Airbag Warning Light Xantia Estate

Unread post by **NAM** » 08 Jun 2008, 20:18

Can anyone help with this? The Airbag Warning light on my Xantia Estate LX (V Reg) has been on permantly for ages and attempts by local garages to read the codes proved a waste of time. So in the end I went to Citroen who after confirming that the codes couldn't be read advised that I needed a new Airbag ECU. I decided to go with the flow and hey presto all was fine until last week when now and again the Airbag warning light sometimes begins to flash (and other times it remains off and will do so for hours - just been on a 600 mile holiday to South West Wales). I thought it must be the connectors under the seat (the orange wires which clip together in a white plastic unit). I've had them apart and back again but same problem. Don't want to go back to Citroen if i can sort it myself - has anyone had similar?

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 08 Jun 2008, 20:22

NAM wrote: I thought it must be the connectors under the seat (the orange wires which clip together in a white plastic unit). I've had them apart and back again but same problem.

Thats always the first place to try.
Note that you may have heated seats, in which case there are more connectors/wires. Be sure you did not overlook any connectors.

Next one is the slipring/contact hidden under the steering wheel, which connects to the steering wheel airbag. With a little luck the slip ring can be rubbed clean with very fine emery paper (grade 360 or higher), but often is has met the end of its service life.

EDIT : dont be scared by the airbag in the steering wheel. A few simple precautions will ensure you dont fire anything up you face.

1) Record any codes for radio and immobiliser keypad.
2) Disconnect both cable clamps from the battery, then shotcircuit the cable clamps together using gaffa tape etc.
3) Wait 10 minutes to ensure all electronic circuits are well & truly discharged.

Now you can safely work with seat & wheel connectors as you like.

PS : when inspecting seat connectors, be sure the connector pins clamps well together and that wires are truly crimped well to the connectors.
Many owners prefer the ultimate solution : rid the connectors and then solder the wires together for a really secure connection for the rest of the cars service life.

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 08 Jun 2008, 23:12

There is no slipring and contact behind the steering wheel. The airbag and stereo controls are connected through a coil of plastic/copper, something like a flexible PCB (but I think that the copper strips are actually glued on rather than plated/etched).

I have had 3 of these fail in the last 18 months on my Xantia (although 2 were probably subject to mishandling).

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 09 Jun 2008, 22:56

xantia_v6 wrote:There is no slipring and contact behind the steering wheel. The airbag and stereo controls are connected through a coil of plastic/copper, something like a flexible PCB (but I think that the copper strips are actually glued on rather than plated/etched).

I have had 3 of these fail in the last 18 months on my Xantia (although 2 were probably subject to mishandling).

With all due respect Sir -

1) The flexible printed circuit board is for the radio controls ONLY. And it is in fact a sliding contact making multiple contacts for the stereo head unit.

2) There is a genuine ring & springcontact combination for the steering wheel airbag unit - on all and every model variant having an airbag in the steering wheel. The actual design varies slightly so you need your VIN to get the correct part for replacement.

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 10 Jun 2008, 20:18

No need for the sarcasm.

But where are the slipring and contact?

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 10 Jun 2008, 20:53

xantia_v6 wrote:No need for the sarcasm.

But where are the slipring and contact?

Is that truly for a Xantia ?

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 10 Jun 2008, 21:19

Yes, It is the part used in all Xantias with 2 or more airbags.

Note that that one has failed because if the folds in the ribbon at the inner end. It must have been under-wound before I got it.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 10 Jun 2008, 21:20

Ah Ha

So that explains why they have alignment marks on them and a warning to have the marks lined up in the straight ahead position...

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 10 Jun 2008, 21:51

This (second hand)one was aligned correctly according to the paper label and the little gear indicator thingy, but must have been previously unwound by several turns. It lasted about a month before the airbag light came on intermittantly, and another 3 months before the stereo controls stopped working, and I was motivated to replace it again.

The one before this (also second hand) was intermittant from when I installed it, When I opened it up, it had no creases in the ribbon, but had failed right at the inner end of the ribbon, so I suspect that it had also been unwound too far.

The one before that (the original in my car) failed a few weeks after heater matrix replacement, so I can't blame anyone else for that, but I threw it out without opening it up.

Clogzz · Unread post by **Clogzz** » 11 Jun 2008, 12:39

Xantia airbag slipring … item 5:

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 11 Jun 2008, 19:09

Obviously there is a later type with a completely different design.
This is NOT shown on Citroen service net.
Only the type shown in the drawing kindly submitted by Clogzz is the one found in all listings.

I apologise for my ignorance, and once again keep focusing on the fact, that most owners do know their own cars the best ...

I regret that my posting above could be interpreted as being sarcastic, which certainly was not intended

(lurking back into my corner ...)

Unread post by **lolingram** » 12 Jun 2008, 10:19

1) No need for the sarcasm.
But where are the slipring and contact?.

I don't think Anders meant any sarcasm Xantia_V6... just being very correct IMHO.

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 12 Jun 2008, 17:00

We should move on. I was annoyed at being being told I was wrong, when I knew I was giving the correct information for the vehicle under discussion.
I have got over it, I accept that Anders was trying to be helpful.

np · Unread post by np » 13 Jun 2008, 19:14

I had on going problems with this on my Xantia after a year or so of getting it.It was fault code read as "slipring",which was replaced at £90.that lasted less than a year.I got a supply from my local scrappy at £10 each,& changed them as & when after some help from the forum.Very easy job when you know how.I also did the connectors under the seats.And after all that time,my 03/53 406 needed the connectors re soildering under the seats last year.Stiil,French cars & electrics...................

jimbow · Unread post by **jimbow** » 14 Jun 2008, 19:25

exactly the same thing has happened to my (first registered Nov 1999) Xantia Activa, the airbag warning light usually triggered off as steering wheel turned well over to the the left- but not always

At £90 slipring replacement will have to wait awhile as I've just spent £150 on two new tyres. Unless my local Cit specialist can fix it from among the many salvaged parts they have in stock.

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