Key Verses Plip Functions, What should they do

[Assich]

My Plip locks all doors, deadlocks all doors and unlocks all the doors.

My key in the drivers lock
Locks all doors and unlocks all doors (deadlock not activated)
Locks all doors and unlocks only the drivers door (deadlock activated)

My key in the passenger lock
Locks all doors but only unlocks the passenger door, plus doesn't activate deadlocking.

This seems a bit odd hence the question what should they do?

[techmanagain]

Sounds about right to me, and perfectly standard based on my past XMs.

[xmexclusive]

Hi Assich

A key should operate all the locks and the deadlocks when used in either of the front door locks. If you want to check out the individual deadlocks/door locks then wind all the windows down and deadlock the car. Check the external catches are all locked and nothing will open, then check that each internal door release catch is locked. If you can get a door open using the internal catch handle the dead lock is not working on that door. Repeat the process with the doors locked but not deadlocked. If a door catch is electrically defective you may well identify it by being able to open that "locked" door with the external handle.

Regards

XMexc

[DrTim]

I read something in the S2 manual (those pages which I DO have, the binding has totally gone and some of the pages too) about the spare keys having different function
that the main set.

[rowanmoor]

The 3rd key that does not have the plip is different (did all XMs have the 3 keys?). It doesn't open the glove box and I have this vague feeling it may not open the boot in the boot lock (central locking will still open it of course). Whether it does anything different in the door locks I don't know.

[Assich]

Spare key like a lot of cars is the "service" key and is the one designed to be handed over to the garage or parking attendant. Then they can't get into the glovebox where you keep wads of cash for running repairs.

[xmexclusive]

Hi All

There are 3 types of key supplied for XM's. These have been mentioned in the other responses. The Plip key blade and the main standard key blade are able to operate all the locks. When supplied with the car a Main key has the thicker (6mm) finger hold and is marked one side with the white Citroen arrows on a square red logo. The supplied Garage key has a thinner (4mm) finger hold with the Citroen arrows embossed into the black head. This Garage key has an extra indent punched in the blade near the finger hold. This makes a projection in one of the keyways of the blade and the glove box and boot lock barrels have an extra pair of tangs to catch the projection in the keyway and stop that key working in those two locks. In my experience those few Citroen dealers that cut keys do not get involved with the punching for a Garage key but will happily cut spare Plip and Main keys. The cutting machine ignores the Garage key projection so even if you give them a Garage key as a pattern you get a new main key that should work all locks.
It might be worth listing those dealers known to hold blanks and cut XM keys. I get mine cut at Solent Citroen in Portsmouth where they usually have key blanks in stock.
If anyone wants a lock barrel rebuilt to suit a particular key then I can do this for a small fee.

Regards

XMexc

This post has been edited by xmexclusive on June 26, 2007 09:59 am

[rowanmoor]

I knew someone would be able to give the full explanation.

Are you a locksmith, XMexc?

[xmexclusive]

Hi Rowan

No just taken a few locks to bits over the years to see how they work/repair them. Noz showed how to sort the XM door locks. Then I started on the others and found the XM boot ones were usually in such a poor state that it was easier to refurbish and rekey a spare one to suit and do a swap. I started by collecting old and orphan XM locks as a source of spare tumblers but eventually bought an XM lock refurb kit on ebay. Still if anyone wants to donate redundant XM locks and keys I would be pleased to receive them. Likewise if I can obtain a key cutting machine for next to nothing then I will source key blanks and start cutting XM keys.

Regards

XMexc