations of gas charges in mind I tried every possible variation I could think of including way under to a little over but still the problem remained, observing Diagbox with live datastream revealed that at the point where the compressor was failing to engage the engine management/injection menu would display that the compressor was briefly requesting 'permission' to engage but nothing was happening after which point the request would disappear forever.

If I stopped the engine then restarted it the A/C would run as before for 5 minutes etc, pressures within the system were normal both on the A/C gauges and Diagbox, I also discussed the issue with a Citroen Technician who was unable to offer me any further clues so as a last resort I carried out a BSI reset and now the system is working correctly. Blasted computers, from recent experience it appears that a BSI reset might just cure all ill's.

More frustration by way of the Goddess and LHM leaks which have become one of my major bugbears, I know she's an old girl but I've been chasing these leaks for years now and no sooner do I sort one out than another one appears, the latest being from the N/S/F strut boot, it turns out that the bottom of the boot had split so under trays off and front wing off to gain access to the last self tapper securing the inner wing shield and then off to Darrin at Citroen Classics to purchase a NOS genuine Citroen boot still within it's original sealed bag.

Fit the new boot, observe the suspension going through several cycles, leave overnight then re-assemble the car. Following morning another puddle of LHM so front wing removed, no leaks evident so I now decided to remove all of the under trays and promptly got an LHM shower as the main undertray (secured with something like 12 bolts) had been storing LHM as if it had been going out of fashion. Clean everything up and refit, cycle the suspension several times, drive for 40+ miles leave overnight and check underneath the following morning,,, dry

The "Beast" aka SL55 has been excellent fun this summer and has really put a smile on my face every time I've driven it (sunny days only and always with the roof down) in fact I'm enjoying it so much I invariably drive it far slower than I normally drive (which isn't very quick at the best of times) to make the journey last longer to allow me more time to savour the experience. On the rare occasion I've given the throttle a slight squeeze the wow factor is immense, no need for kick down, just apply a light pressure to the accelerator and you're away with the deep deep rumble of the V8's exhausts burbling away behind you, Carrol Shelby was right "There's no substitute for cubic inches" and then when you add a supercharger to a big V8,,,,

[KP]

Good work Richard

Can I ask what's needed for a BSI reset as just wonderig about doing it on the Red C5 I have that doesn't even engage although the compressor activates ok when voltage is applied directly to it and it doesn't leak any gas

[Hell Razor5543]

I believe that this is a BSi reset;

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 11&t=40407" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You would have thought that PSA would have cottoned on by now that it would be useful to have a label somewhere that shows how much gas is needed for the aircon. I mean, Gracie caused you some problems, and she was built 14 years ago!

[CitroJim]

Excellent work on the Goddess Richard I know all about 'secret' LHM stores from the work I've been doing on my V6. It was amazing how much the alternator was storing

I agree about there being no substitute for cubic inches. I also believe there is no substitute for vee engines either

[DickieG]

I had the car insurance renewal come through yesterday for all the cars (apart from the DS) as they're on a multi car policy, the bizarre world of car insurance maintained it's reputation as the cheapest car of all to insure is the SL55, try working that one out! It cost £120k new, present value is about six times more than the other cars and is one of the quickest cars you can buy period, should it get pranged the cost of repair would be eye watering yet the yearly policy with the same drivers/usage is £30 cheaper than the C5 and BMW 330 convertible.

[CitroJim]

It's crazy Richard but then remember the only people that can afford/have the wherewithal to run an SL55 are people like yourselves who don't tend to drive or behave like a knob so the risk is very low..

It's as cheap as my C1

I have my insurance renewals next month. House and cars

[KP]

One policy covers all my cars and makes life sooo much simpler

[Dommo]

As I sold my last Xantia a year or so ago

And it's new owner loves it

[CitroJim]

As I sold my last Xantia a year or so ago

And it's new owner loves it

Is it you by any chance Dom?

[DickieG]

As I sold my last Xantia a year or so ago

And it's new owner loves it

Is it you by any chance Dom?

If it's Dom, looking at his signature it's had a respray to white

[CitroJim]

If it's Dom, looking at his signature it's had a respray to white

Maybe it's faded....

[KP]

lol ^^^

[Dommo]

It's actually my dads now - we bought it off Citroening's dad (I think that's who had it anyway). So it's in the family - I still have my white VSX hence white Xantia mentioned in the signiture!

[CitroJim]

Ahh good It's excellent to know where Goldie is and that she's still going well and is well loved. Excellent