A Few Xantia Questions

[i3]

Hey all,
have a few questions regarding my newly acquired vehicle
It's another xantia, again a 2.1td, silver, again, but this time it's an exclusive opposed to the last vsx.
There's a few things which am hoping to sort out/understand:

- the wipers on intermittent, they don't seem to be functioning properly: they wipe on first switch, then wipe irregularly thereafter.
- the alarm will sound randomly when locked using the button on key fob: sometime after a few mins, sometimes a little longer. this is problematic, i want to use the keyfob button rather than the key to lock and unlock, but i cant as if i am going away from the car, i will have to come back to deactivate the alarm sounding.
- can't tell if the drivers heated seat work: i don't think it does. if so, is there a fix?
- is it possible for a different clarion cd changer to be fitted? the one with the blue rectangular 12 pin male, rather than the regular 13 pin din female?

there were a few other things, but i can't remember right now,,, only had this one for 3 days now

thanks
isa

[davoxx]

how long was it off the road?

[i3]

not sure... it has tax and mot, both until around feb/march. i think the previous owner parked it up recently, as in last month or so...

[davoxx]

- the alarm will sound randomly when locked using the button on key fob: sometime after a few mins, sometimes a little longer. this is problematic, i want to use the keyfob button rather than the key to lock and unlock, but i cant as if i am going away from the car, i will have to come back to deactivate the alarm sounding.

silly question - are all the windows closed?

[

quote]- can't tell if the drivers heated seat work: i don't think it does. if so, is there a fix?
they break very very easily.

yes there is a fix ... but it is hard ... you need to strip the chair and fix the heating element.

- is it possible for a different clarion cd changer to be fitted? the one with the blue rectangular 12 pin male, rather than the regular 13 pin din female? [/quote]
possibly .. you'll need an adaptor though.

enjoy the car

[411514]

Whenever i have had a problem with my alarm it has always stemmed to the bonnet switch, might be worth checking that, is clipped into the bonnet catch, try removing it all together and then locking the car and if that sorts it then buy another switch, or just leave it off permenantly

[i3]

the heated seats are not a priority at the moment,,,but will look into it further after the alarm issue is sorted, thanks davoxx

the windows were open the first time it happened. the second time, i thought they were, bur not sure...and the third time was a test, so all windows were closed etc. the rear o/s window isn't working, could this affect it? is there a temp fix to just bypass/deactivate the alarm and still have remote central locking from the current fob?

how exactly do i check the bonnet switch? and how do i remove it altogether?

the car locks when i use the key with no probs, its just using the button on the key fob which is giving me problems.

thanks

[davoxx]

the heated seats are not a priority at the moment,,,but will look into it further after the alarm issue is sorted, thanks davoxx

the windows were open the first time it happened. the second time, i thought they were, bur not sure...and the third time was a test, so all windows were closed etc. the rear o/s window isn't working, could this affect it? is there a temp fix to just bypass/deactivate the alarm and still have remote central locking from the current fob?

how exactly do i check the bonnet switch? and how do i remove it altogether?

the car locks when i use the key with no probs, its just using the button on the key fob which is giving me problems.

thanks

to be honest .. i had this alarm problem too ... but i 'solved' it by hoovering the car ... yes i gave the car a good clean and it seemed to fix it ... but thinking back .. it might have been the bonnet switch ...

[Xaccers]

Wipers - I'd imagine it's got rain sensitive wipers so no intermittent

[Timmo]

worth checking the boot catch switch for the alarm, on mine (S2 estate) the catch has worn down and doesnt push the switch for the alarm in anymore!
worth checking the bonnet catch too though,

[411514]

bonnet catch feeds into the bottom of the bonnet catch, just get your head under the bonnet and follow the wire to the switch(if it has one). Its just a push fit so may have become dislodged

[DickieG]

The alarm issue could be the bonnet or boot switch but generally if they are the cause the alarm will sound a brief bleep when locking the car with the remote to signify an open door, although if the switch is right on the cusp of switching it can set the alarm off later. A rather more common cause of false alarms is the ultrasonic sensors, to test whether they are the source of the problem press their disable switch to the right of the steering column, thankfully as your car is an S2 it records the last 15 causes of what set the alarm to go off which can then be accessed/read by a Lexia which will also give the opportunity to observe what state each door switch is in, definitely worth the effort of finding a Lexia owner to sort out alarm problems.

Re the wipers its as Xac states, they are rain sensitive but to turn then on you must manually turn them on each time after the car has started, simply leaving the wiper switch on between engine starts won't work.

Heated seats again as davoxx mentioned, the elements in the seat pad.

[i3]

which oil should be used in this engine?
thanks

[i3]

are all the engine oil dipsticks the same on the xantias? if not, which have the same as this 2.1td? the one on this is broken, and i fear there may not be any 2.1 engined xantias in local scrappies...
thanks

[Clogzz]

Don’t know if all dipsticks are the same, but wouldn’t expect so.
Mine had the yellow top dissolve and let the grotty fumes out, then next it clunked down onto metal.
I replaced the top with the cork of a plonk bottle until I got a new stick from the dealer for like £10.