electric system BMW 325i 1992 E36 Repair Manual

400-
4
BODY-GENERAL

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

E36
interiors
have
a
unique
character,
with
a
combínation
of
sporty
features
and
innovative
design
.
Al¡
body
versions
were
made
in
a
wide
choice
of
interior
and
exterior
colors
.
New

colors
with
matching
leather
and/or
fabric
upholstery
were
in-
troduced
for
each
model
year,
including
light-alloy
wheels
in
new
designs
.

Driving
comfort
is
enhanced
by
power
steering,
tilt
steering
wheel
(optional),
height-adjustable
front
seats,
and
electrical-
ly
adjustable
and
heated
rear-view
mirrors
.
Inside
thecar
there
are
reading
lights
at
four
seating
positions
.

Seats
and
Seat
Belts



NOTE-

Theseat
base
usedon
cars
with
pyrotechnic
seatbelt

Anatom¡cal
ly-correct
seats
are
constructed
from
polyure-



tensioners
is
not
interchangeable
with
the
earlier
seat

thane
foam
containing
areas
or
"zones"
of
different
firmness
.



base
.

The
seat
bases
have
steel
springs
for
added
support
and
strength
.
The
power
seats
are
provided
with
conveniently
lo-



Instruments
and
Controls
cated
switches
along
the
outside
edge
of
the
seat
.
Heated
seats
are
an
option
in
all
models
.
See
520
Seats
for
more
de-



Everything
in
the
interior
passenger
compartment
essential
tails
.



to
the
driver
is
logically
grouped
and
easy
to
reach
.
Al¡
instru-
ments
and
controls
havebeen
arranged
ergonomically
and
The
M3
sport
seat
is
shown
in
Fig
.
3
.



are
fully
integrated
into
the
overall
design
of
the
vehicle
.

Fig
.
3
.



M3
sport
seat
.

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

0013195

The
early
E36
cars
areequipped
with
a
single
(driver
side)
airbag
in
the
steering
wheel
.
Startingwith
the
1994
models,
a
dual
airbag
Supplemental
Restraint
System
has
been
stan-
dard
equipment
.
Side-impact
airbags
in
the
front
doors
are
op-
tional
in
1997
4-door
cars
and
standard
equipment
in
all
1998
models
.

Through
1996,
E36
seatbelts
were
equipped
with
BMW's
original-designspring
tensioners
.
In
1997,
the
seat
base
de-
sign
was
modified
to
accommodate
a
pyrotechnic
(explosive
charge)
seatbelt
tensioner
.
Both
types
of
tensioners
arede-
signed
to
automatically
tension
the
belts
by
about2
inches(55
mm)
in
the
event
of
a
collision
.

The
padded
dashboard
houses
the
instrument
cluster
and
the
ventilation
and
heating
system
.
The
instrument
cluster
uses
large
easy-to-read
analog
instruments
and
is
removable
as
a
unit
without
removing
the
dashboard
.
The
Service
Inter-
val
Indicator
(SII)
will
remind
the
driver
when
thecar
requires
service
.
See
620
Instruments
.

The
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
unit
in
thecenter
of
the
dashboard
comes
in
a
variety
of
four
configurations,
the
most
advanced
being
the
On-Board
Computer
(OBC)
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

Al¡
versions
of
the
MID
have
a
clock
and
calendar
.
In
addi-
tion,
different
versions
areequipped
with
a
"check
control,"

display
for
fuel-economy
information
and
system
warnings
.
Consult
the
owner's
manual
for
fui¡
operating
instructions
.

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

410-4



FENDERS,
ENGINE
HOOD

4
.
With
aid
of
assistant,
remove
hood
hinge
bolts
from
left

and
Rght
sides
of
hood
.
Lift
hood
off
carefully
See
Fig
.
8
.

Fig
.
8
.



Hood
hinge
bolts
(arrows)
.
Right
side
shown
.

5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

NOTE-

The
hood
was
fitted
and
attached
to
an
unfinished
body
at
the
factory
.
Unfinished
surfaces
exposed
by
this
pro-
cedure
must
betouchedup
wfth
pafnt
.

Hood,
aligning

ENGINE
HOOD

0013149

6013150

Fig
.
9
.



Hood
panel
gaps
should
be
even
(approx
.
5
.5
mm)
at
all
points
(arrows)
.

Hood
release
cable
and
latches,
adjusting

Before
adjusting
hood
latches,
be
sure
the
hood
is
aligned

evenly
to
fenders
and
front
panel
.
The
hood
latch
and
cable

assembly
is
shown
in
Fig
.
10
.

"
Repair
any
paint
damage
and
paint
any
exposed
metal
.

"
Check
hood
alignment
as
described
next
.



1
.
To
adjust
hood
cables
:

When
installing
the
hood,
align
the
hinges
as
close
to
the
original
paintedsurface
as
possible
.
Movement
of
the
hood
on
its'attaching
hardware
may
require
touch-up
paint
.

The
hood
should
be
aligned
so
that
gapson
all
sides
areas

even
as
possible
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

Clearance
Specification

"
Hood
edges
to
adjoining
body

panel
(gap)
........
..
..
..
.....
.5
.5
mm
(0.216
in)

"
Remove
left
and
right
radiator
grilles
.
See
510
Exterior

Trim,
Bumpers
.

"
Remove
electric
auxíliary
cooling
fan
.
See
170
Radia-

tor
and
Cooling
System
.

"
Adjust
cable
section
between
two
hood
latches
so

there
is
no
play
(cables
must
not
be
under
tension
ei-

ther)
.

2
.
Loosen
hood
latches
at
hood
on
left
and
right
sides
.

Loosen
bolts
only
enough
to
allow
movement
of
latch
.

See
Fig
.
11
.

3
.
Lower
(but
do
not
fully
latch)
hood
severa¡
times
so

latches
on
hood
center
themselves
in
lower
locks
.

CA
UTION-

Do
not
let
hood
fockwith
latchbolts
loose
.

4
.
Tighten
hood
latch
bolts
when
alignment
is
correct
.

5
.
Remove
one
screw
fromeach
side,
clean
and
coat
with
Loctite
O
270
or
equivalent,
and
reinstall
.

513-2



INTERIOR
TRim

DASHBOARD

Dashboard
removal
is
a
complex
operation,
involving
dis-

connection
and
dismantling
of
a
number
of
electrical
and
dash

structural
components
.

The
BMW
E36
is
equipped
with
SRS
airbags
mounted
in

the
steering
wheel,
in
the
dashboard
(1994
and
later)
on
the

passenger
side,
and
in
the
front
doors(1997
and
later)
.
Air-

bags
units
are
pyrotechnic
devices
and
should
be
treated
with

extreme
caution
.
Improper
handling
of
the
airbags
could

cause
serious
injury
.

WARNING
-

"
The
BMW
Supplemental
Restraint
System
(SRS)
is
complex
and
special
precautions
must
be
ob-
served
when
servicing
.
Serious
injury
may
result
if
system
service
is
attempted
by
persons
unfa-
miliar
with
the
BMW
SRS
and
its
approved
ser-vice
procedures
.
BMW
specifies
that
all
inspection
and
service
shouldbe
performed
byan
authorized
BMW
dealer
.

"
Beforeperforming
any
work
involving
the
steering
wheel
or
interior
trim
in
the
vicinity
of
the
airbags,
disconnect
the
negative
()
battery
cable
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.

"
SRS
contains
aback-up
power
supply
within
the
SRS
control
module
.
A
10
minute
díscharge
peri-
od
should
be
allowed
after
the
battery
cable
has
been
disconnected
.

Glove
compartment,
removing
and
installing

1.
Open
glove
compartment
door
.

2
.
Remove
glove
compartment
mounting
screws
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

3
.
Pull
glove
compartment
out,
disconnecting
electrical

harness
connectors
as
necessary
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

DASH80ARD

Fig
.
2
.



Glove
compartment
mounting
screws
(arrows)
.

Lower
left
dash
panel,

removing
and
installing

0013107

1
.
Remove
lower
dash
panel
retaining
screws
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

0013155

Fig
.
3
.



Lower
left
dash
panel
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.

2
.
Pull
lower
dash
panel
left
and
back
to
disengagefrom
driver's
footwell
retaining
clips
.

3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

Dashboard,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover
terminal
with
insulating
material
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
vi¡¡
.

2
.
Remove
center
console
as
described
earlier
.

3
.
Remove
glove
compartment
as
described
earlier
.

4
.
Remove
lower
left
dash
trim
piece
as
described
above
.
Remove
lower
right
dash
trim
panel
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

Fig
.
4
.



Lower
right
dash
trim
piece
retaining
screw
(arrow)
.

WARNING
-

Store
the
removed
airbags
in
a
safe
place
.
Position
the
airbags
facing
up
.

8
.
Remove
instrument
cluster
.
See
620
Instruments
.

5
.
Remove
driver
and
passenger
airbags
.
See
721
Air-

bag
System
(SRS)
.

6
.
Remove
steering
wheel
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.

INTERIOR
TRIM



513-
3

Fig
.
5
.



Driver
side
knee
bolster
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.

9
.
Remove
headlight
switch
.
Remove
turn
signal
and
windshield
wiper/washer
stalk
switches
.
See612
Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories
.

10
.
Remove
A/C
control
head
and
module
.
See
640
Heat-ing
and
Air
Conditioning
.

11
.
Remove
radio
.
See650
Radio
.

12
.
Remove
A-pillar
(windshield
pillar)
trim
on
left
and
right
sides
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

UU13156
Fig
.
6
.



A-pillar
(windshield
pillar)
trim
removal
.
Right
side
shown,
left
7
.
Remove
driver
side
knee
bolster
.
See
Fig
.
5
.



is
similar
.

DASHBOARD

515
Central
Locking
and
Anti-Theft

GENERAL
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..:
.
.
.
......
.
.
.
.
515-1



Luggage
compartment
locking
actuator,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
...........
.
515-6

DOOR
HANDLES
AND
LOCKS
.........
515-1



LOCKING
SYSTEM
AND
Front
door
lock,
removing
and
installing
....
.515-1



ELECTRONIC
IMMOBILIZATION
......
.515-7
Front
door
handle,
removing
and
installing
...
515-3

Rear
door
lock,
removing
and
installing
.....
515-4



Central
Locking
System(ZVM)
.
.
.
.
.......
.
515-7

Rear
door
handle,
removing
and
installing
...
515-5



Central
Body
Electronics
(ZKE
IV)
.
.
.......
.515-8

Electronic
Immobilization
System
(EWS)
.
.
.
.
.515-8
Door
striker,
rep
lacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
515-6



EWS
II
control
module,
re
lacin



515-10

LOCKING
ACTUATORS
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
515-6



Ring
antenna,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
515-10

Door
Locking
Actuator
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
515-6



EWS
II
transmitter/receiver
module,

replacing
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
515-11

GENERAL

This
section
covers
repair
information
for
the
central
locking

and
the
anti-theft
systems
.
Keep
in
mind
that
E36
cars
are



CA
UTION-

equipped
with
sophisticated
and
self-diagnostic
electrical
sys-



Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery

tems
.
When
experiencing
malfunctions
relatinglo
the
central



disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this

locking
or
the
anti-theft
system,
it
is
recommended
that
the



manual
onpage
vi¡¡
.

systembe
diagnosed
using
the
BMW
service
tester
(DIS)
.

This
advanced
diagnostic
tool
can
usually
pinpoint
electrical



NOTE-
faults
quickly
and
safely
.
Consult
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
In
some
models
covered
inthis
manual,
it
is
not
essen-
tial
to
remove
the
side-impact
airbag
to
access
intemal

NOTE-



door
components
.
However,
the
procedure
is
recom-

Additional
general
electrical
information
can
be
found



mended
for
safely
reasons
.

i
n
610
Electrical
Component
Locations
and
Electri-
cal
Wiring
Diagrams
.



4
.
Disconnect
harnessconnector
from
window
motor
to

DOOR
HANDLES
AND
LOCKS

Front
door
lock,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Remove
front
door
panel
and
vapor
barrier
asde-

scribed
in
411
Doors
.

WARNING
-

Some
1997
and
all
1998
cars
are
fitted
with
side-im-

pact
airbags
in
the
front
doors
.
When
servicing
the
door
locks
on
cars
with
front
side-impact
airbags,
al-
ways
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
battery
terminal
.
See721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
forcautions
andpro-
cedures
relating
to
the
airbag
system
.

2
.
Raise
door
window
completely

CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT



515-1

3
.
On
cars
with
side-impact
airbags,
disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery,
then
remove
airbag
module
.

prevent
accidental
operation
.

5
.
On
4-door
cars
:
Peel
back
rubber
window
guide
from

reas
guide
rail
:
Remove
guide
rail
mounting
boltat
bot-

tom
.
Unclip
any
wiring
from
guide
rail
and
pull
guide
rail

downward
and
remove
from
door
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

NOTE
-

The
top
of
the
guide
rail
is
"hooked"
to
the
doorsheet
metal
.

6
.
Remove
inside
door
handle
retaining
screw
.
Discon-

nect
inside
handle
from
linkage
and
remove
.
See
Fig
.

2
.

7
.
Cut
wire
ties
and
remove
door
lock
electrical
harness
con-

nector
.
Remove
door
lock
mounting
screws
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

8
.
Working
inside
door,
disconnect
outside
door
handle

and
lockcylinder
linkage
from
door
lock
.
Remove
lock

from
inside
door
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

DOOR
HANDLES
AND
LOCKS

Front
door
handle,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Closedoor
window
completely
.

2
.
Remove
front
door
panel
and
vapor
barrier
asde-
scribed
in
411
Doors
.

WARNING
-

Some
1997
and
al]
1998
cars
are
fitted
with
side-im-
pact
airbags
in
the
front
doors
.
When
servicing
the
door
handles
on
cars
with
front
side-impact
airbags,
always
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
battery
terminal
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
for
cautions
and
pro-
cedures
relatíng
to
the
airbag
system
.

3
.
On
carswíth
side-impact
airbags,
disconnect
negative

(-)
cable
from
battery,
then
remove
airbag
module
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
thís
manual
onpage
vi¡¡
.

NOTE-

In
some
models
covered
inthis
manual,
it
is
not
essen-
tial
to
remove
the
side-impact
airbag
to
access
internal
door
components
.
However,
the
procedure
is
recom-
mended
for
safety
reasons
.

4
.
Remove
door
lock
as
described
earlier
.

5
.
Remove
window
as
described
in
512
Door
Windows
.

CA
UTION-

On
models
with
side-impact
airbags,
removinglin-
stalling
the
front
window
requires
that
the
battery
cable
bereconnected
wíth
the
side-impact
airbag
disconnected
.
This
will
seta
fault
code
in
the
SRS
control
module,
turn
on
the
SRS
warning
light,
and
disable
the
SRS
system
until
the
fault
memo-
ry
is
cleared
usíng
special
SRS
test
equipment
.

6
.
Pry
out
access
plug
in
end
of
door
.
Use
screwdriver
through
access
hole
to
slide
exteriortrim
locking
plate
into
released
position
.
See
Fig
.
5
.
Remove
doorhandle
exterior
trim
piece
.

7
.
Working
inside
door,
remove
locking
clip
for
doorhan-

dle
retaining
pin
and
push
pin
out
.

8
.
Working
inside
door,
disconnect
electrical
harness
con-

nector
at
door
handle
.
Twist
plastic
connector
bracket

to
remove
from
door
handle
.

CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT



515-
3

0011681
Fig
.
5
.



Insert
screwdriver
into
access
hole
and
push
lockingplate
forward
(arrow)
to
release
exterior
handle
trim
.

uu11682

Fig
.
6
.



Door
handle
retaining
pin(A)
and
lock
collar
nut
(B)
.
Door
handle
trim
shown
removed
.

10
.
Remove
door
handle
fromdoor
by
angling
out
of
door
cavity
.
Removed
door
handle
assembly
is
shown
in
Fig
.
7
.

0012684
Fig
.
7
.



Door
handle
harnessconnector
(A)
;
retaining
pin
Iocking
clip
9
.
Working
at
door
exterior,
remove
handle
collar
nut



(B)
;
exterior
trim
Iocking
plate
(C)
.
Handleassembly
shown
re-
while
supporting
handle
.
See
Fig
.
6
.



moved
from
door
.

DOOR
HANDLES
AND
LOCKS

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

GENERAL
.
...
.
.
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
541-1



Visor
Latch
Plate
.....
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
...
.541-4

Visor
Latch
..
.
............
.
.
.
..........
541-4

MANUAL
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
.
.
.
.
...
.
..
541-1



Visor
Latch
Motor
...
.......
.
.
.
..
........
541-5

Visor
Latch
Plate
.
.
......
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
541-1



Convertible
top
and
frame,
replacing
........
541-5

VisorLatch
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
.
.....
.
.
.541-1



Convertible
top
drive
motor,
replacing



......
541-7

Convertible
Top
Lid
Release
Mechanism
.
.
.
.
541-2



Convertible
Top
Emergency
Operation
.....
.541-7

Convertible
top
and
frame,
replacing
....
.
.
.
541-2



Convertible
Top
Lid
.
.
.
.
...........
.
.....
541-9

POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
.
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
541-2



ROLLOVER
PROTECTION
SYSTEM
..
.
.
541-9

FrontLatching
Mechanism
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
.
541-4

GENERAL

The
convertible
top
comes
in
three
versions
:
a
manually
op-erated
top,
a
semi-automatic
power
top
and
a
fully
automatic
power
top
.

NOTE-

The
convertible
top
control
module
(CVM)
is
located
behind
the
left
rearside
trim
panel
.
For
the
location
of
other
convertible
top
electric
components
see610
Electrical
Component
Locations
.

The
rear
window
in
the
convertible
models
is
made
of
a
strong,
flexible
vínyl
which
is
available
separately
.
Replace-

ment
of
the
rear
window
is
not
covered
in
this
manual
.

The
left
and
right
visor
latch
plates
can
be
accessed
by
re-
moving
the
trim
and
moldings
around
the
sides
and
top
of
the

windshield
.
Each
latch
is
secured
to
thetop
of
the
windshield

usingthree
bolts
.
Latch
position
is
adjusted
as
follows
:

541
Convertible
Top

CONVERTIBLE
TOP



541-1

"
Loosen
bolts

"
Latch
top

"
Align
top

"
Retighten
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

BMW
has
designed
a
specialbattery
tray
for
the
convertible

which,
in
conjunction
with
the
mass
of
the
battery
in
the
lug-

gage
compartment,
serves
to
dampen
convertible
body
flex
ing
and
vibration
.



Fig
.
1.



Visor
latchplate
is
held
to
top
of
windshieldwith
three
bolts
(arrows)
.

CAUTION-

The
E36
convertible
requires
a
specialbattery



VisorLatch
which
is
designed
for
constant
vibration
.
A
battery
not
designed
forthis
will
fa¡¡
much
earlier
.



Check
for
ease
of
release
and
locking
of
convertible
top
front
latches
.
Height
of
a
latch
can
be
changed
by
using
the
adjusting
screw
.
To
change
latch
tension,
it
is
necessary
to
re-
MANUAL
CONVERTIBLE
TOP



move
the
trim
on
the
front
bow
of
thetop
.
The
ball-joint
pull-rod
length
can
then
be
adjusted
.
Lubricate
latch
if
necessary
.
See

Visor
Latch
Plate



Fig
.
2
.

MANUAL
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

Convertible
top
drive
motor,
replacing



5
.
Working
in
convertible
top
storage
compartment
be-
hind
driver's
seat,
remove
convertible
top
linkage
rods
1
.
Open
convertible
top
partially,
stopping
when
convert-



from
top
of
motor
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
11
.
ible
top
lid
is
fully
upen
.
Remove
lid
.

2
.
Release
luggage
compartment
lock-out
by
pressing
on
microswitch
in
right
convertible
top
lid
latch
.
See
Fig
.

14
.

0012745

Fig
.
14
.
Rightside
convertible
top
lid
latch
.
Arrow
points
to
location
of
luggage
compartment
lock-out
microswitch
.

3
.
Open
luggage
compartment
.
Remove
trim
and
inner

lining
from
left
side
of
compartment
.

4
.
Disconnect
electrical
harness
connectors
at
top
motor
.

Release
emergency
release
cable
from
lever
.
Push
le-

ver
up
to
release
motor
.
See
Fig
.
15
.

uu12759

Fig
.
15
.
Convertible
top
motor
(A)
and
release
lever
(B)
in
luggage

compartment
.

CONVERTIBLE
TOP



541-
7

6
.
Remove
four
fastenersholding
motor
to
body
and
re-

move
motor
through
luggage
compartment
.
See
Fig
.

16
.

0012761

Fig
.
16
.
Convertible
top
motor
mountingscrews
(arrows)
.
Gasket
(A)
mustbe
renewed
when
motor
is
replaced
.

7
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Keep
the
following
in

mind
:

"
Replace
sealing
gasket
between
top
of
motor
and

body
.

"
Securemotormountingscrews
with
Locktite
®
270
or
equivalent
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Convertible
top
motor
to
body

mountingscrews
...
...
.
.
.........
10
Nm
(7
.5
ft-Ib)

Convertible
Top
Emergency
Operation

A
malfunction
in
the
electrical
system
or
another
fault
in
the

convertible
top
mechanism
can
cause
the
automatic
or
semi-
automatic
top
to
be
stuck
in
open,
shut,
or
intermediate
posi-

tion
.
The
following
general
procedures
are
suggested
in
order

to
close
the
top
in
an
emergency
situation
.
Resetting
proce-

dures
for
convertible
top
synchronization
after
emergency
clo-

sure
are
beyond
the
scope
of
this
manual
.

Main
Motor
.
To
release
thetop
linkage
from
the
motor,
lift

the
left
comer
of
the
rearseat
to
access
emergency
release

handle
.
See
Fig
.
17
.

POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP