Just bought a BX, few q's!

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SexyBxey
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Just bought a BX, few q's!

Post by SexyBxey »

Hi Guys,

I've just bought a k reg bx TZD and have a few questions,

How do you know when there is a sufficient amount of lhm in the reservoir, is the level meant to be between the lines on the clear dome bit?

My dash lights are crap and only the speedo is illuminated, is there a quick fix for this?

I've been pretty impressed, she's done 112k and drives pretty nicely. Brakes are very sharp.

My abs light is on, so i need to get that checked. Hoping its just a sensor or something!

Any help will be appreciated

Tom
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Ian_Fearn
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Post by Ian_Fearn »

Hi Tom, firstly welcome to the club!

To check your LHM put the car onto the highest suspension setting with the engine running. The little disc should be spinning between the 2 lines on that little globe on top of the main resovoir. When this goes low your STOP light will illuminate.

Dash bulbs are a common failure. There is a fader knob on the lower steering column shroud which may be turned to low but i suspect you need to replace the bulbs. Not a difficult job, can be explained easily if you need help.

ABS sensors can and do fail but its worth checking the connections before replacing the sensors. See this http://www.bxclub.co.uk/diy/abs/ for further info.
Last edited by Ian_Fearn on Tue Jul 11, 2006 9:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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sleepy0905
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Post by sleepy0905 »

Hello and welcome aboard
First you check the LHM with the engine running and the suspension lever on the full hight position the level should be between the two red lines or level with the top one.
Dash lights the only answer is new bulbs but if they are dim check the rheostat is full up it is between your knees on the bottom of the steering cowel and it looks like a little wheel .
As for the ABS one of the more knowledgeable members can help you with that as i have never had ABS.
2017 Seat Leon ST FR 2.0 150Bhp
M

Re: Just bought a BX, few q's!

Post by M »

SexyBxey wrote:Hi Guys,

I've just bought a k reg bx TZD
Well done and welcome to the BX- Vasey - "Youl Never Leave!",
SexyBxey wrote:How do you know when there is a sufficient amount of lhm in the reservoir, is the level meant to be between the lines on the clear dome bit?
When the suspension is set to "high" yes it is - the little disc is between the lines - at other suspension levels ignor what it says, most owners just look in the tank and you get an "eye" for how much there should be.
SexyBxey wrote:My dash lights are crap and only the speedo is illuminated, is there a quick fix for this?
Only replacing the bulbs, but good news the dash pod is fairly simple to remove - there is a bit about this in the BX- DIY section of the site.
SexyBxey wrote:I've been pretty impressed, she's done 112k and drives pretty nicely. Brakes are very sharp.
Just run in then! BX brakes are like no other (non HP Citroen) car you will ever drive, when in good order they is powerful with a big "P"
SexyBxey wrote:My abs light is on, so i need to get that checked. Hoping its just a sensor or something!
Now I dont have an ABS car, but the sensor resistances can be measured from the ECU box under the passenger seat - someone else will tell you the readings that say whether its a sensor. Just hope its not a bodge like JonKW's last BX had!

Welcome aboard, good luck with your BX and lets have some pictures.
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cavmad
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Post by cavmad »

Welcome along from this forum`s most mechanically useless member-me! Look forward to hear how you get on with the car and some pic`s if you can. Where abouts are you situated btw?
Vauxhall apologist.
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Terry Brooks
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Post by Terry Brooks »

Hi Tom .......I cant really add anything to whats been said already except ....
re .........
Your dash bulbs ........my "K" plate TZD is the same.
112k ........mines done 151k,and still going strong.
I've found the weak points on my car are the electrical switches,buy a can of switch cleaner ....[not WD40,it aint the same] and treat all the switches,buttons etc to a dosing.
Oh .....and welcome to the club/forum.
Terry
Dont let the 2CV fool you,I'm not a hippy,I like violence
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Philip Chidlow
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Post by Philip Chidlow »

Hi, you'll enjoy this club, I hope, and benefit from the freely offered help from which so many have benefitted already... :lol: 8)
• 1992 Citroen BX TZD Turbo Hurricane
• 2006 Xsara Picasso 1.6 16v
jeremy
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Post by jeremy »

ABS - check the sensors for conrinuity with a multimeter on the resistance setting - they should be about the same - I think its around 900 ohms. Easiest place to check the backs is to disconnect them underneath the back seats. Fronts - follow leads from caliper into engine bay and disconnect there (One near battery - other side around brake valve) - and meter between outer screen and centre conductor.

A common cause of failure is perishing of the outer insulation which allows water in and the screen corrodes. If you're handy with a soldering iron it is possible to replace damaged lead sections.
SexyBxey
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Post by SexyBxey »

Wow, such rapid and concise responses! Thanks guys, that'll certainly keep me occupied for a while!

Its the first diesel i've owned and i'm impressed with the punch the turbo has, my other car is a Nissan 200sx so the bx is a nice cheap alternative mode of transport!

I actually really enjoy the comfort and will be taking it down the motorway soon.

I've noticed that on one of the spheres in the engine bay, there is some fluid around the front and back of the sphere, looks pretty dried on though.

I've heard these electrics can be a nightmare, but having owned an ax gt its something I can prob deal with!

I'll get some pics when i've polished her up, will it matter if I put some 185/50/14 tyres on it? its just i've been given some practically new ones
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Terry Brooks
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Post by Terry Brooks »

SexyBxey wrote: will it matter if I put some 185/50/14 tyres on it? its just i've been given some practically new ones
I'm no expert,but I'd take a guess that if they're wider than the originals [and I cant check my TZD 'cos it's currently in my "lock-up" 3 streets away] ........it'll let you know when the rear arm bearings need doing ......'cos the tyres will prob'ly rub on the inner wings quicker as the wheels tilt/lean inwards ........
btw ......the rear bearings? ........I've just had one done at a local "Independant Citroen Specialist" Garage ......£110.
HTH
Terry
Dont let the 2CV fool you,I'm not a hippy,I like violence
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Oscar
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Post by Oscar »

Welcome to the club. One of the most satisfying cars to drive, and a great forum to support members.

LHM level. The disk should be between the two lines. However sometimes the float jams, as mine has. (Please - no messages telling me to clean it, it's been jammed since I bought it, and the reservoir has been stripped and cleaned twice since then).

In this case, the best check is to put the suspension in high, and stick your index finger in the hole. Unless you have extremely long or short fingers, the correct level will just cover the tip of your finger.

Overfilling will cause a bit of mess as the excess LHM spills out of the reservoir, but nothing more serious than that. UNderfilling will cause problems with suspension, steering and braking, but the STOP light should have come on long before that happen. You might want to check and clean the sensor contacts on the side of the tank.
(Red BX 1.7TZD ("Well, it is a style icon" - Tom Sheppard)) "Was", Tom, "was"
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Philip Chidlow
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Post by Philip Chidlow »

50 profile tyres will result in a slightly smaller overall diameter on 14" wheels. Could look a bit odd on a BX... As you will find, 60 profiles are specified so IMO unless 15" wheels are put on I think 50's won't work.

Should be able to sell good tyres on...

BTW I must add something to Oscar's posting. Watch your fingers on the reservoir, there are some wickedly sharp edges in there...
• 1992 Citroen BX TZD Turbo Hurricane
• 2006 Xsara Picasso 1.6 16v
SexyBxey
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Post by SexyBxey »

Thanks again, this certainly is an "interesting" car to own!

Its in the garage having a diesel leak fixed at the mo, and the accelertor pedal is also quite wobbly!

well, it wa sonly £200 with 10 months MOT.

However I have just uncovered some interesting holes in the boot, primitive air con? ......Tin worm more like
jeremy
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Post by jeremy »

Accelerator pedal is a common problem. Basically it just drops off! in fact the flange on the edge of the brake pedal mounting plate flexes and cracks eventually.

When I test drove my BX TD I couldn't get it over 30 MPH! - and bought it on the basis that it started quite well, didn't smoke too much, engine hadn't been touched but wasn't covered in oil and it had water in it. I collected it slowly, filled it up with fuel and drove home - and in a narrow road in second gear - with cars parked on both sides - found that if I pushed the pedal to the left - it would go more than 30!

I mended it in the dark without drilling the car by carefully making up a bit of 1 inch angle to fit on the existing bolts and support the pedal pivot. That was nearly 7 years ago!

So if anyone says its a big job - got to remove all the pedal box etc tell them to think again!
SexyBxey
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Post by SexyBxey »

awesome, thanks! i'll look into that if the garage dont sort it.

Luckily my mate runs the garage so i get mates rates ;)

I'm e member of the sxoc and they are known for being helpful and friendly, but this forum tops them without a doubt!
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