Automatic BMW 540i 1997 E39 Repair Manual

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1 Brakes
ABS COMPONENT REPLACEMENT
CA UTIOW-
If the tires on the car are of different makes, the ABS/trac-
tion controlsystem may overreact. Only fit tires of the same
make and treadpattern.
In adverse conditions, such as trying to rock the car out
of deep snow or other soft surface, or when snow
chains are fitted, it is advisable to switch off traction
control and allow
tlie car driveline to operate conven-
tionally.
All E39 vehicles are equipped with
Antilock Braking System
(ABS). Early production models featured ABS with Automatic
Stability Control (ABS
I ASC). Later models came equipped
with ABS and Dynamic Stability Control (ABS
/ DSC). This
manual will refer to these systems as ABS. ASC or DSC will
be specified when necessary.
For ABS system and component descriptions, see
300 Sus-
pension, Steering and Brakes-General.
Wheel speed sensor, replacing
- Raise applicable end of car.
Make sure that the car is firmly supported on
jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place
jack stands beneath structural
chassis points. Do not place jack stands under suspension
< Front sensor: Unscrew mounting bolts (arrows) at steering
knuckle.
4 Rear sensor: Unscrew mounting bolt (arrows) in rear wheel
bearing carrier.
NOTE-
ABS wheelspeed sensor application may vary depending on
traction control system installed.

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400-5
Body-General
Tailgate
The E39 Sporl Wagon tailgate is large with a low sill for easy
cargo loading. The tailgate opens to an angle of
88" mea-
sured from the rear roof pillar (D-pillar) and to a height of
2029
mm (79.8 in) measured from the ground to the upper edge of
the raised tailgate.
The rear window is bonded to a load bearing frame and can
be opened separately from the main tailgate. Tailgatesupport
gas springs are recessed into cavities in the roof.
Tailgate lock system
A mechanical tailgate lock cylinder is not used; the tailgate is
opened by the unlock pad above the license plate, the remote
tailgate switch located in the drivers kick panel, or via
FZV
(Iteyless entry) control.
4 An emergency release mechanism is incorporated into the
latch assembly to open the hatch from the vehicle interior if a
malfunction occurs.
The tailgate lock assembly includes an automatic soft close
(SCA) feature. The electrical operation of SCA is a function of
central body electronics
(ZKE Ill). The SCA actuator is locat-
ed in the rear cowl panel below the tailgate. The actuator is
controlled by a load relay in the General Module. A locking
cam is mounted on an eccentric that is driven by the actuator.
4 The SCA cam always turns in the same direction to open or
close the tailgate. The cam turns
180" to open or to close.
When the cam turns in the up direction the notch in the cam
SCA actuator pushes on a lever on the back of the latch in the tailgate. This
mechanically unlocks the latch. The tailgate is raised up and
can be opened.

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.
I Body-General 1
Rear wiper system
The rear wiper assembly on the E39 Sport Wagon is a self-
contained unit. The control electronics are integrated into the
gear drive that is part of the motor assembly. The control elec-
tronics contain two hall sensors, one
forthe park position and
one
forthe end stop or to signal reverse direction of the wiper
motor.
-
Wiperlwasher
stalk switch
/ 4 - 3
502400100
4 The rear wiper is controlled through the stalk switch on the
steering column. The switch includes the following functions:
Intermittent rear window wiping
Programmed rear window wiping interval
Operation of rear window washer
The wiper system automatically controls the following safety
and convenience features:
* Wiper interrupted when rear glass is opened
Wiper interrupted if wiper arm is blocked
Continuous wiping when vehicle is shifled into reverse
Antenna and sound system
4 There are two diversity FM antenna amplifiers:
FMI amplifier located in the rear window frame
FM2 / FZV amplifier located in the lefl D-pillar
The radio amplifier and CD changer are behind the side
ac-
cess panels in the cargo compartment:
CD changer on lefl side
Sound system subwoofer on right side
The subwoofer has a hold down knob and is mounted on a
hinge. It can be swung out to access
the batteryand fuse pan-
el by unscrewing the knob.

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Body-General
SAFETY AND SECURITY FEATURES
A number of new or improved safety and security features are
incorporated in
E39 cars.
Safety cage
4 The body safety cage is a continuation of an established
BMW concept for passenger protection. Tubular impact
structures built into the body provide protection against pas-
senger injury during front or rear impacts.
Door locks and door handles
4 The door handles allow easy door opening, but are secure in
accidents.
Electrical components in the locks are fully encapsulated and
cannot be picked easily. The door handles, latches and
loclc
assemblies offer reliability and security against theft.
Door position and
loclc condition are detected by hall sensors.
Roof padding
In addition to the side and head protection airbags, there is
supplementary padding at the roof pillars and along the roof
above the doors. This is positioned to present energy absorb-
ing
surlaces to passengers thrown around by side impact
forces.
Seat belts
Each front seat belt assembly has a height-adjustable anchor
at the 8-pillar.
An automatic pyrotechnic (explosive charge) tensioner tight-
ens the front belt at the buckle upon impact, snugging up lap
and shoulder segments of the belt. The tensioners are de-
signed to automatically tension the belts by about
2 inches
(55 mm) in the event ofa collision.
A force limiter puts an upper limit on the amount of iorce each
belt can exert on the passenger.

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400-8
Body-General
Airbags
Front airbags, s~de a~rbags, pyrotechnic seat belt tensioners
and the Battery Safety Terminal (BST) are integrated into the
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and its variants.
NOTE-
The BMW SRS system is called Multiple Restra~nt System
(MRS). Over the years,
E39 cars were equipped with MRS,
MRS
11, MRS 111. Each version offers varied features and im-
provements over the previous system.
< As many as 8 airbags may be installed in E39 cars, depend-
ing on model and MRS version.
The front
airbags operate without sodium azide propellant,
widely considered an irritant when an
airbag is deployed.
Starting with
1999 models. "smart"front passenger and driver
airbags were installed. These are of the dual-threshold, dual
stage design, including a
sensorto help prevent the unneces-
sary deployment of the passenger side
airbag if the seat is un-
occupied.
MRS control Depend~ng on options chosen, one airbag may be installed in module each door of the sedan and Sport Wagon models, protecting
passengers against
s~de impacts.
Head Protection System (ITS)
airbags strelch diagonally
across the tops of the front doors.
Airbag deployment automatically triggers fuel shutoff, turns
on the hazard and interior lights, and unlocks the doors.
- -
WARNING -
Airbags are inflated by an explosive device. Handled im-
properly or without adequate safeguards,
airbag units can
be very dangerous. Special precautions must be observed
prior to any worlc at or near any of the airbags. See
721 Air-
bag System (SRS).
Always disconnect the battery and cover the negative
(-) battery terminal with an insulator before starting di-
agnostic, troubleshooting or service work on cars fitted
with SRS, and before doing any welding on the
car.

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400-9
Body-General
Battery safety terminal
(BST)
4 Starting with 1999 models (9198 production and later), a py-
rotechnic (explosive charge) device automatically discon-
nects the battery positive terminal during impacts. Key
features,
like power windows and door locks, remain opera-
tional.
Security
Electronic immobilization (EWS)
Ignition key transponder signal All
E39 vehicles incorporate an electronic immobilization sys-
tem known as EWS. This svstem uses a wireless comrnuni-
cation link between a transponder chip in the ignition key and
the ring antenna surrounding the ignition switch. The EWS
control module blocks the starting of the vehicle unless the
correct coded ignition key is used.
NOTE-
Electronic immobilization is sometimes referred to as the
driveaway protection system.
Antitheft alarm (DWA)
This is adealer-installed option for which the E39 vehicles are
factory-wired. When armed, the system monitors door
loci(
contacts and trunk and engine hood locks and sounds a siren
if it detects tampering.
E39 interiors have a unique character, with a combination
of
sporty features and innovativedesign. All body versions were
made in a wide choice of interior and exterior colors. New col-
ors with matching leather or leatherette upholstery were intro-
duced for each model year.
Driving
comfort is enhanced by power steering, tilt steering
wheel, height-adjustable front seats, and electrically adjust-
able and heated rear-view mirrors. Inside the car there are
reading lights at four seating positions.

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Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster uses large easy-to-read analog instru-
ments and is removable as a unit without removing the dash-
board. On-board computer and Check Control functions are
integrated into the instrument cluster displays.
Service Interval Display
Service Interval Display calculates vehicle service needs
based on current driving patterns, and indicates to the driver
when the car requires
service
On-board navigation
An integrated on-board navigation system, based on Global
Positioning System (GPS) technology, is optionally available
on
E39 cars. When installed, a multifunction monitor is includ-
ed in the center of the dash above the radio. in addition to dis-
playing navigation system information, this monitor accesses
On-Board Computerfunctions, audiosystem controls, mobile
phone dialling and memory, and automatic ventilation.
Park Distance Control (PDC)
Park Distance Control (PDC) is an optional system which
uses ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper trim to warn the
driver of approaching too close to obstacles when parlting.
Central body electronics
E39 vehicles are equipped with an integrated complex of
electronic modules connected mostly via K-Bus. This system,
called central body electronics (ZKE
Ill), is primarily con-
trolled by the general module (GM
Ill). An overview of ZKE Ill
functions is found in 600 Electrical System-General. Details
of ZKE
Ill functioning is in the following repair groups:
- 512 Door Windows
* 515 Central Locking and Aniti-Theft
520 Seats
a 540 Sunroof
611 Wipers and Washers
620 Instruments

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-
Exterior Trim, Bumpers
This repair group includes repair information for the outside
rearview mirrors, front and rear bumpers, and the easily re-
movable exterior trim parts.
Many of the mirror components are separately available from
an authorized
BMW dealer, including the glass and outside .
plastic housing.
The
E39 models offered two types of outside mirrors, stan-
dard mirrors or automatic dip mirrors.
Outside mirror glass, replacing
CAUTIOI\C
Mirrorshould be at or above room temperature before remov-
al.
Othe~lise, small plastic parfs or glass may break.
Outside mirror glass without automatic dip control,
replacing
Insert thin pry tool (plastic or tape-wrapped screwdriver) be-
tween bottom mirror edge and mirror housing and carefully
pry out mirror glass from housing.
If equipped with heated mirrors: remove heating element
har.
ness connectors from back of mirror glass.
Installation: Connect mirror heating harness if equipped.
Ensure correct alignment of locking pins.
Press mirror glass firmly until it
locks in place.

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-.- -
Exterior Trim, Bumpers
Outside mirror glass with automatic dip control,
replacing
4 Slide locking pin (arrow) right to release glass (A).
- If equipped with heated mirrors: remove heating element har-
ness connectors from
back of mirror glass.
4 Install mirror glass by placing glass on lugs (arrows) and turn
loclting pin until glass is locked in place.
Outside mirror housing, removing and
installing
- Remove mirror glass as described above.
4 Compress plastic retainers (arrows)
NOTE-
The front mirror housing is retained by either three or four
clips, depending on model.

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51 2-3
Door Windows
Window switches
4 The push type window switch provides the GM Ill with a cod-
ed ground signal. Holding a switch at the first detent provides
a single ground signal on one wire requesting the GM
Ill to
open the window. When released, the ground signal is re-
moved and the window motor stops.
- Momentarily pushing the switch to the second detent and re-
leasing provides an additional ground signal on the second
wire requesting "one touch mode". The GM
Ill lowers the win-
dow automatically until it reaches the end position. Each win-
dow has four positions, two each for the standard mode of
operation and two for the one-touch mode. All window oper-
ation signals are digital inputs to the door modules and GM
111.
- The switch functions in the same manner for window closing
but the ground signal sequence is reversed.
4 Window switch positions.
1. Off
2. Open
3. One touch open
4. Close
5. One touch close
Rear window child lockout switch
4 The rear window child lockout switch (arrow) is incorporated
in the driver's window switch block in
leit front door arm rest.
When activated, it provides a constant ground signal to the
GM
Ill, preventing the windows from being operated from the
rear door switches.
- The lockout switch ground signal is overridden by the GM Ill
if a passive safety system (MRS) crash signal is received.