2nd Nov 2008, 16:14

Xsara 1,8 VTR acquired 2 weeks ago after two reliable Xantias. However fuel gage problem is evident from already. (I had started to see this on my Xantia only recently and not found source of problem) So you guys who has solution? Other sites mentioned under floor box, this site mentioned junction box wires just being soldered but where is it located?

I am also hearing a squeak/knock from rear suspension. Any ideas of fix for it?

As I love my Citroens I want to fix these before they spoil my affair! Dave.

29th Jan 2009, 18:53

We have had a Citroen for around 5 months. It was great for a month or 2, then started to rev on its own, then cut out and wouldn't start for 5 or 10 minutes.

I changed the throttle sensor, thought I had fixed it, great for 2 days, then off again. Seems worse this time. I have been told to clean the idle control valve on the inlet manifold, as they clog up with oil and muck. Wish he'd told me this before I wasted 45 quid on a throttle sensor.

Then next, a window stopped working and the speaker in the door stopped. This was due to the stupid twist in the way the wire goes from body to the door; 3 bends when it could have been just straight. Well that's the french for ya. So just pulled back the rubber cover and reconnected the wires; this should sort ya windows and speakers.

I will let you know if cleaning the idle valve will help with stalling, as I have heard injectors on these are very poor and wear. Let's hope not. Looks good though, and drives great for 30 seconds.

20th Apr 2009, 12:44

Hi there, I am the owner of a Xsara 1.4 2003 model. The car has been very good for everything except for what seems to be a common fault - the awful smell coming from the heater. I believe now that there is a small leak that is only apparent when the engine is cold, and once it warms up it seals the leak, but evaporates when the engine gets warm. This means that the smell disappears after about 10 minutes and is fine until the next cold/hot cycle. To prove this theory to myself, I put some Bars Leak radiator sealant into the system and whilst it has not cured the problem, it has almost reduced the smell to zero. I suspect that I will have to get to the heater matrix sometime and this is going to be difficult - with this in mind, does anyone have any tips for getting the to the heater matrix? All assistance gratefully received!!!

30th Apr 2009, 18:53

Hi

I own a 2001 Xsara 1.4. It has 62,000 miles on the clock, and apart from the usual (exhaust etc), it has given me no trouble at all.

21st May 2009, 09:15

Last year I brought a 2004 (54) Xsara and so far I have only had one problem and one issue with the car. The wiring loom in the drivers door split and shorted out, which stopped the central locking working and the drivers side window wouldn't work. Apart from that, when you use the heater I get a terrible curry smell coming from the vents, which it cannot be used on longs journeys. Does anyone know how to solve this?

18th Jun 2009, 17:01

Hi, I've had my Citroen Xsara 2004 for about 10mths and it has a smell when you put the heater on, which now seems to be normal for the Citroen. It has over the last couple of weeks had a banging sound from what seems like the front passenger side, after having the drive shafts replaced on the left and the right side I have now been told that I need to totally replace the gearbox!! Nightmare. Parts not easy to get hold of and not cheap either. Won't be buying a foreign car again.

1st Aug 2009, 11:48

I got a problem with my Citroen Xsara 2001 1.4 indicators.

It is indicating to the left when it is switched off. It goes to the right when I indicate it to right but when it gets to neutral position it keeps on indicating to left..

Any ideas?

25th Aug 2009, 05:21

I own a Xsara 1.8 Exclusive 98.

Nearly 11 years old and only 65000 on it (my dad the previous owner never drove much!)

Obviously it wouldn't be a Citroen without problems, and this is no exception. The old man had the cutting out and general upset with the engine, went back to main dealer 3 times for diagnostics, never found a thing and he's friends with most of the employees there!! Seems if the computer says no, then they have no other ideas!

Of course I have now inherited this problem, I have pretty much convinced myself that it is the MAP sensor, but I'm going out in a minute to change the rear discs and pads so I'll have a good go with the air and throttle intakes and assembly. Any one with relevant competence should be able to change these sensors, have sourced a new one for £38.50 +VAT from Partco, dread to think what the main dealer want, but if it's anything like the O2 sensor in the exhaust that I recently purchased, it will be extortionate. O2 sensor from Partco, £53.50 +VAT - Main Dealer £163!!

Other than that I think I'm quite fortunate; fuel indicator doesn't seem to register a small fill sometimes, but after stopping and starting again seems fine, think I just start the car and leave the forecourt quicker than the needle can register!

The speedometer didn't work when I got the car, but the following day I was driving up the motorway when it sprang into life and has been fine ever since; was probably just sticking or the car thought what's the point of working when my dad barely drove it above 30!

As with any other "common" problems I've read on here, I count myself very lucky; remote central locking never worked, but a new battery in the key fob resolved this with one of the keys, the other I think has been dead for so long it needs reprogramming, although I need another battery now for the first, they don't seem to last too long.

I get a knocking from the front nearside suspension from time to time, but only over speed bumps which are everywhere and not all the time. I've just put this down to very soft suspension and using its full travel; anything more concerning I'll hope will be picked up on an MOT.

Naturally though I will never buy another Sh*troen, I never liked them anyway and would never intentionally buy one, this just happened to be available at short notice when I snapped the cam belt on my Vectra and pretty much broke everything along the way!

On a plus note, comfy seats!

Reply to threads experiencing lights and indicator problems, I had the same with my Vectra, bought a new stalk from ebay, less than a tenner and fitted it within 10 minutes, they're all on connecting blocks so straight off and straight in with the new, it is just a wear and tear problem, not specific to any particular model.