Xantia Auto Gearbox

[ds21h]

Hi I have just acquired a 1999 Xantia V6 with auto box, it is very difficult to get it out of park, does anyone know if there is a sensor or solenoid that allows the lever to move from park?
One it is out of park the lever moves as normal between the other gears.

Thanks
Mark

[Trainman]

I'm Sure CitroJim will be along shortly to answer that

[citroenxm]

there is a solinoid on the side of the selector house that is meant to release when the brake pedal is pressed...

However they can and do fail. But, I think you may need to lift the whole centre console up, you can manualy release the solinoid by pulling it while moving the lever. But Im sure its a centre console up, OR just plastic surround that has the gear lettering on it.

My guess is the solinoid has got weak or something. I thought I had a spare from a V6 I broke recently...

[Mandrake]

There should be an obvious clunk from the solenoid in the centre console when you press the brake pedal with the igntion on and the lever in park.

As its a Series 2 check that the gear lever position repeater on the right hand side of the dashboard actually indicates Park - if not the gear lever switch might be out of adjustment.

It will only operate the solenoid when pressing the brake if it thinks you're in park. I once got stuck where the lever was locked in park but it thought it was half way between park and reverse (flashing red light on the dashboard) and was refusing to operate the release solenoid so I had to manually release the locking pin.

It's actually pretty easy to override the lockout in an emergency - pop up the rectangular shroud around the gear lever with your finger tips (pull on the inside edge gripping the boot slightly) then down the right hand side you'll see a round pin sticking out slightly - it has a groove in it, just use a flat blade screwdriver in the groove to push the pin to the right to release the lock.

I would practice doing this a couple of times and carry a small screwdriver in the glovebox until you get the problem fixed so you don't end up temporarily stranded somewhere like I did!

[Stempy]

Could it simply be a dodgy brake pedal switch?

[Mandrake]

It could be and I would certainly check that, but if it is then the brake lights won't be working either as they share the exact same contacts...