BX Petrol failure to start

AWG · Unread post by **AWG** » 12 Oct 2004, 00:23

It had to happen. Left work, drove round the corner to Waitrose and did the shopping. Came out and engine would NOT start. No sign of a problem before (no difficult start, hesitation, roughness or anything). Engine turns over strongly but does not fire. No loose connections. Removed and reseated plug leads.
Citroen BX 16 1991
As I have managed to be "between" breakdown covers [:I] and quite fancy leaving Horley tonight any hints would be welcome.

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 12 Oct 2004, 00:40

My bet is on the ignition module.
Same happened to my '89BX16TRS - suddenly dead engine.
Your '91 would have the ignition module (a flat device with a 3pole connector) on the distributor body.
It's called the 5pin (or 3+2 pin) type.

CommY · Unread post by **CommY** » 12 Oct 2004, 03:07

ever the optomist have you checked the cam belt?

AWG · Unread post by **AWG** » 12 Oct 2004, 05:01

Back home at last.
Anders - I was wondering about the ignition module as it happened to me on a BX14 some years ago. On that occasion the car started cutting out at low revs and then right on top of the downs outside Newbury it wouldn't start at all. It was a v e r y long coast down to the town and a telephone. Handbrake stop.
Commy - I will be extremely surprised if it is the cam belt as there was absolutely no problem before or after the failure.
This time when I returned to the car after about an hour it started straight away and no sign of any problems. The only thing I can think of is that it was a very short initial journey and things just got warm enough to allow moisture to get where it shouldn't. Had that with several cars that didn't have a hutch at night. The only problem is that it was fine day today.
Thanks for the suggestions but I am glad I didn't have to investigate in the dark. Case closed.