perm. live in boot area of mk111 multispace

[kaspian]

Been out today wiring in the new towbar electrics and discovered that the wiring plugs for the dedicated towbar wiring kit are behind the L.H rear boot panel as expected.
One of these plugs contains a single heavy white wire . This wire goes all the way to the fusebox under the bonnet/nearside . After disconnecting the battery it is a simple task to pull upwards on the fuse box assembly which exposes around 8 maxi blade fuses which are normally hidden behind the engine management system control box. Position 2 (2nd from left) is spare and when a fuse is inserted it supplies perm. 12v to the wire at rear allowing a supply to power the bypass relay unit.
While connecting this I also added a 12v accessory socket in the L.H panel (handy !) Might save a long drawn out wiring task running a supply all the way from back to front if you need power for projects! PS might also save on broken trim clips as I broke 5 on the rear black plastic tailgate landing panel while attempting to remove- [a mixture of cold weather conditions and clips made of plastic the consistency of potato crisps!

[andy-womble]

Just a pity that the so called "expert" who fitted and wired in my towbar didn't know this and has run a wire all the way along the chassis externally front to back.....

[kaspian]

Sorry guys just realised I missed a 1 from title ie MK111 and dont seem to be able to change it ! The above is true for the MK3 Berlingo Multispace. Mk11 may be similar if dedicated towbar wiring sockets exist in boot area as described but definitely check with a test lamp or multimeter before sticking fuses in blindly !

[Landgirl]

Hi Kaspian

Jim and I have been wondering about this 'live wire in the boot area' for some time. We've got the trim removal tools as recommended by Citroen but just how the hell you remove the panels neither of us have been able to work out. Could you (or anyone else for that matter) please give us an idea as to how we get started. Thing is, since it is a new car the last thing we want to do is to start damaging it. Any help would be most appreciated thanks.

Tracey

[kaspian]

Hi Landgirl. I know what you mean as our car is only 2 weeks old ! If you check out my post , I actually broke several of the clips as they are the cheapest , most brittle plastic I have ever experienced in 30 odd years of working on cars ! The clips are replaceable and I got new ones from the dealer who admitted they go through lots!
First panel I removed was the boot floor rear landing panel( black panel from side to side around 6 inches wide that moulds around the boot lock, next to the boot floor carpet. You need to slide the tool below between carpet and plastic panel and prise upwards releasing the clips as you go - around 10 in total.
Next pull up the carpet at lhs . This will reveal 2 moulded pins holding the LHS black vertical trim panel to the floor . Carefully lever up while pulling outwards to release. The rear vertical edge is released by pulling back on the boot hatch rubber seal lip and again carefully insert tool or flat bar between plastic panel and car frame to release one clip. This is enough to allow access and total removal of the vertical panel is not necessary.
Rear light clusters are removed if required by removing the 2 torx headed bolts and CAREFULLY wiggling the light cluster to release a further moulded clip from behind the light that is not really mentioned in the handbook . This again is very flimsily moulded and WILL break easy so take care!! If broken a new light assembly will be required! Strange as this is required to change a bulb and should be EASY!!
Take your time and you should be OK and remember that the white clips are replaceable so dont panic when they start flying in pieces everywhere! (I removed them on a cold day which may have made them more brittle )

[3rensho]

We've got the trim removal tools as recommended by Citroen

Hi, where does one get these tools? Thanks in advance.

[XTR]

We've got the trim removal tools as recommended by Citroen

Hi, where does one get these tools? Thanks in advance.

Not sure if these are the same as Citroen uses or reccomends,but I bought a set of these for €20 from a local car parts shop.
They are made of plastic/nylon so as not to damage the trim panels.
Plenty available on Ebay UK,type in 'trim removal tool'.
[Image: Foggn.jpg]

[XTR]

One of these plugs contains a single heavy white wire . This wire goes all the way to the fusebox under the bonnet/nearside . After disconnecting the battery it is a simple task to pull upwards on the fuse box assembly which exposes around 8 maxi blade fuses which are normally hidden behind the engine management system control box. Position 2 (2nd from left) is spare and when a fuse is inserted it supplies perm. 12v to the wire at rear allowing a supply to power the bypass relay unit.
While connecting this I also added a 12v accessory socket in the L.H panel (handy !)

Handy indeed,I have a 12/24v compressor fridge that I put in the boot when we go on holiday,so an extra socket would be ideal on the n/s.

Firstly,how do you disconnect the battery? Normally you should disconnect the negative terminal first as it saves all that flashy sparky business when the spanner touches earth,but the negative terminal is out of sight.The positive terminal seems to have a quick release connection as there is no nut and bolt on it.
Is it just a case of pulling up and releasing it?
The battery itself is encased in a plastic cover,any idea how that comes off?
On top of the battery is another red plastic cover,with several fuses underneath,how does that all come apart?

I can see the fuses you mean,they are maxi aren't they!

Any idea where I can connect to an ignition feed under the bonnet?

So many questions,so little time