Citroen XM Forum

Most likely is the ribbon cable connector onto the light unit itself. The springs become weak so good contact is lost.

Listen to this Man Rob. He knows what he is talking about

Well the spare wheel holder and freshly painted spare wheel are back on the car. Boot floor under sealed and things tidied up. The spare tyre is a Michelin Radial X!

The height selector joints could do with some WD40 ect. The hub panels that fit within the rear wheels are corroding so will need doing too. But otherwise looking okay under there now.

I was going to take some pics, but batteries failed!

I did some fixing on the XM today.

Not a massive fix but it was irritating me. The Cigar lighter flap decided...for no apparent reason, to stay open. I managed to buy a new button from the bay, but even that didn't work.
So my fix was to remove the old button, and super glue a tiny bit of black paper clip onto the little catch tooth thing. And guess what, it has worked. A silly bodge, but quite satisfying..... and you can't see it either.
I think by the looks of it the flap is ever so slightly out of enlignment, just enough not to hold the flap closed. I did try and adjust it, but no hope....however my little fix has saved the day.

Also whilst I was out their in the freezing cold....don't ask why I chose to do it today, I had a route around the electrics behind the odment tray. Found the reason why only the cigar button was lighting up.... the other two lights were totally misplaced and uselessly lighting up the dash from the inside!
So all plugged in properly now.

Checked the wiring for the sport switch too. All plugged in and wires not cut. I can trace them from the switch along the up towards the dials. But I know why it isn't working, as of the bypass...so now I have to check the dash bulbs...the sport light might have gone pop or might not even be there, as it shows no sign of life..... when I crack them open to change the temp gauge cluster for a new one with hopefully a better LCD display.

Just want to take it for a good spin now....damn this snow!

Excellent stuff Russ

You know, as soon as you want to look further into the Hydractive issues then just take a doing up my way but please not before the weather becomes just a little balmier

Good to hear you have been busy with a few jobs Russ, despite the weather! The ashtray flap opening is a common problem usually due to slight distortion as suggested and fixed with a replacement switch, although I have also contemplated the modification you described. With regards, Matthew T.

Damn...and there I was thinking I had solved a great mystery!!! Well done Matthew. Great minds think alike!
The new button didn't work at all, so this bodge was the only solution.


Jim ....I am egar to get this hydractive issue sorted...but only when it is warmer. Totally agree on that one. Bad enough going out there today trying swap buttons!

The small improvements continue.

uhm, I don't even have anything behind that ash tray switch bar a small light bulb. I don't even know how it's supposed to be, so well done!

I am trying to fix the instruments this weekend. Going okay so far. But when I went out to the car this morning, some little scrote, has bent the drivers windscreen wiper back. I don't mean simply pulled it back, actually bent the arm all the way back on it's self.

Not pleased.

Got a bit stuck on the speedo cable...how do you disconnect from the dial pack?

Alright...worked out how to disconnect it...very easy!