Location Of...?

the reversing light switch, on my 2.1td with manual box. Picked it up from Medway Citroen this afternoon, they've fixed the hydraulic leak but I need the car for the weekend so they didn't have time to sort the lights out. I've had a look again today but confess I can't see where it is. Any pointers greatly appreciated.

Bob

Hi Bob, it's awkward to see let alone get at, it's on the top of the gearbox, close to the TDC sensor underneath the hard, plastic piping from the turbo to the intercooler, it's easiest to remove this piping first but not entirely neccessary.

Good luck, Colin.P

Thanks Colin, a stiff drink and then I'm going in.

Bob

Yep its actually not too bad. As Colin says, its best to remove the pipe from the air filter box for access, but if you're hardcore, you can still get to it with the pipe in place.

The connector going to it has two wires and is white or blue as far as I remember.
If you can't find it post back and I'll take a picture of mine.

Make sure you have a long reach socket if you do need to remove the switch (think its a 22mm) from memory). A standard socket isn't long enough to fit over the connector.

Its one of the easier jobs as XMs go to be honest. Good luck!

Ciarán

I think it will have to be a pipe off job as I can see the wiring but not the switch. Not today though, taking my youngest back to uni, a 350 mile round trip, keep me occupied for a few hours!

cheers
Bob

Also further UNDER the clutch release arm, where the clutch cable attaches....

Rgds
citroenxm

I wish I was double jointed, it would make things so much easier.

Bob

Aha yes I forgot about that little problem. I don't know how though, as I distinctly remember swearing profusely about it, something like "WHO the f*** decided to put it right in the middle of this bracket, genius, real genius!!". Got some right funny looks from the neighbours but then what else is new

I ended up eventually (after discovering my socket was the wrong one), using one of those flexible extension bars, made it a bit easier.

Ciarán

This post has been edited by Ciaran on September 09, 2007 11:22 pm

Well, what an hilarious afternoon that was. Surely the French counterpart of Heath Robinson had a hand in the location of the reversing light switch, a car the size of a small lorry and you still have to take half the engine bay out before you can even see it. Anyway the switch was dead, replaced with a new one, reversing lights still not working, Grrr..

cheers
Bob

You did remember to check the length of the projection into the gearbox casing against the old unit, I'm sure ! There are different switches listed, depending in some cases whether your vehicle is a saloon or an estate also depending on the RP number. Your query does not seem to say more than it is a "2.1 manual"
The difference depends on the length in some cases, also -I believe - whether it is a "press to switch" or "release to switch" operation. What was the part number of the switch you purchased?

It is a Citroen, you appreciate, and you must be sure on these things ! It is always just as well to quote your VIN number as the Parts Man can check the spec against the vehicle-build record.

Hi Techmanagain
Yes , I took the original to my local motor factors and got the correct replacement, if it switched the other way round wouldn't that mean the lights would be on all the time it wasn't in reverse? I'm beginning to think that the problem may be a connection further along the loom as some other bits towards the rear of the car aren't working even though the fuses are ok. For example,the front interior lights work but rears don't. The wiring diagrams in Haynes are no help, they must be for a mk2 as some of the colour coding and fuse numbering doesn't match so more investigation is required.

cheers
Bob

Hi Bob.

Am I right in recalling the reverse lamps are in the tailgate ? If so, then on almost every XM I've had, hatch and estate, I've always wound up repairing the harness where it goes between the shell and the tailgate. Apart from my present one, I don't think I've had a single one where at least one or two of the wires haven't been broken due to the constant flexing. Might be worth a look.

MIke.

In my case it was the switch causing the problem, however I've heard from several people who have had problems with the aforementioned tailgate wiring, so worth a look it would seem!

Ciarán

Hi Guys
You're both right about the tailgate wiring, the insulation on practically every cable is split somewhere as I discovered a couple of weeks ago. However all the rear lights are working as they should so I think it would be too much of a coincidence if it was just the reverse lights that were on the blink. I read somewhere on the forum about a multipin connection on the front bulkhead that might cause problems with continuity so that might be the next thing to look at.

cheers
Bob

Evening all

It's been weeks now since i've had enough time to try and sort out the problem with the reversing lights. However, I've noticed something today that might point to where the fault is. When reverse is engaged, the lights don't come on and the rev counter stops working. When I take it of gear the rev counter starts working and the left hand display informs me that there is automatic suspension. Any of you guys had this happen? The fuse list in Haynes shows the reversing light supply shares the same fuse as the interior lighting timer, which doesn't work, and the instruments and diagnostic socket. I'm not sure if the wiring information in Haynes is for my mk1 though, the owners manual from the car shows different fuse positions for the same components so I'm unsure where to start looking.

cheers
Bob