BMW 3 SERIES 1990 E36 Cruise Control Acutator Technical Data Owner's Manual

Actuator Removal
The cruise control actuator is easily removed from most E34 vehicles.
For these vehicles, the actuator is located on the top of the engine
compartment next to the power steering reservoir.
Figure 25 – Typical E34 mounting (non-540i)
On E34 540i’s, the actuator is located below and in front of the brake
pressure booster. This makes it difficult to remove the actuator.
Figure 26 - Cruise control mounting on E34 540i
BMW Cruise Control Actuator 1985 to 1996 – Technical Data page 21 of 25
© www.bavtech.com all rights reserved

Actuator Removal
A complex option is to remove the front fascia and headlight. A
simpler method is to remove the mounting bracket bolt which holds
the mounting bracket to the chassis.
Figure 27 - Overhead view of mounting bracket
Figure 28 - Elevation view of mounting bracket
The mounting bracket may then be temporarily bent. This allows
space for the actuator mounting screws to be removed and for the
BMW Cruise Control Actuator 1985 to 1996 – Technical Data page 22 of 25
© www.bavtech.com all rights reserved

Actuator Removal
actuator to be slid out from under the brake pressure booster and
alongside the radiator.
Figure 29 - Elevation view of temporarily deformed mounting bracket
Please note that the space will still be very tight. There will be a need
for some maneuvering of the actuator before it will slide out.
BMW Cruise Control Actuator 1985 to 1996 – Technical Data page 23 of 25
© www.bavtech.com all rights reserved

Circuit Board Pictorial
The Cruise Control Actuator has a simple printed circuit board with
connections to a potentiometer, motor, solenoid, and eight pin
connector. The motor has a measured resistance of 10 ohms and is
designed for a 12vdc system. The solenoid has a measured resistance
of 33 ohms and is used to engage the motor drive. The potentiometer
has a measured resistance of 250 ohms and is used to sense the
position of the control cable drum gear.
Figure 30 - Actuator circuit board (bottom)
Figure 31 - Actuator circuit board (top)
BMW Cruise Control Actuator 1985 to 1996 – Technical Data page 24 of 25
© www.bavtech.com all rights reserved

Circuit Board Schematic
The cruise control actuator is electrically a simple circuit linked to an
eight pin connector. The circuit and the connector are diagramed
below.
Figure 32 – Actuator Schematic
Actuator 8 pin connector
Pin Description
1 Drive motor (-)
4 Drive motor (+)
2, 3 Engagement solenoid
5, 8 Position sense potentiometer
6 Potentiometer center tap
7 Not used
Table 1 – Actuator 8 pin connector
BMW Cruise Control Actuator 1985 to 1996 – Technical Data page 25 of 25
© www.bavtech.com all rights reserved