bx starting problems

[kevlights]

1989 BX GTi auto petrol injected;
the car has recently been hard to start,
when you turn the key ,the car will start turn or run for a few seconds then stops, only runs for about 3- 5 seconds then stops, then if you try and start it again, the engine just cranks and turns over on the starter, but will not fire.
What i generally do then, is leave it for half an hour ,then it may or may not start. after that i generally give up;
Car was fine all through the summer ,put a replacement battery in it recently and just cleaned the spark plugs. Have charged battery several times ,alternator tested good.
Any ideas were i should look first , weather is cold and very wet here at moment ,floods 80 klms south but just cold and damp here

[kiwi]

you just answered your problem

Cold and Damp

[kevlights]

thanks for the cold damp info,but how do i fix it? is there a way of getting the car to start ? ,i have cleaned the air cleaner and made sure the sensor flap was moving free ;after the battery is charged this after noon,will check the distributor and make sure that is clean ,and is okay;gosh is that in a difficult position looks like i have to take the battery out; oh the joys of working on a BX ; other than the distributor is there any other place i should look at? to solve this, start and runs for a few seconds then cuts out and will not restart help !!