Switches BMW 325i 1996 E36 User Guide

400-
4
BODY-GENERAL

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

E36
interiors
have
a
unique
character,
with
a
combínation
of
sporty
features
and
innovative
design
.
Al¡
body
versions
were
made
in
a
wide
choice
of
interior
and
exterior
colors
.
New

colors
with
matching
leather
and/or
fabric
upholstery
were
in-
troduced
for
each
model
year,
including
light-alloy
wheels
in
new
designs
.

Driving
comfort
is
enhanced
by
power
steering,
tilt
steering
wheel
(optional),
height-adjustable
front
seats,
and
electrical-
ly
adjustable
and
heated
rear-view
mirrors
.
Inside
thecar
there
are
reading
lights
at
four
seating
positions
.

Seats
and
Seat
Belts



NOTE-

Theseat
base
usedon
cars
with
pyrotechnic
seatbelt

Anatom¡cal
ly-correct
seats
are
constructed
from
polyure-



tensioners
is
not
interchangeable
with
the
earlier
seat

thane
foam
containing
areas
or
"zones"
of
different
firmness
.



base
.

The
seat
bases
have
steel
springs
for
added
support
and
strength
.
The
power
seats
are
provided
with
conveniently
lo-



Instruments
and
Controls
cated
switches
along
the
outside
edge
of
the
seat
.
Heated
seats
are
an
option
in
all
models
.
See
520
Seats
for
more
de-



Everything
in
the
interior
passenger
compartment
essential
tails
.



to
the
driver
is
logically
grouped
and
easy
to
reach
.
Al¡
instru-
ments
and
controls
havebeen
arranged
ergonomically
and
The
M3
sport
seat
is
shown
in
Fig
.
3
.



are
fully
integrated
into
the
overall
design
of
the
vehicle
.

Fig
.
3
.



M3
sport
seat
.

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

0013195

The
early
E36
cars
areequipped
with
a
single
(driver
side)
airbag
in
the
steering
wheel
.
Startingwith
the
1994
models,
a
dual
airbag
Supplemental
Restraint
System
has
been
stan-
dard
equipment
.
Side-impact
airbags
in
the
front
doors
are
op-
tional
in
1997
4-door
cars
and
standard
equipment
in
all
1998
models
.

Through
1996,
E36
seatbelts
were
equipped
with
BMW's
original-designspring
tensioners
.
In
1997,
the
seat
base
de-
sign
was
modified
to
accommodate
a
pyrotechnic
(explosive
charge)
seatbelt
tensioner
.
Both
types
of
tensioners
arede-
signed
to
automatically
tension
the
belts
by
about2
inches(55
mm)
in
the
event
of
a
collision
.

The
padded
dashboard
houses
the
instrument
cluster
and
the
ventilation
and
heating
system
.
The
instrument
cluster
uses
large
easy-to-read
analog
instruments
and
is
removable
as
a
unit
without
removing
the
dashboard
.
The
Service
Inter-
val
Indicator
(SII)
will
remind
the
driver
when
thecar
requires
service
.
See
620
Instruments
.

The
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
unit
in
thecenter
of
the
dashboard
comes
in
a
variety
of
four
configurations,
the
most
advanced
being
the
On-Board
Computer
(OBC)
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

Al¡
versions
of
the
MID
have
a
clock
and
calendar
.
In
addi-
tion,
different
versions
areequipped
with
a
"check
control,"

display
for
fuel-economy
information
and
system
warnings
.
Consult
the
owner's
manual
for
fui¡
operating
instructions
.

GENERAL

This
repair
group
covers
interior
trim
removal
and
installa-
tion
procedures
.
Forremoval
and
installation
of
interior
switches,
including
interior
lighting
equipment,
see
612

Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories
.

Most
of
the
interior
trim
and
finish
paneis
are
clipped
or

screwed
into
place
.
Many
of
the
trim
retaining
clips
arede-

signed
to
be
used
only
once
.
When
removing
trim
that
is
held
in
place
with
clips,
it
is
a
good
idea
lo
have
spareson
hand
be-
fore
beginningthejob
.

CENTER
CONSOLE

The
front
section
center
console
houses
the
Multi-Informa-

tion
Display
(MID)
module,the
front
ashtray
and
cigarette

lighter
;
shifter
lever,
power
window
switches
and
the
hazard
warning
switch
.
The
rear
center
console
section
houses
the

ashtray(s)
and
covers
the
emergency
brakecable
ends
.

Center
console,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover

terminal
with
insulating
material
.

CA
UTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
viii
.

2
.
Remove
shifter
boot
or
selectorlever
cover
.
See250

Gearshift
t-inkage
.

3
.
Remove
rear
ashtray
retaining
screws
totake
out
ash-

tray
.
Remove
rear
console
retaining
screwunder
ash-

tray
.

513
Interior
Tri
m

INTERIORTRIM



513-1

GENERAL
..
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
.
.
.
513-1



DASHBOARD
.....
.

.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
:
.
.513-2

Glove
compartment,removing
and
installing
.
.513-2
CENTER
CONSOLE
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
513-1



Lower
left
dash
panel,
Center
console,
removing
and
installing
.....
513-1



removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
513-2

Dashboard,removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
...
.
.513-3

4
.
Remove
Multi-Information
Display
module
.
See620
In-
struments
.

5
.
Remove
hazardwarning
switch
and
power
window
switches
bypushing
up
and
out
from
below
.

6
.
Remove
lower
left
dashboard
panel
and
glove
compart-

ment
as
described
later
in
this
repair
group
.

7
.
Remove
retaining
screwunder
hazard
light
switch
.
Pull
rear
console
back
and
remove
retaining
nut
at
back
of
front
console
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

Fig
.1.



Console
retaining
screw
.

8
.
Take
out
rear
console
first,
then
front
console
.

0013154

CENTER
CONSOLE

Dashboard,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover
terminal
with
insulating
material
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
vi¡¡
.

2
.
Remove
center
console
as
described
earlier
.

3
.
Remove
glove
compartment
as
described
earlier
.

4
.
Remove
lower
left
dash
trim
piece
as
described
above
.
Remove
lower
right
dash
trim
panel
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

Fig
.
4
.



Lower
right
dash
trim
piece
retaining
screw
(arrow)
.

WARNING
-

Store
the
removed
airbags
in
a
safe
place
.
Position
the
airbags
facing
up
.

8
.
Remove
instrument
cluster
.
See
620
Instruments
.

5
.
Remove
driver
and
passenger
airbags
.
See
721
Air-

bag
System
(SRS)
.

6
.
Remove
steering
wheel
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.

INTERIOR
TRIM



513-
3

Fig
.
5
.



Driver
side
knee
bolster
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.

9
.
Remove
headlight
switch
.
Remove
turn
signal
and
windshield
wiper/washer
stalk
switches
.
See612
Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories
.

10
.
Remove
A/C
control
head
and
module
.
See
640
Heat-ing
and
Air
Conditioning
.

11
.
Remove
radio
.
See650
Radio
.

12
.
Remove
A-pillar
(windshield
pillar)
trim
on
left
and
right
sides
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

UU13156
Fig
.
6
.



A-pillar
(windshield
pillar)
trim
removal
.
Right
side
shown,
left
7
.
Remove
driver
side
knee
bolster
.
See
Fig
.
5
.



is
similar
.

DASHBOARD

002262



In
this
system,
three
microswitches
are
operated
via
the
door
lock
cylinder
at
each
front
door
.
Turning
the
key
approximately
Fig
.
17
.
Pufl
off
luggage
compartment
lock
actuating
rod
in
the
direc-



45°
(position
1)
operates
the
door
locking
microswitch
.
Tuming
tionof
arrow
.



the
key
approximately
90°
(position2)
actuates
the
double
locking
microswitch
.
Tuming
the
key
approximately
45°
in
the
opposite
di-
rection
through
position
0
actuates
the
unlocking
microswitch
and
deactivates
the
alarm
system
(position3)
.
See
Fig
.
19
.

Fig
.
18
.
Luggage
compartment
actuatorwire
connectors
and
attach-
ing
screws
(arrows)
.

LOCKING
SYSTEM
AND

ELECTRONIC
IMMOBILIZATION

The
central
locking
system
uses
electrical
lock
actuators
at

each
door
and
at
the
trunk
lid
.
The
locking
system
can
be
ac-

tuated
by
either
front
door
lock
or
by
the
luggage
compartment

lock
.
Onsome
1994
and
later
cars,
an
additional
remote
con-

trol
keypadcan
also
be
used
to
activate
the
lock
and
anti-theft

systems
.

When
the
key
is
tuned
to
the
lock
position,
a
micro-switch

signals
a
central
control
module
to
lock
all
doors,
luggage

compartment,
gas
tank
flap
and,
in
later
convertibles,
the

glove
box
lid
.
Where
applicable,
this
also
arms
the
anti-theft

system
.

CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT



515-7

NOTE-

The
central
locking
system
responds
to
accidents
vía
animpact
(inertia)
switch
.
When
this
function
ís
activat-
ed,
the
doors
are
automatically
unlocked
and
the
haz-
ard
warning
lights
and
interiorlights
are
turned
on
.
The
impact
switches
are
mounted
in
the
left
and
right
foot-
wells
behind
the
speaker
grilles
.

Central
Locking
System
(ZVM)

Different
versions
of
the
central
locking
control
havebeen
used
in
the
E36
cars
.
In
early
production
cars
(model
years
1992
and
1993),
the
locking
system
is
controlled
through
the
central
locking
module
.
This
system
is
referred
to
as
ZVM
.

Fig
.
19
.
ZVM
door
lock
cylinderpositíons
.

CAUTION-

Do
not
engage
double
locking
position
with
pas-
sengers
in
the
car
unless
the
master
key
isavail-
able
.
The
door
cannotbe
opened
from
outside
orinside
without
the
master
key
.

NOTE-

In
case
of
a
discharged
battery,
the
car
can
still
be
locked
orunlocked
using
the
key
.

0011762

LOCKING
SYSTEM
AND
ELECTRONIC
IMMOBILIZATION

515-8



CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT

Central
Body
Electronics
(ZKE
IV)



Electronic
Immobilization
System
(EWS)

Beginning
withvehicles
produced
9193
(model
year
1994),



The
electronic
anti-theft
system
known
as
EWS
was
first
in-

the
centrallocking
system
was
integrated
with
sunroof
and



troduced
in
January
1994
.
The
early
version
of
the
system

window
closure
into
the
Central
Body
Electronics
(ZKE
IV)



uses
a
starting
inhibition
module
to
interrupt
the
ignition,
the

(generation
four)
system
.
The
control
module
for
this
system



fuel
injection
and
the
starter
motor
.
This
system
is
activated

ís
mounted
in
front
of
the
glove
compartment
.



and
deactivated
by
the
centrallockíng
system
.
The
control

module
for
the
system
is
installed
under
the
left
side
of
the

Inthis
system
two
microswítches
are
operated
viathe
door



dashboard
.

lock
cylinder
at
both
front
doors
.
Turning
the
key
approximate-

ly
45°
(position
1)
operates
the
door
locking
microswitch
and



Startingwith
modeis
built
since
January
1995,
E36
cars

activates
the
alarm
system
.
Holding
the
key
in
thatposition



come
equipped
with
a
sophisticated
coded
electronic
immobi

also
closes
any
open
windows
and
the
sunroof
.



lization
system
called
EWS
II
.
Foraschematic
of
the
system,

refer
to
Fig
.
21
.

Turning
the
key
approximately
45°
in
the
opposite
direction

through
position
0
actuates
theunlocking
microswitch
and
de-

activates
the
alarm
system
(position
2)
.
See
Fig
.
20
.
NOTE
-

The
EWS
11
system
is
also
sometimes
referred
to
as
the

Driveaway
Protection
System
or
the
electronic
immobi-
lization
system
.

On
EWS
II
equipped
cars,
the
ignition
key
is
embedded
with

a
computer
chip
and
permanently
encoded
.
A
primary
code
is

programmed
into
the
keyand
finto
the
vehicle
itself
.
A
second-

ary
code
is
changed
every
time
the
vehicle
is
started
.
If
thekey

code
and
EWS
II
control
module
code
do
notmatch,
the
en-

gine
management
control
module
and
the
starter
are
dis-

abled
.
EWS
II
ignition
keyscannot
be
duplicated
.

The
system
is
designed
to
have
up
to
ten
keys
and
only
an

authorized
BMW
dealer
can
provide
replacement
keys
.
j
NOTE-
0011762a



ft
is
possible
to
damage
the
electronic
circuítry
in
the
Fig
.
20
.
ZKE
IV
door
lock
cylinder
positions
.



key,
rendering
if
unusable
.
In
that
case,
a
new
key

shouldbe
purchased
and
initialized
byan
authorized
BMW
dealer
.

LOCKING
SYSTEM
AND
ELECTRONIC
IMM081LIZATION

The
left
latch
in
the
fully
automatic
version
hastwo
mi-
croswitches
(S7
and
S8)which
signal
open,
closed
and
latched
states
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

The
length
of
the
dead
center
point
rod
is
critica¡
lo
correct
opening
and
latching
of
the
convertible
top
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

Dead
Center
Point
Rod

"
Dimension
A
........
205
.5
f
1
mm
(8
.09
t0
.04
in)

Visor
Latch
Motor

The
fully
automatic
convertible
top
is
latched
and
unlatched
by
one
electric
motor
installed
in
the
front
roof
bow
.
To
re-
place,
remove
front
cover
trim
from
the
roof
.
Remove
electri-
cal
harness
connectors
from
motor,
andremove
mounting
screws
.
Slide
the
motor
off
the
output
shafts
to
the
left
and
right
latches
.

During
reinstallation,
theoutput
shafts
must
be
tumed
until
the
S8
microswitch
in
the
left
latch
is
tripped
.

Convertible
top
and
frame,
replacing

1
.
Open
convertible
top
partially
.
Open
convertible
top
lid
.



Fig
.
9
.



Preset
lengthof
dead
centerpoint
rod
.
Open
back
windows
.

2
.
Fully
automatic
power
convertible
top
:
Remove
front
cover
trim
from
top
.
Disconnect
electrical
harness
con-

nectors
from
frontlatch
motor
.
Disconnect
connectors

from
S7
and
S8
microswitches
at
left
latch
.

Motors
M1
Convertible
top
M2
Convertible
top
lid
M3Front
latch
(fully
automatic
top)

Microswitches
S1
&S2
In
convertible
top
motor
S3
In
convertible
top
storage
compartment
S4
In
top
linkage
(semi-automatic
only)
S5
In
luggage
compartment
latch
S6
In
right
convertible
top
lid
latch
S7&S8
In
left
conv
.
top
latch
(fully
automatic)

Fig
.
8
.



Locationof
automatic
and
semi-automatic
convertible
latch
mechanisms,
motors
and
microswitches
.

CONVERTIBLE
TOP



541-5

POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

600-
4



ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM-GENERAL

Voltage
and
Voltage
Drops

The
wires,
connectors,
and
switches
that
carry
current
are

designed
with
very
low
resistance
so
that
current
flows
with
a

minimum
loss
of
voltage
.
A
voltage
drop
is
caused
by
higher
than
normal
resistance
in
a
circuit
.
This
additional
resistance

actually
decreases
or
stops
the
flow
of
current
.
A
voltage
drop

can
be
noticed
byproblems
ranging
fromdim
headlights
to
sluggish
wipers
.
Some
common
sources
of
voltage
drops
are
corroded
or
dirty
switches,
dirty
or
corroded
connections
or

contacts,
and
loose
or
corroded
ground
wires
and
ground
con-

nections
.

A
voltage
drop
test
is
a
good
test
to
make
if
current
is
flowing
through
the
circuit,
butthe
circuit
is
not
operating
correctly
.
A
voltage
drop
test
will
help
to
pinpoint
a
corroded
ground
strap
or
a
faulty
switch
.
Normally,
there
should
be
less
than
1
volt

drop
across
most
wires
or
closed
switches
.
A
voltage
drop
across
a
connector
or
short
cable
shouldnot
exceed
0
.5
volts
.

Voltage,
measuring

1
.
Connect
digital
multimeternegative
lead
to
a
reliable
ground
point
oncar
.

NOTE-

The
negative
(-)
battery
terminal
is
alwaysa
good
ground
point
.

2
.
Connect
digital
multimeter
positive
lead
to
point
incir-
cuit
you
wish
to
measure
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
If
a
reading
is
ob-
tained,
current
is
flowing
through
circuit
.

NOTE-

The
voltage
reading
shouldnot
deviate
more
than
1
volt
from
the
voltage
at
the
battery
.
If
the
voltage
drop
is
more
than
this,
check
for
acorroded
connector
or
cose
ground
wire
.

ELECTRICAL
TROLIBLESHOOTING

from
Battery

Fig
.
1
.



Digital
multimeterbeing
used
to
test
voltage
.

No
voltage
r_l

-1
Load

LJ

Switch

NOTE-

The
maximum
voltage
drop
in
an
automotive
circuit,
as
recommended
by
the
Society
of
AutomotiveEngineers
(SAE),
is
as
follows
:
0
voltsfor
small
vire
connections
;
0
.1
Volts
for
high
current
connections
;
0
.2
volts
for
high
current
cables
;
and
0
.3volts
for
switch
or
solenoidcon-
tacts
.
On
longer
wires
or
cables,
the
drop
may
be
slight-ly
higher
.
In
any
case,
a
voltage
drop
of
more
than
1.0volt
usually
indicates
a
problem
.

0013238

NOTE-

"
A
voltage
drop
test
is
generally
more
accuratethan
a



Voltage
drop,
testing

simple
resistance
check
because
the
resistances
in-
volvedare
often
too
small
to
measure
with
most
ohm-



Voltage
drop
can
only
be
checked
when
current
is
running
meters
.
For
example,
a
resistance
as
small
as0
.02



through
the
circuit,
suchasby
operating
the
starter
motor
or
ohms
would
results
in
a
3
volt
drop
in
a
typical
150



turning
onthe
headlights
.
A
digital
multimeter
should
beused
amp
starter
circuit
.
(150
amps
x
0
.02
ohms
=3
volts)
.



lo
ensure
accurate
readings
.

"
Keep
in
mind
that
voltage
with
the
key
on
and
voltage
with
the
engine
running
arenotthe
same
.
With
the
ig-



1
.
Connect
digital
multimeter
positive
lead
to
positive
(+)
nition
on
and
the
engine
off
(battery
voltage),
voltage



battery
terminalor
a
positive
power
supply
close
lo
bat
should
be
approximately
12
.6volts
.
With
the
engine



tery
source
.
running
(charging
voltage),
voltage
should
be
approx-
imately
14
.0
volts
.
Measure
voltage
at
the
battery
with



2
.
Connect
digital
multimeter
negativelead
to
other
end
of
the
ignition
on
and
then
with
the
engine
running
to
get



cable
orswitch
being
tested
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
exact
measurements
.

3
.
With
power
on
and
circuit
working,
meter
shows
volt-
age
drop
(difference
between
two
points)
.
This
value
should
not
exceed
1
volt
.

Continuity,
checking
Short
Circuits

from
Battery

CAUTION-

Use
only
a
high
quality
digital
ohmmeter
having
high
input
impedance
when
checking
electronic
componente
.
The
internal
power
source
used
in
most
analog
(swing-need1e)
meterscan
damage
solidstate
components
.

0013239

Fig
.
2
.



Digital
multimeter
being
used
to
check
for
voltage
drop
across
a
switch
.

The
continuity
test
can
beused
to
check
a
circuit
or
switch
.
Because
most
automotive
circuits
are
designed
to
have
little

or
no
resistance,
a
circuit
or
part
of
a
circuit
canbe
easily

checked
for
faults
using
an
ohmmeter
.
An
open
circuit
or
a
cir-

cuit
withhigh
resistance
will
not
allow
current
to
flow
.
A
círcuit
with
little
or
no
resistanceallows
current
to
flow
easily
.

When
checking
continuity,
the
ignition
should
be
off
.
On
cir-
cuits
that
are
powered
at
all
times,
the
battery
should
be
dis-
connected
.
Using
the
appropriate
wiring
diagram,
a
circuit
can
be
easily
tested
for
faulty
connections,
wires,
switches,
relays,
and
engine
sensorsby
checking
forcontinuity
.
For
a
continu-
ity
check
on
a
brake
light
switch,
see
Fig
.
3
..

A
short
circuit
is
exactly
what
the
narre
implies
.
The
circuit
takes
a
shorter
paththan
it
was
designed
to
take
.
The
most

common
short
that
causes
problems
is
a
short
to
ground

where
the
insulation
on
a
positive
(+)
wire
wears
away
and
the

metal
wire
is
exposed
.
When
the
wire
rubs
against
a
metal

partof
thecar
or
other
ground
source,
the
circuit
is
shorted
to
ground
.
If
the
exposed
wire
is
live
(positive
battery
voltage),
a

Puse
will
blow
and
the
circuit
may
possibly
be
damaged
.

ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM
-
GENERAL
600-
5

Brake
light
switch

Brake
pedal
in
rest
position

Q

Brake
pedal
depressed
Brake
light
switch

Fig
.
3
.



Brake
light
switchbeing
tested
for
continuity
.
With
brake
ped-
alin
rest
position
(switch
open)
there
is
no
continuity
(infinite
ohms)
.
With
pedal
depressed
(switch
closed)
there
is
continu-
ity
(zero
ohms)
.

Shorts
to
groundcanbe
located
with
a
digital
multimeter
.
Short
circuits
are
often
difficult
to
locate
and
may
vary
in
na-
ture
.
Short
circuits
can
befound
using
a
logical
approach
based
onthe
current
path
.

CAUTION
-

"
On
circuits
protected
with
high
rating
fuses
(25
amp
and
greater),
the
wires
or
circuit
compo-
nents
may
be
damaged
before
the
fuse
blows
.
Always
check
for
damage
before
replacing
fuses
of
this
rating
.

"
When
replacing
blown
fuses,
use
only
fuses
hav-
ingthe
correct
rating
.
Always
confirm
the
correct
fuse
rating
printed
on
the
fuselrelay
panelcover

DC

ELECTRICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING

610-$



ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

Fig
.
24
.
Brake
pedalswitches
.

Fig
.
25
.
Driver
side
airbag
connector
(arrow)
.

COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

0011751

Fig
.
26
.
Passenger
sideairbag
connector
(arrow)
behind
glove
com-

partment
.

Fig
.
27
.
Antenna
diversity
module
(arrow)
inleft
C-pillar
.

Fig
.
28
.
Right
side
offuel
tank
under
rear
seat
cushion
.

0013108
0013010
0013142

611
Wipers
and
Washers

GENERAL
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
......
.
611-1



Windshield
wiper
motor,

removing
and
installing
.
...............
.611-8

WIPER
BLADES
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
....
.611-1

Wiper
Blade
Cleaning
Problems
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
611-1

Wiper
blades,replacing
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
611-1

Wiper
blade
inserts,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
611-2

Wiper
arms,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.....
611-2

WINDSHIELD
WIPER
ASSEMBLY
.
.
.....
611-3

Windshield
wiper
assembly,
removing

and
installing
(4-door
models)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
611-3

Windshield
wiper
assembly,
removing

and
installing
(2-door
models)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
611-5

GENERAL

This
repair
group
covers
windshield
wiper
and
washer
sys-

tem
repair
information
.
Please
note
that
some
procedures
are

different
for
2-
and
4-door
models
.

The
windshield
wiper/washer
stalk
switch
assembly
is
cov-

ered
in
612
Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories
.
Electrical



NOTE-
wiring
diagrams
and
relays
for
the
wiper/washer
system
are



BMwhas
available
a
special
toollgauge
(BMWspecial
covered
in
Electrical
Wiring
Diagrams
.



tool
no
.
00
9210)
to
align
the
angle
of
the
wiper
arm
to
the
windshield
glass
.

WIPERBLADES

CA
UTION-

Never
turn
on
the
wiper
blades
while
the
hood
is
open
.
Damage
to
the
wiper
system
and
hood
may
occur
.
Toensure
safetyduring
wiper
biade
system
procedures,
remove
the
windshieldwiper
fuse
.
See
610
Electrical
Component
Locations
.

Wiper
Blade
Cleaning
Problems

Common
cleaning
problems
with
thewipers
includestreak-

ing
or
sheeting,
waterdrops
after
wiping,
and
blade
chatter
.

Streaking
is
usually
caused
when
wiper
blades
are
coated

with
road
film
or
car
wash
wax
.
Clean
the
blades
using
soapy

water
.
If
cleaning
does
not
cure
the
problem,
the
blades
should
be
replaced
.
BMW
recommends
replacing
the
wiper

blades
twice
a
year,
before
and
after
the
cold
season
.

WIPERS
AND
WASHERS



611-1

WINDSHIELD
CLEANING
SYSTEM
......
611-9

Windshield
spray
nozzle,

removing
and
installing
.......
.
........
.611-9

Washer
fluid
reservoir,
replacing
.........
.611-9

Windshield
washer
fluid
pump,
replacing
..
.
......
.
........
.611-9

Washer
fluid
level
sensor,
replacing

(models
with
check
control)
.
.
.
.
........
611-10

Wiper
blade
chatter
may
be
caused
by
dirty
or
worn
blades,

or
by
wiper
arms
that
areout
of
alignment
.
Clean
the
blades
and
windshield
as
described
above
.
Adjust
the
wiper
arm
so

that
there
is
even
pressure
along
the
blade,
and
so
that
the

blade
at
rest
is
perpendicular
to
the
windshield
.
If
problems

persist,
theblades
and
wiper
arms
should
be
replaced
.

The
wiper
blades
can
be
renewed
in
one
of
two
ways
:
either

by
replacing
the
complete
blade
or
by
replacing
just
therubber

insert
.

Insert
replacement
is
the
mosteconomicalmethod,
al-

though
overtime
the
wiperblade
itselfwill
become
worn
.
One

ruleof
thumb
wouldbe
to
replace
just
the
inserts
every
second

time
.

Wiper
blades,
replacing

1
.
Pivot
wiper
arm
off
windshield
.

2
.
Position
wiperblade
approximately
perpendicular
to

wiper
arm
.

3
.
Remove
wiperblade
from
wiper
arm
by
depressing
re-

taining
tab
and
sliding
blade
out
of
arm
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

Drops
that
remain
behind
after
wiping
are
usually
caused
by



NOTE-

oil,
road
film,
or
diesel
exhaust
residue
onthe
glass
.
Use
an



Some
wiperblade
versions
may
havetwo
retaining

alcohol
or
ammonia
solution
or
a
non-abrasive
cleaner
(such



tabs
.

a
s
Bon-Ami



to
clean
the
windshield
.

GENERAL