1992 BMW 318i Driver

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
.

Convertible
top
drive
motor,
replacing



5
.
Working
in
convertible
top
storage
compartment
be-
hind
driver's
seat,
remove
convertible
top
linkage
rods
1
.
Open
convertible
top
partially,
stopping
when
convert-



from
top
of
motor
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
11
.
ible
top
lid
is
fully
upen
.
Remove
lid
.

2
.
Release
luggage
compartment
lock-out
by
pressing
on
microswitch
in
right
convertible
top
lid
latch
.
See
Fig
.

14
.

0012745

Fig
.
14
.
Rightside
convertible
top
lid
latch
.
Arrow
points
to
location
of
luggage
compartment
lock-out
microswitch
.

3
.
Open
luggage
compartment
.
Remove
trim
and
inner

lining
from
left
side
of
compartment
.

4
.
Disconnect
electrical
harness
connectors
at
top
motor
.

Release
emergency
release
cable
from
lever
.
Push
le-

ver
up
to
release
motor
.
See
Fig
.
15
.

uu12759

Fig
.
15
.
Convertible
top
motor
(A)
and
release
lever
(B)
in
luggage

compartment
.

CONVERTIBLE
TOP



541-
7

6
.
Remove
four
fastenersholding
motor
to
body
and
re-

move
motor
through
luggage
compartment
.
See
Fig
.

16
.

0012761

Fig
.
16
.
Convertible
top
motor
mountingscrews
(arrows)
.
Gasket
(A)
mustbe
renewed
when
motor
is
replaced
.

7
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Keep
the
following
in

mind
:

"
Replace
sealing
gasket
between
top
of
motor
and

body
.

"
Securemotormountingscrews
with
Locktite
®
270
or
equivalent
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Convertible
top
motor
to
body

mountingscrews
...
...
.
.
.........
10
Nm
(7
.5
ft-Ib)

Convertible
Top
Emergency
Operation

A
malfunction
in
the
electrical
system
or
another
fault
in
the

convertible
top
mechanism
can
cause
the
automatic
or
semi-
automatic
top
to
be
stuck
in
open,
shut,
or
intermediate
posi-

tion
.
The
following
general
procedures
are
suggested
in
order

to
close
the
top
in
an
emergency
situation
.
Resetting
proce-

dures
for
convertible
top
synchronization
after
emergency
clo-

sure
are
beyond
the
scope
of
this
manual
.

Main
Motor
.
To
release
thetop
linkage
from
the
motor,
lift

the
left
comer
of
the
rearseat
to
access
emergency
release

handle
.
See
Fig
.
17
.

POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

Convertible
Top
Lid

The
components
of
the
convertible
top
lid
are
shown
in
Fig
.
20
.

Fig
.
20
.
Components
of
the
convertible
top
lid
.

ROLLOVER
PROTECTION
SYSTEM

The
lid
latches
are
cable
operated
by
a
drive
motor
located
in
the
left
sideof
the
luggagecompartment,
behind
the
trim
lin-

er
.
The
same
motor
is
used
to
raise
and
lower
the
lid
during

automatic
convertible
topoperation
.

The
latch
cables
must
be
adjusted
so
that
the
lidfits
snugly
against
the
body
when
locked
.

The
lid
drive
motor
can
be
removed
and
replaced
from
the

luggage
compartment
.

Two
spring-locaed
cassettes
are
mounted
behind
the
rear
seat
.
A
single
rollover
sensor,
mounted
on
the
left
cassette,
signals
the
convertible
top
module
(CVM)
of
animminent
roll-
over,
whereupon
the
module
triggers
both
cassettes
within

3j10th
of
a
second
.
See
Fig
.
21
.

Once
the
cars
ignition
has
been
switched
on,
the
rollover

sensor
performs
a
self-test
lasting
6
seconds
.
During
this
time

a
yellow
warning
light
is
lit
on
the
dashboard
.
If
thewarning
lightfails
to
go
out
after
6
seconds,
this
means
that
a
fault
has

been
detected
in
the
system
.
The
fault
is
stored
in
the
CM

Faults
canbe
retrieved
and
diagnosedby
special
diagnostic

equipment
.

NOTE-

Diagnosis
of
the
convertible
top
and
the
Rollover
Pro-
tection
System
are
beyond
the
scope
of
this
book
.
Your
authorized
BMW
dealer
has
the
proper
diagnostic
equipment
and
tools
to
carry
out
these
tasks
.

CONVERTIBLE
TOP



541-
9

Fig
.
21
.
Construction
of
the
rollover
protection
cassette
.

After
deployment,
thedetent
pawl
in
a
rollover
protection
cassette
can
be
retracted
using
the
special
tool
in
the
tool
kit,
fitted
to
the
screwdriver
handle
.
The
rear
seatheadrest
needs
to
be
raised
for
this
procedure
.

WARNING
-

Ensure
that
the
area
above
and
adjacent
to
the
roll-
over
bars
remains
clear
and
unobstructed
at
all
times
.

CAUTION-

"
Itis
not
possible
to
close
the
convertible
top
with
the
rollover
bars
extended
.

"
If
a
hardtop
is
mounted,
be
sure
to
install
the
pro-
tective
rollover
bar
covers
provided
with
the
hard-
top
to
prevent
damaglng
the
rear
window
in
case
of
deployment
.

0012744

ROLLOVER
PROTECTION
SYSTEM

610-2



ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

Fuses
number47
and
50are
mounted
on
the
left
side
splice

panel
.
Refer
lo
Fig
.
5
.

Fuse48
is
mounted
on
the
auxiliary
relay
panel
.
Refer
to

Fig
.
3
.

Fuse
49
is
mounted
in
the
right
side
of
the
luggage
compart-

ment
behind
the
trim
cover
.

Relay
Positions

Mounted
in
the
left-hand
rear
comer
of
the
engine
compart-

ment,
the
power
distribution
box
contains
46
(uses
and
15
re-

lay
positions
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

Fuses31-46

-
Er
a
&QT
MM
~

Fig
.
2
.



E36
front
power
distribution
box
.

FUSE
AND
RELAY
POSITIONS

Fuses1-20

13
EL1
5
]

mmmmmmmmmm
Fuses
21-30
--



0013034)

1
.
Fuel
pump
relay



9
.



Heater/A/C
Blower
relay
2
.
System
(main)
relay



10
.



Rear
defogger
relay
3
.
Oxygen
sensorheater
re-



11
.
ABS
system
relay
lay



12
.
ABS
pump
relay
4
.



Horn
relay



13
.



High
speed
radiator
fan
re-
5
.



Taillight/foglight
relay



]ay
6
.
Low
beam
relay



14
.
A/C
compressor
relay
7
.



High
beam
relay



15
.



Low
speed
radiator
fan
re-
8
.



Emergency
flasherrelay



¡ay

Auxiliary
Relay
Panel

The
auxiliary
relay
panel
contains
five
relay
positions
.
In
lat-

er
modeis
an
additional
fuse
holder
(Fuse48)
and
the
EWS
II
(anti-theft)
transmitter/receiver
module
are
located
on
this

panel
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

The
panel
is
located
nextto
the
steering
column
under
the
driver's
side
dashboard
.
To
access
this
panel,
remove
the
pwer
dash
panel
on
driver's
side
.
See513
Interior
Trim
.

Then
remove
the
driver's
side
knee
bolster
.
Lower
the
relay
panel
by
gently
releasing
the
plastic
retainers
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

During
installation,
be
sure
the
retainer
tabs
are
engaged
in
the
relay
panel
.

Splice
Panel,
Left

3

¡ni

Fig
.
3
.
Auxiliary
relay
panel
under
left
side
of
dash
.

Fuse
48)
0013035

1
.



Comfort
relay
(where
ap-



4
.



Not
used

plicable)



5
.



Not
used

2
.
Crash
control
module



6
.



EWS
II
transmitter/receiv-

3
.



Park
ventilation
relay



er
module
(from
Jan
.
1995)

0013164

Fig
.
4
.



Auxiliary
relay
panel
under
left
sideof
dashboard
(arrow)
.

The
left
splice
panel
contains
four
relay
positions
and
an
ad-
ditional
fuse
holder
(Fuses
47
and
50)
.

To
access
the
left
side
electrical
splice
panel,
remove
the

left
side
dash
panel
and
knee
bolster,
as
described
earlier
.

The
panel
is
located
above
and
lo
the
left
of
the
clutch
pedal
.

See
Fig
.
5
.

610-$



ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

Fig
.
24
.
Brake
pedalswitches
.

Fig
.
25
.
Driver
side
airbag
connector
(arrow)
.

COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

0011751

Fig
.
26
.
Passenger
sideairbag
connector
(arrow)
behind
glove
com-

partment
.

Fig
.
27
.
Antenna
diversity
module
(arrow)
inleft
C-pillar
.

Fig
.
28
.
Right
side
offuel
tank
under
rear
seat
cushion
.

0013108
0013010
0013142

610-10



ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

Component



Model
Year



Location



Refer
to

ABS
Hydraulic
Control
Unit



1992-1998



Left
rear
engine
compartment
undermaster
cylinder



Fig
.
7
.
Fig
.
10
.

ABS
Hydraulic
Control
Unit
Relay



1992-1998



Power
distribution
box



Fig
.
2
.

ABS
Pedal
Travel
Sensor



1992-1998



On
brake
booster
beside
master
cylinder



Fig
.
10
.

ABS
Relay



1992-1998



Power
distribution
box



Fig
.
2
.

ABS/AS
T
(Traction)
Control
Module



1992-1998



Behind
glove
compartment



Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.

ABS
Speed
Sensor,
Left
Front



1992-1998



Left
front
steering
arm



Fig
.
31
.
Wheel

ABS
Speed
Sensor,
Left
Rear



1992-1998



Left
rear
trailing
arm
Wheel

ABS
Speed
Sensor,
RightFront



11992-1998



Right
front
steering
arm
Wheel

ABS
Speed
Sensor,
Right
Rear



1992-1998



I
Left
rear
trailing
arm
Wheel
1

A/C
Compressor



1
1992-1998



(
Rightlower
frontof
engine

A/C
Compressor
Control
Relay



1
1992-1998
1992-1998
1992-1998

A/C
Control
Module

A/C
Evaporator
Temperature
Sensor
A/C
Pressure
Switch



1992-1998



Right
frontof
engine
compartment

A/C
Program
Switch



1992-1998



Center
of
dash
below
radio

A/CRecharging
Ports



1992-1998



Right
rear
engine
compartment



Fig
.
16
.

Air
Flow
Sensor



1992-1998



Between
throttle
housing
&
filter
housing



Fig
.
7
.

Airbag
Contact
Slip
Ring



1992-1998



Rear
ofsteering
wheel

Airbag,
Driver



1992-1998



In
center
of
steering
wheel



Fig
.
25
.

Airbag,
Passenger



1994-1998



Right
front
of
dash
above
glove
compartment



Fig
.
26
.

Airbag,
Side-Impact



1997-1998



Behind
right/left
front
door
panel
Airbag
Control
Module
(Basic)



1992-1993



Behind
glove
compartment



Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.

Airbag
Control
Module
(ZAE)



1994-1998



On
center
tunnel
under
rear
seat
cushion

Airbag
Crash
Sensor,
Airbag



1992-1993



On
righUleft
front
strut
tower
Airbag
Crash
Sensor,
Right/Left



1997-1998



Right/left
door
si¡¡
behind
front
seatSide
Impact

Alternator
(Generator)



1992-1998



Left
lowerfront
of
engine

Amplifier
Hi-fi



1992-1998



Left
front
side
of
luggage
compartment

Antenna
Amplifier
AM/FM



1992-1998



In
upper
left
side
C-pillar



Fig
.
27
.

COMPONENT
LOCA
TIONS

Table
a
.
E36
Component
Locations

Power
distribution
box



Fig
.
2
.

Behind
center
console

Left
sideof
heater
box

Continued

610-12



ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

Table
a
.
E36
Component
Locations

Component



Model
Year



Location



Refer
to

Combination
(Stalk)
Switch



1993-1998



Left
sidesteering
column
(turn
signals/high-low
bean
switch)

Convertible
Top
ActuatingSwitch



1994-1998



Center
console

Convertible
Top
Control
Module



1994-1998



In
lower
left
C-pillar
behind
trim
panel

Convertible
TopEnd
Position
Switch



1994-1998



In
convertible
top
linkage

Convertible
Top
Motor



1994-1998



In
left
sideof
trunk
behind
trim
panel

Convertible
Top
Position



1994-1998



In
convertible
top
linkage
Microswitch
Convertible
Top
Storage
Lid
Lock



1994-1998



In
convertible
top
compartment
left
side
Motor

Convertible
Top
Storage
Lid



1994-1998



Inright
side
convertible
top
storage
lid
latch
Microswitch

Convertible
Top
Storage
Lid
Motor



1994-1998



In
left
side
of
trunk
behind
trim
panel

Coolant
Leve¡
Sensor
(if
applicable)



1992-1998



Bolted
on
radiator,
left
side

Coolant
Temperature
Sensor



1992-1998



Left
front
of
engine/cylinder
head



Fig
.
19
.
Fig
.
20
.

Cooling
Fan
Dual
Switch



1992-1998



Right
side
radiator



Fig
.
18
.

Cooling
Fan
Motor



1992-1998



Behind
front
grill

Crankshaft
Position/RPM
Sensor



1992-1995



At
front
crankshaft
pulley

Crankshaft
Position/RPM
Sensor



1996-1998



Left
rearof
crankcase

Crash
Sensor,
Airbag



1992-1993



On
right/left
frontstrut
tower

Crash
Control
Module



1992



Auxiliary
relay
panel

Crash
Control
Module



1993-1998



Driver's
side
footwell

Crash
Sensor,
Right/Left
Side



1997-1998



Right/left
door
sill
behind
front
seat
Impact
Airbag

Cruise
Control
Actuator



1992-1998



Left
front
of
engine
compartment



Fig
.
7
.

Cruise
Control
Module



1992-1998



Behind
glove
compartment



Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.

Data
Link
Connector



1992-1998



Right
sideof
engine



Fig
.
7
.

Digital
Motor
Electronics
(DME)



1992-1998



Right
rear
engine
compartment,
behind
bulkhead
panel



Fig
.
7
.
Control
Module

DoorLock
Heater



1993-1994



Left
front
doorhandle
DoorHandle
Switch



1994-1998



left
front
door

Drive-away
Protection
(EWS
II)



1/1995
-
1998



Behind
glove
compartment



Fig
.
8
.
Module



Fig
.
9
.

Dual
Coolant
Temperature
Sensor



1997-1998



Below
intake
manifold



Fig
.
19
.

COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

Fig
.
20
.

Electronic
Immobilizer
Control



(
1/1995-1998
~
Behind
glove
compartment



Fig
.
8
.
Module
(EWS
II)



Fig
.
9
.

Continued

611-2



WIPERS
AND
WASHERS

5
.
Slide
new
insert
through
wiperblade
guides
.
Lock
in-

sert
m
place
at
end
gudes
.

.,
\



-
-



--



,



1
Wiper
arms,
removing
and
installing

Fig
.
1
.



Windshield
wiper
biade
retaining
tab
.
Press
in
on
tab
(arrow)
to
release
bfade
from
arm
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Instan
wiperblade
to
wiper
arm
until
retaining
tab
can
be
heard
toclickinto
position
.

Wiper
biade
inserts,
replacing

1
.
Remove
wiper
blade
as
described
earlier
.

2
.
Unhook
end
of
wiper
blade
insert
fromwiper
arm

guides
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

0011784
Fig
.
2
.



Unhook
wiperbiade
insert
from
wiper
arm
guide
.
If
necessary,
guide
slightly
usingneed1e
nose
pliers
.

3
.
Pull
old
insert
fromwiper
arm
guides,
noting
installation
position
.

4
.
Remove
metal
support
strips
from
old
insert
and
instan
intoslots
in
new
insert,
noting
installation
direction
of
cutouts
in
support
strips
.

GENERAL

NOTE
-

The
notched
cutouts
in
the
retaining
strips
should
en-
gage
the
molded
notches
in
the
inserts
.

NOTE-

On
2-door
models
it
may
be
necessary
to
raise
the
hood
to
the
service
position
.
See
410
Fenders,
Engine
Hood
.

CAUTION-

"
Use
fender
cover
to
protect
windshield
.

"
Remove
windshield
wiper
fuse
to
prevent
acci-
dents
.

1.
With
engine
hood
in
closed
position,
remove
both
wiper

blades
.

2
.
Open
hood
.
Remove
cap
covering
wiper
arm
retaining

nutsby
inserting
anarrow
screwdriver
biade
in
slot
be-
low
capand
prying
upward
.

NOTE
-

Marking
position
of
wiper
arm
on
shaft
will
aid
installa-tion
.

3
.
Using
a13
mm
socket,
remove
wiper
arm
retaining
nut

andremove
wiper
arm
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Fig
.
3
.



Wiper
arm
retaining
nut
.
(arrow)
.
,

NOTE
-

ft
may
benecessary
to
gently
rock
wiper
arm
back
and
forth
to
loosen
arm
from
shaft
.