wire BMW 318i 1997 E36 Workshop Manual

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

00-
6



ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM-GENERAL

Short
circuit,
testing
with
ohmmeter



Short
circuit,
testing
with
voltmeter

1
.
Remove
blown
fuse
from
circuit
and
disconnect
cables



1
.
Remove
blown
fusefrom
circuit
.

from
battery
.
2
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
circuifs
loador

2
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
circuit's
loador



consumer
.

consumer
.

3
.
Using
an
ohmmeter,
connect
one
test
lead
to
loadside

of
f
use
terminal
(terminal
leading
to
circuit)
and
the
oth-

ertest
lead
to
ground
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

Load
disconnected
from
Battery

LO

n
I



~



Shotrouit
vu
.uto
earthth

Switch

Load

0013241

Fig
.
4
.



Digital
multimeter
being
usedasan
ohmmeter
to
find
short

circuit
.

4
.
lf
there
is
continuity
to
ground,
there
is
a
short
to

ground
.

ELECTRICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING

NOTE-

Most
fuses
power
more
than
one
consumer
.
Be
sure
aff

consumers
are
disconnected
when
checking
for
a
short
circuit
.

3
.
Using
a
voltmeter,
connect
test
leads
across
f
use
termi-

nals
.
See
Fig
.
5
.
Make
sure
power
is
present
ín
circuit
.

lf
necessary
turn
keyon
.

~2
.U

from
Battery

Load
disconnected

Short-circuit
to
earth

I



Fuse
box

0013240

5
.
If
there
is
no
continuity,
work
from
wire
harness
hearest



Fig
.
5
.



Digital
multimeter
being
usedas
a
voltmeter
to
find
short
cir

to
fuse/relay
panel
and
move
or
wiggle
wireswhile
ob-



cuit
.

serving
meter
.
Continue
to
movedown
harness
until

meter
displays
a
reading
.
This
is
the
location
of
short
to



4
.
lf
voltage
is
present
at
voltmeter,
there
is
a
short
to

ground
.



ground
.

Visually
inspect
the
wire
harness
at
this
point
for
any
faults
.



5
.
lf
voltage
is
not
present,
work
from
wire
harness
near-

If
no
faults
are
visible,
carefully
slice
open
the
harnesscover



est
to
fuse/relay
panel
and
move
orwiggle
wireswhile

or
the
wire
insulation
for
further
inspection
.
Repair
any
faults



observing
meter
.
Continue
to
move
down
harness
until
found
.



meter
displays
a
reading
.
This
is
the
location
of
short
to

ground
.

6
.
Visually
inspect
wire
harness
atthis
point
for
any
faults
.

lf
no
faults
are
visible,
carefully
slice
open
harness
cov-
erorwire
insulation
for
further
inspection
.
Repair
any

faults
found
.

610
Electrical
Component
Locations

GENERAL
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
........
610-1



FOSE
POSITION
TABLES
..
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
610-19

FUSE
AND
RELAY
POSITIONS
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
610-1

Fuse
Positions
.
.
.
................
.
.
.
.
.
610-1

Relay
Positions
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
........
.
.
.
.
.
610-2

Auxiliary
RelayPanel
.....
.
...
.
........
.
610-2

SplicePanel,
Left
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
...
.
........
.
610-2

SplicePanel,
Right
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.........
610-3

COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.610-3

Component
Location
Table
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
610-9

GENERAL



FUSE
AND
RELAY
POSITIONS

This
repair
group
covers
f
use,
relay,
and
control
module
lo-



The
front
power
distribution
box,
an
auxiliary
relay
panel,cation
information
.
Electrical
equipment
and
accessories
in-



and
two
auxiliary
splice
panels
contain
most
of
the
fuses
and
stalled
varies
depending
on
model
and
model
year
.
Always



relays
in
E36
vehicles
.
Refer
to
the
component
location
later

confirm
that
the
proper
electrical
component
has
been
identi-



in
this
section,
as
well
as
the
tables
at
the
end
of
this
repair

fied
by
using
the
electrical
wiring
diagrams
.



group
for
electrical
component
location
.

WARNING
-

On
cars
equipped
with
airbags,
special
precautionsapply
to
any
electrical
system
testing
orrepair
.
Air-
bag
units
areexplosive
devices
and
mustbe
han-
dled
with
extremecare
.
Before
starting
any
work
onan
airbag
equipped
car,
refer
to
the
wamings
and
cautions
in
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.

CAUTION
-

"
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
bat-
tery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.

"
Relay
and
fuse
positions
are
subject
to
changeand
may
varyfrom
car
to
car
.
If
questions
arise,
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
is
the
best
source
for
the
most
accurate
and
up-to-date
information
.

"
A
good
way
to
verify
a
relay
position
isto
com-
pare
the
wiring
colors
at
the
relay
socket
to
thecolors
indicated
on
the
wiring
diagrams
located
at
the
rear
of
this
manual
.

"
Always
switchthe
ignition
off
and
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
battery
cable
before
removing
any
electrical
components
.

"
Connect
and
disconnect
ignition
system
wires,
multiple
connectors,
and
ignition
test
equipment
leads
only
while
the
ignition
is
switched
off
.

"
Only
usea
digital
multimeter
for
electrical
tests
.

ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS



610-1

TABLES
a
.
E36Component
Locations
...........
.
.
..
...
610-10b
.
1992
E36
Fuse
Positions
..........
..
.
.
.....
610-20c
.
1993
E36
Fuse
Positions
..........
..
..
.
....
610-22d
.
1994
E36
Fuse
Positions



.........
...
.......
610-24e
.
1995
E36
Fuse
Positions
.........
...
.......
610-26
f
.



1996
E36
Fuse
Positions



.........
...
.......
610-28g
.
1997-1998
E36
Fuse
Positions
..
.
..
...
.......
610-30

Fuse
Positions

CAUTION
-

"
Replace
fuses
with
those
of
the
same
rating
.
In-
stalling
a
fuse
with
higher
rating
can
lead
to
cir-
cuit
failure
and
may
also
start
a
fire
.

"
Relay/fuse
positions
vary
by
model
and
equip-
ment
.

Fuses
number
1
through
46
are
mounted
in
the
front
power

distribution
box
.
See
Fig
.
1.

Fuses
31-46

~
Illlllllllll

°
-
Ilmmlmomlmoi

Fuses
1-20

(a
1
:1
E
El

~
~O!7

L~~n

4~
i
Fuses
21-30

Fig
.1.



Fuse
positions
1-46
in
front
power
distribution
box
.

0013034

FUSE
AND
RELAY
POSITIONS

Fig
.
9
.



Wiper
shaft
nut
at
cowl
(arrow)
.

Fig
.
10
.
Wiper
assembly
support
bolts
(arrows)
.

0012533
0012535

Fig
.
11
.
Wiper
assembly
electrical
connector
(arrow)
.

0012536

13
.
Push
wiper
arm
shaft
down
into
cowl
area
and
maneu-

ver
wiper
assembly
out
of
cowl
.

WIPERS
AND
WASHERS



611-
5

14
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,noting
the
following
:

"
Install
all
fasteners
finger-tight
first
.

"
Once
installed,
wiper
motor
should
first
be
run
to

parked
position
and
switched
off
.

"
Next,
instaf
wiper
arms
butnotblades
.

"
Close
hood
and
fit
wiper
blades
.

"
Check
all
electrical
harness
fittings
and
sealing
grom-

mets
for
correct
reinstallation
.
Replace
any
wire
ties

cut
off
during
removal
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Wiper
shaft
nut
at
cowl
.............
12
Nm
(9
ft-Ib)

"
Wiper
support
to
wiper
assembly

orto
body
..
..
..
.
...............
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

"
Wiper
arm
to
wiper
shaft
..........
25
Nm
(18
ft-lb)

Windshieldwiper
assembly,
removing
and

installing
(2-door
modeis)

NOTE-

The
wiper
arms
should
be
in
the
parked
position
before
removing
the
wiper
assembly
.
To
avoid
damaging
the
wiper
arms
and
pivots,
donotmanually
sidde
or
force
the
wiper
arm
across
the
windshield
.

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)cablefrom
battery
.

CAUTION-

"
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
bat-
tery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.

"
Use
fendercover
to
protect
windshield
.

2
.
Remove
wiper
arms
as
described
earlier
.

3
.
Place
engine
hood
in
service
position
.
See410
Fend-

ers,
Engine
Hood
.

4
.
Remove
trim
retainers
at
left
and
right
side
and
remove

air
plenum
grill
.
See
Fig
.
12
.

5
.
Remove
screws
retaining
wiring
harness
protective

cover
.
See
Fig
.
13
.

6
.
On
passenger
side
of
air
plenum,push
aside
wiring

harness
and
remove
two
screws
retaining
plenum

housing
.
See
Fig
.
14
.

WINDSHIELD
WIPER
ASSEMBLY

611-
6



WIPERS
AND
WASHERS

Fig
.
12
.
Left
side
air
plenum
grill
trim
retainers
(arrows)
.

uu12529
Fig
.
13
.
Engine
bulkhead
wiring
harness
cover
screws
(arrows)
.

WINDSHIELD
WIPER
ASSEMBLY

Fig
.
15
.
Remove
screw
at
A
and
pull
plenum
upward
.

0012635

Fig
.
14
.
Right
side
plenum
retaining
screws
(black
arrows)
.
Note
positive
leads
to
main
(+)
connector
(white
arrow)
.

7
.
On
driver's
side
of
air
plenum,
push
aside
wiring
har-

ness
and
remove
screw
retaining
pienum
.
Pull
plenum

up
and
remove
from
engine
bay
.
See
Fig
.
15
.

8
.
On
passenger
side
of
engine
compartment
bulkhead,

remove
engine
control
module
(ECM)
compartment

cover
.
See
Fig
.
16
.

9
.
Disconnectharness
connector(s)
from
ECM
and
auto-
matic
transmission
control
module
(if
applicable)
.
Care-
fully
pull
harness
and
wire
loomas
far
forward
as
possible
.
If
necessary,disconnect
positive
leads
at
main
(+)
connector
.

10
.
Remove
wiper
assembly
mounting
fasteners
.
See
Fig
.
17
.

0012531Fig
.
16
.
Engine
control
unit
(ECM)
compartment
cover
screws
(ar-
rows)
.

WIPERS
AND
WASHERS



611-
7

Fig
.
18
.
Wiper
assembly
electrical
plug
(arrow)
.

uu1zbs6

13
.
Cover
inside
edges
of
cowi
panelsheet
metal
with
thick
tape
to
prevent
damaging
it
during
wiper
assembly
re-
moval
.

14
.
Wrap
protective
tape
around
wiper
shaft
on
driver
side
to
prevent
damaging
sheet
metal
during
removal
.

15
.
Push
wiper
arm
shaft
down
into
cowiarea
and
maneu-
ver
wiper
assembly
outof
cowi
.

16
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
keeping
in
mind
:

"
Install
all
fasteners
finger
tight
first
.

"
Torque
topfasteners
in
sequence
indicated
in
Fig
.
17
.

Then
tighten
wiper
assembly
support
bolts
inside
air

plenum
.
"
Wire
tie
wiper
harness
lo
wiper
assembly
support
in-

side
plenum
.

"
Once
installed
;
wiper
motor
should
first
be
run
to
parked
position
and
switched
off
.

"
Next,
insta¡¡
wiper
arms
butnot
blades
.

"
Close
hood
and
fit
wiper
blades
:

"
Check
all
electrical
harness
fittings
and
sealing
grom-

mets
for
correct
reinstallation
.
Replace
al]
wire
ties
cut

during
removal
.

CAUTION-

The
gaskets
and
sealing
grommets
at
the
ECM
compartment
cover
(passenger
sideof
bulkhead)
must
be
installed
correctly
to
keep
moisture
out
of
critica¡
electrical
componente
.

Fig
.
17
.
Wiper
assembly
mounting
fasteners
(arrows)
.



Tightening
Torques

"
Wiper
shaft
nut
at
cowi
..
.
.
..
.......
12
Nm
(9
ft-Ib)

11
.
Remove
wiper
assembly
support
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
10
.



"
Wiper
support
to
wiper
assembly

or
to
body
.........
...
..........
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

12
.
Separate
harness
at
bulkhead
connector
.
See
Fig
.
18
.



-
Wiper
arm
to
wiper
shaft
..........
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)

WINDSHIELD
WIPER
ASSEMBLY

WINDSHIELD
CLEANING
SYSTEM



Washer
f
luid
reservoir,
replacing

1
.
Open
hood
and
siphon
out
washer
fluid
reservoir
.
The
windshieldcleaning
system
includes
the
spray
nozzles

in
the
engine
hood,
the
washer
fluid
pump,
and
the
washer
flu-

id
reservoir
in
the
front
passenger
side
of
the
engine
compart-

ment
.

The
windshield
spray
nozzles
can
be
aimed
by
using
asew-

ing
need1e
or
a
similar
diameter
stiff
piece
of
wire
.

Windshield
spray
nozzle,

removing
and
installing

1
.
Open
hood
andremove
hood
insulating
pad
retaining
clips
until
bottom
of
nozzle
canbe
fully
accessed
.
See
410
Fenders,
Engine
Hood
.

2
.
Carefully
disconnect
hose
from
nozzle
.
Disconnect
har-

ness
connectors
for
nozzleheater
.

3
.
Push
nozzleout
of
hood
.
See
Fig
.
21
.

Fig
.
21
.
First
push
nozzle
forward
then
upward
from
underneath
hood
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:

"
Check
that
colors
of
harness
and
nozzle
connector

match
.

"
Check
and
adjust
nozzles
before
driving
.

WIPERSAND
WASHERS



611-
9

2
.
Remove
windshield
washer
pump
and
hose
as
de-

scribed
later
.

3
.
Remove
windshield
washer
fluid
level
sensor
as
de-

scribed
later
.

4
.
Remove
large
plastic
washer
reservoir
retainer
at
fend-

e
r
.

5
.
Remove
reservoir
.

6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:

"
On
installation
check
that
washer
fluid
hose
is
not
kinked
.

"
Replacehose
clamp
.

Windshield
washer
fluid
pump,
replacing

The
windshield
washer
fluid
pump
ís
mounted
in
the
washer

fluid
reservoir
.

1
.
Open
hood
and
siphon
out
washer
fluid
reservoir
.

2
.
Depress
retaining
tabs
on
electrical
connector
and
un-

plug
harness
connector
from
pump
.

3
.
Loosen
hose
clamp
and
remove
washer
fluidline
from

washer
pump
.

4
.
PA
pump
out
of
tank
.
See
Fig
.
22
.

Fig
.
22
.
Pull
windshield
washer
pump
up
to
remove
(arrow)
.

5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Check
pump
to
tank

sealing
grommet
for
damage
and
correct
fit
.
Replace

hose
clamp
.
Check
that
washer
fluid
hose
is
free
of

kinks
.

WINDSHIELD
CLEANING
SYSTEM

611-
1
0



WIPERS
AND
WASHERS

Washer
fluidleve¡
sensor,
replacing

(modeis
with
check
control)

The
washer
fluid
level
sensor
is
mounted
in
the
fluid
reser-

voir,
near
the
bottom
of
thecontainer
.

NOTE-

Check
wire
leads
at
sensor
for
worn
insulation
and
cor-
rosion
.
Check
electrical
contacts
in
harness
connector
for
corrosion
.

1
.
Open
hood
and
siphon
out
washer
fluid
reservoir
.

2
.
Lift
harness
connector
retaining
lever
and
unplug
har-

ness
connector
to
washer
fluid
level
sensor
.
See
Fig
.

23
.

3
.
Pul¡
fluid
leve¡
sensor
out
from
rubber
grommet
.

4
.
Install
new
sensor
into
reservoir
.
Check
sealing
grom-
met
for
correct
fit
.
Replace
if
damaged
.

WINDSHIELD
CLEANING
SYSTEM

612-2



SWITCHES
AND
ELECTRICAL
ACCESSORIES

5
.
Remove
lower
steering
column
cover
from
steering
col-

umn
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

uu12543

Fig
.
1
.



Lower
steering
column
cover
retaining
screw
(arrow)
.

6
.
Remove
stalk
switch
holder
retaining
screw
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

Fig
.
2
.



Stalk
switch
holder
retaining
screw
(arrow)
.

0012555

7
.
Depress
retaining
tabs
to
release
stalk
switchholder
.

Push
stalk
switchholder
downwards
and
off
steering

column
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

8
.
Depress
catches
on
stalk
switch
and
release
switch

from
columna
See
Fig
.
4
.

9
.
Cut
wíre
ties
retaining
harness
to
steering
column
.
Dis-

connect
switch
electrical
connector
located
at
bottom
of

steeringshaft
.

10
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:

"
Place
turn
signal
indicator
in
center
position
before
in-

stalling
.

"
Ensure
that
self
cancelling
cams
on
turn
signal
switch

are
not
damaged
during
installation
.

INTERIOR
SWITCHES

WARNING
-

Once
theairbag
unit
is
installed
and
all
other
ser-
vice
procedures
havebeen
completed,
start
theen-

gine
and
check
that
the
SRS
warning
light
goes
out
.

If
the
warning
light
stays
on,
the
SRS
system
will
not

function
as
designed
.
Have
the
system
diagnosed

and
repaired
by
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
.

0012545

Fig
.
3
.



Depress
retaining
tabs
(arrows)
and
push
holder
down-

wards
.

0012556

Fig
.
4
.



Depress
upper
and
lower
catches
simultaneously
and
unplug

harnessconnector
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Steering
wheel
to
steering

column
spindle
(Bolt)
...
.
.
.
..
.....
63
Nm
(46
ft-lb)

612-4



SWITCHES
AND
ELECTRICAL
ACCESSORIES

Fig
.
6
.



Ignition
switch
set
screws
(arrows)
.

Ignition
lock
cylinder,
replacing

NOTE-

On
cars
with
EWS
11(production
date
1/95
and
later),
the
ring
antenna
surrounding
the
ignition
switch
must
be
removed
.
See
515
Central
Locking
and
Anti-theft
.

1
.
Insert
master
key
finto
lock
cylinder
and
turn
60°
to
"ra-
dio"
position
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

Fig
.
7
.



Turn
ignition
switch
60°
to
"radio"
position
(arrow)
.

2
.
Insert
a
thin
piece
of
stiff
wire
into
opening
in
lock
cylin-
der
and
pull
lockcylinder
out
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

NOTE-

On
early
cars
(up
to
production
date
1ol95),
turn
lock
cylinder
back
12°
to
release
.

INTERIOR
SWITCHES

0012555
0011807
0011808

Fig
.
8
.



With
ignition
key
in
"radio"position,
insert
stiff
wire
into
lock
opening
to
release
cylinder
.

Headlight
and
Foglight
Switch
Assembly

The
headlight
and
foglight
switches
are
retained
in
the
left

dashboard
insert
.
This
alsocontains
the
driver's
side
face
lev-

e¡
air
vents
.
To
service
either
switch,
remove
insert
byremov-
ing
a
single
screw
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

NOTE-

Access
to
electrical
hamess
connectors
behind
dash
insert
may
be
easier
if
lower
left
dash
trim
and
driverside
knee
bolsterare
removed
.
See
513
Interior
Trim
.

Fig
.
9
.



Remove
retaíning
screw
to
pull
out
left
dash
insert
(arrow)
.