1992 BMW 325i 1992 E36 Owner's Guide

130-
1
4



FUEL
INJECTION

NOTE-

Be
sure
to
retrieve
thrust
washer
behind
fuel
pressure
regulator
on
6-cylinder
engine
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Replace
O-rings
.

Fuel
pressure
regulator,
replacing

(under
car
mount)

WARNING
-

Fuel
will
be
discharged
.
Do
not
disconnect
any
wires
that
could
cause
electrical
sparks
.
Do
not
smoke
or
work
near
heaters
or
other
fire
hazards
.
Keep
an
approved
tire
extinguisher
handy
.

On
late
4-
and
6-cylinder
cars,
the
fuel
pressure
regulator
is

mounted
beneath
the
left
sideof
the
car,
under
a
protective

cover
.
See
Fig
.
20
.

0012726

Fig
.
20
.
Fuel
pressure
regulatorlocation
underneath
car
(arrow)
.
Vac-
uum
hose
to
regulator
is
shown
at
A
.
(Protective
cover
has
been
removed
.)

5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Replace
O-rings
.

BOSCH
DME
Ml
.
7
COMPONENT
TESTS
AND
REPAIRS

BOSCH
DME
Ml
.7
COMPONENT

TESTS
AND
REPAIRS

CA
UTION-

Use
only
a
digital
multimeter
when
testing
compo-
nents
and
wiring
.
Use
of
an
analog
VOM
may
damage
the
engine
control
module
.

4-cylinder
cars
with
M42
engines(1992
to
1995)use
the

Bosch
DME
M1
.7
fuel
injection
system
.

Electrical
tests
of
the
main
and
fuel
pump
relays
and
the

DME
engine
control
module
(ECM)
are
covered
earlier
in
this

section
.
Fuel
pump
tests
arecovered
in
160
Fuel
Tank
and

Fuel
Pump
.

Air
flow
sensor,
testing
and
replacing

DME
M1
.7
fuel
injection
uses
a
volume
air
flow
type
sensor

with
integrated
intake
air
temperature
(IAT)
sensor
.
The
sen-

sor
provides
a
varyingvoltage
signal
to
the
ECM
based
on
the

position
of
the
air
vane
.
As
the
vane
doorswings
open
thepo-
tentiometer
increases
the
voltage
signal
to
the
ECM
.
The
IATsensor
adapts
theoutput
signal
to
the
ECM
based
on
intake

air
temperature
.

1
.
Check
ECM
reference
voltage
to
sensor
:

"
Peel
back
rubber
boot
from
air
flow
sensor
harness

connector
.

"
Turn
ignition
keyon
.
"
Check
for
5
volts
between
terminal
1
of
harness
con-
nector
and
ground
.
See
Fig
.
21
.

"
Turn
ignition
key
off
.

"
If
voltage
is
not
present
or
incorrect,
check
wring
from

ECM
and
check
air
flow
sensor
reference
voltage
out-

put
at
ECM
.
See
Table
h
.
1
.
Working
under
car
below
driver's
seat,
remove
protec-
tive
cover
from
below
fuel
pressure
regulator
.

"
Remove
intake
air
bootfrom
sensor
.
2
.
Remove
vacuum
hosefrom
fuel
pressure
regulator
.



"
Connect
a
digital
multimeter
(ohms)
across
terminais
1

and
2
.
Swing
air
flow
sensor
vane
through
its
travel
3
.
Remove
locking
clip
retaining
fuel
pressure
regulator
.



range
.
Resistance
should
change
steadily
without
in-

terruption
.
4
.
Wrap
a
shop
rag
around
regulator,
then
remove
regula-



"
If
any
faults
are
found,
the
air
flow
sensor
is
faulty
and
tor
from
213
way
valve
by
pullingstraight
out
.



should
be
replaced
.

2
.
Check
air
flow
sensor
potentiometer
:

3
.
Check
IAT
sensor
resistance
:

"
With
harness
connector
disconnected
at
air
flow
sen-
sor,
check
resistance
across
sensor
terminais
4
and
5

of
air
flow
sensor
.
Compare
tests
results
to
values
in
Table
d
given
later
.
If
any
faults
are
found,
the
air
flow
sensor
should
be
replaced
.

BOSCH
DME
MM
AND
M33
.1

COMPONENT
TESTS
AND
REPAIRS

Consult
Table
a
for
engine
application
information
for
the

Bosch
DME
3
.1
and
3
.3.1
systems
.

The
DME
3
.1
and
DME
3
.3
.1
systems
are
similar
in
opera-

tion,
with
knock
control
and
VANOS
operation
being
the
key

differences
.
DME
3
.1
engines
arenot
equipped
with
VANOS

or
knock
detectors,
while
the
DM
E3
.3
.1
system
is
.

CA
UTION-

Use
onty
a
digital
multimeter
when
testing
wiring
.
Use
of
an
analog
VOM
may
damage
the
engine
control
module
.

Fig
.
25
.
Mass
air
flow
sensor
.
Hot
wire
sensor
usedon
carswith
DME
Electrical
tests
of
the
main
and
fuel
pump
relays
and
the



3
.1
(1992
6-cylinder
models)
.

DME
engine
control
module
(ECM)
are
covered
earlier
in
this

section
.
Fuel
pump
tests
are
covered
in
160
Fuel
Tank
and



CAUTION-
Fuel
Pump
.
Use
only
a
digital
multimeter
when
checking
the
mass
air
flow
sensor
.
An
analog
meter
can
dam-
Mass
Air
Flow
Sensor



age
theair
flow
sensor
.

There
are
two
types
of
mass
air
flow
sensors
used
onthe



1
.
Disconnect
air
flow
sensor
from
air
cleaner
only
.
Leave

cars
covered
by
this
section
.
Testing
procedures
vary
de-



it
connected
to
duct
leading
to
intake
manifold
and

pending
on
type
installed
.
The
airflow
sensor
is
not
adjustable



leave
wiring
harness
connected
.

and
must
only
be
tested
with
a
digital
multimeter
.

Mass
Air
FlowSensor
Variants

"
1992
M50
engine

DME
M3
.1
.
.
.
.
...
..
mass
air
flow
sensor-hot
wire

"
1993-1995
M50
and
S50US

DMEM33
.1)
.
...
...
.
mass
air
flow
sensor-hot
film

Mass
air
flow
sensor
(hot
wire),

testing
and
replacing

When
the
engine
is
running,
a
current
is
used
to
heat
a
thin

wire
in
the
center
of
the
sensor
.
See
Fig
.
25
.
The
current
in
the

wire
is
regulated
to
maintain
a
temperature
of
100°C
more

than
the
air
passing
over
it
.
The
current
used
to
heat
the
wire

is
electronically
conneced
into
a
voltage
measurement
corre-

sponding
to
the
mass
of
intake
a¡
r
.

To
keep
the
wire
clean,
it
is
heated
to
a
temperature
of
about

1,000°C
(1,830°F)
for
one
second
.
This
"burn-off"
cycle
takes

place
automatically,
four
seconds
after
the
engine
is
tumed
off
.

lf
thehot
wire
breaks
or
if
there
is
no
output
from
the
air
flow

sensor,
the
ECM
automatically
switches
to
a
"limp-home"

mode
and
tucos
on
the
Check
Engine
light
.
The
engine
can

usually
be
started
and
driven
.
The
air
flow
sensor
has
no
inter-

nal
moving
parts
and
cannot
be
serviced
.

FUEL
INJECTION



130-
1
7

2
.
Start
engine
and
run
it
to
normal
operating
temperature
.

3
.
Rev
engine
toat
least
2,500
rpm,then
shut
it
off
.
Look

through
meter
at
hot
wire
.
After
approximately
four
sec-

onds
wire
should
glow
brightly
for
about
one
second
.

NOTE
-

If
the
wire
glowsas
specified,
then
the
airflow
meter
and
ECM
are
probably
operating
correctly
.
lf
the
wire
does
not
glow,
continue
testing
.

4
.
lf
the
wire
does
not
glow,
remove
air
flow
sensor
and

look
through
it
to
see
if
wire
is
broken
.
lf
wire
is
broken,

meter
will
have
to
be
replaced
.

5
.
Reinstall
air
flow
sensor
and
harness
connector
.
Peel

back
rubber
bootfrom
harness
connector
.
Working

from
rear
of
connector,
connect
digital
voltmeter
across

terminals
1
and
4
.
See
Fig
.
26
.

6
.
Start
and
rev
engine
toat
least
2,500
rpm,thenshut
it

off
.
After
about
4
seconds,
voltage
should
riseto
about

4
volts
for
about
one
second
.
lf
voltage
is
present,
but

wire
does
not
glow,
air
flow
sensor
is
faulty
and
should

be
replaced
.

7
.
lf
voltage
is
not
present
in
step
6,
turn
ignition
key
on

and
check
for
voltage
and
ground
at
sensor
.
There

should
beground
at
pin
4
.
There
should
be
positive
(+)

battery
voltage
at
pin
2
.

BOSCH
DME
M3
.1
AND
M32
.1
COMPONENT
TESTS
AND
REPAIRS

160-
4



FUEL
TANK
AND
FUEL
PUMP

Fig
.
4
.



Pinch
off
supply
and
retum
fuel
hoses
(arrows)
before
dis-
connecting
from
rigid
metal
lines
.

0013143

Fig
.
5
.
After
removing
exhaustsystem,
remove
heat
shield
screws
(arrows)
and
heat
shield
.

9
.
Working
underneath
car,
loosen
hose
clamp
and
dis-

connect
filler
hose
.

10
.
Support
tank
from
below
.
Remove
tank
strap
mounting

bolts
.
Lower
and
remove
tank,
disconnecting
right
side



TheE36
model
uses
a
two-lobed
fuel
tank
and
each
lobeof
vent
and
other
hoses/electrical
connectors
as
neces-



the
tank
has
its
own
fuel
level
sending
unit
.
sary
.

11
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

"
Always
use
new
seals,
gaskets,
O-rings,
and
hose
clamps
.

"
Inspect
hoses
and
replace
any
that
are
chafed,
dried

outor
cracked
.

"
Inspect
heat
shield
and
replace
if
corroded
.

"
Inspect
rubber
buffers
and
liners
on
fuel
tank,
support
straps
and
on
underside
of
body
.
Replace
rubber

parts
that
are
hardened
or
damaged
.

FUEL
LEVEL
SENDERS

CAUTION-

"
Before
starting
the
engine,
fill
the
fuel
tank
with
at
least
1.5
gallons
(5
liters)
of
fuel
to
prevent

damaging
a
dry
fuel
pump
.

"
If
the
filler
neck
has
been
removed
from
the
body,
be
sure
toreattach
theneck's
grounding
screw
(where
applicable)
.
Check
electrical
resistance
between
the
ground
tab
and
wheel
hub
.
The
re-
sistance
shouldbeno
higher
than
0
.6
ohms
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Fuel
tank
to
body
.............
...
23
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

"
Hose
clamps
(10
mm-16
mm
día
.)
..
2
.0
Nm
(18
in-lb)

Fuel
Tank
Evaporative
Control
System

The
fuel
tank
evaporative
control
system
is
used
to
vent
the

fuel
tank
to
a
charcoal
canister,
which
is
then
purgedby
en-

gine
vacuum
during
normal
engine
operatíon
.
This
controls

emission
of
raw
hydrocarbons
(fuel)
to
the
atmosphere
.
See

Fig
.
1
.

A
fuel
expansion
tank,
located
under
the
right
rear
fender,

traps
overflow
fuel
and
incorporates
extra
fuel
tank
plumbing
.

Startingwith
1996
models,
OBD
II
standards
require
that

the
fuel
tank
evaporative
control
system
be
monitored
for

leaks
.
This
is
accomplished
usingthe
fuel
tankpressuresen-

sor,
the
ventshut
off
valve,
and
the
evaporative
purge
valve
.

NOTE-

On
most
early
cars(1992-1995),
the
charcoal
canister

is
in
the
engine
compartment
.
On
latercars,
the
char-
coal
canister
is
under
the
spare
tire
in
the
luggage
com-
partment
.

FUEL
LEVEL
SENDERS

The
right
side
fuel
leve¡
sender
is
integrated
with
the
fuel

pump
.
Each
senderhas
a
float
connected
to
a
variable
resis-

tance
for
fuel
leve¡
.
When
replacing
the
sender/pump
assem-

bly
always
replace
hose
clamps,gaskets
and
O-rings
.

WARNING
-

When
removing
the
fuel
level
sender
or
the
fuel
pump,
the
fuel
tank
should
be
emptied
.

180-2



EXHAUST
SYSTEM

a

EXHAUST
SYSTEM
REPLACEMENT

Fig
.
2
.



Exhaust
systemon
1992-1995
6-cylinder
engines
.
3251
(M50)
exhaust
system
shown
.

E~

)l-,malo
m~=

i

32592-95

1
.



Front
pipe
with
catalytic
convertor



6
.



Bracket



11
.



Bracket/clamp
(2)



16
.



Rear
pipewith
muffler
2
.



Gasket
(2)



7
.



Bracket
(2)



12
.



Rubber
mounting
ring
(2)



17
.



Rubber
mount
3
.



Exhaust
manifold



8
.



Bracket



13
.



Flange



18
.



Support4
.



Exhaust
manifold



9
.



Bracket



14
.



Gasket
(48mm)



19
.



Bracket
5
.
Manifold
gasket



10
.
Oxygen
sensor



15
.
Gasket
(48mm)

eme°"



k
:I>
-
8a

1
.



Exhaust
manifold



7
.



Front
pipe
with
catalytic
con-



9
.



Bolt
(M8X90)



14
.



Brackets
(rear
muffier)
2
.



Nut
(M10)



vertor



10
.



Compression
spring



15
.



Rear
muffler
and
pipe
3
.
Gasket
(clty
.
2)



8
.



Oxygen
sensor
(regulating)



11
.



Self-lockingnut
(M8



16
.



Bracket
(transmission)
4
.
Gasket



-tightento
55
Nm
(41
ft-Ib)



-always
replace



17
.



Brackets
(transmission)
5
.



Nut



8a
.



Oxygen
sensor
(monitoring)



12
.



Bracket
(rear
pipe)
6
.



Bolt
(M8X55)



-tightento
55
Nm
(41
ft-Ib)



13
.



Rubber
mounting
ring
(9ty
2)

Fig
.
3
.



Exhaust
systemon
1996-1998
4-cylinder
(M44)
engine
.1992-1995
4-cylinder
engine
exhaust
system
is
similar
.

GENERAL
..
.
......
.
.
.
.....
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
200-1

Manual
Transmission
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.'
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
200-1

Automatic
Transmission
.........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
200-1

Transmission
ID
Codes
..........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
200-2

GENERAL

E36
models
areequipped
with
a
longitudinal
drivetrain
.
The

transmission
is
bolted
directly
to
the
rear
of
the
engine
.
A

driveshaft
connects
the
output
shaft
of
thetransmission
to
the

final
drive
.
The
final
drive
is
mounted
lo
the
rear
suspension

and
the
body
.
Individual
drive
axles
with
integrated
constant

velocity
joints
transfer
rotational
power
to
the
rear
wheels
.

Manual
Transmission

Due
to
different
power
characteristics
and
performance
re-

quirements,
four
different
manual
transmissions
are
used
in

the
models
coveredby
this
manual
.
Manual
transmission
ap-

plications
are
given
in
Table
a
.

TRANSMISSION-GENERAL
200-1

200
Transmission-General

TABLES

a
.
Manual
Transmission
Applications
..
...........
200-1
b
.
Automatic
Transmission
Applications
...........
200-1

Fig
.
1
.



ZF-manufacturedmanual
transmission
.

For
transmission
gear
ratio
information
and
repair
informa-

tion,
see
230
Manual
Transmission
.



Automatic
Transmission

E36
carswith
standard
transmission
use
a
single-disc
clutch
with
dual-mass
flywheel
.
For
further
information,
see
210
Clutch
.

Table
a
.
Manual
Transmission
Applications

Model
Year
Engine
Transmission
318ifisfC



1992-1995



M42



Getrag
S5D
200
G'

1996-1998



M44



Getrag
S5D
250
G

323is/iC



1998



M52



Getrag
S5D
250
G

325ifsriC



1992-1995



M50



Getrag
S5D
250
G

3281/isfC



1996-1998



M52



ZF
S5D320
Z

M3



1995



S50US



ZF
S5D310
Z

1996-1998



S52US



ZF
S5D320
Z

'The
1992
M42
engine
may
be
fitted
witheither
the
Getrag
SSD
200
G
trans-
mission
or
S5D
250
Getrag
.
The
S5D
200G
was
discontinued
in
production
in
as
of
9/92
.
Thistransmission
is
interchangeable
with
Getrag
S5D
250
G
.

Four
different
automatic
transmissions
are
used,
depend-

ing
on
model
and
model
year
and/or
production
date
.
All
of
the

automatic
transmissions
are
electrohydraulically
controlled

with
either
four
or
five
forward
speeds
.
Automatic
transmis-

sion
applications
are
given
in
Table
b
.

For
automatic
transmission
repair
information,
see
240Au-

tomatic
Transmission
.

Table
b
.
Automatic
Transmission
Applications

Model
1
Year
1
Engine
1
Transmission

318i1is/1C



1992-1995
~
M42
323isfiC



1998



M52



A4S
310
R
3251/is/1C
1992-1995
M50

3181/isfC



11996-1998



M44



A4S
270
R
328i/is/1C
1996-1998
M52

M3



1996-1998



S50US



I
A5S
310
Z
S52US

GENERAL

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION



240-1

240
Automatic
Transmission

GENERAL
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
.
240-1



TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND

INSTALLATION
..................
.
.
.
.
.240-4
TRANSMISSION
SERVICE
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
240-1



Transmission,
removing
and
installing
....
.
.
.240-4

ATF
leve¡,
checking
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
240-1

ATF,
draining
and
filling
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
240-2



TABLE

a
.
Automatic
Transmission
Gear
Ratios
.......
..
.
.
240-1

GENERAL



TRANSMISSION
SERVICE



lo

Automatic
transmissions
are
identified
by
code
letters



ATF
leve¡,
checking

foundon
a
data
plate
located
on
the
sideof
thetransmission

case,
behind
the
manual
valve
lever
.
See
200Transmis-



The
automatic
transmissions
installed
in
the
E36
models
sion-General
for
application
information
.
Forgear
ratio
spec-



are
normally
filled
with
Dexron
III
automatic
transmission
fluid

ifications,
see
Table
a
.



(ATF),
although
alternative
fluids
have
been
installed
from
the

factory,
depending
on
transmission
type
and
model
year
.

CAUTION-



Some
transmíssions
are
filled
with
a
special
BMW
"lifetime"

ATF
does
not
circulate
unless
the
engine
is
run-



automatic
transmission
fluid,
which
does
not
require
periodic

ning
.
When
towing
an
automafic
transmission
ve-



fluid
changes
.

hicle,
usea
flat-bed
truck
or
ralse
the
rear
wheels
off
the
ground
.



CAUTION-

Mixing
different
types
of
transmission
fluids
will

The
electronic
transmission
control
module
(TCM)
monitors



lead
to
transmission
failure
.

transmissionoperation
for
faults
and
alerts
the
driver
by
illumi-

nating
the
transmission
fault
indicator
on
the
instrument
pan-

el
.
On-board
diagnostic
codes
stored
in
the
TCM
mustbe



NOTE-

downloaded
and
interpreted
by
trained
technicians
using
spe-



The
transmission
lubricant
instafed
can
be
foundona

cial
BMW
diagnostic
equipment
.



type
plate
on
the
side
of
the
transmission
.
In
addition,
a
sticker
may
be
located
on
the
fluid
sump
indicatingthe
typeof
transmission
lubricant
used
.
Ifin
doubt,
con

NOTE-



sult
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
for
altemate
fluid
use

Internal
repairs
to
the
automatic
transmission
require



and
current
information
regardingtransmission
operat-
special
service
equipment
and
knowledge
.
If
it
is
deter-



ing
fluids
.

mined
thatinterna¡
service
is
required,
consult
en
au-

thorízedBMWdealerabouta
factoryreconditioned
unit



The
transmission
is
not
equipped
with
a
dipstick
.
Checking
or
a
transmission
rebuild
.



the
ATF
leve¡
requires
measuring
and
maintaining
a
specified

ATF
temperature
during
the
checking
procedure
.
The
check-

ing
temperature
is
not
fully
warm
orcold
(the
ATF
sump

should
be
approximately
warm
to
the
touch)
.

Table
a
.
Automatic
Transmission
Gear
Ratios

Transmission



MS
310R
(THM-R1)



MS
310R
(THM-Rl)



MS
310Z(5HP
18)



I



MS
270R
(THM-R1)
(1992-1993)(1993-on)

Gear
ratios
:
1st



2
.40



2
.86



3
.67



2
.86

2nd



1
.47



1
.62



2
.00



1
.62
3rd



1
.00



1
.00



1.41



1
.00
4th



0
.72



0
.72



1
.00



0
.72
5th



-



-



0
.74



-
Reverse



2
.00



2
.00



4
.10



2
.00

TRANSMISSIONSERVICE

increased
power
output
and
road-handling
demands
.

The
steering
geometry
is
modified
by
changing
the
cast-

er/camber
angles
slightly
.
This
is
accomplishedby
reposition-

ing
the
upper
strut
mounting
holes
in
the
frontstrut
towers
and

through
different
front
and
rear
control
arms
.

M3
Brake
System
Improvements

"
Vented
directionalfront
rotors
:
315
mm
dia
.
x
28
mm
thick
.

"
Vented
directional
rear

rotors
:
312
mm
dia
.
x20
mm
thick
.

"
Larger
brake
pads
and
calipers
.

"
Modified
Teves
ABS
system
.

SUSPENSION,
STEERING
AND
BRAKES-GENERAL



300-
7

M3
SUSPENSION
AND
BRAKES



NOTE-

M3
brake
rotors
are
directional,
having
a
different
part

TheE36
M3
was
introduced
in
late
1994
as
a
1995
model
.



number
for
each
side
.
Rotors
with
an
odd
part
number

The
design
of
the
M3
suspension,
steering
and
brakes
is
a



go
on
the
left
while
rotors
with
en
even
part
numbergo

modification
of
existing
E36
systems
which
accommodates



on
the
right
.

M3
Front
SuspensionImprovements

"
Reinforced
spring
plates,control
arms,
control
arm
bush-

ings,
steering
arms
.

"
Recalibrated
struts,
firmer
springs
.

"
Stiffer
stabilizerbar,
larger
stabilizer
bar
bushings
.

"
Front
stabilizer
linked
to
struts
.

M3
Wheels/Tires

"
Front
wheels
1992-1998
:.....
7
.5J
x
17
in
.
light
alloy

"
Rear
wheel
1992-1997
.......
7
.5J
x17
in
.
light
alloy

"
Rear
wheel
(option)
........
.8
.5
Jx17
in
.
light
alloy

"
Front
and
rear
tire

1992-1997
.............
.
.
.
...
...
235/40
x
17
in
.

"
Front
tire
1998
only
......
...
.
.
.
...
225/45
x
17
in
.

"
Rear
tire
1998
only
.......
.
.
.
...
...
245/40
x
17
in
.

CAUTION-

In
en
emergency,
an
M3
front
wheel/tire
assembly
may
be
mounted
on
the
rearaxle
.
However
a
rear
wheel/tire
assemblymust
not
be
mounted
on
the
front
axle
.

M3
RearSuspensionImprovements

"
Reinforced
trailing
arms
.

"
Recalibrated
shock
absorbers,
firmer
springs
.



SUSPENSION
AND
STEERING

TROUBLESHOOTING

Stable
handling
and
ride
comfort
both
depend
on
the
integ-

rity
of
the
suspension
and
steering
components
.
Any
symp-

tom
of
instability
or
imprecise
road
feel
may
be
caused
by

worn
or
damaged
suspension
components
.

When
troubleshooting
suspension
and
steering
problems,

also
consider
the
condition
of
tires,
wheels,
and
their
align-

ment
.
Tire
wear
and
incorrect
inflation
pressures
can
dramati-

cally
affect
handling
.
Subtie
irregularities
in
wheel
alignment

angles
also
affect
stabílity
.
Mixing
different
types
or
sizes
of

tires,
particularly
on
the
same
axle,
can
affect
alignment
and

may
unbalancea
car's
handling
.

Table
b
lists
the
symptoms
of
common
suspension
and

steering
problems
and
their
probable
causes,
and
suggests

corrective
actions
.
Bold
type
indicates
the
repair
groups

where
applicable
test
and
repair
procedures
can
befound
.

SUSPENSION
AND
STEERING
TROUBLESHOOTING

Ambient
temperaturelclock

MÍM
Aa
.Mi}rm
-Mil"
IMua~naa~u~itacar
"
za
.~

Central
Body
Electronics

0013028

Fig
.
4
.



Different
versionsof
Multi-information
Display(MID)
installed
in
E36
cars
.

The
E36
cars
are
equipped
with
a
sophisticated
centralized

body
electric/electronics
plan
.
The
system
is
self-diagnostic

and
incorporates
many
functions
into
a
single
control
module
.

The
consolidation
of
several
systems
into
a
single
control

module
minimizes
power
requirements
and
the
incorporation

of
the
diagnostic
link
results
in
more
efficient
and
accurate

troubleshooting
.

Self-diagnostic
codes
are
accessible
electronically
through

the
data-link
connector
in
the
engine
compartment
.
See610

Electrical
Component
Locations
.

BODY-GENERAL
400-
5

Two
versions
of
central
body
electronics
are
used
depend-

ing
on
model
year
.

1992
and
1993
models
are
equipped
with
a
central
locking

module
(ZVM)
which
incorporates
control
of
the
following
sys-

tems
:

"Interiorlighting
"
Central
locking
with
double
lock
feature

"
Output
relays
for
powerwindows
and
sunroof

"
Electronic
power
protection

E36
cars
since
the
1994
model
year
are
equipped
with
ZKE

IV
.
This
is
an
electronic
comfort
and
convenience
system
that

includes
the
following
additional
features
:

"
One
touch
up/down
power
window
operation

"
Power
window
and
sunroof
closure
from
driver
or
pas-

sengerdoor
lock

"
Vehicle
locking
or
unlocking
from
the
trunk
lock
.

Other
features
of
the
system
are
discussed
in
515
Central

Locking
and
Anti-Theft
.

Electronic
Immobilization
System

Beginning
in
model
year
1994,
all
E36
vehicles
incorporate

adriveaway
protection
system
regardless
of
whether
the
vehi-

cle
is
equipped
with
a
BMW
Alarm
System
or
an
On-Board

computer
.
Two
types
of
factory
systems
were
installed,
de-
pending
on
vehicle
production
date
.

On
the
early
system
(model
year
1994
up
to
January
1995),

the
ignition
and
fuel
injection
functions
are
disabled
whenever

the
vehicle
is
locked
in
the
double
lock
mode
.
This
is
referred

lo
as
EWS
or
EWS
I
.

Beginning
in
January
1995,
the
driveaway
protection
sys-

tem
was
upgraded
to
a
more
sophisticated
system,
called

EWS
II
.
This
system
uses
a
wireless
communication
link
be-

tween
a
transponder
chip
in
the
ignition
keyand
the
ring
an-

tenna
surrounding
the
ignition
switch
.
The
EWS
II
control

module
blocksthe
starting
of
the
vehicle
unlessthe
correct

coded
ignition
key
is
used
.

For
further
information
about
drive
away
protection
sys-

tems,
see
515
Central
Locking
and
Anti-Theft
.

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

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

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