TZD fails to proceed

[tlampre]

Finally, something goes right. I had my multimeter in with my stuff and there was no voltage at the solenoid. I hot-wired it and was pleased to hear it click as I connected the power. The car has an immobiliser so maybe that is playing up. It's hooked up direct to the battery now via a bullet connector so I can shut the engine off by unplugging it. That will do until I get back to Melbourne.

On the subject of auto's, I'd much prefer that to a manual but don't think I can be bothered doing a conversion.

[CitroXim]

Excellent, delighted you're mobile again

[DavidRutherford]

On the subject of auto's, I'd much prefer that to a manual

Really?

Worse fuel economy, lower performance, unable to bump-start, less control over your road speed, more strain on the cooling system, added complexity..... the list goes on.

Plus, in your case, theres no "bolt on" gearbox available for the 1.7TD. Well, not one that will last more than a week anyway.

[tlampre]

On the subject of auto's, I'd much prefer that to a manual

Really?

Worse fuel economy, lower performance, unable to bump-start, less control over your road speed, more strain on the cooling system, added complexity..... the list goes on.

Plus, in your case, theres no "bolt on" gearbox available for the 1.7TD. Well, not one that will last more than a week anyway.

My favourite BX from a driving perspective was my 16TRS auto, placid little thing that it was. I've never found the deficiencies you mention to be a problem, but it's not something I'm religious about. All cars are a bundle of compromises as far as I'm concerned.

[mat_fenwick]

On the subject of manual versus auto, I would add that up until a couple of years ago I wouldn't have touched an auto...

BUT, I was convinced by a Discovery automatic, enough to buy it! With the right engine (torquey V8) it does suit the auto box quite well IMO. Makes off roading easier (I know this isn't applicable to the BX!) and you can always select the gears manually if you want. OK, so I am sometimes cursing the autobox, and I can't think of any other cars I have driven where I would want one - but they are not totally without their merits!

Oh, and cooling system complexity - the Disco has two seperate oil coolers JUST for the gearbox...

[rhv100]

Aah! youve never driven a Mk1 Granada auto.I used to load the estate and tow an 8 x 5ft 6 trailer as well. Unbelievable!!
Couldnt afford it now though!

[DavidRutherford]

Aah! youve never driven a Mk1 Granada auto.I used to load the estate and tow an 8 x 5ft 6 trailer as well. Unbelievable!!

Impressive it may have been, but I'll be willing to bet $1m that the manual equivalent was more economic and had more power available at the wheels.

[rhv100]

You are so right Mr.R.At 20 or less to the gallon and struggling at anything over 90 it was no racer.But it was such a lazy and comfortable car with an enormous load space and amazing amounts of grunt,and petrol companies paid you to take it away --- almost-- in those days . Happy Days eh!!
Mind you I wouldnt swap my BX estate now.I got converted about 10 yrs ago.It does all I want so heres to another 10yrs .

[tlampre]

Well, I made the drive back to Melbourne on Wednesday without incident, but I doubt if I'd ever get used to not having the engine stop when removing the key. This morning I had a more thorough check of things and found a blown fuse adjacent to the alarm horn. It's all non-standard wiring so I suspected it was involved with the immobiliser. However, replacing the fuse didn't help. I then tried my spare immobiliser key and lo-and-behold, the bastard started.

Seems something zapped the other key. Unfortunately, it was a short lived victory as when I went to the shops later on it died a death before I got to the end of the street. The fuse was OK but no way would it restart. Fortunately I had the sense to leave my hotwire connected so I was going again quickly.

Tomorrow I'll have to rewire and bypass the immobiliser and run the solenoid directly from an ignition source. I expect the solenoid should be on a fuse. Does anyone know what current rating it should be?

[Geoffrey Gould]

Hi as far as I can remember ( which isn't that far) it takes a gulp of 5 amps to start with.
Cheers.
Geoff.

[tlampre]

Ok, thanks.

I've just spent the morning fruitlessly looking for a 12v source that comes on with the ignition, but doesn't turn off when the starter is turned. I'm thinking the circuit that feeds the glow plugs would be a good place to tap in but I don't have a circuit diagram for the diesels. Any suggestions?

[Geoffrey Gould]

Ah the glow plug controller blue box (blue on mine anyway.)Remove and underneath is a multi pin plug this is were my feed comes from. As maybe a matter of interest I had problems with the stop solenoid and measured the volts and found 12 of them at the glow plug box and 12 at the solenoid with the wire disconnected, when connected at the solenoid end there was about 5 Volts. That piece of wire had gone high resistance!!!
The wire it no good.
Cheers.
Geoff.

[tlampre]

You're a legend! Found it easily and it's all wired up good. Such a novelty, being able to start and stop the engine with only the key and not having to open the bonnet.

As an added bonus, I dodged a bullet when I noticed that the two live wires had chaffed and rubbed right through an inch long section of the insulation. One core was black from arcing and the other had melted into the insulation of the adjacent earth wire! They are all nicely wrapped in insulation tape now.

Thanks very much.