Swapping ignition barrels
Swapping ignition barrels
Ok I got hold of a complete ignition barrel from a ZX.The wiring is different,well the plugs.Is there anyway to change the barrel over?
1988 16v
2002 S-Type "R" (rocket?)
2002 S-Type "R" (rocket?)
- Timmo
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i dont know if there is?? i know you can open them up and use the 'dial' inside to start the car without the key (key tip snapped on my od 309 in the ignition barrel) but dont know if the actual barrel can be swapped over??/
Timmo
After all i am the Cornish one!
Its Because its French!
Bx16v club - Sharing the love for the unloved!
After all i am the Cornish one!
Its Because its French!
Bx16v club - Sharing the love for the unloved!
- thanuttiscotsman
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hi there, if the slot barrels are the same diameter and have the same tip at plug end then you should be able to swap them over. basically you stick the key in the barrel and turn it, this allows the push (release) pin to be pushed into the barrel allowing it to be withdrawn out of the slot. if you have lost the keys then you will prolly have to replace the upper steering column as removing a barrel without key is nigh on impossible without damaging something as i found out with my tranny van!, designed that way to prevent theft etc.
rossco
rossco
1989 BX 16v ph1 Big project chipped, k+N, scorpion s/s, weber throttle body, Nitrous injection
1990 BX 16v ph2 (now scrapped)
1990 BX 16v ph2 (now scrapped)
I have the whole ignition switch out of the car,and have one from a friends ZX that hes scrapping.
The plugs on the end of the cables are different and too short.I was wondering if I can make one switch out of the two?
Using the BX cables and plugs and the ZX actual switch?
Does the black part with the cables separate from the key part??
Thanks for your replies.
The plugs on the end of the cables are different and too short.I was wondering if I can make one switch out of the two?
Using the BX cables and plugs and the ZX actual switch?
Does the black part with the cables separate from the key part??
Thanks for your replies.
1988 16v
2002 S-Type "R" (rocket?)
2002 S-Type "R" (rocket?)
- thanuttiscotsman
- 7000 rpm
- Posts: 1137
- Joined: Sun Aug 13, 2006 8:16 am
- Location: Scotland
well first question is does the bx switch fit on the end of the zx barrel? if so then just use bx cables and switch and zx barrel. if not then i would probably insert the zx barrel, attach zx switch to it and then you would need to remove bx wires from their switch and connect them in correct order to the zx wires coming from zx switch using block connectors or something.
rossco
rossco
1989 BX 16v ph1 Big project chipped, k+N, scorpion s/s, weber throttle body, Nitrous injection
1990 BX 16v ph2 (now scrapped)
1990 BX 16v ph2 (now scrapped)
swap
Totally understand what you are saying Clive and without looking I am pretty sure you can do what you are suggesting.
All down to compatability but the PSA barrels of this age should be in two pieces - the barrel and the plastic switch with cable part.
Cheers
Luke
All down to compatability but the PSA barrels of this age should be in two pieces - the barrel and the plastic switch with cable part.
Cheers
Luke
Please call me Luke
1989 BX 16valve White 70k almost up to scratch
1989 BX 16valve White 70k almost up to scratch
- robin hughes
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Is this any use to you clive??
I bought it from a citroen dealer in tavistock for a spare and was told its for a bx. If you are intrested make us an offer as it just sits around in the cupboard.
cheers rob
I bought it from a citroen dealer in tavistock for a spare and was told its for a bx. If you are intrested make us an offer as it just sits around in the cupboard.
cheers rob
The citroen bx 16 valve loves garages hates driving
1990 escort rs turbo 220 bhp
1992 bx 16 valve phase 2 red
1990 escort rs turbo 220 bhp
1992 bx 16 valve phase 2 red
Hi Robin
Iain's car has four red and four white wires on his,so I'd say that one you have isnt for a 16v.Other than that it looks the same.I havent got his out yet as its been mullared and I cant get a key in.to pop the pin.
Any ideas as to the size of drill I need to drill it out?
I have the original switch that we changed some time ago so thats what I am using as a pattern.But it isnt any good to use,it dont spring back after starting the car.
Iain's car has four red and four white wires on his,so I'd say that one you have isnt for a 16v.Other than that it looks the same.I havent got his out yet as its been mullared and I cant get a key in.to pop the pin.
Any ideas as to the size of drill I need to drill it out?
I have the original switch that we changed some time ago so thats what I am using as a pattern.But it isnt any good to use,it dont spring back after starting the car.
1988 16v
2002 S-Type "R" (rocket?)
2002 S-Type "R" (rocket?)
Removing barrel on BX with mullered key/lock
First off, drop the top of the steering rack out! Undo the break away bolt (half way down the column and about 3" below the brass coloured bit), then undo the 4x 16mm bolts that hold the brass section of the column to the cross car beam. Disconnect the wires. Now you can work on the thing in relative comfort.
The release pins mechanism is actually quite soft, and so far i have always managed to use a pin punch and smash the pin back into the barrel without a problem. Then you just slide the barrel out. Failing that drill the pin out after you have centre popped it, the pin is its self quite soft and a 4mm hss bit will evaporate it very quickly.
ZX v's BX barrel
I once (perhaps mistakenly) bought a ZX barrel in order to fit to a BX and found like yourself that the steering lock plunger was totally the wrong length and the wires very different. I also determined that the original BX lock barrel would not fit into the ZX barrel space.
Subsequently though i have fitted a new style replacement Valeo barrel to the BX, this had totally different wire colours and connectors, and the casing is different from a factory fit single blade BX one. Brief examination against the ZX one (which is now in many many pieces if i still have it), makes me think that the replacement double blade BX keys are considerably similar to the ZX key than the old single blade BX key, and i suspect the switch/barrels can be interchanged.
Warning
Dont bother trying to drill length ways through the lock, its too much effort.
Dont bother trying to prise the brass coloured shell apart as they wont go back into shape and so the barrel will never fully fit again.
Do give up early and ask if someone has a spare upper column with or without lock!
Don't worry if you cant get an ABS barrel, there are differences, but only a small fly lead from the ignition switched live for the ABS. Easy to add on separately!
First off, drop the top of the steering rack out! Undo the break away bolt (half way down the column and about 3" below the brass coloured bit), then undo the 4x 16mm bolts that hold the brass section of the column to the cross car beam. Disconnect the wires. Now you can work on the thing in relative comfort.
The release pins mechanism is actually quite soft, and so far i have always managed to use a pin punch and smash the pin back into the barrel without a problem. Then you just slide the barrel out. Failing that drill the pin out after you have centre popped it, the pin is its self quite soft and a 4mm hss bit will evaporate it very quickly.
ZX v's BX barrel
I once (perhaps mistakenly) bought a ZX barrel in order to fit to a BX and found like yourself that the steering lock plunger was totally the wrong length and the wires very different. I also determined that the original BX lock barrel would not fit into the ZX barrel space.
Subsequently though i have fitted a new style replacement Valeo barrel to the BX, this had totally different wire colours and connectors, and the casing is different from a factory fit single blade BX one. Brief examination against the ZX one (which is now in many many pieces if i still have it), makes me think that the replacement double blade BX keys are considerably similar to the ZX key than the old single blade BX key, and i suspect the switch/barrels can be interchanged.
Warning
Dont bother trying to drill length ways through the lock, its too much effort.
Dont bother trying to prise the brass coloured shell apart as they wont go back into shape and so the barrel will never fully fit again.
Do give up early and ask if someone has a spare upper column with or without lock!
Don't worry if you cant get an ABS barrel, there are differences, but only a small fly lead from the ignition switched live for the ABS. Easy to add on separately!