Boot light switch

DaveW · Unread post by **DaveW** » 17 Sep 2009, 19:02

.

Anyone know where the tilt switch for the boot light is located on the Xantia?

Mine has been intermittent for a while but has now quit completely. I've checked out the lamp holder and bulb and these are OK.

Dave.

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 17 Sep 2009, 19:05

I am positive there is one in the spring mechanism where the catch goes down, but I am always told I am wrong

certainly on my xant, if you press this sprung device the light goes on and off..

maybe there is another switch too, seems odd

john

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 17 Sep 2009, 19:11

John is spot on. I've had to test that switch on my S1 Xant. Basically the pushy down bit is tapered underneath which gradually pushes in a switch which is mounted 90 degrees to the pushey down bit.
My light isn't working either, another little job i must sort!

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 17 Sep 2009, 19:46

Unless I'm very much mistaken the switch mentioned above is for the alarm/(Hydractive suspension if fitted).

The light tilt switch is located behind the large black plastic panel on the inside of the tailgate, IIRC its somewhere in the middle. However I think the problem you're suffering may be being caused by a break in the wires where they enter the tailgate, pull back the rubber sleeve to examine them.

Xantidote · Unread post by **Xantidote** » 17 Sep 2009, 21:03

DickieG is right.

My 1995 1.9TD has the tilt switch behind the tailgate trim, held by 6 "plastic" screws in plastic plugs, plus 1 metal screw in the hand hold. There are also 2 metal locating lugs near the rear screen.

My tilt switch was tiny, and I prised it open to find 2 balls inside, 1 of which makes contact with a lug terminal to make the circuit. I cleaned everything up, to get mine working again, but 3-4 years on, it's playing up again. IIRC, part of problem was the balls didn't seem to be stainless, and I think there was a bit of corrosion, as one would expect on a car which was 10 years old at the time

Martin

DaveW · Unread post by **DaveW** » 17 Sep 2009, 21:16

Thanks for the replies.

I agree that a broken wire is likely but putting the meter on the plug to the bulb holder shows 12v. on the +ve. wire but no ground connection on the -ve. wire.
I rigged a temporary earth and the light came on but failed to switch off when the boot was closed?
A bit odd that - seemed as though the -ve. wire was switched rather than the +ve. That's why I wanted to have a look at the tilt switch to see how it was wired (wish they had fitted a standard push switch as on the BX)

Any thoughts?

Dave.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 17 Sep 2009, 21:33

Replace with a Mercury tilt switch.
Had one for the tailgate and one for the under bonnet light (factory fitted) on the old Volvo. Never gave any trouble whatsoever.

DaveW · Unread post by **DaveW** » 17 Sep 2009, 22:50

Martin,

Thanks, that was the info. I was hoping for _ I'll tear mine apart tomorrow.

myglaren,

Mercury is not considered to be very 'green' nowadays

so if I replace it with anything it will probably be a push to open type. Given the occasional squirt of switch cleaner, these have never caused me any problems.

Bit OT but where do you get your avatar images from? I like the one you use on DVD Reviewer forum.

Dave.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 17 Sep 2009, 22:59

The images are just off the net, some from Mylene Farmer forums.

Google Images.

Those mercury switches already exist, why not use them, much more durable than push switches.

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 17 Sep 2009, 23:46

thanks Kev

as usual I am wrong

but why, when my boot is open, does the light go on and off when I depress /press the main sprung block set into the boot closing area ?

just curious

Xantidote · Unread post by **Xantidote** » 18 Sep 2009, 15:23

Re: myglaren's avatar images:

And there's me thinking he's got lots of attractive girlfriends!

As if all the information he passes to us isn't enough, he tantalises us with his beauties

Martin

Unread post by **myglaren** » 18 Sep 2009, 23:20

Off to see her live in six hours.
A vision of loveliness.
Dernier Sourire.