Xantia - Main air bag light flashing

[RichardW]

I've had the side air bag light come on before, fixed by jiggling the connectors under the seat, but last couple of days the main air bag light has been coming on - continuous flashing, but not going to on all the time. Perhaps this is also connectors under the seat - I wonder if the belt tensioners are on the main circuit and the side bags on a separate one? Otherwise it's going to need to talk to a Lexia for the first time in 90k miles - perhaps that is the excuse I need to buy one and see if it will install under WINE on Ubunutu.....

[citroenxm]

No the main air bag light is useually related to the steering bag, and if fitted passenger bag.. If its a series two, try wriggleing the Passenger OFF switch with the key, as when you switch the passenger bag off, this light also flash's to remind you.

So, either switch in the centre console, or the roatry connector between the steering wheel and colum.

The ultimate disagnostic without chasing round and round is a Lexia Diag. This should then point you in the real direction.

[lurchy666]

when my airbag light was flashing it was the switch next to the handbrake, took it out cleaned it out (there was a load of dust and crap in it) then it all worked again

[carpysmith]

Hi guys!
Had the same problem on my xantia recently and it was the passenger airbag on/off switch!! a quick unplug/replug and working the switch a few times and all is hunky dory again!! worth a shot methinks!!
Regards
Steve
1999 Xantia 2.0hdi sx (estate)

[RichardW]

I gave the key a twiddle in the plug - it operates as expected (ie bringing the light on continuous if switched to off), but then the fault overrides this and it starts flashing again! Will take it out and give it a clean, but not hopeful - can it just be levered out of position? I rather suspect the rotary connector- the warning comes on at a random time after setting off, but seems often associated with a steering input (albeit even minor ones!). Unfortunately mine is a late car which uses a connector only fitted after early 2000, and only fitted to the Xantia seemingly, and costing £135...if you can get one

[rpaco]

I have had this several times before in my 1998 Xantia SX. The connectors under the seats need separating and a shot of electrolube.
When even this fails I have soldered cables from the backs of each terminal effectively bridging the connector. If I have to take the seats out again I will just cut the bridging wires.

[RichardW]

Under seat connecotrs it was. A wiggle and some WD-40 has put the light out - thankfully no new rotary connector required!

[rpaco]

My Xantia has neither a side airbag or a passenger bag isolation switch. Its always bee the connectors under the driver's seat, or once those under the passenger seat.
Good luck with installing anything under Wine, I also use Ubuntu but cannot get on with Unity so stay with Gnome.

[jgra1]

good news Richard

re rotary connector (slip ring?) my 99 was different from earlier ones.. just one of the 4 connectors.. a black one I think..
but you may (complete guess) find that any slip ring from a later S2 would be ok.. i.e. not just from 2000> cars..

just for the future

Rpaco, yep sounds like you have the mostly-there S2.. maybe the slip ring connector i mentioned changed when side air bags were added.. sometime in 98?

I did try WINE once, to get autocad running on a linux,, but failed miserably too much wine probably..

back on XP now, but I did try ubuntu.. just a bit clueless.. too long under Gate's wing ..

[KennyW]

Richard,

Another option is to change the connector from your one to another S2 verison. Just a little soldering involved

I've a spare rotary switch in the garage.

Kenny