ignition BMW 525i 1997 E39 Service Manual

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120-6
lgnition System
lgnition system, troubleshooting
Troubleshooting ignition system faults should begin with an
interrogation of the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD
II) system.
The OBD
II system detects ignition system misfire and other
related faults. When faults are detected, the OBD
II system
stores a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) in the Engine Con-
trol Module (ECM) along with other pertinent fault information.
4 In addition, the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) will come on
if an emissions related fault is detected. Additional OBD
II in-
formation, including a DTC lookup table, can be found in
OED On-Board Diagnostics.
NOTE-
BMWmodels covered in this manual were equipped with one
of three versions of
MIL warning lights (as shown).
Misfire detection
Engine m~sfire in one or more cylinders, may be caused by a
var~ety of malfunctions in various subsystems. The OBD II
system ~ncorporated into the engine management systems is
des~gned to detect and warn of misfire faults during englne
operat~on. See OED On Board Diagnostics.
WARNING -
lgnition misfires can cause high hydrocarbon exhaust emis-
sions andcatalytic converter damage. For this reason, if a se-
vere misfire is detected, the fuel injector
will be turned off to
the specific cylinder and the
MIL will be illuminated. A misfire
may also produce an overheated catalytic converter, which
can be a fire hazard.
Oscilloscope diagnostic diagrams
One way to diagnose a faulty coil is to use an oscilloscope to
analyze spark quality with the engine running.
See Table b. lgnition secondary voltage diagnostics for
list of common ignition
coil voltage faults and related causes.

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120-7
Ignition System
Spark plug electrode gap /Too small /TOO big
Table
b. Ignition secondary voltage diagnostics
Secondary
voltage low
Fuel air mixture
I I Too lean
Secondary
voltage high
Spark plug electrode
Worniburnt
4 The illustration shows normal scope trace of spark at idle.
1. Start of ignition voltage peak
2 Level of ignition voltage
3. Level of combustion voltage
4. Period of combustion
5. Combustion curve characteristics
6. Start of decay process
7. Termination oscillations
Spark plug electrode
temperature
Engine compression
Spark plug wires
4 Short combustion period (indicates large spark plug gap).
Too
high
Too
low
I"" 9, 10 I" to I!, r) i" 21 10 il bW,rn?7G
Too low
Too high
Faulty
4 Ignition spark at idle speed.
A - Normal ignition voltage peak (spark plug is good).
B - Low voltage peak is an indication of a closed plug gap.
C
- High voltage peak indicates an open plug gap.
< Long combustion period (indicates small spark plug gap).
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I lgnition System
4 Normal combustion period at idle.
4 Normal oscilloscope pattern for ignition system at idle.
15. 15
4 lgnition voltage peaks at idle.
1. Normal ignition peaks.
2. Downward peak (arrow) is shortened (ignition coil is
defective).
3. Downward peak (arrow) is missing completely (ignition
coil is defective).
4 Defective ignition coil.
1. Short spark period.
2. The spark voltage line (arrow) is very slight
< Defective ignition coil.
1. Normal combustion period.
2. Absence of spark voltage line (arrow).
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2 . 15 - .
5 - - - 0
30
.
.
20 .
I0 - -
0
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< Ignition voltage peaks in response to sudden acceleration
load:
1. Normal ignition pattern. Beginning of dying out pattern
is not much higher than ignition voltage peak.
2. Beginning of dying out pattern considerably higher than
ignition voltage peak. Fault in injection system:
Lean fuel mixture
Defective fuel injector
Low compression in cylinder
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Ignition firing order
Normal secondary voltage patterns
(4-cylinder pattern shown).
4 Each ignition coil is mounted above the corresponding spark
plug.
- Number one cylinder is located at the front on 6-cylinder
models.
Number one cylinder is located at the right (passenger side)
front on
V-8 models. Cylinder firing order is shown.
Firing order
M52 - M52 TU - M54 6-cylinder 1-5-3-6-2-4
M62 - M62 TU V-8 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2

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.-
ignition System
Disabling ignition system
The ignition system operates in a lethal voltage range and
should be disabled any time engine service or repair work is
being done that requires the ignition to be switched on.
The engine management system can be disabled by remov-
ing the DME main relay. The relay is located in the electronics
box (E-box) in the left rear of the engine
compartment, be.
neath the interior microfilter housing.
CAUTION- Relay locations may
vary. Use care when identifying relays.
See
610 Electrical Component Locations.
Checking for spark
CAUTION-
If
a spark test is done incorrecth damage to the Engine Con-
trol Module
(ECM) or the ignition coils may result.
NOTE-
Spark plug replacement is covered in 020 Maintenance.
Check~ng for spark is d~fflcult on englnes wlth d~str~butorless
ignition systems.
Try removing the spark plugs and inspecting for differences between them.
A poor-firing plug may be wet with fuel and/or ~. - ~
black and sooty, but not always. If a coil is not operating, the
engine management system will electrically disable the fuel
injector to that cylinder. The key is to look for differences be-
tween cylinders.
Ignition coil assembly, testing and
replacing
C4 UTION-
Use a digital multimeter for the following tests. I
- Remove plastic engine cover from top of valve cover by pry-
ing off bolt covers and removing cover mounting bolts.
- Raise car slowly while constantly checking position of jack
and car.
- Disconnect harness connector from coil. Connect multimeter
between terminal 15
(+) in connector and ground.
4 Terminal identification are typically molded into connector. In
photo, terminals are from left to right: 1,
4a, 15.

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Ignition System
- Turn ignition on and check for battery voltage,
If battery voltage is not present,
checlt wire between termi-
nal
15 and the unloader relay. See ELE Electrical Wiring
Diagrams.
- Turn ignition off.
Remove coil and inspect coil housing for hairline
cracks or
leaking casting material. Replace any
cracked or leaking coil.
NOTE-
A leaky coil may indicate a faulty Engine Control Module
(ECM). Check ECM before installing a new coil.
CAUTION-
Note location of coilground straps before coil removal; rein-
stall in the same location.
Use a multimeter to test:
Coil primary resistance at coil terminals.
Sparlt plug connector resistance.
* Compare results to specification in Table c. lgnition coil
resistance.
Table c. Ignition coil resistance
Coil secondary
resistance
Spark plug connector:
Bosch 1 .O I( ohm t 20%
1.8 ir ohm t 20%
Component
Co~l prlmary
resistance
- Replace ignition coil or sparlt plug connector if resistance
readings do not meet specifications.
4 Remove ignition coil to be tested.
Install
BMW special tool 12 7 030 (A) on coil to be tested.
Connect ground jumper between coil mounting point
(B)
and engine ground point (C).
Clip scope high pick-up lead (D) around ignition lead.
Start engine.
Compare scope pattern with diagrams in Oscilloscope
di-
agnostic diagrams.
NOTE-
When replacing ignition coils, ensure that the replacements
Terminal
1 (-) and 15 (+)
are
from the same manufacturer with the same partlcode
numbers. If individual coils with the correct specifications are
not available. all coils should be
re~laced.
Resistance
0.8 ohms

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120-1 2
ignition System
Crankshaftspeedsensor
Crankshaft speed sensor, replacing (M52, M52 TU and
M54 engines)
4 Crankshaft speed sensor for 6-cylinder engine is mounted in
the left rear side of the cylinder block below the starter (ar-
row). The sensor reads a toothed pulse wheel mounted to
the end of the crankshaft.
- if the Engine Control Module (ECM) does not receive a signal
from the crankshaft speed sensor during cranking, the en-
gine will not start.
- If the OBD II svstem misfire detection ~rotocol detects a cat- - - ~~
alysr oarnagin; faLlt oJe to a ma I-nclion in crandshafi speeo
sensor components. Ine Check Engine
lignr (Malfuncrion In-
dicator Light or MIL) will be illuminated.
NOTE-
If the crankshaft speed sensor pulse wheel is damaged, the
engine will have to be disassembled down to the crankshaft
to
reolace the wheel.
- Make certain ignition has been turned off.
- Raise car and support in a safe manner.
WARNING -
Make sure the car is stable and well supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive lift orjacltstands designed for
the ouroose.
A floor iaclc is not adequate support.
- Remove under engine splash guard
4 Working underneath starter:
Cut off wire tie securing crankshaft speed sensor harness
connector (arrow) to sensor.
* Disconnect harness connector.
4 Remove sensor mounting fastener (arrow) and remove sen-
sor from cylinder block.
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Use a new O-ring when installing sensor.
Be sure wiring is routed in same orientation.
Secure sensor using new wire ties.
Use scan tool to read out and clear ECM fault memory.

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ignition System
Crankshaft speed sensor, replacing (M62 and M62TU
engines)
The crankshaft speed sensor reads a toothed pulse wheel
mounted on the flywheel.
If the Engine Control Module(ECM)
does not receive an impulse signal from the crankshaft speed
sensor during
cranking, the engine will not start. If the OBD II
system misfire detection protocol detects a catalyst damag-
ing fault due to a malfunction in the crankshaft speed sensor
components, the Check Engine light (Malfunction
Indicator
Light or MIL) will be Illuminated.
4 The crankshaft speed sensor (arrow) is mounted in the right
lower side of the bell housing.
- Remove speed sensor by disconnecting electrical harness
connector and unbolting sensor from bell housing. Do not
discard shims, if present.
- Installation is the reverse of removal. Clean mounting surface
before installing new sensor, and install shims, if present.
< If the flywheel was replaced, the speed sensor must be
checked for correct installation depth.
* Crank engine in direction of rotation using crankshaft bolt
until a full pulse tooth is centered in the opening for the re-
moved speed sensor.
Measure depth ro top of tooth from speed sensor p~lse
generator mounting s~rface on transmission.
4 Measure length of pulse generator from mounting surface to
end (A).
- Subtract length of pulse generator (A) from distance to pulse
tooth from mounting area on transmission. This measure-
ment is the gap between the pulse sensor and flywheel. Use
shims available from BMW to increase gap as needed to
reach specification.
Pulse sensor
gap
End of sensor to flywheel teeth 0.55 + 0.2 rnrn
(0.0217 t 0.008 in)

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I Ignition System
Camshaft position sensors
The camshaft position sensors are used by the englne man-
agement system for VANOS control, sequential fuel injection
and knock control.
Intake camshaft position sensor, replacing
(M52,M52 TU
and M54 engines)
- Make certain ignition has been turned off.
- Remove plastic cover from above fuel injectors by prying off
bolt covers and removing cover mounting bolts.
Remove complete air filter housing:
Disconnect electrical harness connector on mass air flow
sensor
(A).
Detach vacuum line at intake boot (B).
Loosen hose clamp at intake boot and detach air duct con-
nections
(C).
* Disconnect cold air duct tube (D).
Remove filter housing mounting screws (E).
- Disconnect harness connector from VANOS solenoid and
unscrew solenoid from VANOS control unit. Be prepared with
shop rags to catch oil released from VANOS unit.
Remove camshaft sensor (arrow) from
left front of cyl~nder
head, next to top of oil filter housing.
Disconnect camshaft sensor harness from under intake
manifold. Prior to removal, attach a stiff piece of wire to the
harness connector end to preserve proper routing of harness
for reinstallation.
Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Use new O-rings when installing sensor and solenoid.
Be sure wiring is rerouted in same orientation.
Use scan tool to read out and clear
ECM fault memory
Tightening torques
-
Intake camshaft sensor to cylinder head 10 Nrn (7 ft-lb)
VANOS solenoid to VANOS control unit 30 Nm (22 ft-lb)

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120-15
Ignition system1
Exhaust camshaft position sensor, replacing
(M52 TU and M54 engines)
- Make sure ignition has been turned off.
4 Working at front of engine on exhaust (right) side, detach ex-
haust camshaft position sensor electrical harness connector
(arrow) and remove sensor.
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Use a new O-ring when installing sensor.
- Use scan tool to read out and clear ECM fault memory.
Tightening torque
Exhaust camshaft sensor
to cylinder head 10 Nm (7 ft-lb)
Intake camshaft position sensor, replacing
(M62 and M62 TU engines)
- Make sure ignition has been turned off
4 Remove top engine cover by releasing quick release fasten-
ers (arrows) by pressing down.
4 Remove air filter housing and mass air flow sensor:
Disconnect mass air flow sensor and
intalte air tempera-
ture sensor electrical harnesses
(A and B).
Remove air filter housing mounting fastener (arrow).
Loosen hose clamps
(C and D).
Remove hose at idle air stabilizer.
Remove air filter housing with mass air flow sensor.
- Remove intalte hose from throttle body.