Interior BMW 540i 1999 E39 Owner's Guide

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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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400-1 0
Body-General
Seats
4 Anatomically correct seats are constructed from polyure-
10 way seat adjustment thane foam
containing areas or "zones" of different firmness.
They offer good lateral support without constricting the occu-
pant.
The seats have a passive internal ventilation system: Cylin-
drical cavities within the cushions and backrests generate a
pumping effect as the ride motions cause occupant motion.
This
helps remove moisture and feeds fresh air into the seats.
Other features of the seating system:
The seat bases have steel springs for added support and
strength.
The seat control switches are along the outside edge of
the
seat.
Heated seats are an option in all models
In cars equipped with seat position memory, three different
seat confiaurations can be memorized by the seat control
module(s): Seat memory coordinates with outside mirror
memory. These functions are controlled by the seat mem-
ory
module(s).
* For security reasons, the release lever to fold the rear seat
backrest forward is installed in the trunk.
Sport Wagon models: Rear seat
baclts are split 60140, with
the center armrest on the left seat back.
The center armrest incorporates a non adjustable head-
rest. When folded down, the armrest opens out with
cup-
holders and a storage compartment. See 520 Seats for
more details.
instruments and controls
Everything in the interior passengercompartment essential to
the driver is logically grouped and easy to reach. All instru-
ments and controls have been arranged ergonomically and
are fully integrated into the overall design of the vehicle.
Tilt-telescopic steering wheel has
30 mm (1.2 in) of vertical
and longitudinal adjustment.
Multifunction steering wheel contains two
ltey pads con-
taining controls for the sound system, telephone and
cruise control.
Padded dashboard houses the instrument cluster and the
ventilation and heating system.

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Doors
~obr adjustment
Front fender to
4.25 mm i 0.25 mm (0.17 i- 0.01 in)
front door gap
Front
door to 4.5 mm i 0.25 mm (0.18 i 0.01 in)
rear door gap
Rear door to rear fender 4.0 mm i 0.25 mm (0.16 i 0.01 in)
Permissible deviation 1 .O mm (0.04 in)
from
~arallel
Tightening torque
Door hinge to door frame
20 Nm (15 it-lb)
Door check, replacing
WARNING -
E39 cars are fitted with side-impact airbags in the front doors
and optional side impact
airbags in the rear doors. When
servicing doors, always disconnect the negative
(-) battery
terminal. See
721 Airbag System (SRS) for cautions and
procedures relating to the
airbag system.
- Close door window completely.
- Disconnect negative (-) battery cable.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the batter)! read the battery discon-
nection cautions given in
001 General Cautions and
Warnings.
- Remove interior door panel. See Door trim panels, remov-
ing and installing.
- Where applicable, remove side-impact airbag from door. See
721 Airbag System (SRS). Remove door vapor barrier.
Disconnect door
check by
(arrow) and removing pin. squeezing I mounting
pin tabs

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513-1
51 3 lnterior Trim
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,513-2
Interior trim repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,513-2
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .513-3
Center console, removing and installing . . . 213-3
Dash Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,513-7
Lower dash panel assembly,
removing and installing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,513-7
Upper dash assembly,
removing and installing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,513-1 1
Window and door post trim panels,
removing and installing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513-12
Dash panel support,
removing and installing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513-15
Rear parcel shelf panel,
removing and installing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513-15
Glove compartment,
removing and installing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513-16

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I lnterior Trim
This repair group covers interior trim removal and installation
procedures.
- Refer to the following repair groups for additional information:
250 Gearshift Linkage
41 1 Doors (interior door panels)
@ 612 Switches
620 Instruments
640 Heating and Air Conditioning [IHKA control panel!
650 Radio
721 Airbag System (SRS)
lnterior trim repairs
lnterior trim and finish panels are clipped or screwed into
place. Many of the trim retaining clips are designed
to be used
only once. When removing trim that is held in place with clips,
it is a good idea to have spare clips on hand before beginning
the job.
WARNING-
Special precautions must be observed when servicing the
BMWSupplementai Restraint System (SRS). Serious inju-
ry may result if system service is attempted by persons un-
familiar with the BMW
SRS and its approved service
procedures. BMW
speciiies that all inspection and service
should be performed by an authorized BMW
dealer.
Before performing any work involving airbags, discon-
nect the negative
() battery cable. See 721 Airbag
System (SRS).
Airbags contain a back-uppowersupply within the SRS
control module. A
5 second discharge period should be
allowed after the battery cable has been disconnected.
CAUTION-
* When working on electrical switclies or lights, always dis-
connect the negative
(-) cable from the battery and insu-
late the cable end to prevent accidental reconnection.
a Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery dis-
connection cautions given in
W1 General Warnings
and Cautions.
To prevent marring the trim when working on interior
components, work with plastic prying
tools or wrap the
tips of screwdrivers and pliers with tape before prying

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513-3
Interior ~rirnl
The console between the two front seats starts behind the shifler housing. It houses the parking brake handle, optional
telephone and oddments storage tray. The rear portion of the
console houses the ashtray and covers the emergency brake
cable ends.
NOTE-
The accompanying photos illustrate a model with automatic
transmission. Manual transmission models are similar.
Center console, removing and installing
4 Remove shift knob by pulling straight up (arrow).
Gently pry shift bezel
harness (arrow). up
out of console and disconnect wiring
Models equipped with automatic transmission remove neu-
tral safety switch fasteners (arrows) and remove bezel with
switch.

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51 3-4
/Interior Trim
Carefully pry cup holder (arrow) out of console,
4 Pry air vent down to release locking clips and remove.
< Remove screws (arrows) at base of front seat armrest and
slide armrest forward to remove.
4 Remove console glove box (A).
Remove rear trim panel fasteners (B).

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Interior iriml
4 Carefully pry out 4-way hazard flasher switch (A)
Disconnect wiring harness (B).
Remove trim panel fastener (arrow) under 4 way flasher
switch.
4 Remove console trim panel retaining fasteners (arrow) at
rear of trim panel.
Remove front console trim fasteners
(arrows) and carefully
remove trim panel.

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51 3-6
Interior Trim
Remove parking bralte lever side cover fasteners (arrows)
4 Unclip trim boot for parking brake lever and pull boot and
handle forward off brake lever. Remove parking
bralte cover
fastener
(arrow) and remove cover.
4 Remove fasteners at rear of console (arrows).
4 With left and right seats in lowest position, remove side con-
sole fasteners
(arrow).
- Remove left and right side console trim covers. See Lower
- Remove center console.
- Installation is reverse of removal.