Xantia 1996 ignition switch issues

[romie]

Hiya, I think my ignition switch contacts are just about to die and just wondered if this a known problem area for my old Xantia? :/

Symptoms:
Start car and with car running and after glow plugs have stopped being powered.
Battery light comes on and my permanently installed volt meter shows around 11-12Volts, (which is below the normal charging voltage of 13-14Volts).

Wipers don't work, radio cuts out, no indicators.

Take key out, reinsert and waggle around whilst starting and I can get the voltage back up to 13-14Volts.


It was rather strange this morning as, (after having to charge the battery before setting off due to it dying over night), once started and reading 13-14Volts, a single touch of the break pedal or an indicator and the voltmeter would cut out completely down to 0V, (I must have wired it to a relayed supply from the fuse box).
The only way I could get power to the voltmeter again was to giggle the key around in the ignition switch A LOT and restart the car.

If I touched the brake pedal again, I'd permanently lose power to the voltmeter and the battery charging warning would light up. :/

I suppose the supply to the alternator is provided by a relay that in-turn is driven by the ignition switch?

If so, does anyone know where this relay is?

A good place to find an ignition switch or is a breaker the best bet?

Many thanks for any thoughts, Romie

[Peter.N.]

Certainly sounds like the switch although I don't know why that should affect the charging unless the battery light is being switched to earth instead of +

Peter

[romie]

Cheers peter, I was thinking that the alternator positive feed on the exciter coils is fed from a relay that is controlled by the ignition switch? :/

This sound feasible? Or the relay is also on its way out? hmm

[romie]

Think am going to have to find the locations of all the relays involved in the starting/charging system :/

[romie]

ah, looking at it, there are no relays! (apart from in the glow plug pre-heating units)...

It must be that connection in the ignition switch that directly, (via the fuse and warning lamp), feeds the exciter coils in the alternator!

Boom... cool.

Just gotta find an ignition switch from somewhere, any ideas? :/

Cheers, Romie

[romie]

[Peter.N.]

That's a strange symbol for a lamp, anyway that's what it must be. If the lamp is on it should mean that there is current flowing to the alternator exciter terminal unless the + end is being earthed but as there is nothing else connected to that output I don't see how.

If you check for 12v on the fuse with the ignition on also check the small terminal on the alternator. When its charging there should be 12v on the terminal and 12v from the switch, that's why the light goes out. If you check for 12v on the fuse that should tell you if the ignition switch is working.

Peter

[romie]

cheers peter, any idea what that thing is that looks like a snowflake, the thing with the 80--? or the other number in the box looks like ?075? :/

ta

[Xantidote]

You say that when you waggle the ignition key, various things happen electrically, so it's worn out. Assuming it's the car in your signature and done 250k, I wouldn't waste time trying to trace the problem - just change the ignition switch for another - the old one doesn't owe you anything; in fact I think the old one's lasted remarkably well

[romie]

..I think the old one's lasted remarkably well

256k and rising....

yeah, poor girl. To be fair she has endured a lot.
Citroen quoted ~ £150 for new ignition, think am going to have to make a panel mounted bullet proof version using three rockers and a push button

(gonna have to figure out some sort of security mind)

[romie]

... maybe if you toggle the switches in the wrong order a 2' spike fires out from under the drivers seat? :p

[Peter.N.]

cheers peter, any idea what that thing is that looks like a snowflake, the thing with the 80--? or the other number in the box looks like ?075? :/

ta

I would guess that its something to do with the aircon or whatever stops the blower working when the engine isn't running but its obviously not intended to load the supply.

Peter

[Peter.N.]

..I think the old one's lasted remarkably well

256k and rising....

yeah, poor girl. To be fair she has endured a lot.
Citroen quoted ~ £150 for new ignition, think am going to have to make a panel mounted bullet proof version using three rockers and a push button

(gonna have to figure out some sort of security mind)

And perhaps a push button starter like my 1954 Hillman Minx had

Peter