really annoying problem

iceman9999 · Unread post by **iceman9999** » 21 Dec 2003, 18:36

[:(!]my citroen bx has been a good reliable car for a while until now it starts 99 times out of one hundred then nothing it refuses to fire up and the only way it seems to fix itself is by being towed in gear for a hundred yards then its o.k for a while... then the problem repeats itself its driving me insane what is going on arrrgghhh.[:(]

Unread post by **RichardW** » 21 Dec 2003, 18:53

Go on, give us a clue....
Petrol / diesel? Engine? If petrol carb or injection? Age? Mileage? 'Refuses to fire up'? - turns over but won't fire, or won't turn over? When it does it, have you checked for spark and fuel delivery?

iceman9999 · Unread post by **iceman9999** » 21 Dec 2003, 19:17

sorry not very helpfull its a citroen 1.6 tgs petrol h reg its done 129000 miles when it dosent start its just turning but not firing there is fuel reaching the carb im thinking intermittent electrical problem in the loom or even the ignition amplifier im really not sure thanks for the reply

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 21 Dec 2003, 23:07

Iceman -
It's not possible to point at a certain problem with such symptoms. You MUST have some basic knowledge and DIY experience to understand what's going on.
On earlier BX models you find an ignition (amplifier) module which drives the ignition coil. This is a flat device fitted either on the firewall next to the round ignition coil (in this case having a 7pole multiconnector) - or fitted on the body of the distributor (which then has a 3pole connector).
On later models this module is no longer used - instead the ignition coil is driven directly off the ECU.
Also depending on exact yearmodel & engine variant you have either the magnetic pick-up distributor or the later flywheel TDC ignition sensor.
This means you must be able to recognise these components to understand which variant of ignition system is fitted to your BX - to have a fair chance tracing the problem.
You may be able to trace down a corroded connection or a bad cable in the ignition system - a very common problem. But again no exact location can be pinpointed here.
There IS a fair chance that any ignition module fitted may be the problem - as these often causes intermittent go/no-go functions - but no guarantee as to this being your problem.

Unread post by **RichardW** » 22 Dec 2003, 13:02

16TGS - fitted with that god awful auto choke carb. I would make sure the choke is actually coming on when it won't start.
But, as Anders says you need to be ready to do a bit of work on it when it won't go to try and narrow the cause down.

iceman9999 · Unread post by **iceman9999** » 22 Dec 2003, 13:46

thanks guys for the advice will replace the ignition amplifier module and check the connections i will post back and let you know if it works many thanks wish me luck[:D]

iceman9999 · Unread post by **iceman9999** » 23 Dec 2003, 02:43

replaced ignition amplifier and loom to it and fingers crossed no problems as yet thanks again all