02 1.8 C5 wont start | Fuse box / BSM error?

[n0stra]

Just added an extra 1.8 C5 2002 model break with way lower milage than my old one. I got it cheap because it wont start and i was suspecting it had something to do with the electronics.

Checking all fuses i noticed there was some oil residue inside the fusebox under the hood. Disconnecting the whole thing i then saw there were damage to the PCB-board, see added images.

I suspect this damage is the culprit and the illness causing the car not starting. The battery is fine, i even change it to a brand new one. The alternator is replaced with a new one, done by Citroen just 6 months ago. I also found others with similar experiences who got their cars moving by replacing this.

So my questions are as follows:

1. can this just be replaced by a identical one from a donor car without any reprogramming?
2. would it be possible to repair this damage through soldering wires?
3. what types of problems could this type of damage create?

The car just stopped while driving after a sound (mentioned by the former owner), i suspect a shortcut. The car goes into economy mode straight away and i was only able to do a BSI reset once, now it wont let me lower windows etc. The starter motor seems fine, the car has been going to checkups and service through its whole life and was checked thouroghly just a couple of months ago at Citroen.

[wheeler]

1. The BSM is not a programed part so you can swap from another car with same spec no problem.
2. Not my area of expertise.
3. I would imagine this with caus all sorts of electrical issues including a complete non start situation

[admiral51]

Hi and welcome to the forum
That is one messy BSM guess it really needs throwing away.

1. Agree with wheeler, they are plug and play but remember a similar one from a donor vehicle will be best part of 15-18 years old.
2. With that amount of damage probably but will cost more than a replacement.
3. Yes no doubt about it, i had issues with a C4, have a look Here

If you pop your vin number up will be obfuscated with ***** so only admins can see it and they may be able to provide you with the correct part number for your vehicle.

Colin

[n0stra]

1. The BSM is not a programed part so you can swap from another car with same spec no problem.
2. Not my area of expertise.
3. I would imagine this with caus all sorts of electrical issues including a complete non start situation

Thanks a lot for the quick answer. Appreciate it. When it comes to the conondrum of choosing a brand new part vs buying a used one, the issue is price. This car, my number two C5 of the same type, was bought for around 400 euros because it did not run. The part brand new from the stealership costs around 200 euros. A used one costs 20-40 euros. Needless to say, i would rather try the cheaper route for now since i do not know if this is the culprit to all my problems

[n0stra]

Hi and welcome to the forum
That is one messy BSM guess it really needs throwing away.

1. Agree with wheeler, they are plug and play but remember a similar one from a donor vehicle will be best part of 15-18 years old.
2. With that amount of damage probably but will cost more than a replacement.
3. Yes no doubt about it, i had issues with a C4, have a look Here

If you pop your vin number up will be obfuscated with ***** so only admins can see it and they may be able to provide you with the correct part number for your vehicle.

Colin

Great comments and answers, thanks a lot.

Unfortunately a brand new BSM from the stealership would be 200 euros, half of what i paid for this car. A used one on the other hand can be had for 20-40 euros.

The material that can be seen, almost like glue, on top of the PCB and some of the relays, are those a protective material added from factory or the result of heating damage?

[GiveMeABreak]

That mess of bubbles is not on any I have seen - so I suspect it is some sort of heat or other substance that has caused it - considering the burning that has taken place on the board, I am not surprised.

[n0stra]

That mess of bubbles is not on any I have seen - so I suspect it is some sort of heat or other substance that has caused it - considering the burning that has taken place on the board, I am not surprised.

The strange thing about it is the location. It's on certain parts of the plastic connectors, but then not on the lower parts of it etc. Also I have seen it on several items being sold of this exact type with no damage, through used parts shops. Strange.

[GiveMeABreak]

It may be heat related - after all the engine fuse box is in the engine bay and heat rises - so not hard to see why the bubbling can occur. We also know from experience that engine fuse boxes can catch fire.....

and here:
viewtopic.php?t=59861&start=15

[n0stra]

It may be heat related - after all the engine fuse box is in the engine bay and heat rises - so not hard to see why the bubbling can occur. We also know from experience that engine fuse boxes can catch fire.....



and here:
viewtopic.php?t=59861&start=15

Concidering i just got a message back from the dealer that this item is discontinued and impossible to get hands on brand new, im guessing i have no choice in the matter. Either get a used one or try to get it fixed. A repair would be done by someone other than my self, someone competent and with the proper tools for diagnosis of course

As mentioned, a quick google image search for the item number gives me several pictures of BSM modules for sale with these "bobbles". It seems some kind of epoxy and the bubbles are the result of application rather than anything else since they are not related to any form of damage on the PCB.

[GiveMeABreak]

Just make sure you match up the same part number.

[n0stra]

Just make sure you match up the same part number.

Definitly. Thanks for the input so far. Ill keep this thread updated.

[n0stra]

Had a technician test and repair the circuits, car wouldnt start. Moved one bsm from different running car over to this one, started straight away. Tried the repaired one in that car, didn't start. So it's dead.

Got a replacement from a used car, inserted this, car starts and everything works EXCEPT the front wipers. Checked the fuse, it's fine. Seller claims everything was fine one the car it was taken from.

I just read that in some cases a replacement bsm would need the car to be programmed and that front wipers are then a typical problem beforehand.

Anyone with experience or insights? Could this be done by one self with access to a Lexia?

[wheeler]

There is no coding on the BSM for a mk1 C5.

[chrisely]

Hi, have you solved this wiper issue please???