XantiaX1 Fascia switches

[Saraphee]

Some of my switches, like the Heated Rear Screen, have a gently glowing light when the side lights are on. They shine more brightly when the function is operated.
There may be one or two that, when the function is operating, light up even with the side lights off.
Others don't change from the gentle glow but the function works.
At least one, The A/C does not light up at all. But my A/C is fine.

The questions are - what should they do - and how do I get them to do it? Change a bulb or bulbs or replace the switch itself?

[Hell Razor5543]

From what I have read, what can also cause the problems is the thin piece of plastic that acts like a filter. Over time this darkens, until it is blackened and doesn't ley any light through.

[xantia_v6]

On the S1 xantia, the switch bulbs can be removed without dismantling the dashboard. See: http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 15#p375774

The lights on each switch seem to function a little differently, as you have noticed. You will probably find that some switches which don't light up so often have bulbs and filters in better condition than the A/C switch, so you can swap them over.

[Saraphee]

Excellent advice - I'll follow up with that.
Thanks Chaps!

[NewcastleFalcon]

SaraPhee,

If you haven't come across this Thread on French Car Chat yet you may have an interesting contribution to make.

Otherwise known as "Whatsthisthen? gives the opportunity for the assembled FCF throng to see if they can work out the make and model of cars from pictures posted up, and usually discover interesting stories along the way.

The Rochdale Olympic on your "My Cars" list took my interest.

Regards Neil

[Saraphee]

Sadly the Rochdale remains in the UK. I had thought of taking it to our home in Cyprus but decided against that.
The rates of duty and restrictions that are imposed on cars for import into Thailand have been draconian since before we had a place here so most 'interesting' cars were either bought here long ago or have percolated through the system having been purchased at a highly inflated price. Import duty can be 300% on new vehicles and Royal Thai Customs set their own values for older examples.

[citroenxm]

If you need and s1 switchs to worth with.. ie hazard rear fog .. ive tons of them from cars of before...

generally though the operation is illuminated with side lights on... but much brighter when in use AND bright also if in use and side lights off too..

[Saraphee]

Wow, Thx citroenxm.
I get the car back tomorrow (new cable for the autobox) and will check what is and what isn't working over what's left of the weekend. Oops - got a day out with Classic Cars of Lanna on Sunday.
Make that - Get back to you Monday!

http://www.classiccarsoflanna.com/

[Xantianut]

Ay up!

I wonder if a bulb has blown? Grain of wheat bulbs, as sold for model railway applications, do the job nicely.

[Saraphee]

Good thought Xantianut, however most of my bulbs are working, I guess just not the way they should................
I've now had time to go through the sequences throughly and the two that are not performing to specification as citroenxm outlined are the Rear Fog and A/C switches.
I have prised open the A/C switch and the interior is not as described in the Topic that Xantia V6 pointed me toward. With the top off I see a small green (but very discoloured) plastic cover, presumably over the bulb, and it's the discolouration here that keeps the thing dull all the time. So the issue is I can't see any means of removing this easily, hence it may be better to just replace the switch.
The Rear Fog switch seems to respond on some ocassions, not on others. Also sometimes it has the backgound light, others it's just a blank. I guess this may be else where in the system which may not be in the switch itself - has anyone had this experience?

[xantia_v6]

When you can see the green cover, you should also see the edge of a small circuit board going across the switch, supporting the bulb. This just pulls out, and everything should become obvious.

[Saraphee]

Tested To Destruction.

Try as I might I could not see anything that pulled out.
(This was a 'faulty' switch that came in the odds & sods bax with the car, so I don't feel too badly about it.)

[xantia_v6]

Ah... The black plastic (moving) part of the switch needs to be pulled out first.... Oops.

[Saraphee]

And how does one do that without removing the switch from the dash please?

[Saraphee]

and, having removed the switch from the dash am I missing a trick in not at first atempt being able to separate front moving part from the body?

Forgive all these questions. I haven't done this sort of thing for 30 odd years, I have usually caused others to do it for me.
But now I'm older (not much wiser) and a little more impoverished!