Xantia ABS

[xud]

I am currently preparing to use my Xantia 2.1td as a private hire vehicle.
The Council do the MoT test and is quite far reaching for cabs.
They state that they check the ABS
The ABS light does not come on at all. Does this mean either:-
The ABS does not have a fault
The ABS has a fault
Bulb has blown

I will check the actual operation on some gravel tomorrow.
Thanks in advance

[furrycheeky]

Has the car actually got ABS to test?

http://www.thinkmotors.com/used-cars/specifica tions/CITROEN/XANTIA/index.html?makeId=10&mode lId=353

I had a quick lookie here and some of the models with the 2.1 diesel engine dont list it as standard.

[mr rusty]

When a car is MOT tested the actual operation of the ABS isn't tested: what IS tested is the operation of the warning lamp, wether it follows the correct sequence.

2.1 TD's nearly all have ABS-has the light ever worked? The normal problem is that it either stays on or comes on intermittently, so what you have is either a blown bulb, or one that's been removed.........have a look.

It's not all bad news: the ABS on a Xantia is usually pretty easy to fix: the normal causes of the light coming on are either a split reluctor ring on the hub, or more likely a sensor that's picked up a load of swarf and dirt, or a damaged sensor cable: the cables are co-ax and can usually be sorted with a multimeter and a soldering iron, it's almost never a fault with the ECU.

Go to http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewforu m.php?f=3 put abs in the search box and you'll find all the problems and all the fixes.

[xud]

Thanks for the tips guys.
You won't believe this but on closer examination the ABS light does come on when I switch on the ingition, however it goes out pretty quickly (After about 1 second)
It's just I was too busy watching the pre-heater light waiting for it to go out and so didn't notice ABS.
It would appear that all is well.
Thanks anyway

On another note. There is a constant clicking sound. Does the sphere on the front of the eingine need replacing, or the part that the sphere screws on to?

[mr rusty]

The constant ticking (more than once or twice a minute) does usually indicate that you need a new accumulator sphere; Does it tick every time you put your foot on the brake?- a good sphere will take 30 or so brake applications before ticking.

is indeed the one on the engine front, and they are'nt expensive: Eurocarparts or GSF will do you one for around �30 or so............but removing the old one can be difficult if it was fitted by a non-Citroen thinking gorilla: you'll need either a sphere removal tool from Pleiades or a big strong chain wrench: you can also shift them with a hammer'n'chisel but there isn't much space around the accumulator and you need to be careful of the rad.

Crack it loose (a quarter turn only) with the system under full pressure on max ride height, then lower the car and loosen the pressure release valve bolt (under the sphere, 12 or 13 mm head, check your Haynes book if you aren't sure) to relieve the system of any pressure, then spin the sphere off ensuring the square section seal comes out too....sometimes they get left in and cause leaks.

Lube the new seal with LHM, put it in place, and screw the new sphere in: only do it up HAND TIGHT, like an oil filter, AND NO TIGHTER!!!!!

Job done!

[xud]

Thanks Mr Rusty, you seem to have good knowledge of Xantias.
I had a look on Euro Car Parts and there seemed to be lots of different spheres to choose from. Are they not all the same?
i.e. suspension and accumulator?
Also, there is a sphere on the rear axle too. What does that one do and what are the signs that it needs replacing?
Thanks