Citroen Xara snow&sport mode lights flash on start

toniq

They stay flashing and the car doesn't seem to find gear, so I turn off ignition and try again, it done it once or twice last month, Now today, this morning it took five attempts to get off the flashing and this evening at least 8 attempts.

It has yearly services etc, it's an automatic, 2000.

I'm guessing it's a problem with transmission?

Any ideas anyone, i have googled and found nothing much.

Thanks

Coveredinbees!!!!

Typing in xsara rather than xara I found this straight away http://www.ilexa.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=8227.0

Model:

All models equipped with an AL4 automatic transmission

Symptoms:

Warning lights flashing. (Snow and sport light flashing simultaneously) this is usually accompanied with shift quality related complaints.

Fault codes:

The following fault codes can be stored in the ECU.


Automatic transmission control unit. Permanent (intermittent) fault. Multifunction switch open/short circuit.


Automatic transmission control unit. Permanent (intermittent) fault. Multifunction switch intermediate position

Possible Causes:

Defectiv Switch
Switch out of adjustment
Poor connection


Rectification:

A permanent fault usually indicates that the switch is defective and fitting a new part will solve the problem.

With an intermittent fault it may be possible that the switch is out of adjustment. The fault can be induced by slowly moving the lever between speeds. With D selected and light pressure applied towards 3 observe the selector indicator on the instruments. If the light at D goes off followed by the warning lights flashing, this means the fault has been triggered. Another way to do this is by moving the selector lever slowly from 3 towards D. This is much more difficult to do. Easy inducement by manipulating the selector lever means, there is a high probability of an incorrect switch adjustment. Adjusting the switch should solve the problem.

Should all of the above fail to permanently solve the problem, it will be necessary to do some wiring and connection checking. We like to save this time consuming and tedious task as a last resort. In our experience the most encountered problems are switch defects and adjustments.

toniq

Thanks, for your help, I think it's not gonna be something i'm gonna be able to do myself so will take it to a garage and bite the bullet and just get ot sorted.