Citroën XM Barn Find - First start in 20 years?

[@slaggybuttonit]

My dad had a 3.0 XM for quite a while. I had use of it while he was overseas for a couple of years. I remember that it drove fantastically, and of course was comfortable, but all the interior plastics and electrics were disintegrating. Really appreciate you saving this one! If you think they're rare where you are, imagine how few there are here in NZ!

[@Brigidz]

They truly are rare. I have a GSA in the garage waiting for me to put another better engine in it. The XM is streets ahead of the GS of course. I also have a C5 diesel and I do like it but it's not as cool as the XM. I do love Citroens

[@sunilphalakdhari3869]

❤❤❤love this car. Even in.2025....it's still looks futuristic and beyond this world. And has the engineering to back that up. Really an iconic classic of the motor world.

[@mustangtel9265]

If he was a 2cv enthusiast, the alphanumeric of 2cv would be 2322. Worth a try if you haven't already.

[@SeasideGarage]

Going to try that also!

[@JLAGAN49]

Such a handsome looking Citroen when it drove out!!! Thank you for your perseverance on this venture. I had a 425cc 2CV, LHD with suicide doors, it committed suicide when a fan blade sheared off. 😢 I worshipped my old BX however, LHM in my veins. 😍

[@ShaunMurray63]

Epic , I didn't doubt that it would start.

[@BelfastMurf]

What a great looking car. That shot of her coming out of the garage was great! Pity modern cars don’t have that character.

[@SeasideGarage]

It got a great rear end for sure

[@michaelheimbrand5424]

The code is stored in the ECU. The disconnecting of keypad-trick only works on some newer models of XM/Xantia. Nice to hear it start. Definitely runs on five cylinders. If cap and rotor is bad, you may want to know it´s the same as Volvo 760 1988-90. Don´t know if that helps in Denmark, but here in Sweden it´s a good thing. I´m just guessing of course, but maybe a bad injector? Cap and rotor usually doesn´t totally kill just one cylinder like that.

[@michaelheimbrand5424]

Oh, just remembered. If your looking for another ECU, remember that it has to be for a 24v. A 12 valve ECU won´t work.

[@SeasideGarage]

I think its ignition related... but will investigate it in the next one :)

[@Chillmax]

@@michaelheimbrand5424 I always remember being warned about losing the PIN code, as otherwise it's an ECU change, which I think 10-20 years ago was around £850.

[@mehrzahl2219]

That PRV sounds majestic. Maybe the rings on the lowest compression cylinder will come back around. They did on my Volvo (went from 150 to 175) after a few months.

[@steveosshenanigans]

It started on the button !!

[@jorgefernandez-mv8hu]

Nice car you have there.

[@grayfool]

Great news. This could be a fantastic car.

[@delukxy]

A few days ago here in Chatham Kent UK I saw a black one of these with a continental number plate. Couldn't get close enough behind it to see the country and I had to turn off the road. Cool to see one being used normally.

[@jontaylor1652]

I never realised what a great car these things were.

[@johanbjork1650]

Good luck. Owned 2 XMs both 2 liter petrol. Most comfortable cars I have ever owned. Had a Xantia Activa which was cool but the ride was compromised. Enjoy it if you get it running and driving.

[@2008tourer]

So nice to hear it run! Regarding the compression test - I wonder how much the numbers will change after you flush the oil, run it for longer than a couple of minutes. I remember watching M539Restoration's adventure with his E30. Before he even started the engine, he did a compression test and the numbers were pretty poor, though after initial shake down the numbers improved significantly!

[@SeasideGarage]

Yea I am pretty sure it will become better.. :)

[@theotherchannel2279]

Been waiting for this one!!!

[@harryharker9564]

What entertainment fantastic viewing and so great to watch the phoenix rise from the earth

[@SeasideGarage]

Its always a great thing when a barn find starts... more so when it a hydraulic car!

[@gti505]

I got a Peugeot 605 of 1996 which has got the same system. Just an Sli 1998 cc. With 327000 kms on the clock. I have it for 10 years to use as a winter victim in fact.

[@Hipas_Account]

I own a 1997 605 2.0L Turbo with just over 340000 kms, and it having sat for a few years has made me forget the code to its keypad, helpfully i remember the code for a previous 1996 106 GTi i used to have. Right now i'm trying to figure out basically the same issue of either finding the code or bypassing it.

[@latitude9.5north54]

Excellent!!

[@johnboy384]

That model looks so good when it dropped low.

[@SeasideGarage]

Agree!

[@alvaronunesdesousa878]

Have you tried '0602'?

[@twocvbloke]

The keypad's probably putting out a logic-level signal to the brainbox that turns the injectors on & off, but only when it has the right code, though I'm definitely no expert in that sort of thing, I still get stumped trying to work out how a Commodore 64 works... :P

[@lundog8548]

Are there any numbers on the keypad that seam to be more worn than others? Might at least give you an idea of what numbers were used which could narrow it down a bit?

[@SeasideGarage]

no... it looks the same on all numbers..

[@macmanipowermacbookprair4110]

Nice to hear it starting, the Code is stored in the ECU. Sometimes people also write the code on the ecu so make sure you look there as well. If you can’t find the code you need another ECU. Make sure to get the Fenix4 not the Fenix3(12v prv). One of the culprits of this engine are the exhaust manifolds. They are equal lenght RVS tubes but they often tear. The bottom part is a catalytic converter but not sure you need that cause it has regular cats behind it.

[@peterriggall8409]

I usually write codes in the owners manual. Guess you already checked????

[@SeasideGarage]

Thanks! Will check... :)

[@misatobestgirl7230]

How is it stored on the ECU? Could restoring the code to factory default be as simple as opening the ECU case and removing a CMOS battery for a while?

[@macmanipowermacbookprair4110]

@@misatobestgirl7230 It doesn’t have a CMOS battery I think. Otherwise it would probably be empty by now and reset the code every time you unplug the battery. I’m 100% sure that the code is stored in the ECU, when I was young my dad picked up a car with a lost code. He took an ECU with him with a disabled code and just drove it off. That was a 12v V6.

[@RobReynolds]

I thought you were waiting for the podcast people for the first start so they can do it in their podcast

[@SeasideGarage]

Yes... they where here between the driving out of the garage shot and the next one... but they will release their video in a couple of weeks I think.... I could not let you guys wait that long!

[@gti505]

Anyway, there are just 10000 chances.

[@wholeladalovenorthernireland]

Try 7648

[@clausclausie7560]

Jeg er på dette tidspunkt komplet XM-narkoman.

[@SeasideGarage]

Det er meget nemt at blive afhængigt af!