Xantia dashboard clocks

[richie989]

Firstly hello and thank you to everyone in this forum for all the useful advice, very good info here for rebuilding my old s2 hdi. From heater diagnostics to dowty seals modifications my old s2 is now back on the road!

My question is if any one can advise me, I'm about to remove the dash to replace the heater matrix and want to either fix or replace the dashboard clocks as the rev counter no longer works, the needle just points straight down and does not move. If I replace the complete cluster with a second hand one how would the mileage alter? is it stored in the ECU or such or the cluster itself? Could I use lexia software to correct the mileage or would it be better to try and repair the old cluster rev counter? Has anyone any experience with this, is it just the case of the needle come loose or something internally with the instrument panel?

[MikeT]

IIRC, the rev counter can flip all the way round clockwise and it can also right itself back anticlockwise at ignition on.
I did try poking a straightened paperclip through the dial hole to flip the needle back but can't recommend it as I ended up permanently marking the clock face. If you're taking the dash out, you may be able to use gravity and momentum to swing it back (anti-clockwise).

[GiveMeABreak]

Regarding the mileage - it is usually stored in both the main CPU (referred to as the Body Computer on the Xantia II) and the module in the dash - so if replacing one or the other the vehicle will display whichever has the highest mileage. It could be that the total recorded mileage is only stored in the Body Computer.. I know that the maintenance indicators are preset at factory at 6k miles for diesel and 10k miles for petrol engine service intervals and cannot be adjusted.

[richie989]

Thanks for the info, the rev counter points to 6 o'clock and has been like that for the last 7 years its never moved at any point from that position not even in the slightest, do these normally work ok once turned back? Is there anything I should adjust repair or check for bad / loose connections, dry solder joints etc? Just to stop it happening again? I will be taking the dash out next week not looking forward to it as it sounds like a pig of a job! but it has to be done!

[MikeT]

Yes, it worked fine once repositioned.
Don't rely on my memory but on my Xantia, I believe it was more like @7o'clock, just under the stop rest. I have read others suffering the same on their Xantia's (perhaps a search will turn up more useful info).

[richie989]

Great, cheers I will give it a go next week, it might be after the stopper so it would make sense why it won't go back to normal use