Over-temp lights questions
- jamescarruthers
- BXpert
- Posts: 571
- Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:11 pm
- Location: Cambridge
- x 23
Over-temp lights questions
I've changed the dash bulbs in my new BX. It has the 1.4 TU engine. To my horror, I found that the bulbs for the over-temperature indication were missing. So should I have overheated I'd not know until too late.
I've popped two bulbs in but I would have thought with just the ignition on (engine off) these would light up as a test, just like the oil pressure warning indicator does. Should it light up a this point? Also, if it doesn't, how can I test the circuit. Can I just apply 12V or short the sensor out maybe to check if the bulb will light?
Also, in this intermediate, ignition on, lights off stage, should my brake pad worn light illuminate? Or, has my lowly 1.4 not got these pad wear sensors? Again, this had no bulb in it either.
Any help greatly appreciated, especially with the temperature one! I seem to have developed overheating paranoia and have gotten out in traffic twice to check when I've confused the car in front's exhaust for steam coming out of my bonnet!!! The car doesn't seem to overheat, in fact I'm only 90% certain I've ever heard the cooling fan.
I've popped two bulbs in but I would have thought with just the ignition on (engine off) these would light up as a test, just like the oil pressure warning indicator does. Should it light up a this point? Also, if it doesn't, how can I test the circuit. Can I just apply 12V or short the sensor out maybe to check if the bulb will light?
Also, in this intermediate, ignition on, lights off stage, should my brake pad worn light illuminate? Or, has my lowly 1.4 not got these pad wear sensors? Again, this had no bulb in it either.
Any help greatly appreciated, especially with the temperature one! I seem to have developed overheating paranoia and have gotten out in traffic twice to check when I've confused the car in front's exhaust for steam coming out of my bonnet!!! The car doesn't seem to overheat, in fact I'm only 90% certain I've ever heard the cooling fan.
1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
Previous BX's:
A966 XRL -- BX 16 TRS
H767 BEG -- BX 14 TGE
B316 AMP -- BX 14 E
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
Previous BX's:
A966 XRL -- BX 16 TRS
H767 BEG -- BX 14 TGE
B316 AMP -- BX 14 E
-
- Over 2k
- Posts: 3940
- Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2005 2:25 pm
- Location: Wales
- Contact:
Re: Over-temp lights questions
They don't light up for test - which is really REALLY stupid. As if having a pair of 'oh your engine has cooked' lamps isn't stupid enough.
Yet I STILL haven't got around to fitting the temperature gauge I bought over a year ago...
Yet I STILL haven't got around to fitting the temperature gauge I bought over a year ago...
- jamescarruthers
- BXpert
- Posts: 571
- Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:11 pm
- Location: Cambridge
- x 23
Re: Over-temp lights questions
Thanks. To fit a proper gauge: would this be difficult? I agree the lights are stupid! I have to take the instrument panel apart anyway at some time to either replace the clock or fit a rev counter.
1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
Previous BX's:
A966 XRL -- BX 16 TRS
H767 BEG -- BX 14 TGE
B316 AMP -- BX 14 E
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
Previous BX's:
A966 XRL -- BX 16 TRS
H767 BEG -- BX 14 TGE
B316 AMP -- BX 14 E
-
- BXpert
- Posts: 582
- Joined: Tue Aug 15, 2006 11:15 am
- Location: East London
- My Cars: 1991 Citroen BX 16v
- x 26
Re: Over-temp lights questions
you can test lamps by earthing them.
if i remember correctly the yellow warning light isn't even attached to anything on a bx14 - you only get the 'your engine's cooked' red lamp.
when i had a bx14 i came across a dashboard from a gti in a scrapyard and put the temperature gauge in, which is a direct swop for the warning light segment of the instrument panel. didn't stop my head gasket blowing though - but that was entirely my fault and is another story entirely.
the sensor's already waiting for it on the thermostat housing (or at least it was on mine), so all you need to do it send a wire from that to your new gauge.
if i remember correctly the yellow warning light isn't even attached to anything on a bx14 - you only get the 'your engine's cooked' red lamp.
when i had a bx14 i came across a dashboard from a gti in a scrapyard and put the temperature gauge in, which is a direct swop for the warning light segment of the instrument panel. didn't stop my head gasket blowing though - but that was entirely my fault and is another story entirely.
the sensor's already waiting for it on the thermostat housing (or at least it was on mine), so all you need to do it send a wire from that to your new gauge.
1991 Citroen BX 16v
- jamescarruthers
- BXpert
- Posts: 571
- Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:11 pm
- Location: Cambridge
- x 23
Re: Over-temp lights questions
Great! I'll keep an eye out on ebay; and post here too I guess
1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
Previous BX's:
A966 XRL -- BX 16 TRS
H767 BEG -- BX 14 TGE
B316 AMP -- BX 14 E
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
Previous BX's:
A966 XRL -- BX 16 TRS
H767 BEG -- BX 14 TGE
B316 AMP -- BX 14 E
- citsncycles
- Over 2k
- Posts: 3224
- Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:14 pm
- Location: Dursley, Gloucestershire
Re: Over-temp lights questions
As no one's mentioned it, yes you should have the brake pad warning wiring, but I'd lay odds on the connectors at the front being knackered.
Mike Sims
BX 19RD Estate Mk1 - Timex!
BX 4X4 Estate - Oh god, I've done it again!
BX 17RD MK1 - it called to me!
BX14 TGE, - SOLD
XM Turbo SD,GS Club Estate,Visa 17D Leader,HY Pickup,Dyane Nomad,Dyane 6,2CV AZL,Falcon S,Trabant P50,3x Land Rovers (88" series 1,109" series 2a FFR,series 2a Marshall ambulance),DKW F7, Lambretta LD150 x 1.5,Mobylette SP93,Ural Cossack,Ural M63,CZ 250 Sport,Honda Varadero 125,lots of bicycles & tricycles including (but not only) Sunbeams,Higgins & Bates!
BX 19RD Estate Mk1 - Timex!
BX 4X4 Estate - Oh god, I've done it again!
BX 17RD MK1 - it called to me!
BX14 TGE, - SOLD
XM Turbo SD,GS Club Estate,Visa 17D Leader,HY Pickup,Dyane Nomad,Dyane 6,2CV AZL,Falcon S,Trabant P50,3x Land Rovers (88" series 1,109" series 2a FFR,series 2a Marshall ambulance),DKW F7, Lambretta LD150 x 1.5,Mobylette SP93,Ural Cossack,Ural M63,CZ 250 Sport,Honda Varadero 125,lots of bicycles & tricycles including (but not only) Sunbeams,Higgins & Bates!
- MULLEY
- Over 2k
- Posts: 8406
- Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:10 pm
- Location: Derbyshire
- My Cars: 1999 Xsara LX 2.0HDI (90) Hatch - Fern
2002 C5 2.0 HDI (110) Estate - Jasmine - SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - SORN
1992 TZD Turbo Estate - SORN
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired - SORN
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN - x 8
Re: Over-temp lights questions
I wouldn't bother with the brake pad warning system, its crap & all it'll do is flicker on & off even though the pads don't need changing. As Mike has already said, its probably been either knackered or its been cut deliberately to disable it from being a nuisance.
2002 C5 2.0 HDI Estate - Jasmine - Now SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - My daily
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired.
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN
I'm not just a username, i'm also called Matthew.
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - My daily
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired.
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN
I'm not just a username, i'm also called Matthew.
Re: Over-temp lights questions
FWIW, my warning light has come on a few occasions and (although I didn't go far with the light on) the engine never cooked or busted its boiler when stopped. This said I thought it may have been a faulty sensor/sender, until the other day I realised that I questioned whether I'd ever heard my cooling fans kick in on this BX. Low and behold a quick check found that the radiator fan switch harness was disconnected..jamescarruthers wrote:! The car doesn't seem to overheat, in fact I'm only 90% certain I've ever heard the cooling fan.
So yeah, my car didn't suffer from the "you've cooked your engine warning light syndrome, plus it proved the cooling system was efficient enough to handle itself even without the fans!!
All I can assume is that maybe my sender is actually (with age) a bit more trigger happy (as it should have been designed in the first place), or a lower temperature sensor has been installed by a PO, which, if available, should be something everyone here should install on their BX's. If they are available they'd make a much easier mod than a temperature gauge. BTW I too have a temp gauge ready to go in but have not found the time to do so..
Current
85 BX GT Mk1..
86 BX TRS Mk1
87 BX TRi
Gone
85 BX TRS mk1 auto... SOLD
90 BX TRi..parts....cubed
85 BX GT Mk1..
86 BX TRS Mk1
87 BX TRi
Gone
85 BX TRS mk1 auto... SOLD
90 BX TRi..parts....cubed
- citsncycles
- Over 2k
- Posts: 3224
- Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:14 pm
- Location: Dursley, Gloucestershire
Re: Over-temp lights questions
Luckily the temp warning light works fine on Timex, and gives enough warning to avoid killing it. It's even connected to the test button.
Mike Sims
BX 19RD Estate Mk1 - Timex!
BX 4X4 Estate - Oh god, I've done it again!
BX 17RD MK1 - it called to me!
BX14 TGE, - SOLD
XM Turbo SD,GS Club Estate,Visa 17D Leader,HY Pickup,Dyane Nomad,Dyane 6,2CV AZL,Falcon S,Trabant P50,3x Land Rovers (88" series 1,109" series 2a FFR,series 2a Marshall ambulance),DKW F7, Lambretta LD150 x 1.5,Mobylette SP93,Ural Cossack,Ural M63,CZ 250 Sport,Honda Varadero 125,lots of bicycles & tricycles including (but not only) Sunbeams,Higgins & Bates!
BX 19RD Estate Mk1 - Timex!
BX 4X4 Estate - Oh god, I've done it again!
BX 17RD MK1 - it called to me!
BX14 TGE, - SOLD
XM Turbo SD,GS Club Estate,Visa 17D Leader,HY Pickup,Dyane Nomad,Dyane 6,2CV AZL,Falcon S,Trabant P50,3x Land Rovers (88" series 1,109" series 2a FFR,series 2a Marshall ambulance),DKW F7, Lambretta LD150 x 1.5,Mobylette SP93,Ural Cossack,Ural M63,CZ 250 Sport,Honda Varadero 125,lots of bicycles & tricycles including (but not only) Sunbeams,Higgins & Bates!
Re: Over-temp lights questions
Why are pad warning lights crap? If they flicker you'd be criminally stupid not to check remaining pad thickness and if the wire is showing plan for a change in the next 500 miles.... If they are not down that far FIX the wiring!
1974 GS Birotor, 1972 GS 1220 FIA Gp 2, 1992 BX 16 TGS, 1951 Velo-Solex, 1953 NSU Max 250, 1972 Honda ST50, Daughter has 1990 BX14 TGE
Previously owned include 1983 BX14RE Leader, Porsche 924, 1972 Porsche 911T, 1973 Porsche Carrera RS 2.7 (FIA Group 4), 1974 Porsche Carrera RS 3.0 (FIA Group 4 ex Le Mans), 1969 911 T/R (FIA Group 3 ex Le Mans), 1981 Porsche Group B 3.3 litre World Endurance Championship, 1991 Footwork Arrows Porsche Formula 1 (ex Alboreto & Caffi),
Previously owned include 1983 BX14RE Leader, Porsche 924, 1972 Porsche 911T, 1973 Porsche Carrera RS 2.7 (FIA Group 4), 1974 Porsche Carrera RS 3.0 (FIA Group 4 ex Le Mans), 1969 911 T/R (FIA Group 3 ex Le Mans), 1981 Porsche Group B 3.3 litre World Endurance Championship, 1991 Footwork Arrows Porsche Formula 1 (ex Alboreto & Caffi),
-
- 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: Over-temp lights questions
I do have my brake warning lights wired up but only because they are there, I don't anticipate ever relying on them. I take my wheels off a couple of times a year to fully inspect the brakes and all hub components. You would be ''criminally stupid'' just to rely on brake pad warning lights and not do a periodic visual check on all components on a car 20+ years old.
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.
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.
Re: Over-temp lights questions
One year I was going abroad with the caravan . 5 of us as well. Hot day and going up a long steep hill.
Had a little moment when both lights came on near the top of the hill.
Both radiator fans were going ballistic even when I pulled over .
Yes my lights were working thank goodness !!
Had a little moment when both lights came on near the top of the hill.
Both radiator fans were going ballistic even when I pulled over .
Yes my lights were working thank goodness !!
Land Rover Discovery TD5
- mat_fenwick
- Moderator
- Posts: 7326
- Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:08 pm
- Location: North Wales
- x 19
Re: Over-temp lights questions
Whilst the pad warning system isn't ideal (for that reason I'd never rely on it) it's handy but not a failsafe system. I.e. any break in the wiring will cause the lights NOT to come on when the pads are worn. TBH I've never known the BX to give flickering problems, unlike failsafe systems which come on if the wires are broken.
Re: Over-temp lights questions
Was the BX one of the 1st cars to be fitted with a brake pad wear warning system?
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.
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.
- citsncycles
- Over 2k
- Posts: 3224
- Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:14 pm
- Location: Dursley, Gloucestershire
Re: Over-temp lights questions
The GS had it from at least 1974, if not from the start of production - it works well on mine, unlike any of the BX's I had, probably because of the inboard brakes
Mike Sims
BX 19RD Estate Mk1 - Timex!
BX 4X4 Estate - Oh god, I've done it again!
BX 17RD MK1 - it called to me!
BX14 TGE, - SOLD
XM Turbo SD,GS Club Estate,Visa 17D Leader,HY Pickup,Dyane Nomad,Dyane 6,2CV AZL,Falcon S,Trabant P50,3x Land Rovers (88" series 1,109" series 2a FFR,series 2a Marshall ambulance),DKW F7, Lambretta LD150 x 1.5,Mobylette SP93,Ural Cossack,Ural M63,CZ 250 Sport,Honda Varadero 125,lots of bicycles & tricycles including (but not only) Sunbeams,Higgins & Bates!
BX 19RD Estate Mk1 - Timex!
BX 4X4 Estate - Oh god, I've done it again!
BX 17RD MK1 - it called to me!
BX14 TGE, - SOLD
XM Turbo SD,GS Club Estate,Visa 17D Leader,HY Pickup,Dyane Nomad,Dyane 6,2CV AZL,Falcon S,Trabant P50,3x Land Rovers (88" series 1,109" series 2a FFR,series 2a Marshall ambulance),DKW F7, Lambretta LD150 x 1.5,Mobylette SP93,Ural Cossack,Ural M63,CZ 250 Sport,Honda Varadero 125,lots of bicycles & tricycles including (but not only) Sunbeams,Higgins & Bates!