Autobox gear select lever lock

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 17 Apr 2009, 06:40

I'm having an intermittent problem with the gear select lever lock on the V6 in that it doesn't always release. I've fitted a new brake pedal switch and cleaned the electrical plugs and sockets that I can see.

The plunger on the solenoid seems free enough so I was wondering if one of you splendid chappies with access to wiring diagrams could tell me what else might be in between the brake pedal and the solenoid. When it fails to throw I can hear a relay clicking somewhere when the pedal is pressed, but I have no idea if that is part of the circuit or indeed where it might be.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 17 Apr 2009, 06:56

Hi Stempy,

I'll dig 'em out for you

bear with me...

The back of my mind says there is something slightly unconventional in how the solenoid operates.

Is yours a MK1 or a MK2?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 17 Apr 2009, 06:58

Found it already

This is the wiring diagram for the MK1

I'll dig out the MK2 diagram later...

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 17 Apr 2009, 07:01

It's a Mk2 Jim, thanks..

Looking at that diagram, if 1638 is the solenoid then it would be worth checking relay 1642, just have to find it

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 17 Apr 2009, 08:51

Hi Stempy,

Again, this is for the MK1 but this Location Diagram might offer up a clue.

I'll get the MK2-specific diagrams up this evening...

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 17 Apr 2009, 19:54

My Mk1 V6 had a problem last christmas, where the solenoid was not being energised, and when manually unlocked, the transmission would start in 3rd gear. It cured itself after a week and has not done it since, but the symptoms are of a faulty selector switch on the transmission (probably metalic dust bridging the contacts).

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 17 Apr 2009, 20:00

Did the Sport and Snow lights flash on when that happened xantia_v6?

Stempy, I've not forgotten about the MK2 diagrams...

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 18 Apr 2009, 08:53

No there were no warning lights. The probem is leakage across the switch contacts connected to pin 4 of the connector ( the right hand bank of bank of component 1600 on the page 112 diagram).

The ECU sees valid combination from the switch, just not the correct one for the lever position. The effect is that when lever is at P the ECU thinks it is in the intermediate position between P and R (and the lever lock is enabled), or when the lever is at D, the ECU thinks that it is in the intermediate position between D and 3 (which prevents normal changes).

I think that the Mk2 has a fuse that can cause similar symtoms. See the december thread.

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 19 Apr 2009, 18:38

So I had a poke around today, and using a combination of the location diagram, listening and feeling I found the relay in question. Now, although I have a plethora of spare relays, sods law dictated that I haven't got one of this type, but as it happens, located right next to it is an identical relay, so I swapped them over and hey presto, problem solved.

Now I have no idea what the other relay does, so now I'm waiting to see what else has become intermittent. The relay is sealed so I can't pop the top off to clean the contacts without breaking it. It's rated at 25A and has a fixing tang extending from the top, is grey in colour and is located in the drivers footwell under the felt trim behind the fuse box hinge, anyone have any ideas?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 19 Apr 2009, 19:16

Good stuff Stempy

The relay you swapped over is the cruise control relay.

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 19 Apr 2009, 21:42

On my Xantia II and others I've probed, the cruise relay is a violet colour, and located next to the diagnostic socket.

Regards, Adam.

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 19 Apr 2009, 22:37

Well I guess one way to find out is pull it out and see what doesn't work