V6Xantia stop light and coolant temperature lights flashing.

[magictorch]

Having now taken the V6 off the market and using her as a daily car again I encountered an odd fault with it today. On researching the forum i note that others have had similar issues.
Excuse the V6 newbie questions.

The stop light and coolant temperature lights flash when the coolant is a 80 level. I looked at the header tank to measure the coolant and this appears to be normal (any advice on what normal looks like as on all the other TD's I have had there is a level indicator?)

On checking the old receipts for the car I note that the header tank has been replaced under 5k ago.
Engine fans are kicking in fine.

Any suggestions on what could cause this? I assume at that temperature its safe to keep it running?

[xantia_v6]

The most likely cause is a faulty Bitron sensor. This is the brown sensor near the thermostat.

[magictorch]

Yes I have seen that mentioned before,plus a whole discussion on how 'difficult' it is to change. I think it is a sensor fault, as the light does come on when I floor it

[xantia_v6]

They are not really difficult to change, the last one I did took about 10 minutes. The difficulty varies a bit depending on the angle of the spring clip on the connector. Once the connector is off, changing the sensor is easy with a suitable deep socket, I don't even drain the coolant, just pop the new one in quickly.

[magictorch]

Where did you source the sensor?

[xantia_v6]

The same sensor was used on most PSA vehicles (with Air Conditioning) from the mid 90s, so it is a common part.

They are usually available on ebay, but most there are reproductions (I have always managed to find a genuine part eventually). I don't think they are very expensive from the dealer.

[allanmc]

I have a series 2 Xantia 2lt.HDI and when I put the heater control to demist the stop light and temp light flashes, but the other day when I moved the control to demist the dash board lights dimmed for a second as the heater fan came on never noticed this before

allanmc

[DickieG]

I have a series 2 Xantia 2lt.HDI and when I put the heater control to demist the stop light and temp light flashes

Check that both cooling fans are running when the A/C is turned on (putting heater control to demist does that), had that happen on one of Xantia HDi's.

[allanmc]

Car running heater on demist stoplight flashed for a few times then stopped, left car running till it reached normal temp. still fans didnt come on, I know there is plenty of coolant and its not over heating I think I will just live with it along with the other faults that Ive had for a long time, but thanks for your input