electric system BMW 325i 1992 E36 Workshop Manual

FRONT
LIGHTING
.
...........
.
....
.
.
.
.
630-1

Headlight
buib,
replacing
............
.
.
.
.
630-1
Headlight
assembly,

removing
and
installing
.......
.
....
.
.
.
.
630-2

Foglight
assembly,
removing
and
installing
..
630-3

Front
turn
signal
assembly,
removing
and
installing
.....
.
.
.
........
630-4

GENERAL

The
headlight
and
foglight
assemblies
usehalogen
bulbs
.
To
ensure
the
longevity
of
halogen
bulbs,
the
bulb
glass
should
not
be
handied
.
Dirt
and
skin
oíls
may
cause
a
bulbto
fail
prematurely
.
If
necessarywipe
bulb
using
a
clean
cloth

dampened
with
rubbing
alcohol
.

NOTE-

Use
only
original
equipment
replacement
bulbs
.
Non-
original
equipment
bulbs
may
cause
false
failure
read-
ings
on
the
check
control
display
(where
applicable)
.

WARNING
-

INhenworking
on
electrical
systems,
remove
the
fuse
protecting
the
circuit
under
repair
.
See
610
Electrical
Component
Locations
.

FRONT
LIGHTING

Headlight
bulb,
replacing

1
.
Open
engine
hood
.

2
.
Working
in
back
of
headlight
assembly,grasp
rear
of

bulbsocket
(harnessconnector)
and
turn
counterclock-

wise
90°
.
Pull
bulb
out
of
headlight
assembly
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

3
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
bulb
.

CA
UTION-

Do
not
touch
halogen
bubs
with
yourbare
hands
.
If
necessary
wipe
bulb
using
a
clean
cloth
damp-

ened
with
rubbing
alcohol
.

630
Exterior
Lighting

EXTERIOR
LIGHTING



630-1

GENERAL
.
.
.
.
...
.
................
.
.
.
.
630-1



Side
Marker
Lights
.......
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
..
630-4

REAR
LIGHTING
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
..
630-4

Taillight
Bulbs
..........
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
630-4

Taillight
assembly,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
630-5

CenterBrake
Light
.......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
630-5

Center
brake
light
housing,
replacing

(4-door
and
coupe
models)
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.
.630-5

License
plate
light,
removingand
installing



.
.630-6

0012567

Fig
.1.



Torelease
bulbfrom
headlight
assembly,
rotate
socket
coun-
terclockwise
to
disengage
retaining
tabs
(arrows)
.
Right
side
bulb
is
shown
in
unlocked
position
.
Note
that
bottom
tab
A
is
wider
than
other
two
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Align
tabs
on
bulb

base
to
cutouts
on
rear
of
lens
assembly
.
Secure
bulb

by
rotating
clockwise
90°
.

Bulb
Applications

"
Low
beam
headlight
bulb
...
.
..
..
.........
H9006

"
High
beam
headlight
bulb
..
.
..
..
.........
H9005

FRONT
LIGHTING

Fig
.
12
.
Mounting
bolt
for
A/C
refrigerant
line
flange
(arrow)
.

001Suu7

Fig
.
13
.
A/
C
control
module
(A)
behind
center
console
.
Arrows
pointto
electrical
harness
connectors
to
be
disconnected
.

CAUTION
-

Replace
heater
and
AIC
flange
O-rings
and
tight-

en
fasteners
to
specified
torques
.

0012644

HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING



640-5

Fig
.
14
.
Heating
and
ventilation
ducts
on
left
side
of
heater
box
(arrows)
.
Right
side
ducts
are
similar
.

Fig
.
15
.
Heater
box
retaining
bracket
in
center
console
(arrow)
.

0012645

10
.
Unclip
andremove
heating
and
ventilation
ducts
on



Tightening
Torques

sides
of
heater
box
.
See
Fig
.
14
.



"
A/C
refrigerant
lines
flange

to
bulkhead
..............
.
..
..
.
3
.5
Nm
(31
in-lb)

11
.
Remove
heater
box
retaining
bracket
on
center
tunnel



"
Water
hose
flange
to
bulkhead

and
remove
heater
box
.
See
Fig
.
15
.



(M6
nut)
................
.
...
..
3
.5
Nm
(31
in-lb)

"
Heater
box
retaining
bracket

12
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Evacuate
and
re-



to
tunnel
................
.
..
..
.
4
.5
Nm
(40
in-lb)

charge
A/C
system
using
specialized
equipment
.
Fill

and
bleed
cooling
system
.
See
170
Radiator
and

Cooling
System
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS

Sensor

fan

Fig
.
25
.
Digital
display
A/C
control
head
components
.

2
.
Unscrew
left
and
right
screws
retaining
control
head
to
control
module
.
Press
retaining
clips
and
release
front
plate
from
control
head
.
Remove
A/C
control
module
from
control
head
housing
.

Sensor
fan
for
interior
temperature,

repiacing

A
small
electricfan,installed
in
the
A/C
control
head,
draws
cabin
air
past
the
climate
control
temperature
sensor
.

1.
Remove
A/C
control
head
as
described
earlier
.

2
.
Rotary-knob
control
head
:
Disconnect
electrical
con-
nector
from
top
of
control
head
housing
.
Pry
open
plas-

tic
housing
and
remove
sensor
fan
.
See
Fig
.
26
.

0013181

Fig
.
26
.
Sensor
fan
(A)
and
harness
(B)
in
back
of
A/C
control
head
(rotary-knob
control
head
shown)
.

3
.
Digital
display
models
:
Disconnect
electrical
harness

connector
from
control
head
housing
.
Remove
screws

holding
sensor
fan
to
bottom
of
control
moduleand
re-
move
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
25
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING



640-
9

Heater
and
A/C
Air
Distribution
Motors

The
recirculation,
fresh
air
and
othervent-duct
flaps
are
controlled
electrically
via
a
series
of
air
distribution
actuating
motors
.
Cars
with
the
rotary-knob
control
head
use
three
elec-
tromechanical
motors,
each
held
in
place
via
a
small
plastic
clip
.
See
Fig
.
27
.

Rightside
of
heater
box
l

Fig
.
27
.
Location
of
early
production
air
distribution
motors
(arrows)
.

Later
systems
(with
the
digital
display
control
head)
use
five
distribution
motors,
four
of
which
are
digítally
controlled
.
See
Fig
.
28
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS

To
access
the
rear
window
blower
relay,
remove
the
glove
compariment
.
See
Fig
.
32
.

Fig
.
32
.
Rear
window
blower
relay
located
in
frontof
glove
compart-
ment
(arrow)
.

AIR
CONDITIONING

Thissection
covers
removal
and
installation
of
air
condition-

ing
refrigerant
components
.
A/C
testing
and
diagnosis,
refrig-

erantdischarge,
evacuatíon
and
recharge
are
not
covered

here
.

The
subassemblies
and
lines
of
the
air
conditionerare
filled

with
either
refrigerant
R12
(1992
cars)
or
R-134a
(1993
and

later
cars)
.
The
major
components
of
the
A/Csystem
are

shown
in
Fig
.
33
.

A/CSystem
Warnings
and
Cautions

WARNING
-

"
Always
be
careful
that
refrigerant
does
not
come
in
contact
with
your
skin
.
Always
wearhand
andeye
protection
(gloves
and
goggles)
when
work-

ing
around
the
AIC
system
.
If
refrigerant
does
come
in
contact
with
your
skin
oreyes
:
-Do
not
rub
skin
oreyes
;

-Immediately
flush
skin
oreyes
withcool
water
for
15
minutes
;
-Rush
to
a
doctor
orhospital
;
-Do
not
attempt
to
treat
yourself
.

"
Work
in
a
wefl
ventilated
area
.
Avoid
breathing
re-
frigerant
vapors
.
Exposure
may
irrítate
eyes,

nose,
and
throat
.
Switch
on
exhaustlventilation
systems
when
working
on
the
refrigerant
system
.

"
Do
not
expose
any
component
of
the
AIC
system
to
high
temperatures
(Above
80°Cl176°F)or

open
flames
.
Excessive
heat
will
cause
a
pres-

sureincrease
whichcould
burst
the
system
.

HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING



640-
1
1

0013015

WARNING
-

"
Keep
refrigerant
away
from
open
llames
.
Poison-
ous
gas
will
be
produced
if
it
bums
.
Do
not
smoke
near
refrigerant
gases
for
the
same
reason
.

"
The
AICsystem
is
filled
with
refrigerant
gas
which
is
under
pressure
.
Pressurized
refrigerant
in
the
presenceof
oxygen
may
forma
combusti-
ble
mixture
.
Never
introduce
compressed
air
finto
any
refrigerant
container
(full
or
empty),
capped
off
AIC
component,
or
piece
of
service
equip-
ment
.

"
Refrígerant
gases
are
heavier
than
air,
displace
oxygen
and
may
cause
suffocation
in
areas
of
poor
círculation,
for
example
under
a
car
.
Switch
on
exhaustlventilation
systems
when
working
on
the
refrigerant
system
.

"
State
and
local
governments
may
have
additional
requirements
regarding
air
conditioning
servic-
ing
.
Alwayscomply
with
state
and
local
laws
.

"
Electric
welding
near
refrigerant
hoses
causes
R-134a
to
decompose
.
Discharge
system
before
welding
.

CA
UTION
-

-As
of
January
1,
1992,
any
person
who
services
a
motor
vehicle
air
conditioner
must,
by
law,
be
properly
trained
and
certified,
and
use
approved
refrigerant
recycling
equipment
.
Technicians
must
complete
an
EPA-approved
recycling
course
to
be
certified
.

"
It
is
recommended
that
al¡
system
refrigerant
AIC
refrigerant
be
left
to
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
or
other
qualified
AIC
service
facility
.

"
Do
not
top
off
a
partially
charged
refrigerant
sys-
tem
.
Dischargesystem,evacuate
and
then
re-
charge
system
.

"
R-134a
and
R-12
refrigerants
and
refrigerant
oils
and
system
components,
including
hoses
and
sealing
O-rings,
are
NOT
compatible
.
Compo-
nent
damage
andlor
system
contamination
will

result
.

"
The
mixture
of
refrigerant
oil
(PAG
oil)
and
refrig-
erant
R-134a
attacks
some
metals
and
alloys
(for
example,copper)
and
breaks
down
certain
hose
materials
.
Use
only
hoses
and
lines
that
are
iden-
tified
with
a
green
mark
(stripe)
or
the
lettering
R-
134a"
.

"
Immediately
plug
open
connections
on
AIC
com-
ponents
to
prevent
dirt
and
moisture
contamina-
tion
.

"
Do
not
steam
clean
condensers
or
evaporators
.

Use
only
cold
water
or
compressed
air
.

AIR
CONDITIONING

Fig
.
36
.
6-cylinder
engine
belt
diagram
:
To
remove
A/C
belt,
lever
ten-
sioner
(A)
in
clockwise
direction
using
long-handled
wrench
or
breaker-bar
.

6
.
Disconnect
electrical
harness
connector
from
com-
pressor
.

7
.
Remove
A/C
pressure
hose
and
suction
hose
flange



10
.
Before
recharging,
evacuate
system
for
at
least
30
min
.
bolts
from
compressor
.
Plug
hoses
immediately
See



Recharge
system
following
equipment
manufacturer's

Fig
.
37
.



instructions
.
See
Table
d
.
A/C
System
Refrigerant

Capacities
.

0011879

Fig
.
37
.
A/
C
compressor
pressure
hose
(A)
and
suction
hose
(B)
.
(6-
cylinder
engine
shown
.
4-cylinder
engine
is
similar
.)

HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING



640-
1
3

Fig
.
38
.
A/
C
compressor
mounting
boits
(arrows)
.

9
.
Installation
is
reverseof
removal
.

CAUTION
-

"
Always
replaceO-rings
when
reconnecting
re-
frigerantfines
.

"
When
installlng
a
new
compressor
always
re-
place
receiverldrier
unit
.

Tightening
Torques

"
A/C
compressor
to
engine
block
....
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)
"
A/C
line
flange
to
A/C
compressor
5/8
in
.
fine
.
......
.....
....
.
.....
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

3/4
in
.
fine
.......
.....
..........
39
Nm
(29
ft-Ib)

7/8
in
.
fine
...
....
.....
..........
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

11/16
in
.
fine
.....
..
..
..
...
.
.....
48
Nm
(35
ft-Ib)

A/C
Compressor
Clutch

The
compressor
clutch
can
be
replaced
without
disturbing

thesealed
refrigerant
system,
although
clearances
in
the
six-

cylinder
cars
may
be
very
tight
.
Detach
the
compressor
from

the
compressor
bracket
togain
extra
clearance
.

8
.
Remove
compressor
mounting
boits
.
See
Fig
.
38
.
Re-



Typical
A/C
compressor
and
clutch
is
shown
in
Fig
.
39
.
move
compressor
by
pulling
downward
from
under-

neath
car
.



Remove
driveplate
and
pulley
to
access
clutch
magnetic

winding
.
See
Fig
.
40
.

AIR
CONDITIONING

640-14



HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING

7
Fig
.
39
.
A/
C
compressorand
clutch
components
.

8
00871208

1.
Clutch
plate
retaining
bolt



5
.
A/C
compressor
pulley
2
.
Clutch
plate



6
.
Clutch
retaining
circlip
3
.
Pulley
retaining
circlip



7
.
Clutch
(magnetic
winding)
4
.
Clutch
bearing



8
.
Compressor

00870082

Fig
.
40
.
A/
C
compressor
driveplate
canbe
held
stationary
with
strap
toolto
allow
removal
of
retaining
bolt
.

NOTE-

BMWs
are
equipped
with
compressors
from
various
manufacturers
.
Special
tools
may
be
required
tore-
move
driveplate
orpulley
.

AIR
CONDITIONING

Tightening
Torque

"
Compressor
clutch
bolt

to
compressor
shaft
.....
.
....
..
.
.
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

A/C
condenser,
replacing

1
.
Following
manufacturer's
instructions,
connect
an
ap-

proved
refrigerant
recovery/recycling/recharging
unitto

A/Csystemand
discharge
system
.

WARNING
-

Do
not
dischargelcharge
the
AIC
system
without
proper
equipment
and
training
.
Damage
to
the
vehi-
cle
and
personal
injury
may
result
.

2
.
Remove
front
bumper
and
radiator
grilles
.
See510
Ex-

terior
Trim,
Bumpers
.

3
.
Remove
auxiliary
electric
radiator
fan
.
See
170
Cool-
ing
System
.

4
.
DetachA/C
lines
from
lower
right
corner
of
condenser
.

Plug
lines
immediately
.
See
Fig
.
41
.

Fig
.
41
.
A/
C
flange
bolts
at
condenser
(arrows)
.

5
.
Remove
condenser
mounting
bolts
from
frontradiator

support
.
See
Fig
.
42
.

6
.
Lift
up
condenser
to
disengage
from
lower
mounts
and

remove
from
below
.

7
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

CA
UTION-

"
Always
replace
O-rings
when
reconnecting
re-
frigerant
fines
.

"
When
installing
a
new
condenser
always
replace
receiverldrier
unit
.

Fig
.
42
.
Upper
A/C
condensermounting
bolts
(arrows)
.

8
.
Before
recharging,
evacuate
system
for
at
least
30
min
.
Recharge
system
following
equipment
manufacturer's
instructions
.
See
Table
d
.
A/C
System
Refrigerant

Capacities
.

A/C
receiver/drier,
replacing

The
A/C
receiver/drier
is
mounted
in
the
front
right
cornee
of
the
engine
compartment
behind
the
headlight
assembly
.

CAUTION-

The
receiver/drier
must
be
replaced
when
-There
is
dirt
in
the
AIC
system
-The
compressor
has
seized
or
has
been
re-
placed
for
any
reason
-The
condenser
or
evaporator
are
replaced
for
any
reason
-The
AIC
system
is
leaking
and
there
is
no
more
refrigerant
-The
AIC
system
was
open
for
24
hours
or
more
.

1
.
Following
manufacturer's
instructions,
connectan
ap-

proved
refrigerant
recovery/recycling/recharging
unit
to

A/C
system
and
discharge
system
.

2
.
Remove
right
headlight
assembly
.
See
630
Exterior
Lighting
.

CAUTION-
3
.
Disconnect
A/C
electrical
harness
connectors
.
See
Fig
.



Always
replaceO-rings
when
reconnecting
refrig-
43
.



erant
lines
.

4
.
Remove
refrigerant
pressure
lines
from
receiver/drier
.

Plug
lines
immediately
.

5
.
Remove
receiver/drier
mounting
bolts
.

0013182

6
.
Remove
underbody
splash
shield
on
passenger
side
.

See
Fig
.
44
.

7
.
Remove
passenger
side
brake
cooling
duct
.
Discon-

nect
outside
temperature
sensor
harness,
if
applicable
.

HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING



640-15

0012669

Fig
.
43
.
A/
C
receiver/drier
electrical
harness
connectors
(A),
pressure
line
retaining
bolts
(B),
andmounting
bolts
(C)
.

0012668
Fig
.
44
.
Passenger
sidesplash
shield
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.

8
.
Push
receiver/drier
down
andremove
from
underneath
car
.
Make
sure
that
receiver/drier
is
clear
of
any
electri-
cal
harnesses
.

9
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

10
.
Before
recharging,
evacuate
system
for
at
least
30
min
.

Recharge
system
following
equipment
manufacturer's

instructions
.
See
Table
d
.
A/C
System
Refrigerant

Capacities
.

AIR
CONDITIONING

CAUTION
-

Always
replace
O-rings
when
reconnecting
refrig-
erant
fines
.

9
.
Before
recharging,
evacuate
system
for
at
least
30
min
.
Recharge
system
following
equipment
manufacturer's
instructions
.
See
Table
d
.
A/C
System
Refrigerant

Capacities
.

A/C
evaporator,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Followingmanufacturer's
instructions,
connectanap-proved
refrigerant
recovery/recycling/recharging
unit
to
A/C
system
and
discharge
system
.

2
.
Remove
complete
heater
boxas
described
earlier
.

3
.
Remove
expansion
valve
as
described
earlier
.

4
.
Unfasten
evaporator
sensor
electrical
harness
connec-
tor
and
puli
out
sensor
from
ieft
side
of
heater
box
.
See
Fig
.
50
.

Fig
.
49
.
Pull
out
evaporator
sensor
from
housing
in
direction
of
arrow
.

5
.
Remove
rear
heater
box
cover
.

6
.
Remove
clips
retaining
lower
evaporator
housingcover
.
Tilt
outheater
core,
then
pull
evaporator
out
of
housing
.

7
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

CAUTION
-

Always
reptace
O-rings
when
reconnecting
refrtg-
erant
fines
.

8
.
Before
recharging,
evacuate
system
for
at
least
30
min
.

Recharge
system
following
equipment
manufacturer's
instructions
.
See
Table
d
.
A/C
System
Refrigerant

Capacities
.

HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING



640-17

8
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.



A/C
evaporator
temperature
sensor,

replacing

ou12b46

The
evaporator
temperature
sensor
is
mounted
in
the
left
(driver)
side
of
theheater
box
behind
thecenter
console
.

1
.
Remove
lower
dash
panel
and
knee
boister
on
driver
side
.
See
513
Interior
Trim
.

2
.
Remove
left
footwell
ventilation
duct
byremoving
re-
taining
rivet
in
bottom
of
duct
.
Pull
it
down
and
away
from
heater
box
.
See
Fig
.
50
.

Fig
.
50
.
Left
footwellventilatíon
duct
(arrow)
.

0o1300ba

3
.
Disconnect
sensor
electrical
connector
from
heater
box
.
Pull
sensor
straight
out
of
heater
box
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
49
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Table
c
.
lists
evapo-

rator
temperature
sensor
test
values
.

Tablec
.
Evaporator
Temperature
Sensor

Test
Values

Test
temp
.



Resistance

23°F
(-5°C)



11
.4
-11
.9
k
ohms

32°F
(0°C)



8
.8
-
9
.2
k
ohms

41
°F
(5°C)



6
.8
-
7
.2
k
ohms

50°F
(10°C)



5
.3-5
.6
k
ohms

59
°
F
(15°C)



4
.2
-4
.5
k
ohms

68°F
(20°C)



3
.3
-
3
.6
k
ohms

77°F
(25°C)



2
.6-2
.9
k
ohms

86°F
(30°C)



2
.1
-
2
.3
k
ohms

95°F
(35°C)



1
.7
-1
.9
k
ohms

AIR
CONDITIONING

650-2
RADIO

"
A
320-watt
Harmon-Kardon
ten
speaker
system,
including



RADIO
AND
SPEAKER
SERVICE
a
separate
high
power
multi-channel
audio
amplifier
and
two
sub-woofers
.
In
this
system,
thebass
and
volume
out-

puts
from
the
selected
audiosource
automatically
com-



Radio,
removing
and
installing

pensate
for
vehicle
speed,
making
constant
volume

adjustments
unnecessary
.
An
additional
feature
ofthis



CAUTION-
sound
system
is
the
ability
to
switch
from
normal
left-right



"
Before
beginning
work
on
the
radio
or
sound
stereo
into
Spatial
Enhancement
Mode,
which
produces
a



system,
verify
that
the
radio
is
an
original
equip-
fuller,
rounder
sound
.
See
Fig
.
3
.



ment
BMW
radio
and
that
thewiring
harness
has
not
been
modified
.
TheE36
radio
is
also
equipped
with
a
built-in
anti-theft
sys-

tem
.
lf
power
is
removed
from
the
radio
circuitry
by
removing

the
radio
electrical
connectors,
or
by
disconnecting
the
bat-
tery,
the
radio
is
rendered
inoperative
.
The
radio
is
not
perma-

nently
damaged,
and
proper
operation
can
be
restored
by

entering
the
radio
anti-theft
code
.

Fig
.
3
.
Ten
speaker
sound
system
.

RADIO
AND
SPEAKER
SERVICE

"
Servicing
of
aftermarket
sound
equipment
should
be
referredto
an
authorized
agent
of
the
equip-
ment's
manufacturer
.

"
Do
not
remove
radio
or
disconnect
the
batterywithout
first
obtaining
the
anti-theft
code
.

1.
Carefully
pry
open
small
square
covers
at
left
and
right

sides
of
radio
.

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

negative
terminal
with
insulating
material
.

CA
UTION-

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

2
.
Remove
driver
sideairbag
from
steering
wheel
.
See

Driver
side
airbag,
removing
and
installing
in
this

repair
group
.

3
.
With
wheels
facing
straight
ahead
and
steering
wheel

centered,
remove
steering
wheel
.
See320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.

4
.
Remove
contact
ring
cover
(flat
plastic
ring
containing

warning
text)
from
steering
wheel,
íf
applicable
.

5
.
Disconnect
ground
wire,
if
applicable

6
.
Lift
out
plastic
lock
from
steering
wheel,
if
applicable
.

See
Fig
.
2
.

0011903

Fig
.
2
.



Airbag
contact
ring
lock(arrow)
.
Pry
out
lock
and
remove
spríng
from
behind
lock
.
Some
airbag
steering
wheels
are
not
equipped
with
contact
ring
lock
.

WARNING
-

"
The
contact
ring
lock
holds
the
contact
ring
in
the
centered
position
.
Once
the
lock
is
removed,
the
contact
ring
is
free
to
rotate
.
Do
not
allow
the
con-

tact
ring
to
rotate
once
the
lock
is
removed
.

"
If
the
contact
ring
is
accidentally
rotated
outof
center,
turn
the
ring
either
fully
clockwise
orcoun-
terclockwise,
then
turn
in
the
opposite
direction
3
complete
revolutions
until
the
alignment
arrow
canbe
seen
through
the
lock
opening
.

AIRBAG
SYSTEM
(SRS)



721-
3

Airbagcontact
ring,
replacing



7
.
Remove
mounting
nutsor
screws
from
contact
ring
.

See
Fig
.
3
.
Disconnect
wire
lead(s)
andremove
contact

The
airbag
contact
ring
is
mounted
to
the
rear
of
the
steer-



ring
from
rear
of
steering
wheel
.

ing
wheel
and
is
made
up
of
a
wireribbon
that
cofs
and
un-

coils
as
the
steering
wheel
is
tumed
.
The
contact
ring
assures
continuous
electrical
contact
to
the
driver
side
airbag
unit
.

Fig
.
3
.



Airbag
contact
ring
mounting
fasteners(arrows)
.

8
.
Installation
is
reverse
ofremoval,noting
the
following
:

"
Coat
horn
slip
ring
(electrical
contact
ring)
with
CRC
®
copper
paste
before
installing
steering
wheel
.

"
Press
on
lower
lock
until
it
ís
fully
engaged
.

"
When
installing
contact
ringlock,
make
sure
lock

spring
engages
pins
on
lock
and
lock
cover
.

"
Special
instructions
apply
when
installing
airbag

equipped
steering
wheel
.
See320
Steering
and

Wheel
Alignment
.

Early
cars
(through
1993)
:

"
Route
wiring
lead
for
horn
through
squareopening
in

steering
wheel
.

"
When
installing
a
new
contact
ring
from
BMW,
remove

locking
screw
after
installing
the
contact
ringto
steer-

ing
wheel
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

"
Lock
contact
ring
mounting
fasteners
in
place
using

lacquer
paint
or
varnish
.

0011904

Fig
.
4
.



Airbag
contact
ring
locking
screw
(arrow),
as
installed
on
new

replacement
part
from
BMW
(early
production
cars)
.

AIRBAG
SENSORS
AND
ELECTRONICS