The Aubergine

Tell us about life with your BX, or indeed life in general!
Post Reply
mds141
Over 2k
Posts: 5288
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 1:26 am
Location: Lancaster
x 9

Re: The Aubergine

Post by mds141 »

Starter solenoid sticking? Try giving the starter motor a " gentle " tap with a metal bar.
Mark Smith

Is it just me or is everything shit?

1989 BX GTi 16 valve. Blanc Alpine. Completed the Citroen Classic Challenge Ecosse and 1337 miles without a hitch.
2000 XM VSX 2.1 td Auto. Rouge Magenta.
TGD saloon many years ago.

1990 Swift 'Corniche' 12/2 aka BXClub HQ.
Honda Firestorm. Gone, but not forgotten.
2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC.
User avatar
mat_fenwick
Moderator
Posts: 7326
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:08 pm
Location: North Wales
x 19

Re: The Aubergine

Post by mat_fenwick »

The trigger wire is the small diameter wire that leads to a spade connector on the starter motor. I think it's yellow, but that doesn't really narrow it down! :lol: You really need a meter or a tester bulb, otherwise you're restricted to guesswork and visual checks.
Image

1993 1.9 TZD Turbo Estate
1996 3.9 V8 Discovery
1993 VW LT35 campervan
1985 Hyundai Stellar V8
2016 Hyundai iLoad
Mickey taker
Over 2k
Posts: 3209
Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:38 pm
Location: M K
x 1

Re: The Aubergine

Post by Mickey taker »

someone on here has mentioned a mod that may help you by putting a relay in the starter motor circuit to reduce the distance of wire between battery and starter ( i.e. not all the way to the ignition switch and back so avoiding power drop ) , I want to do this mod because it might help starting in general but need more details. I believe its the trigger wire you use to switch the relay but not sure where to mount the relay
1991 BX Meteor 1.6

light travels faster than sound, thats why you look intelligent and then you spoil it all by opening your mouth !!!!!
User avatar
mat_fenwick
Moderator
Posts: 7326
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:08 pm
Location: North Wales
x 19

Re: The Aubergine

Post by mat_fenwick »

The relay won't help the starter spin any faster, but if you have poor contacts (high resistance) in the ignition switch they may suffer a large enough voltage drop when trying to carry the starter solenoid current that the starter will not operate. There will be very little voltage drop to operate a relay, so fitting a relay can 'cure' the symptoms of a high resistance ignition switch, and will extend the life of a good one.

Two logical places in my mind to put the relay - firstly in a direct line from the battery to the starter solenoid, triggered by the existing trigger wire. Or, across the ignition switch so that the other items which don't have an ignition controlled relay (IIRC the only other high current items are the wipers and blower motor) also bypass the ignition switch. It also has the advantage of locating the relay somewhere dry.
Image

1993 1.9 TZD Turbo Estate
1996 3.9 V8 Discovery
1993 VW LT35 campervan
1985 Hyundai Stellar V8
2016 Hyundai iLoad
Mickey taker
Over 2k
Posts: 3209
Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:38 pm
Location: M K
x 1

Re: The Aubergine

Post by Mickey taker »

what size fuse would you recommend Mat ?
1991 BX Meteor 1.6

light travels faster than sound, thats why you look intelligent and then you spoil it all by opening your mouth !!!!!
User avatar
TizzyD
BXpert
Posts: 537
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 10:36 pm
Location: Bedfordshire
x 10

Re: The Aubergine

Post by TizzyD »

mds141 wrote:Try giving the starter motor a " gentle " tap with a metal bar.
What would be the best way to do this without fouling anything ?
'02 Clio Dynamique 1.2 16v - 92K - Sold
'09 Yamaha YBR 125 - 1100 miles
'93 Bx 17 TZD Turbo - 240K - The Aubergine

Image
Mickey taker
Over 2k
Posts: 3209
Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:38 pm
Location: M K
x 1

Re: The Aubergine

Post by Mickey taker »

I use the handle end of a long screwdriver I have, it has a rubber grip but a metal end , a wheel brace would do as well
1991 BX Meteor 1.6

light travels faster than sound, thats why you look intelligent and then you spoil it all by opening your mouth !!!!!
mds141
Over 2k
Posts: 5288
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 1:26 am
Location: Lancaster
x 9

Re: The Aubergine

Post by mds141 »

I've often used the handle off a trolley jack.
Mark Smith

Is it just me or is everything shit?

1989 BX GTi 16 valve. Blanc Alpine. Completed the Citroen Classic Challenge Ecosse and 1337 miles without a hitch.
2000 XM VSX 2.1 td Auto. Rouge Magenta.
TGD saloon many years ago.

1990 Swift 'Corniche' 12/2 aka BXClub HQ.
Honda Firestorm. Gone, but not forgotten.
2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC.
Defender110
Over 2k
Posts: 5917
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:02 pm
Location: Harwood, Bolton
My Cars: Land Rover Discovery Series 1 200tdi 3 door
Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5
2020 Fiat Panda cross 4x4 twin air.
x 27

Re: The Aubergine

Post by Defender110 »

I would be taking the starter motor off and giving it a good clean out with a steam cleaner follwed by a blast out with compressed air and light lube to the bendix shaft. This usuallygreatly prolongs the life of the starter.
Kevan
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
User avatar
mat_fenwick
Moderator
Posts: 7326
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:08 pm
Location: North Wales
x 19

Re: The Aubergine

Post by mat_fenwick »

Mickey taker wrote:what size fuse would you recommend Mat ?
I'd guesstimate something like 10A if just powering the starter, but I wouldn't add an extra fuse if putting a relay across the ignition switch. Reason being that all you're doing is replication the function of the ignition switch and most circuits are fused anyway. You don't want the potential of a fuse blowing to leave you with no engine, indicators or brake lights...

If tapping the starter next time it happens doesn't change anything then you'll have to investigate the wiring, otherwise it's just guesswork. Now if only you had a spares car... :P
Image

1993 1.9 TZD Turbo Estate
1996 3.9 V8 Discovery
1993 VW LT35 campervan
1985 Hyundai Stellar V8
2016 Hyundai iLoad
User avatar
TizzyD
BXpert
Posts: 537
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 10:36 pm
Location: Bedfordshire
x 10

Re: The Aubergine

Post by TizzyD »

mat_fenwick wrote:Now if only you had a spares car... :P
There's a TD Xantia sat on the drive that I'm sure no one would miss . . . :wink:
'02 Clio Dynamique 1.2 16v - 92K - Sold
'09 Yamaha YBR 125 - 1100 miles
'93 Bx 17 TZD Turbo - 240K - The Aubergine

Image
User avatar
TizzyD
BXpert
Posts: 537
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 10:36 pm
Location: Bedfordshire
x 10

Re: The Aubergine

Post by TizzyD »

Gave the starter motor a couple of "gentle" taps the other day and hadn't had any issues on start up on an everyday basis, I've just been out to start it up after not using it for a few days and having let everything settle down and it started up first turn of the key. So it may just have been the solenoid sticking but I'll be keeping an eye on it.
'02 Clio Dynamique 1.2 16v - 92K - Sold
'09 Yamaha YBR 125 - 1100 miles
'93 Bx 17 TZD Turbo - 240K - The Aubergine

Image
mds141
Over 2k
Posts: 5288
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 1:26 am
Location: Lancaster
x 9

Re: The Aubergine

Post by mds141 »

Result. Mum and Dads Austin 1100, circa 1974 ish, used to be a dicky starter and I always remember Dad giving the starter motor a "gentle " tap to get it going in the morning. Happy days. :)
Mark Smith

Is it just me or is everything shit?

1989 BX GTi 16 valve. Blanc Alpine. Completed the Citroen Classic Challenge Ecosse and 1337 miles without a hitch.
2000 XM VSX 2.1 td Auto. Rouge Magenta.
TGD saloon many years ago.

1990 Swift 'Corniche' 12/2 aka BXClub HQ.
Honda Firestorm. Gone, but not forgotten.
2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC.
User avatar
TizzyD
BXpert
Posts: 537
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 10:36 pm
Location: Bedfordshire
x 10

Re: The Aubergine

Post by TizzyD »

It's been a while so just a little update.

First month of BX ownership down and it's been fun :) Went to the DSM rally and got some nice comments and enjoyed the run out to Wells (even if some of the roads were abit hairy sitting in the back) It was good to meet people and chat face to face and got some odd looks from a couple in a mainly gold DS Safari on the way home too :lol:

So the car, the starting issue has returned so I'm going to invest in a multimeter and do some poking around and I've got some vgc fog light units but just need to get some new bulbs for them.

So my current to do list (hopefully before ICCCR) :
1. Sort starting issue
2. New number plate
3. Fit fogs
4. Remover and repaint bumper inserts **

** What's the best way to remover the bumper inserts ? Just a flat blade screwdriver between them and the bumper and lever them out carefully ?

Also, can you change the barrels (and the silver domes on the outside) on the door locks without losing the central locking ? Just that I only have one working door lock and one key should the plip give up.
'02 Clio Dynamique 1.2 16v - 92K - Sold
'09 Yamaha YBR 125 - 1100 miles
'93 Bx 17 TZD Turbo - 240K - The Aubergine

Image
User avatar
mat_fenwick
Moderator
Posts: 7326
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:08 pm
Location: North Wales
x 19

Re: The Aubergine

Post by mat_fenwick »

TizzyD wrote:Also, can you change the barrels (and the silver domes on the outside) on the door locks without losing the central locking ? Just that I only have one working door lock and one key should the plip give up.
Yes, but good luck in finding a complete lock set (including ignition, glovebox and fuel filler) unless from a scrapper. Just a door lock set shouldn't be too difficult to find though, but personally mismatched keys *really* bug me!
Image

1993 1.9 TZD Turbo Estate
1996 3.9 V8 Discovery
1993 VW LT35 campervan
1985 Hyundai Stellar V8
2016 Hyundai iLoad
Post Reply