Discussion
I am begining to think my S3 hates me more than my Vixen does! And that’s saying something.
I finally got the chance to sit down and sort it the rear light clusters last night, having bought matching wiring from Holden and some waterproof connectors from auto connectors and all new bulbs if the appropriate rating. Fixed everything up plugged in the connectors and presto
The headlights now flash in time to indicators, the reversing lights don’t work and the stop lights on one side are so pale you can barely see them
I shut boot on all the tools locked the car and went in for tea.
I finally got the chance to sit down and sort it the rear light clusters last night, having bought matching wiring from Holden and some waterproof connectors from auto connectors and all new bulbs if the appropriate rating. Fixed everything up plugged in the connectors and presto
The headlights now flash in time to indicators, the reversing lights don’t work and the stop lights on one side are so pale you can barely see them
I shut boot on all the tools locked the car and went in for tea.
Don’t think so. It’s new and I’ve swapped it out For another new one too. It’s a bizarre fault as both rev lights seem to be fed from the same line from the front of the car. its the drivers side light and passenger side works fine.
Could be I messed up the connector, otherwise maybe a break in the wire from the passenger side. I ran out of time to check.
Could be I messed up the connector, otherwise maybe a break in the wire from the passenger side. I ran out of time to check.
Well Ive had the car a few weeks now so here’s a list of stuff that needs doing in no particular order:
Poor running needs sorting: will start with correct ECU and work on from there.
Rear lights playing up: various faults here including failed connector to the cluster. I’ve hard wired the cluster but a coupe if issues remain. Should get that done this weekend SORTED
Passenger door doesn’t lock/unlock.: seems the door handle is very stiff. Manually moving it to the rest position allows locking: whole mechanism needs looking at. SORTED and handle replaced
Related to the above central locking doesn’t work. Actually not clear I have CL needs checking. CL present but non fuctional
Wing mirrors inoperative both sides. I have the switches on the dash, but they don’t work. The mirrors aren’t the CX series 2 type, so may have been replaced or may just be ex factory non Citroen versions. This can be checked when I get into the doors.
Passenger side electric window non functional. A recently developed issue. It’s not the fuse so again one for when I get into the door.
Air vents seem to be disconnected from the tubing on the central unit.
Radio doesn’t work: it’s just shoved in the hole. Wiring behind is a rats nest and needs looking at. Remnants of at least two radio installs present. A couple of the speaker covers are broken. SORTED
Dash issues: PO removed the original heater control module when he re covered that dash area. I have the original so will put it back. I don’t like the vinyl version of the dash covering so that will have to go at the same time.
Dash central light panel very dim.
Dash top vinyl coming lose from de mister outlets.
Drop down install of the fuses and ecu needs tidying up and fixing properly in place.
Hood scruffy and window opaque so needs replacing. Considering replacing the leather trim with black Alcantara.
Speaking of leather, close inspection of the leather indicates someone has given it the furniture clinic treatment, and there is a fair bit of ‘overspray’ that needs cleaning up.
Drivers seat adjustment Is sticky. Seats need taking out, cleaning, lubricating and replacing. Which will also give me the opportunity to deep clean the carpets. DONE
Also, she needs a respray
I will add to this as I go and tick off what I have fixed
Poor running needs sorting: will start with correct ECU and work on from there.
Rear lights playing up: various faults here including failed connector to the cluster. I’ve hard wired the cluster but a coupe if issues remain. Should get that done this weekend SORTED
Passenger door doesn’t lock/unlock.: seems the door handle is very stiff. Manually moving it to the rest position allows locking: whole mechanism needs looking at. SORTED and handle replaced
Related to the above central locking doesn’t work. Actually not clear I have CL needs checking. CL present but non fuctional
Wing mirrors inoperative both sides. I have the switches on the dash, but they don’t work. The mirrors aren’t the CX series 2 type, so may have been replaced or may just be ex factory non Citroen versions. This can be checked when I get into the doors.
Passenger side electric window non functional. A recently developed issue. It’s not the fuse so again one for when I get into the door.
Air vents seem to be disconnected from the tubing on the central unit.
Radio doesn’t work: it’s just shoved in the hole. Wiring behind is a rats nest and needs looking at. Remnants of at least two radio installs present. A couple of the speaker covers are broken. SORTED
Dash issues: PO removed the original heater control module when he re covered that dash area. I have the original so will put it back. I don’t like the vinyl version of the dash covering so that will have to go at the same time.
Dash central light panel very dim.
Dash top vinyl coming lose from de mister outlets.
Drop down install of the fuses and ecu needs tidying up and fixing properly in place.
Hood scruffy and window opaque so needs replacing. Considering replacing the leather trim with black Alcantara.
Speaking of leather, close inspection of the leather indicates someone has given it the furniture clinic treatment, and there is a fair bit of ‘overspray’ that needs cleaning up.
Drivers seat adjustment Is sticky. Seats need taking out, cleaning, lubricating and replacing. Which will also give me the opportunity to deep clean the carpets. DONE
Also, she needs a respray
I will add to this as I go and tick off what I have fixed
Edited by Astacus on Saturday 6th July 21:22
Edited by Astacus on Sunday 22 September 19:03
So, Saturdays tinkering. I’ve traced the final rear cluster fault to a poor crimp on the passengers side connector and now all rear lights work as they should.
While dinner was cooking I pulled off the passengers side door trim and had a poke about. I do have central locking but it’s non functional. Electric door mirrors are wired up but again non functional. Passengers door lock has been freed off a little but doesn’t seem to return to the resting position properly. I’ve oiled it up and worked it back and forth but it feels like it should return easier than that. Leaving it to soak overnight now.
ETA I’ve done a bit of research on this now and it looks like it’s probably got a broken latch. Options are find a replacement (TVR version of a cortina mk 3 item), find a cortina item and swap out the latch or glue it back together a la Philpot.
Electric window mechanism hums when I press the switch so switch works. Suspicion that the problem could be a low battery although drivers side works fine. I’ll put the trickle charger on it overnight..
Ive given the door card a good clean up with leather cleaner and got most of the overspray off with meths so looks much better now.
Fish and chips for supper so that’s it for today.
While dinner was cooking I pulled off the passengers side door trim and had a poke about. I do have central locking but it’s non functional. Electric door mirrors are wired up but again non functional. Passengers door lock has been freed off a little but doesn’t seem to return to the resting position properly. I’ve oiled it up and worked it back and forth but it feels like it should return easier than that. Leaving it to soak overnight now.
ETA I’ve done a bit of research on this now and it looks like it’s probably got a broken latch. Options are find a replacement (TVR version of a cortina mk 3 item), find a cortina item and swap out the latch or glue it back together a la Philpot.
Electric window mechanism hums when I press the switch so switch works. Suspicion that the problem could be a low battery although drivers side works fine. I’ll put the trickle charger on it overnight..
Ive given the door card a good clean up with leather cleaner and got most of the overspray off with meths so looks much better now.
Fish and chips for supper so that’s it for today.
Edited by Astacus on Saturday 6th July 23:14
The lift handles have an integral spring that gathers road crud over time and these need washing out with copious amounts of WD40 prior to a little white grease spray (the lock mech is held off by the connection rod/arm if this does not return down fully).

- IF the lift arm has broken (the return spring will not work and adding a light spring pulling the internal rod down is a option)
Edited by Adrian@ on Sunday 7th July 09:12
Thanks Adrian. Helpful as ever. I haven't wiped it off yet, but symptoms suggest it's busted. Current plan is either to find a cortina unit and swap ou the latch or get hold of a replacement.
Does anyone know where the relay is for the central locking? I am assuming there IS one. It's not listed in the SHB, and I can only see the usual 5 relays under the dash.
Does anyone know where the relay is for the central locking? I am assuming there IS one. It's not listed in the SHB, and I can only see the usual 5 relays under the dash.
Passengers electric window now works. Lose wire on the switch as predicted. Also interesting Scotch loc wiring off the windows for the radio. That will have to go later.
I have tracked down a NOS ECU of the correct type. Don’t ask how much that cost! Just waiting for that to arrive so I can check the rest of the system.
Started to take a look at the central locking
. So far I know there is no power to the passengers side and two of the wires are broken. So I’ll follow the wires back to see where they come from and hopefully I’ll find what’s going on.
MOT due next week. Don’t think I will make it, too much else happening at the moment to get a day on the electrics to get it all working and engine running well.
And of course it’s bloody raining again.
I have tracked down a NOS ECU of the correct type. Don’t ask how much that cost! Just waiting for that to arrive so I can check the rest of the system.
Started to take a look at the central locking
. So far I know there is no power to the passengers side and two of the wires are broken. So I’ll follow the wires back to see where they come from and hopefully I’ll find what’s going on.
MOT due next week. Don’t think I will make it, too much else happening at the moment to get a day on the electrics to get it all working and engine running well.
And of course it’s bloody raining again.
Edited by Astacus on Monday 8th July 23:21
Well, I’ve found out why the central locking doesn’t work. It seems to have been cut out of the loom! 


As have the electric mirrors

This is going to take a bit of sorting out.
Why would you do that? Might it be due to some malfunctioning immobiliser maybe?
I am going to have to give some thought to how to fix this.
b
ks

As have the electric mirrors
This is going to take a bit of sorting out.
Why would you do that? Might it be due to some malfunctioning immobiliser maybe?
I am going to have to give some thought to how to fix this.
b

I abandoned my mirror electrics. Both motors were seized and the wiring was like yours. Parts were available (Citroën of course) but would have cost a king's ransom. And who needs electric mirrors on an open car?
The windows on the other hand always worked, although sometimes needed manual help to raise them. Rebuilding them fixed that: just as well, as the motors also cost a king's ransom.
What a coincidence: the mirrors and the window motors are common parts, used on a wide range of exotic supercars. And TVR's.
The windows on the other hand always worked, although sometimes needed manual help to raise them. Rebuilding them fixed that: just as well, as the motors also cost a king's ransom.
What a coincidence: the mirrors and the window motors are common parts, used on a wide range of exotic supercars. And TVR's.
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