1992 Citroen BX HATCHBACK check engine

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Tyre condition and pressure
It is very important that tyres are in good
condition, and at the correct pressure - having
a tyre failure at any speed is highly dangerous.
Tyre wear is influenced by driving style - harsh
braking and acceleration, or fast cornering,
will all produce more rapid tyre wear. As a
general rule, the front tyres wear out faster
than the rears. Interchanging the tyres from
front to rear ("rotating" the tyres) may result in
more even wear. However, if this is
completely effective, you may have the
expense of replacing all four tyres at once!
Remove any nails or stones embedded in the
tread before they penetrate the tyre to cause
deflation. If removal of a nail does reveal thatthe tyre has been punctured, refit the nail so
that its point of penetration is marked. Then
immediately change the wheel, and have the
tyre repaired by a tyre dealer.
Regularly check the tyres for damage in the
form of cuts or bulges, especially in the
sidewalls. Periodically remove the wheels,
and clean any dirt or mud from the inside and
outside surfaces. Examine the wheel rims for
signs of rusting, corrosion or other damage.
Light alloy wheels are easily damaged by
"kerbing" whilst parking; steel wheels may
also become dented or buckled. A new wheel
is very often the only way to overcome severe
damage.New tyres should be balanced when they are
fitted, but it may become necessary to re-
balance them as they wear, or if the balance
weights fitted to the wheel rim should fall off.
Unbalanced tyres will wear more quickly, as
will the steering and suspension components.
Wheel imbalance is normally signified by
vibration, particularly at a certain speed
(typically around 50 mph). If this vibration is
felt only through the steering, then it is likely
that just the front wheels need balancing. If,
however, the vibration is felt through the
whole car, the rear wheels could be out of
balance. Wheel balancing should be carried
out by a tyre dealer or garage.
Tread Depth - visual check
The original tyres have tread wear safety
bands (B), which will appear when the tread
depth reaches approximately 1.6 mm. The
band positions are indicated by a triangular
mark on the tyre sidewall (A).1Tread Depth - manual check
Alternatively, tread wear can be
monitored with a simple, inexpensive device
known as a tread depth indicator gauge.2Tyre Pressure Check
Check the tyre pressures regularly with
the tyres cold. Do not adjust the tyre
pressures immediately after the vehicle has
been used, or an inaccurate setting will result.
The tyre pressures are shown on page 0•15.3
Tyre tread wear patterns
Shoulder Wear
Underinflation (wear on both sides)
Under-inflation will cause overheating of the
tyre, because the tyre will flex too much, and
the tread will not sit correctly on the road
surface. This will cause a loss of grip and
excessive wear, not to mention the danger of
sudden tyre failure due to heat build-up.
Check and adjust pressures
Incorrect wheel camber (wear on one side)
Repair or renew suspension parts
Hard cornering
Reduce speed!
Centre Wear
Overinflation
Over-inflation will cause rapid wear of the
centre part of the tyre tread, coupled with
reduced grip, harsher ride, and the danger of
shock damage occurring in the tyre casing.
Check and adjust pressures
If you sometimes have to inflate your car’s
tyres to the higher pressures specified for
maximum load or sustained high speed, don’t
forget to reduce the pressures to normal
afterwards.
Uneven Wear
Front tyres may wear unevenly as a result of
wheel misalignment. Most tyre dealers and
garages can check and adjust the wheel
alignment (or "tracking") for a modest charge.
Incorrect camber or castor
Repair or renew suspension parts
Malfunctioning suspension
Repair or renew suspension parts
Unbalanced wheel
Balance tyres
Incorrect toe setting
Adjust front wheel alignment
Note: The feathered edge of the tread which
typifies toe wear is best checked by feel.

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Battery
Caution:Before carrying out any work on the
vehicle battery, read the precautions given in
"Safety first" at the start of this manual.
4Make sure that the battery tray is in good
condition, and that the clamp is tight.
Corrosion on the tray, retaining clamp and the
battery itself can be removed with a solution
of water and baking soda. Thoroughly rinse all
cleaned areas with water. Any metal parts
damaged by corrosion should be covered
with a zinc-based primer, then painted.
4Periodically (approximately every three
months), check the charge condition of the
battery as described in Chapter 5A.
4If the battery is flat, and you need to jump
start your vehicle, see Roadside Repairs.
The battery is located on the left-hand
side of the engine compartment. The
exterior of the battery should be
inspected periodically for damage such as a
cracked case or cover. If necessary, top-up
using distilled water, so that the plates are
covered by 6 mm of electrolyte.1Check the tightness of battery clamps (A)
to ensure good electrical connections.
You should not be able to move them.
Also check each cable (B) for cracks and
frayed conductors.2
Battery corrosion can be kept to a
minimum by applying a layer of
petroleum jelly to the clamps and
terminals after they are reconnected.
If corrosion (white, fluffy deposits) is
evident, remove the cables from the
battery terminals, clean them with a small
wire brush, then refit them. Automotive stores
sell a tool for cleaning the battery post . . .3. . . as well as the battery cable clamps4
Electrical systems
4Check all external lights and the horn.
Refer to the appropriate Sections of Chap-
ter 13 for details if any of the circuits are
found to be inoperative.4Visually check all accessible wiring
connectors, harnesses and retaining clips for
security, and for signs of chafing or damage.
If you need to check your
brake lights and indicators
unaided, back up to a wall or
garage door and operate the
lights. The reflected light should show if
they are working properly.
If a single indicator light, stop-light or
headlight has failed, it is likely that a bulb
has blown and will need to be replaced.
Refer to Chapter 13 for details. If both stop-
lights have failed, it is possible that the switch
has failed (see Chapter 10).If more than one indicator light or tail light
has failed it is likely that either a fuse has
blown or that there is a fault in the circuit
(see Chapter 13). The fuses are located in the
passenger compartment, beneath the lower
trim panel.
2
To remove a blown fuse, pull it from
position. Fit a new fuse of the same
rating, available from car accessory
shops. It is important that you find the reason
for the fuse blowing (see Chapter 13).31

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Front (bar) Rear (bar)
BX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.9 2.0
BX 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.9 2.0
BX 14 Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 2.5
BX 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.9 2.1
BX 16 - automatic transmission (from 1987) . . . . . . . . 2.2 2.2
BX 16 Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3 2.5
BX 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0 2.2
BX 19 RE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0 2.0
BX 19 Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3 2.5
BX 19 GTi:
No ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 2.2
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0 2.2
BX 19 GTi 16v:
Pre March 1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 2.1
From March 1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1 2.0
Recommendations may vary. Consult owners handbook or a tyre specialist if in doubt
Wiper blades
Check the condition of the wiper blades;
if they are cracked or show any signs of
deterioration, or if the glass swept area is
smeared, renew them. Wiper blades should
be renewed annually.1To remove a windscreen wiper blade, pull
the arm fully away from the screen until it
locks. Swivel the blade through 90°,
press the locking tab with your fingers and
slide the blade out of the arm’s hooked end.2
Tyre pressures (cold)