height BMW M3 1996 E36 User Guide

GENERAL
.......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
...
.330-1



CV
boot,
replacing
........
.
.
.
.........
.
.330-8

RIDE
HEIGHT
....
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
330-1



REAR
SUSPENSION
ARMS
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
330-9

Trailing
arm,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
....
330-10

SHOCK
ABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS
.
.
.
330-2



Trailing
arm
bushing,
replacing
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
..
330-11

Rear
shock
absorber,
removing
and
installing
330-3



Upper
control
arm,
removing
and
installing
.
.330-12

Coil
spring,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
330-4



Lower
control
arm,
removing
and
installing
.
.330-12

REAR
WHEEL
BEARINGS
....
.
...
.
.
.
..
330-4

Rear
wheel
bearing,
replacing
.......
.
....
330-5



Final
drive
carrier,
removing
and
installing
.
.330-12

DRIVE
AXLES
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.............
330-6



TABLE
a
.
Rear
Ride
Height
Specifications
..
.
............
330-1
Drive
axle,
removing
and
installing
.........
330-6

GENERAL

Special
service
tools
are
required
for
some
of
the
work
de-
scribed
in
this
repair
group
.
Read
the
procedures
through
be-
fore
beginning
any
job
.

NOTE
-

A
general
description
of
the
rear
suspension
and
a
troubleshooting
guide
can
be
found
in
300
Suspen-
sion,
Steering
and
Brakes-General
.

RIDE
HEIGHT

Rear
suspension
ride
height
is
controlled
by
the
rear

springs
.
If
the
rear
ride
height
is
not
within
the
specifications

listed,
the
rear
springs
should
be
replaced
.

Ride
height
is
measured
from
the
lower
edge
of
the
wheel

arch
to
the
bottom
edge
of
the
wheel
rim
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

Table
a
lists
rear
suspension
ride
height
specifications
.



ooy

98
These
specifications
apply
to
a
car
in
a
normally
loaded
posi-

tion
.
When
checking
ride
heightor
installing
suspension
com-



Fig
.
1
.



Ride
height
measurement
(A)
is
taken
from
center
of
wheel

ponents,
load
the
caras
follows
:



archto
bottom
of
wheel
rim
.

Normal
loaded
position

"
Each
front
seat
..
...
.
.
.............
68kg
(150
lb)

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

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

"
Fue¡
tank



.....



.
..



.
.
.
................



.



..
..
.
full

NOTE-

M3
ride
height
is
measured
with
the
car
unladen
.

330
Rear
Suspension

REAR
SUSPENSION



330-1

FINAL
DRIVE
CARRIER
.
.......
.
.
.
.
.
..
330-12

Table
a
.
Rear
RideHeight
Specifications

Wheel
size



318,323,325,



M3
modeis
328
modeis

15
inch
std
.
suspension



518
mm
(20
.39
in)
sport
suspension



~
507
mm
(19
.96
in)

16
inch
std
.
suspension



531
mm
(20
.91
in)
sport
suspension



~
520
mm
(20
.47
in)

Continued

RIDE
HEIGHT

330-2



REAR
SUSPENSION

Table
a
.
Rear
RideHeight
Specifications

Wheel
size



318,323,
325,



M3
modeis
328
modeis

17inch
std
.
suspension



546
mm
(21.69
in)
sport
suspension



~
535
mm
(21.06
in)



1
540
mm
(21
.26
in)

Maximum
variation
between
sides
:
10
mm
(0
.4in)
Maximum
deviation
from
specifications
:
10
mm
(0
.4in)

SHOCK
ABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS

The
BMW
E36
independent
rear
suspension
is
shown
in

Fig
.
2
.
Refer
tothis
illustration
while
performing
repairs
on

components
covered
in
this
repair
group
.

NOTE-

Shock
absorbers
andlor
springs
shouldalways
be
re-
placed
in
pairs

i

Stabilizer
bar
link

Trailing

arm
-

bushing

Fig
.
2
.



BMW
E36
rear
suspension
.

SHOCK
ABSORBERS
AND
SPRINGS

Lower
control
arm

Trailing
arm

front
bracket

WARNING
-

"
Do
not
reuse
self-locking
nuts
.
They
arede-

signed
to
beused
only
once
and
may
fail
if
re-

used
.
Always
replace
them
with
new
self-locking

nuts
.

"
Personal
injury
may
result
if
procedures
de-
scribed
here
are
undertaken
without
the
proper
service
tools
and
equipment
.
Be
sure
to
have
the
right
tools
onhand
before
beginning
the
job
.

"
Do
not
install
bolts
and
nuts
coated
with
under-
coating
wax,
as
correct
tightening
torque
cannot

be
assured
.
Always
clean
the
threads
with
sol-

vent
before
installation,
or
ínstall
new
parts
.
"
Do
not
attempt
to
weld
or
straighten
any
suspen-
sion
components
.
Replace
damaged
parts
.

Brake
rotor,
removing
and
installing

Brake
rotors
shouldalways
be
replaced
in
pairs
.

Fig
.
9
.



Brake
rotor
mounting
screw
(arrow)
.

3
.
Inspect
rotor
for
excessive
grooving,
cracks,
and
warp-

ing
.
Check
rotor
thickness
.
See
Table
b
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

"
Clean
rotor
with
brakecleaner
before
installing
.

"
If
brake
fluid
hose
veas
removed
or
loosened,
brake

systemmustbe
bled
as
described
aboveunder

Bleeding
Brakes
.

BRAKES
340-
7

5
.
Once
brake
assembly
is
instalind,
depress
brakepedal

several
times
to
adjust
caliper
and
pads
.

"
Pedal
should
feel
firm
and
be
at
proper
height
.

"
Check
fluid
leve¡
.
Top
up
if
necessary
.

NOTE-

M3
models
use
directional
brake
rotors
and
mustbe
in-



NOTE-

stalled
on
the
proper
side
.
Part
numbes
are
cast
finto



When
installing
new
rear
brake
rotors,
the
parking

therotors
.
A
part
that
ends
in
an
odd
number
is
a
left



brakeshouldbe
adjusted
.
See
Parking
Brake
.

rotor
.
One
that
ends
in
an
even
number
is
a
right
rotor
.

1.
Remove
caliper
as
described-above
and
hang
from



Tightening
Torques
chassis
using
stiff
wire
.



"
Brake
rotor
to
wheel
hub
..........
16
Nm
(12
ft-Ib)

"
Front
brake
caliper
to
steering
arm
...
110
Nm
(81
ft-Ib)

NOTE-



"
Rear
brake
caliper
to
traíling
arm
....
67
Nm
(50
ft-Ib)

Do
notloosen
caliper
brake
hose
.



"
Road
wheel
to
hub



...
..
.
100
±
10
Nm
(74
t
7
ft-Ib)

2
.
Remove
mountingscrew
holding
rotor
to
wheel
hub
.



,

See
Fig
.
9
.



Table
b
.
Brake
Rotor
Reconditioning
Specificati*M`

Front
Rear

Vented
rotor
wear
limit
(min
.
thickness)



20
.4
mm
(0
.803
in.)

Solid
rotor
wear
limit
(min
.
thickness)



8
.4
mm
(0.331
in
.)

M3
models
wear
limit
(min
.
thickness)



26
.4mm
(0
.977
in
.)



18
.4
mm
(0
.723
in
.)

Axial
runout
(max
.)
rotor
removed



0
.05
mm
(0
.002
in
.)



0
.05
mm
(0
.002
in
.)
rotor
installed



0
.20
mm
(0
.008
in
.)



0
.20
mm
(0
.008
in
.)

CAUTION-

M3
brake
rotors
must
not
be
machined
.

MASTER
CYLINDER

The
brake
master
cylinder
is
mounted
to
the
front
of
the
vac-

uum
booster
on
the
driver
side
bulkhead
.

Master
cylinder,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Using
a
clean
syringe,
empty
brake
fluid
reservoir
.

WARNING
-

Brake
fluid
is
highly
corrosive
and
dangerous
to
the

environment
.
Dispose
of
it
properly
.

NOTE-

On
original
equipment
rotors,
the
mínimum
allowable



2
.
Disconnect
brake
fluid
leve¡
sender
connector
from
fluid

thickness
is
stamped
on
the
rotor
hub
.
Measure
the
rotor



reservoi
r
cap
.

brakingsurface
with
a
micrometer
at
eight
to
ten
different

points
and
use
the
smallest
measurement
recorded
.



3
.
Disconnect
brake
fluid
lines
frommaster
cylinder
.
See

Fig
.
10
.
Disconnect
hydraulic
clutch
system
supply
line
.

4
.
Unscrew
mounting
nuts
and
remove
master
cylinder

from
brake
booster
.

5
.
Make
sure
all
nuts,
fluid
couplings,
thread
bores,
and

mating
surfaces
are
clean
.

MASTER
CYLINDER

400-
4
BODY-GENERAL

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

E36
interiors
have
a
unique
character,
with
a
combínation
of
sporty
features
and
innovative
design
.
Al¡
body
versions
were
made
in
a
wide
choice
of
interior
and
exterior
colors
.
New

colors
with
matching
leather
and/or
fabric
upholstery
were
in-
troduced
for
each
model
year,
including
light-alloy
wheels
in
new
designs
.

Driving
comfort
is
enhanced
by
power
steering,
tilt
steering
wheel
(optional),
height-adjustable
front
seats,
and
electrical-
ly
adjustable
and
heated
rear-view
mirrors
.
Inside
thecar
there
are
reading
lights
at
four
seating
positions
.

Seats
and
Seat
Belts



NOTE-

Theseat
base
usedon
cars
with
pyrotechnic
seatbelt

Anatom¡cal
ly-correct
seats
are
constructed
from
polyure-



tensioners
is
not
interchangeable
with
the
earlier
seat

thane
foam
containing
areas
or
"zones"
of
different
firmness
.



base
.

The
seat
bases
have
steel
springs
for
added
support
and
strength
.
The
power
seats
are
provided
with
conveniently
lo-



Instruments
and
Controls
cated
switches
along
the
outside
edge
of
the
seat
.
Heated
seats
are
an
option
in
all
models
.
See
520
Seats
for
more
de-



Everything
in
the
interior
passenger
compartment
essential
tails
.



to
the
driver
is
logically
grouped
and
easy
to
reach
.
Al¡
instru-
ments
and
controls
havebeen
arranged
ergonomically
and
The
M3
sport
seat
is
shown
in
Fig
.
3
.



are
fully
integrated
into
the
overall
design
of
the
vehicle
.

Fig
.
3
.



M3
sport
seat
.

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

0013195

The
early
E36
cars
areequipped
with
a
single
(driver
side)
airbag
in
the
steering
wheel
.
Startingwith
the
1994
models,
a
dual
airbag
Supplemental
Restraint
System
has
been
stan-
dard
equipment
.
Side-impact
airbags
in
the
front
doors
are
op-
tional
in
1997
4-door
cars
and
standard
equipment
in
all
1998
models
.

Through
1996,
E36
seatbelts
were
equipped
with
BMW's
original-designspring
tensioners
.
In
1997,
the
seat
base
de-
sign
was
modified
to
accommodate
a
pyrotechnic
(explosive
charge)
seatbelt
tensioner
.
Both
types
of
tensioners
arede-
signed
to
automatically
tension
the
belts
by
about2
inches(55
mm)
in
the
event
of
a
collision
.

The
padded
dashboard
houses
the
instrument
cluster
and
the
ventilation
and
heating
system
.
The
instrument
cluster
uses
large
easy-to-read
analog
instruments
and
is
removable
as
a
unit
without
removing
the
dashboard
.
The
Service
Inter-
val
Indicator
(SII)
will
remind
the
driver
when
thecar
requires
service
.
See
620
Instruments
.

The
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
unit
in
thecenter
of
the
dashboard
comes
in
a
variety
of
four
configurations,
the
most
advanced
being
the
On-Board
Computer
(OBC)
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

Al¡
versions
of
the
MID
have
a
clock
and
calendar
.
In
addi-
tion,
different
versions
areequipped
with
a
"check
control,"

display
for
fuel-economy
information
and
system
warnings
.
Consult
the
owner's
manual
for
fui¡
operating
instructions
.

GENERAL
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
..
.
...
.
.........
510-1



Front
bumper
impact
absorber,
replacing
....
510-4

Rear
bumper,
removing
and
installing



.....
.510-4

OUTSIDE
REAR
VIEW
MIRRORS
.
...
.
.....
510-1



Rear
bumper
impact
absorber,
replacing
...
.
510-6
Outside
mirrorglass,
replacing



.
.
.........
510-1



Bumper
height,
adjusting



...
.
...
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
510-6
Outside
mirror
housing,
removing
and
installing
....
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
510-1



EXTERIOR
TRIM



...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
510-6
Outside
mirror,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
510-2



BMW
embiem,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
510-7

Body
side
molding,
replacing



.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
510-7
BUMPERS



.
.
.
.
.
....
.
.....
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
510-3



Radiator
grille,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.510-7
Front
bumper,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
510-3



Front
panel,
removing
and
installing
...
.
.
.
.
.
510-7

GENERAL

510
Exterior
Trim,
Bumpers

This
repair
group
includes
repair
information
for
the
outside

rear
view
mirror,
front
and
rear
bumpers,
and
the
easily
re-

movable
exterior
trim
parts
.

OUTSIDE
REAR
VIEW
MIRRORS

The
remove
controlled
mirrors
come
in
two
styles
:
heated
and
unheated
.
Many
of
the
mirror
components
are
separately

available
from
an
authorized
BMW
dealer,
including
the
glass

and
outside
plastic
housing
.

Outside
mirror
glass,
replacing

CAUTION-

Mirror
shouldbe
ator
above
room
temperature
before
removal
.
Otherwise,
small
plastic
parts
or
glass
will
break
.

1
.
Insert
thin
pry
tool
(wooden
or
tape-wrapped
screwdriv-

er)
between
bottom
mirror
edge
and
mirror
housing
and

carefully
pry
out
mirror
glass
from
housing
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

2
.
Heated
mirror
:
remove
heating
element
harness
con-

nectors
from
back
of
mirror
glass
.

3
.
Install
new
glass
into
position
by
pressing
firmly
until
it

snaps
into
place
.

EXTERIOR
TRIM,
BUMPERS



510-1

00130
..

Fig
.1
.
Prying
mirror
glass
out
of
mirror
housing
.
Note
screwdriver
shaft
wrapped
with
tape
.

Outside
mirror
housing,

removing
and
installing

1
.
Remove
mirror
glass
as
described
above
.

2
.
Remove
housing
retaining
screws
and
lift
off
rear
hous-
ing
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

3
.
Tilt
mirror
housing
forward
and
compress
plastic
retain-

ers
and
lift
off
front
housing
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Check
mirror
function

before
installing
covering
parts
.

OUTSIDE
REAR
VIEW
MIRRORS

510-
6



EXTERIOR
TRIM,
BUMPERS

Rear
bumper
impact
absorber,replacing

1
.
Remove
bumperas
described
above
.

2
.
Remove
luggage
compartment
floor
covering
.

Fig
.
13
.
Luggage
compartment
floor
panel
fasteners
(arrows)
.
(Left

side
shown
.
Righf
side
is
similar)

5
.
Installation
ís
reverse
of
removal
.

Bumper
height,
adjusting

Tightening
Torques

"
Bumper
bracket
to
impact
absorber

(M10
bolt)
.
............
.
...
..
..
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-lb)

"
Impact
absorber
to
chassis

(M8
nut)
.
.
..........
.
......
.
.
.
.
22
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

The
adjustment
procedure
given
below
applies
to
either
the

frontor
rear
bumper
.
A
14mm
allen
socket
is
needed
to
make

the
adjustment
.

1
.
Raise
and
properly
support
vehicle
.

WARNING
-

Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supported
on
jack
stands
designed
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
beneath
a
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not
place
jack
stands
under
suspension
parts
.

2
.
Front
bumper
:

"
Remove
bumper
as
described
earlier
.
"
Remove
bumper
bracket
bolt
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
9
.

EXTERIOR
TRIM

3
.
Rear
bumper
:

"
Remove
lower
bumper
panel
as
described
in
Rear

bumper,
removing
and
installing
.

"
Remove
bumper
bracket
mounting
bolt
at
impact
ab-

sorber
.

3
.
Right
side
:
Remove
battery
and
battery
tray
.



4
.
Using
a
12-inch
extension
and
a
l4mm
Allen
socket,

turn
adjusting
collar
clockwise
or
counterclockwise
as

4
.
Remove
fasteners
from
left
or
right
luggage
compart-



needed
to
change
height
of
adjusting
collar
.
See
Fig
.

ment
floor
panels
and
lift
out
panel
.
See
Fig
.
13
.
Impact



14
.

absorber
mounting
nuts
can
now
be
accessed
.

~4

EXTERIOR
TRIM

Ratchet
extension

Adjusting
collar

Impact
absorber,

14
mm
Allen
Socket

Ratchet

0012073

Fig
.
14
.
Adjust
bumper
height
at
threaded
adjusting
collar
in
bumper
impact
absorber
.

5
.
Reinstall
mounting
bolts
and
check
bumper
height
.
Re-

fit
front
bumper
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Front
bumper
to

bumper
bracket
(M8
nut)
......
.
..
.
22
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

"
Front
bumper
bracket
to

impact
absorber
(M10
bolt)
........
55
Nm
(41
ft-Ib)

"
Rear
bumper
bracket
to

impact
absorber
(M10
bolt)
........
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

Much
of
the
exteriortrim
is
retained
to
the
body
by
plasticclips
and
fasteners
that
may
be
damaged
during
removal
.
Be

sure
to
have
the
necessary
fasteners
onhand
when
removing

exterior
trim
pieces
.

4
.
Rear
adjustment
:
Loosen
rear
adjusting
wedges
and
push
in
or
out
until
rear
of
sunroof
is
aligned
correctly
withroof-top
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

0013103
Fig
.
5
.



Adjust
rear
of
sunroof
by
loosening
nuts
1
and3
.
Push
adjust-
íng
wedges2
in
or
out
to
achieve
correctheight
.

NOTE-

"
Push
sunroofforward
before
retightening
wedge
fas-
teners
.

0013170

Fig
.
6
.



Adjust
front
of
sunroof
by
loosening
screw
(arrow)
.
Push
sun-
roof
up
or
down
to
achieve
correctheight
.

SUNROOF
540-
3

NOTE-

Use
Loctite®
270
or
an
equivalent
thread
sealing
com-
pound
when
reinstalling
theretaining
screws
.
Alterna-
tively,
install
new
screws
.

6
.
Open
sunroof
slightly
.
Rear
of
sunroofshould
be2
to
3
mm
below
surface
of
roof
.

7
.
Slide
sunroof
liner
slowly
and
carefully
forward
out
of
roof
cavity
as
far
as
possible
.

Sunroof
Height
Adjustment
Specifications

"
Rear
........
....
.
.
flush/1
mm
higher
than
roof
top
"
Front
...
..
.
....
..
.
..
flush/l
mm
lower
than
roof
top

Tightening
Torque

"
Front
orrear
adjusting
fasteners
...
...
6
Nm
(53
in-lb)

Sunroof
motor,
removing
and
installing
"
Use
Loctite®270
oran
equivalent
thread
sealing
com-
pound
when
reinstalling
the
retaining
fasteners
.
Alter-



The
sunroofshould
be
in
theclosed
posítion
before
remov-
natively,install
new
fasteners
.



ing
or
installing
the
sunroof
motor
.
If
necessary,
manually

5
.
Front
adjustment
:
Loosen
retaining
screws,
then
push



close
the
sunroof
panel
as
described
under
Sunroof
panel,

frontof
sunroof
panel
up
or
down
until
it
is
aligned
cor-
emergency
ciosing
.

rectly
with
roof-top
.
Retighten
screws
.
See
Fig
.
6
.



1
.
With
ignition
switch
off,
Rmove
access
panel
from
be-low
sunroof
motor
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
2
.

2
.
Remove
sunroof
motormountingscrews
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

0011825

Fig
.
7
.



Sunroof
motor
mountingscrews
(A
and
B)
.
Screw
at
A
is
longer
than
screws
at
B
.

SLIDE-TILT
SUNROOF

GENERAL
.
...
.
.
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
541-1



Visor
Latch
Plate
.....
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
...
.541-4

Visor
Latch
..
.
............
.
.
.
..........
541-4

MANUAL
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
.
.
.
.
...
.
..
541-1



Visor
Latch
Motor
...
.......
.
.
.
..
........
541-5

Visor
Latch
Plate
.
.
......
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
541-1



Convertible
top
and
frame,
replacing
........
541-5

VisorLatch
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
.
.....
.
.
.541-1



Convertible
top
drive
motor,
replacing



......
541-7

Convertible
Top
Lid
Release
Mechanism
.
.
.
.
541-2



Convertible
Top
Emergency
Operation
.....
.541-7

Convertible
top
and
frame,
replacing
....
.
.
.
541-2



Convertible
Top
Lid
.
.
.
.
...........
.
.....
541-9

POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
.
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
541-2



ROLLOVER
PROTECTION
SYSTEM
..
.
.
541-9

FrontLatching
Mechanism
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
.
541-4

GENERAL

The
convertible
top
comes
in
three
versions
:
a
manually
op-erated
top,
a
semi-automatic
power
top
and
a
fully
automatic
power
top
.

NOTE-

The
convertible
top
control
module
(CVM)
is
located
behind
the
left
rearside
trim
panel
.
For
the
location
of
other
convertible
top
electric
components
see610
Electrical
Component
Locations
.

The
rear
window
in
the
convertible
models
is
made
of
a
strong,
flexible
vínyl
which
is
available
separately
.
Replace-

ment
of
the
rear
window
is
not
covered
in
this
manual
.

The
left
and
right
visor
latch
plates
can
be
accessed
by
re-
moving
the
trim
and
moldings
around
the
sides
and
top
of
the

windshield
.
Each
latch
is
secured
to
thetop
of
the
windshield

usingthree
bolts
.
Latch
position
is
adjusted
as
follows
:

541
Convertible
Top

CONVERTIBLE
TOP



541-1

"
Loosen
bolts

"
Latch
top

"
Align
top

"
Retighten
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

BMW
has
designed
a
specialbattery
tray
for
the
convertible

which,
in
conjunction
with
the
mass
of
the
battery
in
the
lug-

gage
compartment,
serves
to
dampen
convertible
body
flex
ing
and
vibration
.



Fig
.
1.



Visor
latchplate
is
held
to
top
of
windshieldwith
three
bolts
(arrows)
.

CAUTION-

The
E36
convertible
requires
a
specialbattery



VisorLatch
which
is
designed
for
constant
vibration
.
A
battery
not
designed
forthis
will
fa¡¡
much
earlier
.



Check
for
ease
of
release
and
locking
of
convertible
top
front
latches
.
Height
of
a
latch
can
be
changed
by
using
the
adjusting
screw
.
To
change
latch
tension,
it
is
necessary
to
re-
MANUAL
CONVERTIBLE
TOP



move
the
trim
on
the
front
bow
of
thetop
.
The
ball-joint
pull-rod
length
can
then
be
adjusted
.
Lubricate
latch
if
necessary
.
See

Visor
Latch
Plate



Fig
.
2
.

MANUAL
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

541-2



CONVERTIBLE
TOP

Fig
.
2
.



Manually
operated
frontlatch
.
Loosen
mounting
nuts
(A)
and
locknut
(B),
then
adjust
latch
height
with
hex-bolt
(C)
.
(Fully
automatic
front
latch
height
adjuster
is
similar
.)
Latch
tension

ís
adjusted
at
rod
ball-joint
end
(D)
.

Convertible
Top
Lid
Release
Mechanism

The
convertible
lid
release
handle
is
situated
in
the
trim

panel
behind
the
driver's
seat
.
To
remove
thehandle,
pull
its

plastic
insert
forward
and
remove
the
triminsert
.
The
handle
is

mounted
with
a
single
screw
.

Abowden
cable
is
routed
from
the
handle
to
the
left
lid
latch
.

Another
cable
is
routed
from
the
left
tothe
right
latch
inside
the

luggage
compartment
.
It
is
accessed
by
pulling
down
the
trim

lining
off
the
front
wall
of
the
compartment
.

Convertible
top
and
frame,
replacing

1
.
Open
convertible
top
partially
.
Open
convertible
top
lid
.



J
I~I~KX
Open
back
windows
.



_

v
2
.
Remove
fasteners
in
compartments
behind
door
posts

and
lift
out
complete
top
.
Count
number
of
shims
on

horizontal
mounting
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Be
sure
to
replaceU-
shaped
shims
on
horizontal
mounting
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

Fig
.
4
.



Horizontal
positioning
bolt(A)
and
U-shaped
adjusting
shims4
.
To
adjust
position
and
fit
oftop,
remove
or
add
U-



(B)for
convertible
top
.
One
of
two
main
mounting
nuts
(ar
shaped
shims
until
top
is
properly
aligned
.
Tighten
nuts



rows)
also
visible
.

and
screws
.

POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

The
semi-automatic
top,
installed
in
1996
convertibles,

must
first
be
manually
released
from
the
visor
latch
plates
and
pushed
back
past
the
"tension
point,"
wheréupon,
the
auto-
matic
retracting
motor
and
linkage
take
over
and
pull
it
into
the
storage
compartment
behind
the
back
seat
.

POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

Fig
.
3
.



Mounting
nuts
(A)
for
convertible
top
(two
oneach
side)
.
There
is
also
a
horizontal
bolt
with
spacers
oneach
side
(B)
.

0012754

The
fully
automatic
top,
standard
on
1997
and
later
convert-

ibles,
allows
complete
operation
of
the
top,
from
fully
open
to
fully
closed,withthe
push
of
atoggleswitch
on
the
console
.

The
top
switch
incorporates
a
"top
unlatched"
warning
LED
.

A
schematic
representation
of
the
fully
automatic
convert-
ible
top
is
shown
in
Fig
.
5
.

Tablea
.
E36
Component
Locations

Component



Model
Year



Location



Refer
to
Rollover
Sensor



1994-1998



In
lower
left
C-pillar
behind
trim
panel
(Convertible)

Seat
Belt
Switch



1992-1998



In
front
seat
belt
buckle

SeatCushion
Tilt
Motor



1992-1998



Under
front
seat

Seat
Heater



1993-1998



Under
front
seat

Seat
Height
Motor
Front



1992-1998



Under
front
seat

Seat
Movement
Motor



1992-1998



Under
front
seat

Seatback
Heater



1993-1998



In
upper
front
seatback

Seatback
Recliner
Motor



1993-1998



Under
front
seat

Seat
Occupancy
Detector



1994-1998



Under
rightfront
seat

Secondary
Air
Pump
(4-cyl
.)



1997
1
/2
-
1998



Left
engine
compartment,
belowpower
distribution
box
(M44
engine)

Secondary
Air
Pump
(6-cyl
.)



1996-1998



Front
of
engine
compartment
(M52/S52US
engine)

Secondary
Air
Pump
Relay



1996-1998



Power
distribution
box



Fig
.
2
.

Secondary
Air
Pump
Valve



1996-1998



Right
sideof
engine

Side
Impact
Air
Bag
Right/Left



1997-1998



Behind
right/left
door
trim
panel

Síde
Impact
Airbag
Crash
Sensor,



1997-1998



Right/left
door
si¡¡
behind
front
seat
Right/Left

Shift
Interlock



1992-1998



Center
console
beside
shift
selector

Slip
Control
Module
(ABS/AST)



1992-1998



Behind
glove
compartment



Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.

Splice
Panel,
Left
Side



1992-1998



Behind
footwell
speaker
grill



Fig
.
5
.

SplicePanel,
Right
Side



1992-1998



Behind
glove
compartment



Fig
.
6
.

Starter



1992-1998



Leftrear
of
engine

Starter
Immobilization
Relay



1994-1998



In
left
splice
panelbehind
footwell
speaker
grill

Starter
Relay



1992-1993



Below
left
side
of
dash

Starter
Relay



1994-1998



Behind
left
footwell
speaker
grill

Sunroof
Control
Assembly



1992-1998



In
roof
center
panel

Supplemental
Restraint
System



11992-1993



I
Behind
glove
compartment



I



Fig
.
8
.
(Airbag)
Control
Module



Fig
.
9
.

Supplemental
Restraint
System



1994-1998



1
Under
center
of
rear
seat
(Airbag
ZAE)
Control
Module

Switch,
Power
Window



1
1992-1998



1
Center
console

Telephone
Eject
Box



1
1994-1996



1
Center
console

ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS



610-17

Telephone
Transceiver



1992-1992



In
luggage
compartment

Throttle
Flap
Heater



1994-1996



Left
sideof
engine

Throttle
Position
Sensor



1992-1998



I
Left
sideof
engine
inthrottle
housing



I



Fig
.
7
.
Fig
.
15
.
Fig
.
21
.

Continued

COMPONENT
LOCATIONS