CITROEN 2001 XM Service manual

The Citroen XM Internet Reference
Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0 1
3/3/99
The Citroen XM Internet Reference
This set of pages is dedicated to all of those internet folks who have contributed to the XM mailing list
XM-L.
These pages have been sourced from many areas but mostly from the XM-L mailing list and Citroen Car
Club members.
You’ll appreciate that I really wanted to get this out so that all of you can have a look and give me your
comments.
You can email me directly at
[e-mail]
.
I intend to try and refine these pages as time goes by, so be patient!
Best Regards
Steve
(March 1999)
(Parts of this document orginally appeared in the Citroen Car Club Magazine –
www.CitroenCarClub.org.uk)

The Citroen XM Internet Reference
2 Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0
3/3/99

Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0 3
3/3/99
The Citroen XM Internet Reference
The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater 7
Alarm 8
Central Locking 9
Changing the steering wheel 10
Dashboard Display (replacing bulbs) 11
Dip-Dip failure 13
Early car problems 14
Earthing blocks 15
Electric Mirrors 17
Electric windows 18
Fuel Gauge Problem 22
Glove Box 23
Heater (1) 24
Heater (2) 28
Heater (3) 31
Heater (4) 32
Instrument panel oil gauge 34
Key Plip 35
Not starting 36
Radios etc 37
Rear bulb warnings 40
Sidelights 41
Speedometer 42
Stop lights 44
Sunroof 45
Water temperature warning 46
Wet boot problem 47
Windscreen Washer empty warning always displayed 48
XM won’t start 49
The Body 51
Alloy Wheel Refurbishment 52
Blowout 54
Door hinges 55
Grinding noise from front of car 56
Headlights 57
Michelin tyres 58
Outside temperature sensor whereabouts 59

4 Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0
3/3/99
Repairing bumpers 61
Replacement wing mirror glass 62
Roof Rack 63
Rust 64
Tow bar 65
The Engine and other mechanicals 67
150HP engine 68
Cambelt pulley 69
Clunk behind Front wheel 70
Engine management system 71
Engine noise 72
Engines 73
Idle speed wobblies 74
Juddering and vibration 75
Models and DIRAVI 76
Oil 77
Play in ball joints 78
Servicing Intervals 79
Spark plugs 80
Valve stem oil seals 81
Water leak 82
Suspension 83
Accelerator pedal sensor 84
Auto/sport Suspension Problem 85
BX Sphere on XMs 86
Changing Spheres 87
Clicking Hydralic pump 88
Comfort Spheres 89
Diravi on an XM 90
Electro-valve and hard ride 91
Electro-valve diagnostic 92
Hard suspension 93
Height correctors 94
How to change the spheres 95
Hydractive 1 and Hydractive 2 explained 96
Hydractive 2 suspension 98
Hydraflush 101
LHM 104

Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0 5
3/3/99
Link rods/stabilisers 108
Noisy hydraulic pump 110
Pressure Regulators 111
Re-gassing vs replacing 112
Rear Suspension Bearings 113
Refilling spheres 114
Sinking feeling 115
Sorting out the suspension 116
Spheres 117
Spheres - replace or regas? 118
Spheres with less damping? 120
Sport/Auto self changing phenomenon 123
Suspension 124
Suspension computer 125
Suspension Explanation 126
Suspension question 130
Suspension strut drama 131
Suspension V6 132
Suspension variants 133
The brakes 135
ABS and Brake delay. 136
ABS OUT OF USE showing on display. 137
ABS sensors 139
Bleeding the Brakes 141
Brake Disks 143
Brake Pads 144
Brakes 145
Brakes not working 146
Front brake pads 147
Loss of Brakes 148
Parking Brakes 149
Warped front discs 151
Auto and manual gearboxes 153
Auto Box 154
Auto gearbox oil level 156
Clutch slip in Auto Gearbox 157
Clutch difficult to operate 159
Gearbox 162

6 Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0
3/3/99
V6 Auto boxes 163
Air-conditioning 165
Adding Air-con 166
Air Conditioning 167
Air conditioning drain 169
ECU - Air conditioning 170
Converting to R134A 171
3.0 Litre Cars 173
3.0L suspension problem 174
Engine management specialist - help!!!! 176
Oil Pump 178
Potentiometer problems? 179
The source of all misery Cracked back manifold 180
V6 24v Engine management specialist needed 182
General Information 183
Andyspares 184
Back from the XM factory 185
Books 186
Burning XM’s 188
Buying an XM 189
Citroen specialists 192
Facelift models 193
Genuine & Aftermarket parts 194
Powersteering problems 195
Prices 196
RP (Replacement Parts) Numbers 197
RP numbers 198
Series 2 inside looks 199
Spares to carry 200
The first XM club 202
Total failure 203
Who designed what 204
XM Prestige 205
XM Replacement 206

The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater
Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0 7
3/3/99
The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater

The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater 1 Alarm
8 Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0
3/3/99
1Alarm
Dear Groupsters,
Does anyone out there know how to disable the alarm system on my 1993 XM
2.0i Turbo? It gives so many false alarms now, it is pointless having it
on anymore....
Thanking you in anticipation of your help,
Keith

2 Central Locking The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater
Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0 9
3/3/99
2 Central Locking
Central locking - remote key fob does not operate. Having found out that if two .0 (’dot’ zero) or .1 are in
use, the system will not function, the problem is most likely to be in the receiving unit. I have heard, that
the receiving units can suffer from ’frequency drift’. Whether this is true or not, cannot be easily checked
without access to a frquency scanner/transmitter. The solution seems to be to fit a new unit (including
key fobs -the internal pcbs can be exchanged) for which Citroen offer a ’kit’.

The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater 3 Changing the steering wheel
10 Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0
3/3/99
3 Changing the steering wheel
I saw a comment that earlier XMs had a single spoke steering wheel that did not hide dashboard
switches. Where would I get one and are there any fitting problems anyone is aware of ?
From a scrapyard.... or try someone like Paul Johnson in Oxford if you’re in the South.... who specialises
in XMs. The wheel itself is a doddle to change. You need a 19mm (I think) socket driver. Simply
unscrew the nut, after removing the cover, tug the wheel off and put the replacement on.
The ICE controls are connected via a little plug/socket which is housed with in a recess in the wheel
behind the cover. Be careful not to damage the printed circuit board that the socket is housed on.
Keith

4 Dashboard Display (replacing bulbs) The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater
Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0 11
3/3/99
4 Dashboard Display (replacing bulbs)
Intermittent gear display
On my last two XMs, which have been automatics, the display on the dashboard (P,N,D,etc) has gone
intermittent and a temporary cure is effected by banging the dash with my fist! Is it easy to get in to this
area? I guess there is a connector that need cleaning.
===
A sharp whack of the LEFT-HAND (!) side of the dash usually fixes it
===
I have the same problem. I asked my dealer and it appeared that this is a "standard problem". A
complete electronic box in the gearbox needs to be replaced, which is quite expensive. Banging th dash
didn’t help in my case. When I drive around it becomes normal again after some 10 minutes. I the
beginning the thing made me quite crazy, but now I just got used to it.
====
I have also had the problem of the screwed up gear selector display. I have had two automatic XMs from
new and they have both had the problem. The current (P reg) one went into the garage a few weeks ago
and they said it was a big job costing ?200+ as they had to replace a unit that fits on the gearbox. As it’s
a company car it is not my problem but today the speedo packed up as well. Add this to the auto gearbox
problem that seems to be developing and my 18 month old XM is starting to look pretty poor for an
executive car.
Who was it said that later XM’s are reliable? I have had three from new and they have all been poor
quality. I wonder whether I should go back to a boring old Granada next time, at least it held together!
======
How do I get at the instrument cluster?
You will find a couple of plasic caps on the sides of the instrument cowling over the instruments. You can
lever these out with a small screwdriver or your fingernails (ouch). Under these caps you will find some
'torx' screws which must be removed. Gently insert a very thin bladed screwdriver or a palette knife into
the slot where the base of the cowling meets the front panel of the dash. This slot extends to the entire
length of the intrument cowling. You can lift the cowl upwards with the blade and it will pop out. The
instrument panel is secured with four 'torx' screws. At the back of the panel, the speedo cable is
attached by a lock ring which must be pulled back to release the cable.
Thanks to John Michegan and the Citroenian, the Citroen Car Club Magazine
Dash (Instrument Cluster) Light Bulb Replacement - Early XM’s
Anyone know how to get at the Speedometer and Tachometer light bulbs in a ‘90 XM V6?
I can remember that I told you earlier.
What exactly is the problem. Did you find all 4 screws?
Then you only have to push the lower end hard towards the windscreen.
======
Subject: Dash Lights

The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater 4 Dashboard Display (replacing bulbs)
12 Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0
3/3/99
On top on the inner side are two little screws. At both sides are 2 screws covered by 2 round plastic
buttons. After removing the 4 screws you have to push the lower side of the instrument house
backwards. It should come loose. Then move the whole shebang in the direction of the windshield.
Replace all bulbs.
======
Removing the instrument panel
The process is very simple.
On the sides of the cowl that is over the instruments there are two plastic caps which must be removed
with a small screwdriver or the nails.
Under these caps are two screws with 'torx' heads which must next be removed. Now comes the only
tricky bit which is to gently insert a very thin bladed screwdriver or palette knife in the slot where the
base of this cowl meets the front panel of the dash.
This slot is in front of the instruments and is as long as the cowl. Once the slot has been penetrated
without damage to the cowl, it is a simple matter to just lift the cowl upwards and it will pop out
completely. You will then see that the instrument panel is secured with four torx screws.
Release these screws, remove the speedometer cable from behind the speedo by moving the lock ring
back and pulling the cable off.
The instrument panel can now be removed. Bulbs, etc. can easily be replaced as they are twist-off bulbs
and spares are available from Halfords.
(Thanks to John Michigan)

5 Dip-Dip failure The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater
Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0 13
3/3/99
5 Dip-Dip failure
I own a 1992 XM 2.1 turbo diesel auto. Recently, the dim-dip, which operated when the sidelights and
the ignition were both on, has stopped working.
I assume that somewhere, there is a little black box (a resistor pack?) which has died.
====
As far as I can see on my RHD 1991 V6 the resistor is the metal cased cylinder mounted at the bottom
front nearside of the plastic support/cowling for the cooling fans. You may be able to reach it through the
lower air intake aperture.

The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater 6 Early car problems
14 Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0
3/3/99
6 Early car problems
Very early cars had problems. So I guess it depends on what you call "early".
Not many dealers know this. And the dealers who do know where instructed to keep it secret.
Citroen could not use any bad publicity nor did they wanted to alarm their own dealers with a Technical
Bulletin describing the problem. Every distributor had about 10 new engines in stock with a complete
gasket set just incase an early XM would blow up it’s engine. We had three cars, a friend of mine two
and I know of many others, spread all over Europe.
All with the same problem: Due to inproper lubrication of the balance shaft, the bearing (on the non
distribution side) broke in two pieces with various, very interesting results.
First Citroen said it was not possible ! "Don’t you mean CX sir "? "Or BX ?" " But there are no XM’s sold
yet in Belgium (Holland) sir, are you sure it’s an XM ?".....Bla...bla...bla... "I don’t think we can fix it sir...!"
All cars were fixed within 48 hours, at the dealer, by a special team from Paris. We never had such a
good service from Citroen in years...

7 Earthing blocks The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater
Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0 15
3/3/99
7 Earthing blocks
I’m thinking of replacing my long suffering earthing blocks with ring connectors. However, I’m not quite
sure if I’ve located all the main earthing blocks themselves. I’ve played with the blocks on the insides of
the front wings many times, and have also fiddled with the one near the back brake lights. Are there any
other blocks which should be replaced?
Multi-pin connector blocks
The original article, compiled prior to the Northern Rally at Wetherby and printed m the August 1996
issue of the Citroenian, arrived at no definite remedy to the suspension problem suffered by some early
XMs. However the situation has changed and I feel once again that I should burden you with my
findings.
The following steps, taken in a chronological sequence, resulted finally m a suspension system that is
acceptable to me and works fairly close to the way it was designed (I think). REMEMBER, what I am
reporting here is the work that I have carried out on my car, you must make your decision on what you
think is appropriate for your car.
Get out your snips!
I ) All multi-pin plugs were chopped off! ! ! Shock therapy is great to get the grey cells working. Seriously,
without the use of an 'in between box' checking the various components with the plugs connected is
almost impossible, therefore the easy way is to replace said plugs with strip connectors enabling
multi-meter readings to be taken off the terminal screws. The multi-pin plugs concerned were:
a) The black 7-pm connector close to the offside Front sphere was replaced with a rather nice
component box and cover (Tandy). This was mounted to the bulkhead edge above the clutch operating
lever and fitted with a terminal strip for seven cables in and out (14).
Appropriate holes drilled and grommets fitted completed the job but there are two points to consider
carefully. Firstly my cable looms were a little on the short side requiring extreme care in the final
positioning of the box and secondly, the electro valve cables in positions 6 and 7 are simple (both yellow)
but the body sensor cables 2, 3, 4 and 5 are all green albeit with a thin trace line secondary colour. I
found it difficult identifying the various cables
through the dirt but maybe this is because I am Red/Green colour blind!
b) The white speed sensor connector requires a replacement two way strip connector. Nothing too
involved here but the original connector may be a little difficult to reach.
c) The Il-pin white connector, positioned close to the driver's feet behind the under trim panel, is a two
row (A and B) device which I removed and replaced with the following: Steering sensor: Four way strip
connector
Accelerator sensor: Three way strip comnector Selector switch: Two way strip connector
Anti jolt: Two way strip connector
The anti jolt function is served by two cables. One is connected to all four door pillar switches and the
other to the boot lighting switch. If required, full details of the terminal connections I have made can be
supplied for the cost of a stamped addressed envelope but my method was to adhere to the same
relative positioning as shown m the Citroen suspension wiring diagram XM 580-00/20a.
(Thanks to Jim Davidson and the CCC)

The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater 7 Earthing blocks
16 Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0
3/3/99
Sport not auto
The suspension went out of AUTOMATIC into SPORT. Now, it has to be admitted that in SPORT the car
certainly firms up the overall ride. But in this case, I did not require sporty handling but rather a
cushioning of the rough roads of Krakow's bumpy pave. To cut a long story short, the problem was
traced to the main multi-block connections to 'the brain' or computer, without which your XM will not
function. With the ignition off, wiggle the connectors, and back comes the automatic control of the
suspension. Bliss again! I have had to clean and use contact cleaner (available from Tandy) several
times in the past two years to overcome this problem. You will find these connections under the bonnet
in the black box on the off-side of the engine compartment. It seems that the achilles heel of XMs and
probably other makes and models, lies in the connectors rather than in the basic electronics.

8 Electric Mirrors The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater
Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0 17
3/3/99
8 Electric Mirrors
Electric mirrors - ceased to function. Afther checking the connections at the mirrors,suspicion lay with
the switch. After disassembling unit (remember to do this with switch upside down, and close to a flat
surface, otherwise parts may be lost!) the problem was here. There is no obvious protection from dirt
entering from the console area, and the ’pcb’ is coated with grease, which then traps the dirt! The
contacts are not ’wipers’ but are ’ball’ shaped, which can ride up on any dirt particles which are then
trapped!

The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater 9 Electric windows
18 Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0
3/3/99
9 Electric windows
Switch not working
To remove the switch from the door Just flip out the switch with a screwdriver.
“I extracted the switch, unplugged it, fiddled around a bit, plugged it back in again and it works.”
The easiest way to mend the one-touch switch on the drivers side is to buy a new one!!
Window winder broken
“On my XM 2.0i (1989) I also have a problem with the one touch window switch, but replacing the switch
with a brand new one (I didn’t had to pay for it) didn’t change a thing.
On my car the (old and new) switch itself obviously works fine but the window doesn’t go to the lower or
upper position automatically most of the time (i.e. it stops somewhere in the middle). But when it went
down or up to the end I can hear a clicking sound inside the door after the window stopped moving , so
I guess there is something wrong with the electronics inside the door.
Is there anybody out there who nows how to remove the door panels so that I can have a look inside the
door ??”
You can get an "electric window repair kit" from Citroen for about 6 pounds. It think it just helps you
rethread & repair the mechanism that makes the window move. Sorry to be so vague.
Replacing bulbs in the electric window switches
“My switches all work but the bulbs inside the drivers doow switch has failed. Was the bulb accessible, I
haven’t tried to get the switch out to have a look yet.”
“Well, I decided to dismantle my switch today to see what had happened to the lighting. Both bulbs have
failed. Needless to say, when I put it back the thing didn’t work properly so I had to strip it down, clean
up all those little spring contacts and put it back together again. I can’t see where to get such tiny bulbs
so I’m going to try a couple of 12v high intensity LED’s. Only problem could be the viewing angle, only
about 120 degrees. I’ll let you all know how I get on! It’ll have to wait for next weekend now though. On
the same note, I have no background lighting on my ride-height selector - should that be backlit? I can’t
remember.”
“If they’re anything like the switches on my ’87 CX25, the bulbs are available at most electronics stores
(in Canada/US: Radio Shack or similar). The ones I’m tlaking about are little pea bulbs with two bare
wires sticking out, perhaps one inch long.”
====
The manual gives the bulbs as "wedge type 5mm diam. 0.36w"
Not working
My Right hand side electric window has started to make a nasty noise like a gear stripping and the glass
now has 100mm play. I have to lift it up into position before pressing the switch to hold it shut. Anyone
know what the problem might be?
====
Similar problem on my rear passenger-side window. Took the trim off, eventually managed to get a look
inside the door through the access hole- I found that the plastic grip which the cable is attached to to
wind the window up has broken, so it twists around on the bottom of the window- this then causes the

9 Electric windows The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater
Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0 19
3/3/99
gap at the top of the window. Didn’t have much time to spend on it though. Not sure how easily fixable it
is- there’s not much space to get inside the door.
To remove the panel:
Remove the screw holding the top of the armrest on,
Remove the window switch and remove the screw found underneath it,
Remove the inner door handle surround (clips off)
Oh-so-very-carefully go round the edge of the trim panel and unclip it- you will quite probably snap a few
of the clips off, I know I did...
Disconnect the wiring to the kerb lighting, That should do it. I think.... For better instructions get the
Haynes manual- that’s how I knew about the screw behind the window switch!!
The access hole into the door should be towards the rear of the door, low down. It’s big enough to get
your hands in, but that’s about it.
Repairing the rear window
When I bought my XM the passenger side rear window wasn’t operating. I had to replace the two plastic
clips that attach to the glass. Here’s what I did to replace them, once I had removed the interior door
panel:
To replace the plastic central window guide, which fixes onto the bottom of the window, undo the three
bolts holding the winder motor and remove the motor, cables and guide rail assembly. To fix the white
plastic guide clip to the vertical slide rail, first soak it in boiling water for ten minutes then snap it onto the
rail by force. To fit the top, side guide clip, unclip the centre bottom guide from the glass and lower the
glass down. Fix on the new side clip and raise the glass and guide into the correct position before
reattaching centre clip.
Actually I did a lot more than this because I didn’t know how to do it and I went up lots of blind alleys.
Does anyone know what to do about the clips that break off from all around the inside edge of the
interior door panel when you remove the panel? They shouldn’t break but always one or two do,
sometimes taking the hard foam material the panel is made of with it.
Electric window not winding
Just as winter apporaches one of the rear passenger windows has decided to stop winding. It seems to
have come out of its guides and also seems to stop going up some 10 mm before the top of the frame.
Has anybody cured this problem relatively easily? I presume that one of the plastice bits has snapped/
worn out!
Can you buy new guides?
----
Any advice welcome as long as it stops the rain comming in!
Steve
======
Electrice window not winding

The Electrics, Dashboard and Heater 9 Electric windows
20 Citroen XM Internet Reference Version 1.0
3/3/99
I had the same problem. It turned out to be the clip which holds the window in the channel. This is quite
common apparently, and kits for repair including new clips are available. I let my local Citroen wizard do
it, as I tried it and rapidly lost patience with it.
======
**** We are also interested in a better solution.
We can offer only the complete assembly. That’s the only part the Citroen distributor has available. No
separate motor, no nylon pieces....
At least in the Netherlands.
CITROEN ANDRE // CXA // ANDRE POL
http://home.worldonline.nl/~citandre
http://home.worldonline.nl/~citandre/icccr.htm
[e-mail]
======
Electric window not winding
When I bought my XM the passenger side rear window wasn’t operating. I had to replace the two plastic
clips that attach to the glass. I bought these from my local Citroen dealer.
Here’s what I did to replace them, once I had removed the interior door panel:
To replace the plastic central window guide, which fixes onto the bottom of the window, undo the three
bolts holding the winder motor and remove the motor, cables and guide rail assembly. To fix the white
plastic guide clip to the vertical slide rail, first soak it in boiling water for ten minutes then snap it onto the
rail by force.
To fit only the top, side guide clip, unclip the centre bottom guide from the glass and lower the glass
down. Fix on the new side clip and raise the glass and guide into the correct position before reattaching
centre clip.
I hope this helps. It isn’t a hard job. Really I should have tackled it less than a year after I bought the
car! Rather than waiting so long!
Yours,
Mark
One-touch window switches
Yes the switches do plug straight in but that doesn’t have the desired effect - What we call "one shot"
switches in the UK. You also need the relay pack - which has a small wiring loom which replaces some
of the wiring in the door. I upgraded mine (88 GTi) with that from a scrapped GTi Turbo.
For the bulbs you can get them from model shops as the same ones are used in Scalextric cars.
Front door trim
Does anybody know how to remove the interanl front passenger door trim? The electric window
mechanism is getting rather slow closing, so I thought I’d lubricate it before it gets stuck open!
====