IGNITION COILS BMW 528i 2000 E39 Owner's Manual

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120-3
Ignition System
Warnings and cautions
The ignition system produces dangerous high voltage. In ad-
dition the sensitive electronic components can be damaged
if
proper precautions are not adhered to.
WARNING-
* Do not touch or disconnect any cables from the coils while
the engine is running or being
cranked by the starter.
The ignition system produces high voltages that can be
fatal. Avoid contact with exposed terminals. Use ex-
treme caution when working on a car with the ignition
switched on or the engine running.
- Connect and disconnect tlie DME system wiring and
test equipment leads only when the ignition is
OFF:
Before operating the starter without starting the engine
(for example when
making a compression test) always
disable the ignition.
CA
U TIOW-
Do not attempt to disable the ignition by removing the coils
from the spark plugs.
Connect or disconnect ignition system wires, multiple
wire connectors, and ignition test equipment leads only
while the ignition is
off Switch multimeter functions or
measurement ranges only with the test probes discon-
nected.
* Do not disconnect the battery while the engine is run-
ning.
A high impedance digital multimeter should be used for
all voltage and resistance tests. An LED test light
should be used in place of an incandescent-type test
lamp.
In general, make test connections only as specified by
BMW as described in this manual, or as described by
the instrument manufacturer.
Engine management
BMW €39 engines use an advanced engine management
system known as Digital Motor Electronics (DME). DME in-
corporates on-board diagnostics, fuel injection, ignition and
other engine control functions. DME variants are listed in
Table a. Engine management systems.
Second generation On-Board Diagnostics
(OED II) is incor-
porated into the engine management systems used on the
cars covered by this manual. Use a BMW-specific electronic
scan tool, or a "Generic"
OED II scan tool to access Diagnos-
tic Trouble Codes (DTCs). DTCs can help pinpoint ignition
ine management problems.

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I lgnition System
Additional information about DTCs and engine management
system electronic system diagnosis is provided in
OBD On-
Board Diagnostics.
Table a. Engine management systems
Year
l~ngine I Engine type IDME svstem I - I - . . I
Ignition system
1997-1 998
1997
1998
1999-2002
4 All engines use a distributorless ignition system with individ-
ual ignition coils for each cylinder. There is no distributor cap
or ignition rotor.
4 Each coil is controlled and monitored by the Engine Control
Module (ECM) on a cylinder-by-cylinder basis.
1999-2000
1~52 TU 16-cylinder l~iemens MS
42.0
M62
M62
M62TU
Siemens MS 41 .I M52 6-cylinder
V-8
V-8 V-8 Bosch
M 5.2
Bosch M 5.2.1
Bosch ME 7.2

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Lnition switch
4 The positive (+) power supply to the ignition coils comes to
the ignition switch via an unloader relay. When the ignition
switch is turned on, the relay closes, to provide voltage to the
ignition coils. The coils are then actuated at the negative side
by the engine control module.
NOTE-
Schematic diagrams shown are for illustrative purposes only.
See ELE Electrical Wiring Diagrams for engine manage-
ment specific wiring information.
WARNING- Do not touch or disconnect any cables from the coils while
the engine is running or being cranked by the starter:
The ignition system produces high voltages that can be
fatal. Avoid contact with exposed terminals. Use ex-
treme caution when
working on a car with the ignition
switched on or the engine running.
* Connect and disconnect the DME system wiring and
test equipment leads only when the ignition is
OFF
Before operating the starter without starting the engine
(for example when
making a compression test), always
disable the ignition.
4 Knock sensors (arrows) monitor the combustion chamber for
engine-damaging knock. Six-cylinder models (shown) use
two sensors with each sensor monitoring three cylinders.
V-
8 models use four sensors, each monitoring two cylinders. If
engine
knock is detected, the ignition point is retarded by the
ECM.
I Ignition advance Ignition timing is electronically mapped and not adjustable.
The ECM uses engine load, engine speed, coolant tempera-
ture, knock detection, and intake air temperature as the basic
inputs for timing control.
A three dimensional map similar to
the one shown is digitally stored in the ECM.
- The initial ignition point is determined by the crankshaft
speed sensor during cranking. Once the engine is running.
timing is continually adjusted based on operating conditions.

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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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130-1 8
1 Fuel injection Secondary air injection
1. Secondary air pump (in right
front wheel housing)
2. Secondary air vacuum vent
valve solenoid (on intake mani-
fold)
3. Secondary air check valve
4. Intake manifold
5. Exhaust manifolds
6. Diverter valve (at exhaust mani-
fold)
Engine control module (ECM),
removing and installing
The ECM uses stored functions and processing programs to
process the input signals from the sensors. These input sig-
nals are used to calculate the control (output) signals to the
actuators
(e.g., ignition coils, injectors).
NOTE-
Consult an authorized BMW dealer before replacing the
ECM.
- Disconnect negative (-) battery cable. Wait approximately
one minute.
Prior to disconnecting the
battely, read the battery discon-
nection cautions in
001 General Warnings and Cautions.
Access engine control module (ECM):
Release interior ventilation filter cover latch
(A) and re-
move cover.
Release plastic locking tab
(B).
Rotate air duct inward (arrow) to unloclc from bulk head
and remove duct.
Release spring lock
(C) to remove lower filter housing.
Slide filter housing away from inner fender to remove.
- Remove electrical box (E-box) cover fasteners and remove
cover.
- If testing ECM or connected components, use breakout box
to allow tests to be made with connector attached to the
ECM. This prevents damage to small terminals in connector.

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-
Fuel Injection
ECM relay, testing
The engine control module (ECM) relay is energized via the
ECM and supplies battery positive
(Bc) power to many of the
engine management components and subsystems. If this re-
lay is faulty, the engine will not start.
NOTE-
The ECM relay is also referred to as the DME main relay
ECM relay powers:
ECM
Ignition coils
* Fuel injection
Evaporative leak detection pump
Idle air actuator
- Camshaft sensors Evaporative emissions valve
Hot film mass air flow sensor
Fuel pump relay
Oxygen sensor heaters
4 Working in right rear of engine compartment:
Release interior ventilation filter cover latch
(A) and re-
move cover.
Release plastic locking tab
(B).
Rotate duct inward (arrow) to unlock from bulk head and
remove duct.
Release spring lock
(C) to remove lower filter housing.
Slide filter housing away from inner fender to remove.
- Remove electrical box (E-box) cover fasteners and remove
cover.
With ignition off, remove ECM relay (arrow) in electronics
box (E-box) at rear of engine compartment, right side.
NOTE-
Relay locations can vary Confirm relay identification by
matching wiring colors and terminal numbers.

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130-40
Fuel Injection
Engine control module (ECM),
removing and installing
The ECM uses stored functions and processing programs to
process the input signals from the sensors. These input sig-
nals are used to calculate the control (output) signals to the
actuators
(e.g., ignition coils, injectors).
NOTE-
Consult an authorized BMW dealer before replacing the
ECM.
- Disconnect negative (-) battery cable. Wait approximately
one minute.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the batteg read the battery discon-
nection cautions
in 001 General Warnings and Cautions.
4 Access engine control module (ECM):
Release
interlor ventilation filter cover latch (A) and re-
move cover.
Release plastic loclting tab
(B).
Rotate air duct inward (arrow) to unloclt from bulk head
and remove duct.
Release spring lock
(C) to remove lower filter housing.
Slide
f~lter hous~ng away from inner fender to remove.
- Remove electrical box (E-box) cover fasteners and remove
cover.
- If testing ECM or connected components, use breakout box
to allow tests to be made with connector attached to ECM.
This prevents damage to small terminals in connector.
- - As an alternative, harness connector housing can be sepa-
rated so that electrical checks can be made from
back of con-
nector.
4 If replacing ECM, disconnect control module harness con-
nector (arrow) by releasing fastener and pivoting connector
up and off ECM.

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Fuel Injection
M5.2 system features
The Bosch M5.2 system used on 1997 540i models uses an
88-pin control unit. The
M5.2 system has the following func-
tions and capabilities:
Fully sequential cylinder-individual fuel injection.
Integrated adaptive knock control.
Oxygen sensor fuel mixture control.
0 Self-diagnosis and emergency operation characteristics.
CAN-Bus link.
0 OED II functions (misfire detection, catalytic converter
monitoring, oxygen sensor monitor, and fuel tank ventila-
tion system).
Electronic vehicle immobilization via EWS.
One-touch starter function.
Control of characteristic map thermostat.
M5.2.1 system features
The Bosch M5.2.1 system is used on 1998 540i models. The
M5.2.1 control module utilizes the SKE (standard shell con-
struction housing) with 5 connectors and a combined total of
134 pins.
The M5.2.1 systefn has
tile following functions or capabilities:
Separate power supply relay for ignition coils. Leak diagnosis pump (LDP) control and feedback
rnonitor-
ing for evaporative system leak testing.
Fuel evaporative system providing ORVR (on-board refuel-
ing vapor recovery) compliancy.
Batterylalternator charge logic (idle speed varied with the
battery state of charge).
CAN-Bus communications with the instrument cluster
EWS
Ill "rolling code" ISN interface.
More sensitive ignition
knock sensors.
Pulse width modulated (P-W-M) Heating and
AIC (IHKA)
status signal.
Running loss (312-way) solenoid valve.

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- Fuel Injection
ECM relay, testing
The engine control module (ECM) relay is energized via the
ECM and supplies battery positive
(B+) power to many of the
engine
management components and subsystems. If this re-
lay is faulty, the engine will not start.
CAUTIOI\C
Relay positions can vary. Be sure to confirm relay position by
identifying the wiring
in the socket using the wiring diagrams
in ELE Electrical Wiring Diagrams.
NOTE-
The ECM relay is also referred to as the DME main relay.
ECM relay powers:
* ECM
Ignition coils
Fuel injection
Evaporative leak detection pump
(5.2.1 only)
Idle air actuator
Camshaft sensors Evaporative emissions valve
Hot film mass air flow sensor
Fuel pump relay
Oxygen sensor heaters
4 Working in right rear of engine compartment:
Release interior ventilation filter cover latch
(A) and re-
move cover.
Release plastic locking tab
(B).
Rotate duct inward (arrow) to unloclc from bulk head and
remove duct.
0 Release spring lock (C) to remove lower filter housing.
Slide filter housing away from inner fender to remove.
- Remove electrical box (E-box) cover fasteners and remove
cover.