wheel alignment BMW 328i 1994 E36 User Guide

320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment

GENERAL
...
.
.
.
...
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
320-1



Outer
tie
rod
end,
replacing
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
320-4

Tie
rod,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
320-5

STEERING
WHEEL



320-1

Steering
wheel,
removing
and
installing
.....
320-1



WHEEL
ALIGNMENT
.
.
.
.........
.
.....
.320-5

POWER
STEERING
SYSTEM
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
320-2



Front
Toe-in
and
Toe
Difference
Angle
.
.
...
.
320-6

Power
steering
pump,



Rear
Toe-in
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
................
320-6
removing
and
installing
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
320-2



Wheel
Alignment
Specifications
.....
.
......
320-6

Power
steering
system,
bleeding
and
filling
.
.
320-3

STEERING
GEAR
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
320-3

Steering
gear
rack,

removing
and
installing
.
...
.
..
.
..
..
..
.
..
.
320-3

GENERAL



STEERING
WHEEL

This
repair
group
covers
servicing
of
the
mechanical
and



The
BMW
E36
is
equipped
with
an
SRS
airbag
mounted
in

hydraulic
components
of
the
steering
system,
including
wheel



the
steering
wheel
.
Improper
handling
of
the
airbag
could
alignment
information
.



cause
serious
injury
.
The
airbag
is
an
explosivedevice
and

should
be
treated
with
extreme
caution
.
Always
follow
the
air-

The
variable-assist
power
steering
system
consistsof
an



bag
removal
procedure
as
outlined
in
721
Airbag
System

engine-driven
hydraulic
pump,
a
rack-and-pinion
steering



(SRS)
.

gear
assembly
with
an
integral
hydraulic
control
valve,
and

connecting
linkage
to
the
road
wheels
.



WARNING-

"
The
BMW
Supplemental
Restraint
System
(SRS)
At
lowspeeds,
maximum
power
assist
is
provided
to
ease



is
complex
and
special
precautions
must
be
ob-

parking
and
city
driving
.
At
high
speeds,
assist
is
reduced
to



served
when
servicing
.
Serious
injury
may
result

ensure
stability
.
The
power
steering
system
varies
assist



if
system
service
is
attempted
by
persons
unfa-

based
on
engine
speed
.



miliar
with
the
BMW
SRS
and
its
approved
ser-
vice
procedures
.
BMW
specifies
that
all

ING-



inspection
and
service
shouldbe
performed
by
WARN
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
"
Do
not
reuse
self-locking
nuts
.
They
are
de-signed
to
beused
only
once
and
may
failif
re-



"
BMW
Supplemental
Restraint
Systems
(SRS)
used
.
Always
replace
them
with
new
locking
nuts
.



are
equipped
with
a
back-up
power
supply
inside
the
SRS
control
module
.
A
10minute
waiting
"
Do
not
ínstall
bolts
and
nuts
coated
with
under-



shouldbe
observed
after
the
battery
cable
has
coating
wax,
as
correct
tightening
torque
cannot



been
disconnected
.
This
will
allow
the
reserve
be
assured
.
Always
clean
the
threads
with
sol-



power
supply
to
discharge
.
vent
before
installation,
or
install
new
parts
.

"
Do
not
attempt
to
weldor
straighten
any
steering
components
.
Always
replace
damaged
parts
.

NOTE-

For
information
on
steering
column-mounted
switches
and
the
ignition
lock,
see
612
Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories
.

STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT



320-1

Caster
and
Camber
.
.
.
.
.
...........
.
....
320-5

TABLES

a
.
Front
Wheel
Alignment
Specifications
.
...
.......
320-6
b
.
Rear
Wheel
Alignment
Specifications
.
...
.......
320-6

Steering
wheel,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Center
steering
wheel
.
Make
sure
front
wheelsare

pointed
straight
ahead
.

2
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover

terminal
with
insulating
material
.

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

STEERING
WHEEL

320-2



STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT

3
.
Carefully
remove
airbag
from
front
of
steering
wheel
.

See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
Store
airbag
unit
in
a

safe
place
.

WARNING-

Improper
handling
of
theaírbag
could
cause
seri-
ous
ínjury
.
Store
theaírbag
with
the
horn
pad
facing
up
.
If
stored
facing
down,
accidental
deployment
could
propel
it
vlolently
into
the
air,
causíng
ínjury
.

4
.
Remove
steering
wheel
center
bolt
.
Lightly
punch
mark

or
scribe
position
of
steering
wheel
to
steering
column

shaft
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

0012687
Fig
.
1
.
Steering
wheel
center
bolt
(arrow)
.



Power
steering
pump,

removing
and
installing

POWER
STEERING
SYSTEM

5
.
Unlock
steering
wheel
by
turning
ignition
key
on
.
Re-
move
steering
wheel
.

WARNING-

The
SRS
contact
reel
ís
mounted
to
the
rear
of
the
steering
wheel
hub
.
The
contact
reel
ís
a
wound
coil
ofwirethat
ensures
continuous
electrícal
contact
for
the
air
bag
unit
Once
the
steering
wheel
mounting
nut
or
bolt
is
removed
the
contact
reel
is
locked
in
the
center
position
and
its
position
must
not
be
al-
tered
.

6
.
Insta¡¡
steering
wheel
while
aligning
matching
marks
.
Make
sure
airbag
contact
ring
locking
pin
engages
cutout
in
contact
reel
.
Insta¡¡
steering
column
center
nut
.
Do
not
over-torque
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

7
.
The
remainder
ofinstallation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Carefully
install
airbag
from
front
of
steering
wheel
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Steering
wheel
to
steering
column
spindle
...
..
..
.
..........
63
Nm
(46
ft-Ib)

Fig
.
2
.



Insta¡¡
steering
wheel
so
that
locking
pin
in
column
aligns
with
cutout
in
contact
reel
(arrow)
.
Contact
reel
on
late
model
steering
wheel
may
vary
from
that
shown
.

POWER
STEERING
SYSTEM

Power
assist
is
províded
by
a
belt-driven
pump
on
the
lower

left
front
of
the
engine,
just
below
the
alternator
.
The
power

steering
fluid
resenroir
is
located
on
the
lower
left
front
of
the
engine
.

1
.
Empty
power
steering
fluid
reservoir
usingclean
sy-

ringe
.
Do
not
reuse
fluid
.

2
.
Raise
front
of
car
.

WARNING

Make
sure
thecar
is
firmly
supportedon
jack
stands
designed
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
be-
neatha
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not
place
jack
stands
undersuspension
parts
.

3
.
Remove
fluid
hoses
frbm
pump
.
Plug
openings
in
pump
and
in
hose
ends
.

4
.
Remove
drive
belt
from
power
steering
pump
.
See
020
Maintenance
Program
.

5
.
Remove
pump
mounting
bolts
and
remove
pump
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Fig
.
3
.



Power
steering
pump
and
pulley
mounting
bolts
.

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

"
Make
sure
al¡
thread
bores,
bolts,
nuts,
fluid
couplings

and
mating
surfaces
are
clean,
and
that
inside
surface

of
multi-ribbed-belt
is
free
of
grease
and
dirt
.

"
Use
new
sealing
washers
when
reattaching
power

steering
pressure
lines
.

"
Make
sure
hoses
have
adequate
clearance
from
chas-

sis
.
Do
not
over-torque
banjo
bolts
.

"
Fill
and
bleed
power
steering
system
as
described
be-

low
.

Power
steering
system,

bleeding
and
filling

1
.
Wíth
engine
off,
fill
power
steering
fluid
reservoir
with

clean
fluid
.
Fill
levelto
MAX
mark
on
dipstick
.

STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT



320-
3

STEERING
GEAR
A
cutaway
of
the
power-assisted
rack-and-pinion
power

steering
gear
is
shown
in
Fig
.
4
.
The
rack
is
designed
to
be

maintenance
free
.

Pinion

Fig
.
4
.



Cutaway
of
rack-and-pinion
steering
gear
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Hydraulic
hoses
to
power
steering
pump



?he
steering
gear
and
linkage
require
no
maintenance
oth-

M10
banjo
bolt
.........
..
.
...
...
.
12
Nm
(9
ft-Ib)



er
than
alignment
and
a
periodic
inspection
for
worn
compo

M14
banjo
bolt
..............
..
..
35
Nm
(26
ft-Ib)



nents
.

M16
banjo
bolt
..............
...
.
40
Nm
(30
ft-Ib)

"
Power
steering
pump
to
bracket



Steering
gear
rack,
removing
and
installing
(self-locking
nuts)
.............
..
.
22
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

"
Power
steering
pump
bracket
to
engine



1
.
Empty
power
steering
fluid
reservoir
using
clean
sy-

block
or
oil
pan
(self-locking
nuts)
...
22
Nm
(16
ft-lb)



ringe
.
Do
not
reuse
fluid
.

2
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover

terminal
with
insulating
material
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery

disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this

manual
on
page
viii
.

2
.
Start
engine
.
Slowly
turn
steering
wheelfrom
lock
to

lock
a
minimum
of
two
times
.



3
.
Carefully
remove
airbag
from
frontof
steering
wheel
.
See

721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
Store
airbag
unit
in
a
sale

3
.
Turn
engine
off
and
check
fluid
leve¡,
adding
fluid
if
nec-



place
.

essary
.
4
.
Make
sure
front
wheelsare
pointed
straight
ahead
.

5
.
Remove
outer
tie
rod
ball
joínt
nuts,
thenseparate
outer

tie
rod
ends
from
steering
arms
using
appropriate

press
tools
.

6
.
Disconnect
power
steering
hose
from
fluid
reservoir
.

STEERING
GEAR

320-
4



STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT

7
.
Remove
fluidline
banjo
bolt
from
steering
gear
.
See



9
.
Remove
steering
gearmounting
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
Re
Fig
.
5
.



move
steering
gear
from
subframe
crossmember
by

pulling
it
forward
.

CAUTION-

Plug
the
openings
in
the
pump
and
hoseends
to
prevent
dirt
from
entering
the
hydraulic
system
.

NOTE-
It
may
be
necessary
to
remove
other
components
to
gain
access
to
the
steering
gear
.

"
Make
sure
al¡
thread
bores,
bolts,
nuts,
splines
and
mating
surfaces
are
clean
.
Use
new
self-locking
nuts
wherever
applicable
.

"
Use
marks
made
during
removal
to
reassemble
steer-
ing
column
universal
jointto
steering
stub
shaft
.
Make
sure
wheels
are
straight
ahead
.

"
Use
a
new
sealing
washer
on
banjo
fitting
.
Do
not
over-

Fig
.
5
.



Fluid
hoses
and
banjo
bolts
at
steering
gear
(arrows)
.



torque
banjo
bolt
.
"
Install
airbag
to
the
steering
wheel
as
described
in
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
8
.
Remove
lower
steeringshaft
universal
joint
pinch
bolt,



"
Fill
and
bleed
power
steering
system
as
described
ear-
then
pull
universal
joint
half
way
off
steering
gear
shaft
.



lier
.
Mark
relationship
between
shaft
and
universal
joint,



"
Have
thecar
professionally
aligned
.
then
remove
universal
joint
from
steering
gear
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

0013231
Fig
.
6
.



Steering
column
universal
joint
pinch
bolt
(arrow)
.
Mark
U-
joint
to
shaft
before
disconnecting
.
With
wheels
in
straight
ahead
position,
mark
on
steering
gear
(A)
should
align
with
split
seam
in
universal
joint
(B)
.

STEERING
GEAR

Fig
.
7
.



Steering
gear
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.

Outer
tie
rod
end,
replacing

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

Tightening
Torques

"
Outer
tie
rod
end
to
steering
arm
.
.
..
45
Nm
(33
ft-Ib)

"
Steering
column
universal
joint
to
steering
gear
shaft
(self-locking
nut)
....
..
..
19
Nm
(14
ft-Ib)

"
Steering
gear
to
subframe
crossmember
M10
bolt
..............
.
...
.....
42
Nm
(32
ft-Ib)

"
Steering
fluíd
lines
M10
banjo
bolt
..
..
..
........
.....
12
Nm
(9
ft-Ib)
M14
banjo
bolt
..
..
..
...
..
...
....
35
Nm
(26
ft-lb)
M16
banjo
bolt
..
.......
..
..
.....
40
Nm
(30
ft-Ib)

1
.
Raise
car,
remove
outer
tie
rod
ball
joint
nut,
and
press
out
outer
tie
rod
end
ball
joint
as
described
above
.

2
.
Make
a
reference
measurement
of
outer
tie
rod
end
to
tie
rod
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
Record
measurement
.

NOTE-
Accurate
measuring
of
the
tie
rod
end
in
reference
to
the
tie
rod
will
help
approximate
correct
wheel
align-
mentwhen
new
parts
are
installed
.

Fig
.
8
.



Measuring
tie
rod
end
position
(for
reference
only)
.

3
.
Loosen
outer
tie
rod
end
lock
nut
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

Lock
nut

4
.
Unscrew
tie
rod
end
from
steering
gear
.

0012143

"
Make
sure
all
threaded
parts
are
clean
.
Replace
self-

locking
nuts
and
inner
tie
rod
lockplate
.
"
Install
outer
tie
rod
end
to
new
tie
rod
using
reference

measurement
recorded
earlier
.

Fig
.
9
.



Outer
tie
rod
end
lock
nut
(arrow)
.



"
Have
car
professionally
aligned
.

5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Make
sure
all
thread-

ed
parts
are
clean
.
Have
thecar
professionally
aligned
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Outer
tie
rod
end
losteering
arm
....
45
Nm
(33
ft-Ib)

"
Outer
tie
rod
end
lock
nut
..
.......
.
35
Nm
(26
ft-Ib)

Tie
rod,
replacing

1
.
Raise
car,
remove
outer
tie
rod
end
ball
jointnut,
and

press
out
outer
tie
rod
end
ball
joint
as
described

above
.

2
.
Make
a
reference
measurement
of
outer
tie
rod
end
to

tie
rod
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
Record
measurement

NOTE-
Accurate
measuring
of
the
tía
rod
end
in
reference
to
the
tie
rod
will
help
to
approximate
wheel
alignment

when
new
parts
are
installed
.

STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT



320-
5

3
.
Loosen
rack
boot
bellows
clamp
and
slide
bellows

back
.
Inspect
boot
for
any
signof
damage
.
Replace
if

necessary
.

4
.
Unlock
inner
tie
rod
end
lockplate
using
pliers
.

5
.
Using
special
tool,
unscrew
inner
tie
rod
end
from

steeringrack
.
See
Fig
.
10
.

WHEEL
ALIGNMENT

Caster
and
Camber

Fig
.
10
.
Special
tool
(arrow)
installed
on
inner
tie
rod
end
.

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

Tightening
Torques

"
Outer
tie
rod
end
to
steering
arm
..
.
.
45
Nm
(33
ft-Ib)

"
Outer
tie
rod
end
lock
nut
..........
35
Nm
(26
ft-Ib)

"
Inner
tie
rod
to
steering
gear
.......
71
Nm
(52
ft-Ib)

Proper
handling,
stability,
tire
wear,
and
driving
ease
de-

pendupon
the
correct
alignment
of
al¡
four
wheels
.
The
front

axle
is
aligned
in
relation
to
the
rear
axie,
then
the
front
wheels

are
aligned
in
relation
to
one
another
.
This
is
known
as
a
four-

wheel
or
thrust-axis
alignment
.

The
BMW
E36
uses
a
sophisticated
multi-link
suspension

at
the
front
and
rear
of
the
car
.
Proper
alignment
requires

computerized
alignment
equipment
.

Front
and
rear
caster
and
Camber
are
both
fixed
by
the
de-

sign
of
the
car
.
Any
deviations
are
usually
the
result
of
worn
or

damaged
suspension
or
body
parts
.

WHEEL
ALIGNMENT

320-
6



STEERING
AND
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT

Front
Toe-in
andToe
Difference
Angle



Wheel
Alignment
Specifications

Toe-in
is
the
difference
in
the
distance
between
the
front
of



Alignment
specificationsfor
the
E36
are
listed
in
Table
a

the
front
wheels
and
the
rear
of
the
front
wheels
.
It
is
adjusted



and
Table
b
.
The
specifications
only
apply
under
the
following

by
altering
the
length
of
the
outer
tie
rods
.



conditions
:

Toe-in
adjustments
should
only
be
made
on
alignment
equipment
with
the
car
in
normalloaded
position
as
described

below
under
Wheel
Alignment
Specifications
.

Toe
difference
angledetermines
the
progressively
different

pathstaken
by
the
front
wheelsas
the
car
is
turning
.
It
is
fixed
by
the
steering
gear,
but
depends
on
accurate
setting
of
the
toe-in
.

Rear
Toe-in

There
is
no
provision
for
routinerear
wheel
toe-in
adjust-

ment
.
If
any
alignment
angles
deviate
from
specifications,
carefully
inspect
the
rear
trailing
arms,
rear
suspension
sub-
frame
and
al¡
associated
bushings
and
flexible
mounts
for
wear
or
damage
.
After
replacing
any
parts
that
appear
worn
or
damaged,
re-check
thetoe
measurements
.

WHEEL
ALIGNMENT

Table
a
.
Front
Wheel
Alignment
Specifications

"
Correct
wheels
and
tires
are
installed,
in
good
condition,
and
are
at
the
correct
inflation
pressures
.

"
Al¡
steering
and
suspension
parts
and
bushings
areun-

damaged
and
show
no
signs
of
abnormal
wear
.

"
Wheel
bearings
are
in
good
condition
.

"
Ride
height
is
in
accordance
with
specifications
.

See
310
Front
Suspension
and330
Rear
suspension
.

"
Car
isin
normal
loaded
position
.

Normal
loaded
position

"
Each
front
seat
.....:.............
68
Kg
(150
lb)

"
Rear
seat
(center)
................
68
Kg
(150
lb)

"
Trunk
.
.
.
..
.......................
21
Kg
(46
lb)

"
Fueltank
.
........................
...
.
..
..
full

3181325
Model



3181325



sport



M3
3
.0
liter



M3
3
.2
liter
suspension

Toe
angle
(total)



0°
18'±8'



0°
18'±8'



0°
10'
±5'



0°
10't5'

Camber

To
1995



-0°
40'±30'



-0°
58'±
30'



-0°55'±30'



-

1995
on



-0°
30'
±30'



-0°
51'±30'



-0°55'±30'



-0°
46'±30'

Caster

10°
wheel
lock



3°
41'±30'



3°
50'±30'



6°
38'±30'



9°
35'±30'

20°
wheel
lock



3°
52'±30'



3°
57'
t30'



6°
52'±30'



7°
50'±30'

Front
Wheel
Displacement



0°
t15'



0°t15'



0°
±15



0°
±15'

Table
b
.
Rear
Wheel
Alignment
Specifications

3181325
Model



3181325



sport



M3
3
.0
liter



M3
3
.2
liter
suspension

Toe
angle
(total)



0°
24't6'



0°
24'±6'



0'30'
.-t6'



0°
30't6'

Camber



-l'
40'
t15'



-2°
0'
t15'



-1
°
45'
t10'



-1'45'±10'

Maximum
allowabledeviation
between
sides



0°
±3'



0°
±3'



0°
t3'



0°
t3'

GENERAL

This
repair
group
covers
replacement
of
the
front
fenders

and
removal
and
installation
of
the
engine
hood
.

NOTE-

The
body
is
painted
at
the
factoryafter
assembly
.
Re-
alignment
of
body
panels
may
expose
unpainted
metal
.

Paint
all
exposed
metal
once
the
work
fs
complete
.

FRONT
FENDERS

Front
fender,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Raise
hood
.
Raise
and
safely
support
front
of
vehicle
.

WARNING
-

"
When
raising
thecar
using
a
floor
jack
or
a
hy-

draulic
lift,
carefully
position
the
jack
pad
to
pre-

vent
damaging
thecar
body
.
A
suitable
liner
(wood,
rubber,
etc
.)
should
be
placed
between
the
jack
and
the
car
to
prevent
body
damage
.

"
Watch
the
jack
closely
.
Make
sure
it
stays
stable
and
does
not
shift
or
tilt
.
As
the
car
is
raised,
the

car
may
roll
slightly
and
the
jack
may
shift
.

2
.
Remove
front
wheel
.
Remove
inner
plastic
liner
from

wheel
well
.

3
.
Remove
front
bumper
.
See510
Exterior
Trim,

Bumpers
.

4
.
Working
atfront
corner
of
fender,
remove
front
grille

panel
bolts
(2
bolts
at
left
and
right)
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

FENDERS,
ENGINE
HOOD



410-1

410
Fenders,
Engine
Hood

GENERAL
...............
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
410-1



ENGINE
HOOD
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.410-3

Hood,
raising
to
service
position
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
410-3
FRONTFENDERS
........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.410-1



Hood,
removin



and
installin



410-3

Front
Pender,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
....
410-1



Hood,
aligning
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
410-4

Hood
release
cable
and
latches,
adjusting
...
410-4

001
.145

Fig
.
1
.



Front
grille
panel
to
front
fender
retaining
bolts
(arrows)
.
Front

bumpershown
removed
.

5
.
Remove
front
turn
signalliens
assembly
from
applica-

ble
front
corner
.
Carefully
pryout
side
directional
from

fender
(later
cars
only)
.
See
630
Exterior
Lighting
.

6
.
Remove
fender
attaching
bolts
atfront
underside
of

fender
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

7
.
Remove
bolts
along
top
edge
of
fender
:
See
Fig
.
3
.

8
.
Open
front
door
and
remove
fender
mounting
bolts
in

door
jamb
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

9
.
Carefully
remove
fender
from
body
.

FRONTFENDERS

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

612
Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories

GENERAL
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
......
.612-1



Headlight
switch,
replacing



..
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
612-5

Foglight
switch,
replacing
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
612-5
INTERIOR
SWITCHES
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
612-1



Hazard
warning
switch,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.612-5
Turn
signal
switch
and
wiper
switch,



Powerwindow
switch,
replacing
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
612-5
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.....
.
....
.
.
.
.
612-1



Outside
mirrorswitch,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.612-6
Ignition
Switch
Assembly
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
....
.
...
612-3

Ignition
electrical
switch,
replacing
.
...
.
....
612-3



INTERIOR
LIGHTS
.
.
................
.
..
612-6

Ignition
lock
cylinder,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.....
.
..
612-4



Dome
light,
rear
map
lights,
trunk
light,

Headlight
and
Foglight
Switch
Assembly
.
.
.
.
612-5



replacing
bulbs
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.612-7

GENERAL



Turn
signal
switch
and
wiper
switch,

replacing
Thissection
covers
replacement
of
interior
switches
and
accessories
.



The
procedures
for
removing
the
turn
signal
stalk
switch
and
the
wiper
system
stalk
switchare
similar
.
When
working
on
electrical
switches,
always
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
cable
from
the
battery
and
insulate
the
cable
end
to
prevent
accidental
re-connection
.

CAUTION-

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

WARNING
-

The
cars
covered
by
this
manual
are
equipped
with
a
Supplemental
Restraint
System
(SRS)
that
auto-'
matically
deploys
one
or
more
airbags
.
Each
airbag
unit
houses
an
explosive
powerful
charge
.
Any
work
involving
the
SRS
system
should
only
be
per-
formed
byan
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
Making
re-
pairs
without
the
proper
knowledge
and
special
test
equipment
may
cause
serious
personal
injury
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)

3
.
With
front
wheels
pointed
straight
ahead,
remove
steer-
"
Testing
and
replacement
information
for
the
oil
ores-



¡ng
wheel
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.
sure
switch
is
covered
in
119
Lubrication
System
.

NOTE-

"
Wirfng
diagramscan
be
found
in
Electrical
Wiring
Diagrams
.

"
Fuse,
relay
and
electrical
component
locations
can
be
found
in
610
Electrical
Component
Locations
.

"
Replacement
information
for
thetransmission
gear
position/neutral
safety
switch
is
covered
in
250
Gear-
shift
Unkage
.

INTERIOR
SWITCHES

NOTE
-

To
preventmarring
interior
trim,
wrap
the
tips
of
screw-
drivers
and
pliers
with
tape
beforeprying
out
switches
or
electrical
accessories
.

SWITCHES
AND
ELECTRICAL
ACCESSORIES



612-1

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

2
.
Remove
airbag
unit
from
steering
wheel
.
See
721
Air-
bag
System
(SRS)
.
Store
airbag
unit
in
a
safe
placew¡th
pad
facing
up
.

NOTE
-

To
helo
with
reassembly,
mark
steering
wheel
and
col-
umn
before
disassembly
.

4
.
Remove
trim
panel
from
lower
left
side
of
instrument
panel
.
See513
Interior
Trim
.

INTERIOR
SWITCHES

INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
....
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
..
620-1

Instrument
cluster,
seif-testing
.
.
.......
.
..
620-1

Instrument
cluster,
removing
and
installing
...
620-1

Instrument
cluster
bulbs,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
620-2

GENERAL

This
repair
group
covers
removal
and
installation
of
the
in-
strument
cluster
and
the
Multi-information
Display
(MID)
mod-
ule
.
Bulb
replacement
information
for
these
units
is
also
included
here
.

NOTE
-

A
quick
check
of
the
temperature
gauge
and
its
electri-
cal
circuitis
given
in
170
Radiator
and
Cooling
Sys-
tem
.
Use
this
procedure
to
diagnosea
faulty
temperature
gauge

INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER

When
servicing
the
instrument
cluster,
always
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
cable
from
the
battery
and
insulate
the
cable
end
to
prevent
accidental
re-connection
.

Instrument
cluster,
seif-testing

Severa¡
different
versions
of
the
basic
instrument
cluster
havebeen
fitted
in
E36
cars
.
It
is
possibleto
perform
an
instru-
ment
cluster
test
and
display
system
test
information
.

Some
of
the
information
displayed
by
the
instrument
cluster
during
seif-testing
is
used
for
interna¡
BMW
organizationpur-
poses,
suchasmatching
the
correct
instrument
cluster
com-
ponents
during
parts
replacement
.
Other
functions
test
the
various
instrument
modules
.
Self-test
is
also
used
to
recode
the
instrument
cluster
after
removal
.

In
later
production
vehicles
(1996
and
later)
the
test
results
canbe
downioaded,
via
the
diagnostic
plug,
byan
authorized
BMW
dealertechnician
.

1
.
Turn
ignition
to
"radio"position
.

2
.
Press
and
hold
reset
button
on
trip-odometer
untiltrip-
odometer
display
shows
numerical
codes
.

620
Instruments

4
.
Turn
off
ignition
.

Instrument
cluster,

removing
and
installing

INSTRUMENTS
620-1

GENERAL
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
.
....
620-1



Odometer
coding
plug,
replacing
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
620-2

Vehicle
speed
sender,
replacing
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
620-3

MULTI-INFORMATION
DISPLAY
(MID)
.
.
.
620-4

Multi-Information
Display,
removing
and
installing
..
.
....
.
.........
620-4

3
.
With
each
subsequent
press
of
the
button,
a
different
function
is
tested
.
Some
functions
will
activate
need1e
gauges
.

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
on
page
vi¡¡
.

2
.
Remove
airbag
unit
from
steering
wheel
.
See
721
Air-
bag
System
(SRS)
.
Store
unit
in
a
safe
place
.

WARNING
-

The
airbag
is
an
explosive
devfce
and
should
be
treated
with
extreme
caution
.
Improper
handling
of
the
airbag
could
cause
serious
injury
or
death
.
Store
the
airbag
with
the
horn
pad
facing
up
.
If
stored
facing
down,
accidental
deployment
couldpropel
it
vfolently
into
the
air,
causing
injury
.

3
.
With
front
wheels
pointed
straight
ahead,
remove
steer-
ing
wheel
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.

4
.
Remove
instrument
cluster
retaining
screws
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

5
.
Place
a
towel
over
steering
column
.
Carefully
tilt
top
of
cluster
out
of
dash
panel
.
Unlock
and
disconnect
har-
ness
connectors
from
back
of
cluster
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER