Frustration! Now The Climate Contol!, S1 problems vs S2

I just bought my '95 Series 2 four weeks ago and it is breaking quicker than I could possibly fix it.
I cannot confirm that the S2 (maybe the later series) is any better than the S1, electrically, in my experience far worse. Looks like I have bought a real lemon.
Worst of all it takes a while until one realises (after the exchange of cash is made, of course) what is really wrong with the car.
Most all the electrical installation in my S1 car was fully functional and in working order. The occasional ABS light came up, the wash wiper tank at times, that's about all. Unfortunately the engine blew up and that was that then...

With this new S2 car (with lots of service history) I have now discovered no less than 10 independent electical faults! Only 90k miles!
Just today I heard some buzzing noises at times while going around bends. Then I discovered that the fan wasn't working anymore. More buzzing noises and then complete silence... The whole climate control panel with display completely dead. Has so far not recovered. For once in my life I wanted to buy a car and drive the car and not constantly fix it! I should have bought something else with that intention. Sure not a **itroen.... Oh dear.
What am I to do? Fix it.... fix it, fix it....

Sorry for moaning....

Michael

Sounds like a pretty normal XM to me.........

At the moment my 2.1 has an occasional buzzing from behind the facia, the temperature warning light flickers occasionaly when the engine temperature is normal (loose connection somewhere I guess), air con doesn't work, sunroof has been sealed up because it leaked, ABS warning light is on..........I'll stop now, I think you've got the idea.....

At least it was cheap.......

I've said it before.......'never pay a lot for an XM', that way it hurts less when it all goes wrong........and it will.......definately


BTW are you sure the whole climate control panel is dead? It may just need the bulb in the display changing, I had to do mine a few days ago.

Hi Michael,

I'm sure that if you list your ten faults you'll get expert advice from our electrical gurus.

As far as the climate panel is concerned, I assume it's the type with the individual buttons for aircon, auto, up/down temperature etc. and with a display that shows selected temp.. I also assume the display is out. Are the little green lights under the buttons also out? With the car at tickover, when you select aircon on, do you hear the click of the clutch engaging? This is the sort of info that makes diagnosis possible. I'm pretty sure that Noz has written a fair amount about fan problems.

Or are you happy with your own abilities and just indulging in an understandable moan?

Derek

Hi Michael

That's about par for the course. You would be very lucky to buy an XM of any type witout a raft of electrical faults, but on the Mk 2 once you have fixed them they usually stay fixed. The one I have now took about two weeks work on the electrics, but I have now had it over three years and 60k miles with very few problems (except the head gasket when I first had it.)

Peter.N.

hang on - S2 - Climate panel dead ......

Engine bay fusebox rears its head again by the sound of it.

So glad I have always run S1's

regards
Dave

Mmmm, epic fail of that 30a fuse in the engine bay is a favourite for intermittent then totally dead heater in an S2.

I obtained my second replacement fusebox for my S2 just today in fact....

Ciarán

Why on Earth did you buy an XM, then??!!
The only worse car in constant need of repair is the Lagonda ;-)

Maybe it will be the Lagonda next ...

Anyway, already saw brown traces of overheat next to the notorious F2 fuse in the engine... so this one can't be too bad to fix....

Just today the alternator packed up...

Will it not end? I have not even started driving it properly yet !

Michael

The same solution i posted earlier. The problem might be the 30A relais which is seated under the glove compartment. It may have an broken negative lead. At least with my S2 that was the problem.