ignition BMW 318i 1997 E36 Owner's Guide

Camshaft
timing
chains,
removing

(6-cylinder
engines)

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.

CA
UTION-

Disconnecting
the
battery
may
erase
fault
codes)
stored
in
control
module
memory
.
Check
for
fault
codes
using
special
BMW
diagnostic
equipment
.

2
.
Drain
engine
coolant
.
Drain
engine
block
by
removing

block
drain
.
Remove
radiator
cooling
fan
shroud
and

cooling
fan
.
See170
Radiator
and
Cooling
System
.
.

WARNING
-

Allow
the
engine
to
cool
before
openingor
draining
the
system
.

CAUTION-

Radiator
fan
has
left
hand
threads
.

NOTE-

The
block
drain
plug
is
located
on
the
exhaust
side
of
the
engine,
below
cylinder
no
.
4
.

3
.
Drain
engine
oíl
andremove
oil
pan
.
See
119
Lubrica-

tion
System
.

4
.
Remove
alternator
cooling
duct
.

5
.
Remove
two
large
coolant
hoses
from
thermostat

housing
.
Remove
engine
lifting
bracket
and
thermostat

housing
from
front
of
cylinder
head
.

6
.
Loosen
bolts
for
coolant
pump
pulley
.
Then
remove

drive
belts
for
alternator
andA/C
compressor
.
See
020

Maintenance
Program
.
Remove
coolant
pump
pulley
.

Fig
.
16
.

NOTE-

OnM50
engines
with
a
two-roller
drive
belt
tensioner,

remove
the
upper
rollerto
access
thetensioner
mount-
ing
bolts
.

NOTE-

Make
note
of
the
arrangement
of
the
rubber
insulators

when
removing
the
cylinder
head
cover
mounting
bolts
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN



117-
7

Fig
.
16
.
Drive
belt
tensioner
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.

B11055

7
.
Remove
drive
belt
tensioner
from
front
of
engine
.
See



Fig
.
17
.
1992-1995
M50
engine
speed
sensor
on
timing
cover
(ar-
row)
.

10
.
Unclip
andremove
baffle
cover
from
above
intake
cam-

shaft
.
See
Fig
.
18
.

11
.
On
1992
engines
:
Remove
upper
timing
chain
cover

from
front
of
cylinder
head
.
See
Fig
.
19
.

8
.
Remove
engine
speed
sensor
from
lower
timing
chain



12
.
Loosen
spark
plugs
.
See
120
Ignition
System
.

cover,
if
applicable
.
See
Fig
.
17
.

13
.
Set
engine
to
approximate
TDC
by
rotating
in
normal

9
.
Remove
cylinder
head
cover
.
See
113
Cylinder
Head



operating
direction
until
camshaft
lobes
at
cylinder
no
.

Removal
and
Installatíon
.



1
are
facing
each
other
.
See
Fig
.
20
.

14
.
Set
engine
to
TDC
by
aligning
"0/T'
mark
(0°TDC)on

front
vibration
damper
with
cast
bosson
lower
timing

chain
cover
.
See
Fig
.
21
.

15
.
Remove
vibration
damper
mounting
bolts
and
remove

vibration
damper
and
pulley
.
See
Fig
.
22
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAINS,
6-CYLINDER

117-
1
4



CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN

22
.
Installation
of
remaining
parts
is
reverse
of
removal,



When
theengine
is
running,
the
piston
housing
is
supplied

noting
the
following
:



with
pressurized
engine
oil
.
At
idie,
the
solenoid
isin
the
off

"
When
installing
thermostat,
make
sure
arrow
or
vent



position
(de-energized)
and
valve
timing
is
maintained
in
the

hole
faces
up,
if
applicable
.



normal
position
:
When
the
solenoid
is
energized,
the
gear
cup

"
Refill
cooling
systemas
described
in
170
Radiator



piston
moves
forward
to
advance
the
camshaftby
a
maximum

and
Coming
System
.



of
12
.5
.

"
Install
oil
pan
as
described
in
119
Lubrication
Sys-

tem
.
"
Fill
engine
with
oil
and
install
a
new
oil
filter
as
de-

scribed
in
020
Maintenance
Program
.

"
Insta¡¡
ground
wires
at
cylinder
head
cover
mounting

studs
and
at
front
of
cylinder
head
and
thermostat

housing,
where
applicable
.



VANOS
system
operation,
testing

Tightening
Torques



There
are3
special
tools
required
to
check
VANOS
opera-

"
Coolant
drain
plugto
cylinder
block
.
.
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)



tion
;
an
electricaltest
lead
(BMW
special
tool
no
.
12
6
410),
an

"
Radiator
cooling
fan
to
coolant
pump
.
40
Nm
(30
ft-Ib)



air
line
fitting
(BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
3
450),
and
a
crank-

"
Radiator
drain
screw
to
radiator
...
.
2
.5
Nm
(22
in-Ib)



shaft
TDC
locking
tool
(BMW
special
tool
no
.
112
300)
.

"
Upper
timing
chaincover
to
cylinder
head



The
test
leal
is
used
to
power
the
solenoid,
simulating
the
M6
nut
...
.....
.............
..
.
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)



ground
signal
from
the
DME
control
unit
.
The
air
line
fitting
M8
bolt
.....
....
.
.
.............
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)



takes
the
place
of
the
oil
supply
line
fitting
to
simulate
oil
Ares-
"
VANOS
control
unit
to
cylinder
head



sure
.
The
locking
tool
positions
and
locks
the
crankshaft
at

M6
nut
.........
..
..
.
..........
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)



TDC,
cylinder
no
.
l.
M8
bolt
........
...
.............
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

"
VANOS
oil
supply
pipe
to
VANOS
control
unit



1
.
Remove
alternator
cooling
air
duct
.

banjo
bolt
.......
..
..
.
..........
32
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

VANOS
(VARIABLE
VALVE
TIMING)



3
.
Remove
top
plastic
enginecovers
.
Disconnect
ignition

coil
harness
connectors
fromcofs
.
Remove
ignition

1993
and
later
6-cylinder
engines
are
equipped
with
a
vari-



coils
.

able
valve
timing
system
called
VANOS
.
This
system
is
con-

trolled
by
the
engine
management
system
and
dynamically



4
.
Remove
cylinder
head
cover
mounting
bolts
and
re-

adjusts
intake
camshaft
timing
based
on
engine
load,
engine



move
cylinder
head
cover
.
Unclip
andremove
oil
baffle

speed
and
engine
temperature
.



cover
from
above
intake
camshaft
.
See
113
Cylinder

Head
Removal
and
installation
.

The
main
components
of
the
VANOS
system
are
the
control

unit
with
piston
housing
and
integral
spool
valve,
and
the
mod-

ified
intake
camshaft
.
See
Fig
.
35
.

VANOS
(VARIABLE
VA
LVE
TIMING)

Fig
.
35
.
VANOS
control
unit
with
modified
intake
camshaft
.

B11001

WARNING
-

Special
BMW
service
tools
are
required
to
check
and
repair
the
VANOS
System
.
Read
theproce-

dures
through
before
beginning
the
job
.

2
.
Disconnect
crankcase
ventilation
hose
fitting
from
cyl-

inder
head
cover
.

NOTE-

Note
the
arrangement
of
the
cylinder
head
cover
bolt
insulators
and
gaskets
during
removal
.

5
.
Set
engine
to
approximate
TDC
by
rotating
in
normal

operating
direction
until
camshaft
lobes
at
cylinder
no
.

1
are
facing
each
other
.
See
Fig
.
20
.

6
.
Set
engine
to
TDC
by
aligning
"0/T"
mark
(0°TDC)on

front
vibration
damper
withcast
boss
on
lower
timing
chain
cover
.
See
Fig
.
21
.

7
.
Lock
crankshaft
in
position
by
inserting
BMW
special

tool
no
.
11
2
300
through
transmission
bellhousing
and

into
hole
in
flywheelor
driveplate
.
See
Fig
.
36
.

NOTE-

Confirm
that
the
locking
tool
has
been
correctly
in-
stalled
by
trying
to
rotatethe
crankshaft
.

Fig
.
36
.
BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
2
300
installed
through
bellhousing
and
finto
flywheel
.

8
.
Remove
oil
line
fitting
from
VANOS
control
unit
.

NOTE-

Wrap
the
VANOS
oil
line
fitting
with
a
shop
to
absorb
leaking
oil
.

9
.
Using
hollow
bolt
and
seals
from
oil
supply
line,
instan

BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
3
450
(air
line
fitting)
and
con-
nect
a
supply
of
compressed
air
(30-115
psi)
to
VANOS

oil
fitting
.

10
.
Measure
and
record
distance
between
trigger
plate

edge
and
side
of
secondary
timing
chain
tensioner
.

See
Fig
.
37
.

Fig
.
37
.
VANOS
reference
measurement
(dimension
A)
between
trig-
ger
píate
(sender
gear)
and
side
of
secondary
chain
tensioner
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN



117-
1
5

11
.
Disconnectharness
connector
from
VANOS
solenoid
.
Connect
BMW
special
tool
no
.
12
6
410
(electrical
test
lead)
to
VANOS
solenoid
connector
.

"
Connect
positive
(+)
test
lead
to
positive
(+)
terminal
ofbattery
Connect
negative
(-)
test
leadto
chassis
ground
.
solenoid
should
audibly
click
and
intake
cam-
shaft
should
advance
.

CA
UTION-

"
Be
sure
to
connect
the
test
hamess
polaritycor-
rectly
.
lf
the
polarity
is
reversed,
the
intemal
diode
in
the
VANOS
solenoid
will
be
destroyed
.
Although
the
solenoid
will
still
functionwith
a
faultydiode,
a
fault
code
may
be
set
in
the
ECM
memory
.

"
To
confirm
voltage
polarity,
turn
the
ignition
on
and
check
for
positive
(+)
batteryvoltage
at
the
terminal
corresponding
to
the
redlwhite
wire
in
the
main
harness
connector
.
Check
that
the
pos-
itive
terminal
(+)
in
the
main
connector
corre-
sponds
to
the
same
terminal
in
the
solenoid
connector
that
is
being
connected
to
the
battery
.

12
.
With
solenoid
actuated,
measure
and
record
new
dis-

tance
between
trigger
plate
edge
and
side'of
second-
ary
timing
chain
tensioner,
as
shown
in
Fig
.
37
.

13
.
Difference
between
first
measurement
(step
10)
andsecond
measurement
(step12)
should
be
at
least
8
.5
mm
(0
.3346
in
.)
.
lf
any
faults
arefound,
solenoid
may

be
faulty,
or
hydraulic
control
unit
may
be
faulty
or
incor-
rectly
installed
.

14
.
Check
VANOS
solenoid
byremoving
it
from
control
unit
.
Check
that
solenoid
plunger
and
control
unit

plunger
move
freely
.
Install
solenoid
using
tighteníng

torque
given
below
.

NOTE-

"
The
solenoid
is
available
asareplacement
part
.
lf
the
control
unit
plunger
is
sticking,
the
complete
control
unit
will
have
to
be
replaced
.

"lf
the
VANOS
system
does
not
advance
correctly
and
no
other
faults
can
be
found,
itis
possible
that
the
VANOS
control
unit
may
Nave
been
fnstalled
incor-
rectly-especially
if
the
camshaft
sprockets
have
pre-
víously
been
removed
for
other
repairs
.
Check
the
installation
by
removing
and
reinstalling
the
control
unit
as
described
later
.

VANOS
(VARIABLE
VALVE
TIMING)

117-
1
6



CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN

15
.
Remove
crankshaft
locking
tool
.
Remove
special
test

equipment
.
Insta¡¡
oil
supply
line
using
new
seals
and

reconnect
solenoid
connector
.
Remainder
of
installa-

tion
is
reverse
of
removal
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Cylinder
head
cover
to
cylinder
head
.
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

"
VANOS
oil
supply
line
to
VANOS

control
unit
(banjo
bolt)



..
.........
32
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

"
VANOS
solenoidlo
VANOS

control
unit
........
.
.
.
..
........
30
Nm
(22
ft-Ib)

VANOS
control
unit,
removing

Special
BMW
service
tools
are
required
lo
remove
and
in-

stall
the
VANOS
control
unit
.
Read
the
procedure
through
be-

forestarting
the
job
.

1
.
Remove
radiator
cooling
fan
shroud
and
cooling
fan
.

See
170
Radiator
and
Cooling
System
.

CAUTION-

Radiator
fan
has
left
hand
threads
.

2
.
Remove
top
plastic
engine
covers
.
Disconnect
ignition

coil
harness
connectors
from
coils
.
Remove
ignition

coils
.
Remove
cylinder
head
cover
.
Unclip
andremove

oil
baffle
cover
from
above
intake
camshaft
.See
113

Cylinder
Head
Removal
and
Installation
.

NOTE-

Make
note
of
the
mounting
bolt
insulator
arrangement
during
removal
of
the
cylinder
head
cover
.

3
.
Set
engine
lo
TDC
by
rotating
engine
in
normal
operat-

ing
direction
until
camshaft
lobes
at
cylinder
no
.
1
are

facing
each
other
and
"0/T"
mark
(0°TDC)
on
vibration

damper
lines
up
with
cast
boss
on
lower
timing
chain
cover
.
See
Fig
.
38
.

4
.
Lock
crankshaft
at
TDC
by
inserting
BMW
special
tool

no
.
11
2
300
through
transmission
bellhousing
and
finto

flywheel
or
drive
plate
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
36
given
earlier
.

NOTE-

Confirm
that
the
locking
tool
has
been
correctly
in-
stalled
by
trying
to
rotatethe
crankshaft
.

5
.
Remove
three
cylinder
head
cover
mounting
studs
from
rear
of
head
.
Lockcamshafts
at
TDC
bymounting

BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
3
240
at
ends
of
camshafts
.

Check
that
tool
is
squarely
seated
on
cylinder
head
gasket
surface
.
If
necessary,
rotate
camshafts
slightly
using
a24
mm
wrench
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
24
given
earlier
.

VANOS
(VARIABLE
VALVE
TIMING)

Fig
.
38
.
Camshafts
positioned
at
TDC-Cyl
.
No
.
1
cam
lobes
face
in
Note
0/T
mark
(0°TDC)
on
vibration
damper
alígned
with
boss
on
front
cover
.

CA
UTION-

Thecamshafts
mustbe
locked
in
the
TDC
position
using
the
specialservice
tool
or
an
equivalent
be-
fore
removing
the
timing
chain
.
Thearrows
on
the
sprockets
should
not
be
used
to
accurately
set
the
engine
to
TDC
The
special
tool
holds
the
cam-
shafts
parallel
to
each
other
and
perpendicular
to
the
valve
cover
gasket
surface
.

6
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
and
oil
line
fitting
from
bottom
of
VANOS
control
unit
.

NOTE-

Wrap
the
VANOS
oilfine
fitting
with
a
shop
rag
to
ab-
sorb
leaking
oil
.

7
.
Remove
two
access
plugs
from
VANOS
control
unit
in
frontof
exhaustcamshaft
sprocket
.
Loosen
4exhaustcamshaft
sprocket
mounting
bolts
but
do
not
remove

(Torx
El
0
socket)
.

NOTE-

Removal
of
the
access
plugs
allows
the
lower
exhaust
camshaft
sprocket
mounting
bolts
to
be
accessed
.

8
.
Depress
secondary
timing
chain
tensioner
and
lock
it
in
down
position
by
inserting
a
stiff
wire
into
rear
of
ten-
sioner
.
See
Fig
.
27
.

9
.
Remove
VANOS
control
unít
mounting
nuts
and
boltat

front
of
cylinder
head
.

119-2



LUBRICATION
SYSTEM

NOTE-
Component
Location



If
the
light
does
not
go
out,
thewiring
to
theswitch
is"
Oil
pressure
switch



most
likely
grounded
somewhere
between
the
switch

all
engines
.......
...
.
..
......
ora
oil
filter
housing



terminal
and
the
warning
light
.
Sea
Electrical
Wiring

Diagrams
atrearof
manual
for
electrical
schematics
.

CAUTION-

Some
oil
may
drain
out
as
the
oil
pressure
switch
is
removed
.
Use
a
rag
to
soak
up
any
spills
.

2
.
Install
pressure
gauge
in
place
of
switch
.

3
.
With
gauge
instalied,
start
engine
and
allow
to
reach

operating
temperature
.
Check
oil
pressureboth
cold

and
hot
.

NOTE-

For
the
most
accurate
test
results,
the
engine
oil
(and
filter)
shouldbe
newand
of
the
correct
grade
.

Oil
Pressure

"
¡dle
(mínimum)
..
.
.
..............
.
.
0
.5
bar
(7psi)

"
Regulated
pressure
(elevated
engine
speed)

4-cylinder
engines
..
......
4
.3
±
0
.2
bar
(63
t3
psi)

6-cylinder
engines
.
.
.............
.
4
.0
bar
(59
psi)

4
.
Remove
pressure
gauge
and
reinstall
pressure
switch
.

If
testing
shows
low
oil
pressure,
one
or
more
of
the
follow-

ing
conditions
may
be
indicated
:
OIL
PAN

"
Worn
or
faulty
oii
pump
.

"
Worn
or
faulty
engine
bearings



The
oil
pancan
be
removed
with
the
engine
instalied,
al-

Severe
engine
wear
.



though
specíal
enginesupport
equipment
will
be
needed
.

Al¡
of
these
conditionsindicate
the
need
for
major
repairs
.

Oil
pressure
warning
system,
testing

When
the
ignition
is
tumed
ora,
the
oil
pressure
warning
light

comes
ora
.
When
the
engine
ís
started
and
the
oil
pressure
ris-

es
slightly,
the
oil
pressure
switch
opens
and
thewarning
light

goes
out
.
Make
sure
the
oil
leve¡
is
correct
before
making

tests
.

1
.
Turra
ignition
switch
ora
.

"
Warning
light
ora
instrument
panel
must
light
up
.

2
.
Remove
connector
from
oil
pressure
switch
.

"
Warning
light
ora
instrument
panel
must
go
out
.

OIL
PAN

3
.
If
warning
light
does
not
light
when
ignition
is
ora,
re-

move
connector
from
oil
pressure
switch
anduse
a

jumper
wire
to
ground
connector
terminal
to
a
clean

metal
surface
.

NOTE
-

If
the
warning
light
comes
ora,
check
the
switch
as
de-
scríbed
in
the
nextstep
.
If
the
warning
light
does
not
come
ora,
thewiring
to
the
instrument
cluster
or
to
the

light
itself
isfaulty
.

4
.
To
test
switch,
connect
ara
ohmmeter
between
terminal

in
switch
body
and
ground
.
With
engine
off,
these

should
be
continuity
.
With
engine
running,
oil
pressure

should
opera
switch
and
there
should
beno
continuity

Replace
a
faulty
switch
.

WARNING
-

Keep
in
mind
that
low
oil
pressure
may
be
prevent-

ing
the
switch
from
tuming
the
light
out
.
If
the
light

remains
ora
while
the
engine
is
running,
check
the

oil
pressure
asdescribed
earlier
.
Do
not
drive
the
car
until
the
problem
is
corrected
.
Theengine
may
be
severely
damaged
.

Oil
pan,
removing
and
installing

(4-cylinder
engines)

1
.
Raise
car
arad
place
securely
ora
jackstands
.

2
.
Remove
splash
shíeld(s)
from
under
engine,
where
ap-

plicable
.

3
.
Drain
engine
oil
as
described
in
020
Maintenance
Pro-
gram
.

4
.
Disconnect
vacuum
hose
adapter
from
vacuum
brake

booster
at
rear
of
engine
compartment
.

5
.
Remove
oil
dipstick
guide
tube
mounting
nut
and
pull
guide
tube
from
oil
pan
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

GENERAL
.
........
.
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-1



Camshaft
Position
(CMP)
Sensor
....
.
.
.
...
120-6

Disabling
Ignition
System
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-2



Camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor,
replacing

Warnings
and
Cautions
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-2



(4-cylinder
engine)
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
120-6

Camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor,
replacing

IGNITION
SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTICS
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-3



(6-cylinder
engine)
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-7
Basic
Troubleshooting
Principles
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-3



Knock
sensors,
replacing
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-7

Ignition
Firing
Order
.....
.
...
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.120-7

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE
.
.........
.
120-3

Checking
for
Spark
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.
.
120-3

Ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing

(4-cylinder
engine)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
.
120-3

Ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing

(6-cylinder
engine)
.........
.
..........
120-4

Crankshaft
Positionlrpm
Sensor
.......
.
...
120-5

Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor,
testing
and

replacing
(front
mounted)
.........
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-6

Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor,replacing

(rear
mounted)
.....
.
.....
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-6

GENERAL



Troubleshooting
and
testing
of
the
engine
management

system
should
be
carried
out
using
the
BMW
specialized
ser

This
repair
group
covers
repair
andcomponent
replace-



vice
tester
(scan
tool)
.

ment
information
for
the
ignition
system
.
All
engines
use
a
distributorless
ignition
system
with
indívid-

ual
ignitioncoils
for
each
cylinder
.
There
is
no
distributor
cap

NOTE-



or
ignition
rotor
.
Each
coil
can
be
selectively
controlled
by
the

"
Spark
plug
replacement
is
covered
in
020
Mainte-



engine
control
module
on
a
cylinder-by-cylinder
basis
.
On
later

nance
Program
.



systems,
knock
sensors
are
used
to
monitor
and
control
igni-

"
For
fuel
related
troubleshooting
and
testing,
see
130



tion
knock
(ping)
and
adjusttiming
accordingly
.

Fuel
lnjection
.
Ignition
timing
is
electronically
controlled
and
not
adjust-

All
engines
covered
by
this
manual
use
an
advanced
en-



able
.
The
engine
control
module
(ECM)
usesengine
load,
en-

gine
management
system
.
The
engine
management
system



gine
speed,
coolant
temperature,
and
intake
air
temperature

incorporates
on-board
diagnostics,
fuel
injection,
ignition
and



as
the
basic
inputs
for
timing
control
.
Knock
detection
is
also

other
advanced
engine
control
functions
.



an
input
to
the
control
module,
where
applicable
.

Table
a
.
Engine
Management
System
Variants

Engine
code



1
System

4-cylinder
M42
(1.8
I)



Bosch
DME
Ml
.7
M44
(1
.9
I)



Bosch
DME
M5
.2
(OBD
II)

6-cylinder
M50
1992
(2.5
I)



Bosch
DME
M8
.1
1993-1995
(2
.5
I)



Bosch
DME
M33
.1
M52
1996-1998
(2.8
I)



Siemens
MS
41
.1
(OBD
II)

1998
(2
.5
I)



Siemens
MS
41
.1
(013D
11)
S50US
(3.0
I)



Bosch
DME
M3
.3.1
S52US
(3.2
I)



Siemens
MS
41
.1
(OBD
II)

120
Ignition
System

IGNITION
SYSTEM



120-1

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SCHEMATICS
...
.
.
.
.120-7

TABLES

a
.
Engine
Management
System
Variants
......
120-1

b
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance
(M42
engine)
......
120-4

c
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance
(M44
engine)
......
120-4

d
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance

(6-cylinder
engine)
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
..
120-5

NOTE-

All
engines
coveredby
this
manual,
with
theexception

of
the
1992
M50,
incorporate
knocksensors
as
part
of

the
engine
management
system
.

The
initial
ignition
point
is
determined
by
the
crankshaft
po-

sition/rpm
sensor
during
cranking
.
Once
the
engine
is
run-

ning,
timing
is
continually
adjusted
based
on
operating

conditions
.
A
characteristic
ignition
map
is
shown
in
Fig
.
1
.
A

map
similar
to
the
one
shown
is
digitally
stored
in
the
engine

control
module
.

GENERAL

120-2



IGNITION
SYSTEM

Fig
.1
.



Ignition
characteristic
map
.

Disabling
Ignition
System

WARNING
-

The
ignition
system
is
a
high-energy
system
operat-
ing
in
a
dangerous
voltage
range
that
couldprove
to
be
fatal
if
exposed
terminals
or
live
parts
are
con-
tacted
.
Use
extreme
caution
when
working
on
a
car
with
the
ignition
on
or
the
engine
running
.

The
ignition
system
operates
in
a
lethal
voltage
range
and
should
therefore
be
disabied
any
time
senrice
or
repair
work
is
being
doneon
the
engine
that
requires
the
ignition
to
be
switched
on
.

The
engine
management
system
can
be
disabled
byremov-
ingthe
main
relay
.
The
relay
is
located
in
the
power
distribution
box
in
the
left
rear
of
the
engine
compartment
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

0013134
Fig
.
2
.



Maínsystem
relay
(arrow)
in
power
distribution
box
(left
rear
of
engine
compartment)
.

GENERAL

WARNING
-

"
Do
not
touch
or
disconnect
any
of
the
high
ten-
sion
cables
at
the
cotls
orspark
plugs
while
the
engine
ts
running
orbeingcranked
by
the
starter
.
Fatalvoltages
are
present
.

"
Before
operating
the
starter
without
starting
the
engine
(for
example
when
making
a
compression
test)
always
disable
the
ignition
.

CAUTION-

"
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
bat-tery
disconnection
cautions
gtven
at
the
front
of
thts
manual
on
page
viti
.

"
Do
not
attempt
to
disable
the
ignition
by
either
re-
moving
the
cotl
from
the
spark
plugs
(6-cylinder
engines)
or
disconnecting
the
coll
wires
from
the
plugs
(4-cylinder
engines)
.

"
Connect
or
disconnect
ignition
system
wires,
multiple
connectors,
and
ignition
test
equipment
leads
only
while
the
ignitionis
off
.
Switch
multtm-
eter
functions
or
measurement
ranges
onty
with
the
test
probes
disconnected
.

"
Do
not
disconnect
the
battery
while
the
engine
ts
running
.

"
Many
of
the
tests
of
ignition
system
components
require
the
use
of
high-impedance
test
equip-
ment
to
prevent
damage
to
the
electrical
compo-
nents
.
A
high
impedance
digital
multimeter
should
be
used
for
all
voltage
and
resistance
tests
.
AnLED
test
light
shouldbe
used
in
place
of
an
incandescent-type
test
lamp
.

"In
general,
make
test
connections
only
as
speci-fied
by
BMW,
as
described
inthis
manual,
or
as
described
by
the
instrumenta
manufacturer
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTICS



IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE

Poor
driveability
may
have
a
variety
of
causes
.
The
fault



On
4-cylinder
engines,
an
ignition
coil
pack
is
mounted
to

may
lie
with
the
ignition
system,
the
fuel
system,
parts
of
the



the
passenger
side
strut
tower
in
the
engine
compartment
.

emission
control
system,
or
a
combination
of
the
three
.
Be-



The
coil
pack
integrates
4
individual
coils
.

cause
of
these
interrelated
functions
and
their
effects
oneach

other,
it
is
often
difficult
to
know
where
to
begin
looking
for



On
6-cylinder
engines,
an
ignition
coil
is
located
directly

problems
.



above
each
spark
plug
.

For
this
reason,
effective
troubleshooting
should
alwaysbe-

gin
with
an
interrogation
of
the
On-Board
Diagnostic
(OBD)

system
.
The
OBD
system
detects
certain
emissions-related

engine
management
malfunctions
.
When
faults
are
detected,

the
OBD
system
stores
a
Diagnostic
Trouble
Code
(DTC)
in

the
system
ECM
.
In
addition,
the
Check
Enginewarning
light

will
come
on
if
an
emissions-related
fault
is
detected
.

Two
generations
of
OBD
areusedon
the
cars
coveredby

this
manual
.
See
100
Engine-General
for
OBD
information
.

On-Board
Diagnostics

"
1992-1995
models
............
...
.
..
...



OBD
I

"
1996
and
later
models
.........
.......
..
OBD
II

NOTE-

"
On
carswith
OBD
ti,
specialized
OBD
11
scan
tool

equipment
mustbeused
to
access
DTCs,
either
using

the
BMW
special
tool
or
a
`generic"
OBD
11
scan
tool
.

"
The
OBD
11
fault
memory
(including
an
illuminated

Check
Engine
light)
can
only
be
reset
using
the
spe-

cial
scan
tool
.
Removing
the
connector
from
the
ECM

or
dísconnecting
the
battery
will
not
erase
the
fault

memory
.

Basic
Troubleshooting
Principies

An
engine
that
starts
and
runs
indicates
the
ignition
system

is
fundamentally
working-delivering
voltage
toat
least
some

of
the
sparkplugs
.
A
hard-starting
or
poor-running
engine,

however,
may
indicate
ignition
coil
problems,
cracked
or
dete-

riorated
spark
plug
wires
(4-cylinder
engines
only),
and
worn

or
fouled
spark
plugs
.

WARNING
-

Inefficient
combustion
(richair/fuel
mixture)
can

cause
the
catalytic
converter
to
overheat
and
plug
.

An
overheated
catalytic
converter
can
also
bea
tire

hazard
.

Checking
for
Spark

IGNITION
SYSTEM



120-
3

WARNING
-

If
a
spark
test
is
done
incorrectly,
damage
to
theen-
gine
control
module
(ECM)
or
the
ignitioncoil(s)
may
result
.

Checking
for
spark
is
difficult
onengines
with
distributorless

ignition
systems
.

Try
Rmovng
the
plugs
and
inspecting
for
differences
be-

tween
them
.
A
poor-firing
plug
may
be
wet
with
fuel
and/or

black
and
sooty,
butnot
always
.
If
a
coil
is
not
operating,
the

engine
management
system
will
electrically
disable
the
fuel
injectorto
that
cylinder
.
The
key
is
to
look
for
differences
be-

tween
cylinders
.

Ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing

(4-cylinder
engine)

1.
Disconnect
mainharness
connector
from
coils
:

"
On
M42
engine,
remove
plastic
covering
from
coils
and

disconnect
individual
harness
connectors
.

"
On
M44
engine,
disconnect
main
harness
connectorat

end
of
coil
pack
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Fig
.
3
.



Ignition
coil
pack
for
M44
engine
(arrow)
.
Coil
harness
con-

nector
shown
at1
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE

120-
4



IGNITION
SYSTEM

2
.
Check
for
battery
voltage
o
cofs
.
If
voltage
is
not



Table
b
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance

present,
check
wire
between
terminal
15
and
ignition



(M42
Engine)
switch
.
See
Electrical
Wiring
Diagrams
.

"
On
M42
engine,
connect
digital
multimeter
between
ter-

minal
15(+)
in
each
harness
connector
and
ground
.
See

Fig
.
4
.

"
On
M44
engine,
connect
voltmeter
between
terminal
2

(15+)
in
connector
and
ground
.
Turn
ignition
on
and

check
for
voltage
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

3
.
Turn
ignition
off
.

0
4a15

Fig
.
4
.



Ignition
coil
harness
connector
terminal
identification
for
M42

engine
.

Fig
.
5
.



Ignition
coil
harness
connector
terminal
identification
for
M44
engine
.

CAUTION-

The
wiring
to
the
coil(via
the
ignition
switch
15+)
is
not
fuse
protected
.
Use
care
when
testing
thiscircuit
.

4
.
Use
a
digital
multimeter
totest
coil
primary
resistance
.

"
On
M42
engine,
use
Table
b
asa
guide
to
check
coil

resistance
.
Make
checks
at
each
harness
connector
.

"
On
M44
engine,
use
Table,c
as
a
guide
to
check
coil
primary
resistance
.

5
.
Inspect
coil
housing
for
hairline
cracks
or
leaking
cast-
ing
material
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
A
leaky
ignition
coil
may
indi-



11502

cate
a
faulty
ECM
(engine
control
module)
.
Check
the
ECM
before
installing
a
new
coil
.



Fig
.
6
.



Ignition
coil
harnessconnector
terminal
identification
for
6-
cylinder
engine
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE

11502

Terminals
Resistance
(refer
to
Fig
.
4
.)

Coil
primary



1
(-)
and
15
(+)



10
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
secondary



N
.A
.



N
.A
.

Table
c
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance

(M44
Engine)

Terminais
Resistance
(referto
Fig
.
5
.)

Coil
#1
primary



1
(-)
and
2
(+)



0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
#2
primary



6
(-)
and2
(+)



0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
#3
primary



7
(-)
and
2
(+)



0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
#4
primary



5
(-)
and2
(+)



0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
secondary



N
.A
.



N
.A
.

NOTE-

If
a
single
coilís
faulty
on
M44
engines,
the
complete
coil
pack
will
have
to
be
replaced
.

Ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing

(6-cylinder
engine)

CAUTION-

Use
a
digital
multimeter
for
the
following
tests
.

1.
Remove
plastic
enginecovers
from
top
of
engine
by

prying
off
nut
covers
and
removingcover
mounting

nuts
.
See
113
Cylinder
HeadRemoval
and
Installa-

tion
.

2
.
Disconnect
harnessconnectorfromcof
.
Connect
mul-
timeter
between
terminal
15
(+)
in
connector
and

ground
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

3
.
Turn
ignition
on
and
check
for
batteryvoltage
.

"
If
batteryvoltage
is
not
present,
check
wire
between

terminal
15
and
ignition
switch
.
See
Electrical
Wiring

Diagrams
.

"mozo

CAUTION
-

The
wiring
to
termina¡
15
(+)
of
the
coil(vía
the
ig-

nition
switch)
is
not
fuse
protected
.
Use
care
when
testíng
thiscircuit
.

4
.
Turn
ignition
off
.

5
.
Use
a
multimeter
to
test
coil
primary
resistanceat
coil

terminals
.
See
Table
d
.

Table
d
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance

(6-cylinder
Engine)

Terminals
Resistance

(referto
Fig
.
4
.)

Coil
primary



1
1
(-)
and
15
(+)



X
0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
secondary



l
N
.A
.



N
.A
.

6
.
Remove
coil
and
inspect
coil
housing
for
hairline
cracks

or
leaking
casting
material
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
A
leaky
ignition

coil
may
indícate
a
faulty
engine
control
module
(ECM)
.

Check
ECM
before
installing
a
new
coil
.

811004

Fig
.
7
.



Ignition
coil
being
removed
on
6-cylinder
engine
(M52
engine

shown)
.

CA
UTION-

"
Note
location
of
coil
ground
straps
before
coilre-

moval
;
reinstallin
the
same
location
.

"
When
replacing
ignition
coils,
ensure
that
the
re-

placement
coil(s)
are
from
the
same
manufactur-

er
containing
the
same
partlcode
numbers
.
If

individual
coils
with
the
correct
specifications
are
not
available,
all
coils
should
be
replaced
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM



120-
5

Crankshaft
Position/rpm
Sensor

If
the
engine
control
module
(ECM)
does
not
receive
a

crankshaft
position
signal
during
cranking,
the
engine
will
not

start
.

On
1992-1995(pre-OBD
II)
cars,
the
crankshaft
posi-
tion/rpm
sensor
is
mounted
on
the
front
engine
cover
and

reads
the
toothed
vibration
dampener
wheel
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

Fig
.
8
.



Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor
mounted
at
front
of
engine
on
1992-1995
cars
.
(arrow)
.

On
1996
and
latee
cars
(OBD
II
compliant),
the
crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor
is
mounted
in
the
left
rear
side
of
the
cyl-

inderblock
.
The
sensor
reads
a
toothed
wheel
mounted
to
the

end
of
the
crankshaft
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

Fig
.
9
.



Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor
toothed
wheel
mounted
to

rear
of
crankshaft
OBD
II
compliant
cars
.
The
sensor
is

mounted
in
the
left
rear
side
of
the
cylinder
block
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE