Citroen C3 Picasso Electricals

irishproduce

Hi folks,

Parking lights weren't working on C3 PIc.
Got an aute elec to look at it but he couldn't fix it or figure out what was wrong.
Recommended I go to another guy, this guy is foreign. So I went to him. I am mentioning the foreign part because he is not clear to understand.

Anyway, after a few hours having the car, he found issue - I don't know what he called it (I understood "Control") but if you stood at the front of the bonnet - open - then there is a box with lots of adaptor/ plugs in the top right.

Anyway, he took it out and showed me that part was burnt - you could see it was burnt alright.
Anyway, fair play to him, he got the lights working again but now the front main light is gone - which he knew and told me about in fairness. He also said, without replacing this, other stuff is going to stop working - convenience type stuff like elec windows, fans etc.

He asked me to come back in a few days as he was going to see if he could source a box - new or used, he is checking.
Problem is, I can't get him on the phone at all now this week.

I wouldn't mind helping his search or to even have an understanding of what is going on. He wasn't very clear due to his English - what is the problem, what needs replacing and is it a massive job.

Anyone know here what is going on based on that information?

Oh last thing, I didn't pay him either. Said I could pay him once whole thing was fixed so I suppose he has to come back to me eventually

Zcott

Fuse box?

irishproduce

Yeah looks like that alright.
There are thick plugs with multiple pins etc on them. The ,ale part was burnt on some of the pins.
So it is the fusebox then yeah?

Zcott

Yep. You'll pick one up for less than €50.

irishproduce

Talk about coincidence!! Seriously!
He is after ringing me. Today is Thursday, we were supposed to speak Monday - hence I set up this thread while passing time waiting for him.

Anyway, the part is called a BCI unit. He is still looking for one but told me that I could check amongst UK suppliers etc that I might know of too. He said something about software that he has to check it or something to that effect (again, it can be difficult to understand him)

dougie-lampkin

That's not the BCI (presumably he means BSI?), the BSI lives under the dash. The underbonnet job is known as the BSM. It is more complex than a fusebox, as it's a CAN module. It's a computer that communicates on the CAN bus with the BSI rather than just being a fuse holder. There's very few functions that don't run on CAN, sidelights are one of the exceptions which is how he got them working. The BSM isn't coded to the car, so a used one will drop in once the replacement has the same part number. It's relatively common for water to get in the BSM on the C3, probably why yours failed.

Just letting you know, since a BSI would also mean getting the matching ECU and keyset (unless he can recode the used one with Lexia), you could have been fairly out of pocket if you sourced a BSI. I don't think you need one out of a C3 in particular, any PSA car with the same part number will work fine. A chap on the C3 forums here replaced his C3 BSM with one from a C5 for example.

irishproduce

Thanks Dougie.
He seems fairly competent and knows his stuff. Sound lad too.
He could have said BSI to me and meant BCI or maybe he pronounces it differently and I picked it up wrong.

The part that burnt is definitely in the top right under a piece of plastic hooding and then has to be lifted out because he was showing me. It looks very similar to this - http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/m/mTwLXJYhv-pWPVij8FXIxnA/140.jpg

I will give him a ring tomorrow and ask could we use a copied one with same part number...thanks :-)

dougie-lampkin

Definitely the BSM then. I figured I'd let you know in case you went and sourced a BSI yourself, which is a fair bit more expensive and is a completely different part

ArnieSilvia

I had to replace that fusebox due to corroded electrical paths (power steering would switch itself off).

I got replacement from the breakers. Wasn't that straightforward though as only one breaker in Dublin had one as this item is in high demand. Speaking about the demand, C3's I saw must be excellent breakers, there was literally no parts left on ones I saw, so many things go wrong yet people hang onto them.

irishproduce

Great. Thanks for that advice lads.

irishproduce

Folks could I get some help please. Travelling to France shortly and the car elec guy can't get the module in breakers he knows.
We had a chat today and clearly he told me it is the body control module under the bonnet. There are two he said. One inside car and one under bonnet so this is the same as dougie and others said above. He invited me to work on sourcing one while he does likewise because I'm against clock now with trip in France in ten days.

Could anyone suggest where I could get fast even by post?

Thanks folks

Zcott

Seems to be a few on eBay, or try a breaker up north like Traynors. Failing that, a Citroen dealer...

irishproduce

Thanks zcott, any chance of a link to what unit I am after? I'd be very grateful. Thanks

Zcott

Search eBay for C3 BSM and you'll get loads of results. Make sure to find one for your car.

irishproduce

Does it matter if my car is the c3 picasso?

Zcott

I'm afraid I don't know.

ArnieSilvia

I've this fusebox but as I said, it affects power steering- it just gradually stops working once you hit 60km/h so after that it's a bit of work in the car parks. If it helps, you can borrow it but I'd prefer it back in case the one I have in the car goes wrong.

It should help to narrow down your problem as well.

I'm in Lucan btw

irishproduce

Thanks Arnie. I will be fine but that is very generous of you. At the moment, it is only affecting one light at the front and the window washer pump so I will drive it regardless, just not at night when I travel.
I got the part number today and a Polish friend is working on sourcing one this week because I am not finding one here or in the north.
R09 BSM is the part by the way. Serial 9667199780.

There are lots on the continent but getting one here fast is the problem.
Thanks to all the posters here for their help!