central locking issue

Vince Pepper · Post by **Vince Pepper** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 12:47 pm

I have just bought a 1990 BX GTi 4x4 and have a number of problems that I need to sort in the coming months ( possibly years

) one of many is the drivers door wont open, the key fits the lock and tries to lift the button and I have tried unlocking from inside too. Now at this stage I would take the door card off and check it out but therein lies the problem, how the hell can I get the door card off when I can't open the door ? I think it may have Central locking but know very little about BXs and have no manuals or booklets with the car. I can see I'm going to be a regular advice seeker on here, best ignore me now and not get involved

.
Any advice gratefully received !

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 1:48 pm

Should have central locking, and the passenger door should activate it in theory - though when I do this on mine, the driver's door does not unlock, so must have a broken wire somewhere.

Would it be worth a squirt of WD40 or similar in the door lock and leave it for a soak?

Congrats on getting a 4x4 though! Bit specialist but you'll find plenty of support here.

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:01 pm

Dollywobbler wrote:Should have central locking, and the passenger door should activate it in theory - though when I do this on mine, the driver's door does not unlock, so must have a broken wire somewhere.

The passenger door does not activate the central locking if ir plip central locking is incorporated as factory standard.

Also central locking does not stop the door being opened from inside so if the mechanism is not allowing the button to be pulled up then the motor unit is likely seized. The inside door opener won't operate if the button is in the down position.

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:08 pm

There are some models that have both door opening AND IR, i've come across two now, both late models, the difference is in the door lock motor rather than the wiring loom so very easy to add aftermarket.

I suspect with the lock is seized, i have a duff motor on my passenger door which will not unlock but can be forced if the pin is pulled. The motors are pretty weak.

Out of interest though, where is the seatbelt?

I have seen on one occasion where the hole in the seatbelt clip has dropped over the locking pin on the door, then the door slammed shut. This wedged the lock and absolutley would not open. I know after a long time we eventually got the door open and i suspect we where second away from cutting the door off the car!

Vince Pepper · Post by **Vince Pepper** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:06 pm

Thanks for all your help, I have managed to get the offending door open today, sprayed silicon lub into the lock ( had squirted WD40 in a few times during the week too )and after much key wiggling it finally lifted the button.

A happy ending to the story then, No not quite.

Horror of horrors as soon as I pull the door open it drops considerably, my immediate thoughts are that the hinges need adjusting, oh no that would be too easy, I look at the upper hinge to see it completely detached from the car and a big rusty hole where it should be attached to the inner wing/doorpost. Looks like I am going to need the services of a very competent welder.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:55 pm

Consolation it is not, but this is a very common BX issue and not generally an expensive repair. Bad design/materials, I'm afraid.

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:40 pm

Vince Pepper wrote:...after much key wiggling it finally lifted the button...Horror of horrors as soon as I pull the door open it drops considerably, my immediate thoughts are that the hinges need adjusting, oh no that would be too easy, I look at the upper hinge to see it completely detached from the car and a big rusty hole where it should be attached to the inner wing/doorpost

Perhaps it was no accident that the door became jammed

Brian King · Post by **Brian King** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:24 am

Welcome mate to the wondeful world of the 4x4. As far as problems are concerned I have had the BIG ONE and it's now back on the road. But during my ownership and before, it's also had more small and medium sized probs* than you get with the average BX and it looks like you have another one here. I don't know why it is. Perhaps it's because they're so different in various minor ways (exhaust system for example) that they have spent more time idle while the owners search for parts, with the result that things corrode and seize. Or since they're so fiendish to take apart, maybe they were fiendish to assemble in the first place so mistakes were made at that stage. Or nobody wanted to do it so they waited till Friday each week.

* So far: Sunroof mechanism was one tooth out so it never shut properly. Ignition augmenter packed up in the middle of nowhere. Heater control seized (horrible job and still not 100%) Interior light switch feed dead. Rough running between 2500 and 4000rpm. And before I bought it: all hydraulic pipes underneath replaced, clutch replaced twice and transfer box once, and brand new engine fitted 20,000 miles ago (it's averaged 2,000 miles p.a. since, see above)

Why don't I off load it? Because I've never seen a BX with better bodywork, it really does ride like a magic carpet for those 2000 miles a year, and I delude myself that I will eventually sort it completely.

Incidentally, near me in Gloucestershire there is a 4x4 estate, with carburettor engine and air con. It's owned by a garagiste who could sort it for the MOT as part of the deal . Anyone who is interested email: apweston09@aol.com

Vince Pepper · Post by **Vince Pepper** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:03 pm

jonathan_dyane wrote: Perhaps it was no accident that the door became jammed

I bought the car on the spur of the moment ( madness I know ) unseen, the previous owner said originally that he had bought it with a short mot and drove it until it ran out and never got round to doing anything with it, it has been laid up for nearly 10 years since the mot ran out.

Vince Pepper · Post by **Vince Pepper** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:39 pm

Brian King wrote:Welcome mate to the wonderful world of the 4x4. As far as problems are concerned I have had the BIG ONE and it's now back on the road.

Why don't I off load it? Because I've never seen a BX with better bodywork, it really does ride like a magic carpet for those 2000 miles a year, and I delude myself that I will eventually sort it completely.

I hate to ask what "THE BIG ONE" is but feel I must !

Early indications are not good with this car and any sane person would offload it and cut their losses, but as you have probably guessed I am not going to do that, for in the couple weeks that I have owned it I have grown to like the quirkiness and I have enough vehicles to use as everyday transport to plod along with the BX, just to get it to mot standard is going to be time consuming but it will be a great learning curve.

I have already found difficulty in getting parts, the exhaust is blowing and has a Fosters beer can wrapped around with wire as a previous repair, I have tried a couple of suppliers for a replacement but no joy, looks like a bespoke (aka expensive) system unless anyone knows different.

Brian I noticed your signature says 4x4 owner, brave. That made me smile, I have added mine in homage.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 2:41 pm

Vince Pepper wrote:"THE BIG ONE"

Transfer box. Splines made of toffee.

Some have suggested using 4x4 transmission from a peugeot 405 - there has been some discussion on here in the past.

Jayboy · Post by **Jayboy** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:46 pm

Another man brave enough to take on the 4x4

A bespoke exhaust manufactured from scratch is actually cheaper to have fabricated than Citroen would rob you for an original if you could still get one! I enquired with PD Gough in Nottingham about 5 years ago and was quoted about £250 for a complete system in mild steel. Given than just a downpipe would have been £200 from Citroen that sounded like a bargain. Never had one made though as I found a used downpipe eventually.

There are new systems around in private hands - I have one - but I think all owners are hanging on to them for dear life!

Brian King · Post by **Brian King** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 12:44 pm

Give that man a cigar! Yes, the BIG ONE for 4x4 owners is indeed the Magimix food processor splines giving way. My car seems to do it every 6,000 miles but I shall offload it at 5999 miles on this forum. Seriously though an ace engineer,Phil of Wigan, is, as we speak, dismantling my old gear and transfer boxes to see if an engineering solution can be reached that will benefit all 4x4 owners. And I have a complete 4x4 exhaust system in my lock-up with holes, rust, etc but the important thing is the various bits can be used as a pattern for anyone who wants the whole or part made. I will charge a £150 deposit (fully refundable) for the loan of any part.

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 5:29 pm

I think I am right in saying that troubles with splines often start following a clutch change, when the splines are disturbed and replaced in a different position. Should a clutch change be needed I believe 4x4 owners should if at all possible ensure that the splines reengage as before. Not having had one in bits myself however, I cannot say whether this is practical...

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:54 pm

Philip Chidlow wrote:Transfer box. Splines made of toffee.

If only they where that strong!

Says me having off roaded a 4x4 on the limiter and abused the hell out of it without and problems

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