Russ's 2.1 SED Auto now in Mandarin

[russ92xmsed]

Me too Jaap. But at least the issues are not too serious.
Annoying, but hey ho!

I am hoping new bulbs will sort the headlights out. It is possible they have been knocked about a bit by our terrible roads.
Also possible they are quite old and now useless.
But the main issue is the yellowed lenses.

I'll find out some point tomorrow.

[beko1987]

I was following a friend the other day, and he said that my sidelights kept going on and off. Take the bulbs out and clean them up, it might help. Are the lenses glass or plastic on xm's? (never looked closely yet)

If plastic, and you have a spare hour or so and £20 you could use something like http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_255233 to sort them out.

Good luck anyway!

[russ92xmsed]

Cheers Sam,

The headlights are glass. It's a plastic lense that goes yellow which is in the dipped beam side. Very annoying!

The bulbs are going to be replaced. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it is dirt that is causing some of the issue.

[beko1987]

Ah I see. Tippex?

[russ92xmsed]

Got the XM back this afternoon. Finally passed all the failures. New bulbs did the trick in the lights. Phew. I really need to get them replaced...as this is only going to continue.
Only advisories were an oil leak and coolant leak. I have been checking the fluid levels regularly and they don't seem to go down, so they must be only slight. No puddles on the floor ect...The oil leak is the sump plug I think.

What was funny, and a close shave...was when getting into the car and starting it up to take it home..guess what popped up....ABS warning light!
Thank god for the ' testing on the day' and passing method.

So now I can continue with the service.

[CitroJim]

Excellent news Russ

What was funny, and a close shave...was when getting into the car and starting it up to take it home..guess what popped up....ABS warning light!

That's almost exactly what my V6 Xantia did

[russ92xmsed]

Really Jim.

They know how to behave sometimes, when it is important, but like a naughty child, then play up to punish you for taking it to its checkup!

They really are living cars!!

I have a bit of a hunch on my ABS issue anyway. I keep finding my engine bay fuse box fuses slightly loose every time the warning message pings on. I have no idea if this can cause the ABS light to come on, but it is a strange coincidence.

[robert_e_smart]

I prefer out mot tests in Northern Ireland. Totally un biased, wash the underside of your car, removes a lot of past sins and signs of weeps and repaired leaks that send mot men on the wrong track! We pay lest for our mot test, but have to pay for re tests. Same global cost when you have to re-test as what you pay, but I prefer to give the local garage a tenner to set lights and buy cheap parts like drop links and track rod ends etc than pay for a re test. In other words the incentive to pass is greater, and on cars that do little driving mot tests are a pleasure and formality.

[CitroJim]

I have a bit of a hunch on my ABS issue anyway. I keep finding my engine bay fuse box fuses slightly loose every time the warning message pings on. I have no idea if this can cause the ABS light to come on, but it is a strange coincidence.

Could well be Russ as one of the fuses in there supplies the ABS valve block.. Can't recall which now but if the vvalve block looses power the light will come on..

My ABS light came on a day after the MOT!

My ABS light is on again, I originally replaced the duff sensor with one I was not sure about and it's coming on about 50% of the time. I have a new one here so just a case of swapping it again...

[russ92xmsed]

I think your right there Robert. Not to mention your NCT's seem quicker too!

But this is the first time I have used this garage, and it was recommended by Campbell. So I am pleased they at least knew about the XM. MOT cost £35.00. But they don't know the history of it and if these advisorys are actually related to old leaks. I know the sump plug is dripping a little oil now and again. The coolant, I really don't know where that could be. I did have an almighty coolant leak with the main hose popping off and bathing the engine bay. That was a year ago, and I have done my best to clear that up. I do suspect one pipe, but apart from maybe some slight seepage when it was bitterly cold and the rubber hoses had contracted, it isnt appearing to be doing anything now.

When it stops raining, I'll have a better look.

What ever they are, the fluid levels are fine.