Citroen BX diesel automatic.

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 12:21 am

The dodgy starting is a common problem on BX auto's, our white one does it very often.

Look on the inner wing near the air filter, you'll see a relay bolted there or thereabouts. Replace it or take it apart and clean it with contact cleaner.

I did the white one in the spring and it's been OK for some months but has recently started doing it again. So a replacement is the order of the day.

On the girlfriend front, get a new one, keep the car.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 1:14 am

We had a problem with the inhibitor switch on the 'box on two of our three automatics. It was an intermittent problem that we had bypassed with an 'emergency' starter button (risky if you aren't in 'P'!).

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 3:55 am

Phil wrote:Cheers guys. I will have a search. Is it normal to have a wobbly speedo needle?

The answer to that is a firm yes although you can improve it by a bit of jiggling in the engine bay!

The reason for the wobble is due to the cable being extended to fit our non european compliance to drive on the opposite side of the road

I have one rarity to the BX fleet in my 19TZS which does not wobble at all but then again it exhibits a more annoying chracteristic of a poorly calibrated speedometer head and lower than actual speed reading. But it dont wobble

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 12:48 pm

For the record, my BX refused to start in town an hour ago. I borrowed a hammer from a local garage, gave the starter a wallop and I was away. Phew!

Post by **Defender110** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 3:32 pm

kiwi wrote:
The answer to that

I have one rarity to the BX fleet in my 19TZS which does not wobble at all but then again it exhibits a more annoying chracteristic of a poorly calibrated speedometer head and lower than actual speed reading. But it dont wobble

Yes; I've got one of those too.

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 6:52 pm

Defender110 wrote:
kiwi wrote:
The answer to that

I have one rarity to the BX fleet in my 19TZS which does not wobble at all but then again it exhibits a more annoying chracteristic of a poorly calibrated speedometer head and lower than actual speed reading. But it dont wobble
Yes; I've got one of those too.

Mine doesn't wobble and it reads spot on across the range when checked against the Sat-Nav.

However, it did once throw a wobbly but the application of some 3-in-1 oil to the speedo head and top cable soon had it back to it's stable and accurate self.

anaconda · Post by **anaconda** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 7:07 pm

Mine doesnt wobble but the rev counter packed in the other day.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 8:51 pm

How tight should the kickdown cable be with the throttle pedal released.
I have searched but nothing conclusive comes up.

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:39 pm

You will see a bit of metal crimped on the cable itself, this should sit back against the stock or outer part of the cable.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 11:15 pm

Thanks. That is on the kickdown cable itself and when the throttle is fully released it sits on the stop, yes?
Am I kidding myself or could this cause it to miss second gear and just rev until I release the throttle? It selects second instantly when I release the throttle. Equally it selects second fine if you don't floor it away in first. But as I said kick down does not get anywhere close to working. I would say there is nearly an inch of slack cable making gear changing a bit odd as it tries to get into a higher gear much more quickly than it should be.

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 12:21 am

That is correct.

The cable should be taught at all times, I'll post a picture of mine tomorrow

Post by **docchevron** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 12:22 am

actually there should be about 1MM to 1.5MM gap between the crimped tab and the stock.
If there's an inch of slack at idle I'm surprised the box doesn't slip like buggery TBH.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 7:36 pm

Chaps, thanks for your help. I thought it was fixed after adjusting but sadly not. The next thing to do I guess would be a gearbox oil change.
I have just changed jobs and am working shifts so have quite litterally no spare time.
Is anyone interested in purchasing this? I have every confidence it will make a journey and I would do everything in my power to facilitate a purchase.
The V5 is still with DVLA irritatingly as I only had the vehicle the tail end of last week. If anyone has something to swap I am all ears. If you want my number to call me please PM me. It has a long mot and tax.

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 8:25 pm

Forgot to take some pics today, but have you checked the gear oil level?

Whereabouts are you?

Sadly I did have a spare autobox until the great fire.

Edit, the camera has a flash

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 8:48 pm

Hi Ken, I cannot see any leaks but havent checked the level yet. I will do so tomorrow.
I am in Wiltshire but will do whatever I can to negotiate a sale.
Genuinely interested in a Honda in exchange cash either way.
I have precious spare time now due to my new job and cannot and don't want to rely on it for work as they have a very serious view on lateness as they are a big manufacturer and the job is stressful enough being new.
My cable after adjustment looks the same as yours. Thanks.