Dashboard,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover
terminal
with
insulating
material
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
vi¡¡
.
2
.
Remove
center
console
as
described
earlier
.
3
.
Remove
glove
compartment
as
described
earlier
.
4
.
Remove
lower
left
dash
trim
piece
as
described
above
.
Remove
lower
right
dash
trim
panel
.
See
Fig
.
4
.
Fig
.
4
.
Lower
right
dash
trim
piece
retaining
screw
(arrow)
.
WARNING
-
Store
the
removed
airbags
in
a
safe
place
.
Position
the
airbags
facing
up
.
8
.
Remove
instrument
cluster
.
See
620
Instruments
.
5
.
Remove
driver
and
passenger
airbags
.
See
721
Air-
bag
System
(SRS)
.
6
.
Remove
steering
wheel
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.
INTERIOR
TRIM
513-
3
Fig
.
5
.
Driver
side
knee
bolster
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.
9
.
Remove
headlight
switch
.
Remove
turn
signal
and
windshield
wiper/washer
stalk
switches
.
See612
Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories
.
10
.
Remove
A/C
control
head
and
module
.
See
640
Heat-ing
and
Air
Conditioning
.
11
.
Remove
radio
.
See650
Radio
.
12
.
Remove
A-pillar
(windshield
pillar)
trim
on
left
and
right
sides
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
UU13156
Fig
.
6
.
A-pillar
(windshield
pillar)
trim
removal
.
Right
side
shown,
left
7
.
Remove
driver
side
knee
bolster
.
See
Fig
.
5
.
is
similar
.
DASHBOARD
515
Central
Locking
and
Anti-Theft
GENERAL
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..:
.
.
.
......
.
.
.
.
515-1
Luggage
compartment
locking
actuator,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
...........
.
515-6
DOOR
HANDLES
AND
LOCKS
.........
515-1
LOCKING
SYSTEM
AND
Front
door
lock,
removing
and
installing
....
.515-1
ELECTRONIC
IMMOBILIZATION
......
.515-7
Front
door
handle,
removing
and
installing
...
515-3
Rear
door
lock,
removing
and
installing
.....
515-4
Central
Locking
System(ZVM)
.
.
.
.
.......
.
515-7
Rear
door
handle,
removing
and
installing
...
515-5
Central
Body
Electronics
(ZKE
IV)
.
.
.......
.515-8
Electronic
Immobilization
System
(EWS)
.
.
.
.
.515-8
Door
striker,
rep
lacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
515-6
EWS
II
control
module,
re
lacin
515-10
LOCKING
ACTUATORS
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
515-6
Ring
antenna,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
515-10
Door
Locking
Actuator
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
515-6
EWS
II
transmitter/receiver
module,
replacing
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
515-11
GENERAL
This
section
covers
repair
information
for
the
central
locking
and
the
anti-theft
systems
.
Keep
in
mind
that
E36
cars
are
CA
UTION-
equipped
with
sophisticated
and
self-diagnostic
electrical
sys-
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
tems
.
When
experiencing
malfunctions
relatinglo
the
central
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
locking
or
the
anti-theft
system,
it
is
recommended
that
the
manual
onpage
vi¡¡
.
systembe
diagnosed
using
the
BMW
service
tester
(DIS)
.
This
advanced
diagnostic
tool
can
usually
pinpoint
electrical
NOTE-
faults
quickly
and
safely
.
Consult
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
In
some
models
covered
inthis
manual,
it
is
not
essen-
tial
to
remove
the
side-impact
airbag
to
access
intemal
NOTE-
door
components
.
However,
the
procedure
is
recom-
Additional
general
electrical
information
can
be
found
mended
for
safely
reasons
.
i
n
610
Electrical
Component
Locations
and
Electri-
cal
Wiring
Diagrams
.
4
.
Disconnect
harnessconnector
from
window
motor
to
DOOR
HANDLES
AND
LOCKS
Front
door
lock,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Remove
front
door
panel
and
vapor
barrier
asde-
scribed
in
411
Doors
.
WARNING
-
Some
1997
and
all
1998
cars
are
fitted
with
side-im-
pact
airbags
in
the
front
doors
.
When
servicing
the
door
locks
on
cars
with
front
side-impact
airbags,
al-
ways
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
battery
terminal
.
See721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
forcautions
andpro-
cedures
relating
to
the
airbag
system
.
2
.
Raise
door
window
completely
CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT
515-1
3
.
On
cars
with
side-impact
airbags,
disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery,
then
remove
airbag
module
.
prevent
accidental
operation
.
5
.
On
4-door
cars
:
Peel
back
rubber
window
guide
from
reas
guide
rail
:
Remove
guide
rail
mounting
boltat
bot-
tom
.
Unclip
any
wiring
from
guide
rail
and
pull
guide
rail
downward
and
remove
from
door
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
NOTE
-
The
top
of
the
guide
rail
is
"hooked"
to
the
doorsheet
metal
.
6
.
Remove
inside
door
handle
retaining
screw
.
Discon-
nect
inside
handle
from
linkage
and
remove
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
7
.
Cut
wire
ties
and
remove
door
lock
electrical
harness
con-
nector
.
Remove
door
lock
mounting
screws
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
8
.
Working
inside
door,
disconnect
outside
door
handle
and
lockcylinder
linkage
from
door
lock
.
Remove
lock
from
inside
door
.
See
Fig
.
4
.
DOOR
HANDLES
AND
LOCKS
Front
door
handle,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Closedoor
window
completely
.
2
.
Remove
front
door
panel
and
vapor
barrier
asde-
scribed
in
411
Doors
.
WARNING
-
Some
1997
and
al]
1998
cars
are
fitted
with
side-im-
pact
airbags
in
the
front
doors
.
When
servicing
the
door
handles
on
cars
with
front
side-impact
airbags,
always
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
battery
terminal
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
for
cautions
and
pro-
cedures
relatíng
to
the
airbag
system
.
3
.
On
carswíth
side-impact
airbags,
disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery,
then
remove
airbag
module
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
thís
manual
onpage
vi¡¡
.
NOTE-
In
some
models
covered
inthis
manual,
it
is
not
essen-
tial
to
remove
the
side-impact
airbag
to
access
internal
door
components
.
However,
the
procedure
is
recom-
mended
for
safety
reasons
.
4
.
Remove
door
lock
as
described
earlier
.
5
.
Remove
window
as
described
in
512
Door
Windows
.
CA
UTION-
On
models
with
side-impact
airbags,
removinglin-
stalling
the
front
window
requires
that
the
battery
cable
bereconnected
wíth
the
side-impact
airbag
disconnected
.
This
will
seta
fault
code
in
the
SRS
control
module,
turn
on
the
SRS
warning
light,
and
disable
the
SRS
system
until
the
fault
memo-
ry
is
cleared
usíng
special
SRS
test
equipment
.
6
.
Pry
out
access
plug
in
end
of
door
.
Use
screwdriver
through
access
hole
to
slide
exteriortrim
locking
plate
into
released
position
.
See
Fig
.
5
.
Remove
doorhandle
exterior
trim
piece
.
7
.
Working
inside
door,
remove
locking
clip
for
doorhan-
dle
retaining
pin
and
push
pin
out
.
8
.
Working
inside
door,
disconnect
electrical
harness
con-
nector
at
door
handle
.
Twist
plastic
connector
bracket
to
remove
from
door
handle
.
CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT
515-
3
0011681
Fig
.
5
.
Insert
screwdriver
into
access
hole
and
push
lockingplate
forward
(arrow)
to
release
exterior
handle
trim
.
uu11682
Fig
.
6
.
Door
handle
retaining
pin(A)
and
lock
collar
nut
(B)
.
Door
handle
trim
shown
removed
.
10
.
Remove
door
handle
fromdoor
by
angling
out
of
door
cavity
.
Removed
door
handle
assembly
is
shown
in
Fig
.
7
.
0012684
Fig
.
7
.
Door
handle
harnessconnector
(A)
;
retaining
pin
Iocking
clip
9
.
Working
at
door
exterior,
remove
handle
collar
nut
(B)
;
exterior
trim
Iocking
plate
(C)
.
Handleassembly
shown
re-
while
supporting
handle
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
moved
from
door
.
DOOR
HANDLES
AND
LOCKS
002262
In
this
system,
three
microswitches
are
operated
via
the
door
lock
cylinder
at
each
front
door
.
Turning
the
key
approximately
Fig
.
17
.
Pufl
off
luggage
compartment
lock
actuating
rod
in
the
direc-
45°
(position
1)
operates
the
door
locking
microswitch
.
Tuming
tionof
arrow
.
the
key
approximately
90°
(position2)
actuates
the
double
locking
microswitch
.
Tuming
the
key
approximately
45°
in
the
opposite
di-
rection
through
position
0
actuates
the
unlocking
microswitch
and
deactivates
the
alarm
system
(position3)
.
See
Fig
.
19
.
Fig
.
18
.
Luggage
compartment
actuatorwire
connectors
and
attach-
ing
screws
(arrows)
.
LOCKING
SYSTEM
AND
ELECTRONIC
IMMOBILIZATION
The
central
locking
system
uses
electrical
lock
actuators
at
each
door
and
at
the
trunk
lid
.
The
locking
system
can
be
ac-
tuated
by
either
front
door
lock
or
by
the
luggage
compartment
lock
.
Onsome
1994
and
later
cars,
an
additional
remote
con-
trol
keypadcan
also
be
used
to
activate
the
lock
and
anti-theft
systems
.
When
the
key
is
tuned
to
the
lock
position,
a
micro-switch
signals
a
central
control
module
to
lock
all
doors,
luggage
compartment,
gas
tank
flap
and,
in
later
convertibles,
the
glove
box
lid
.
Where
applicable,
this
also
arms
the
anti-theft
system
.
CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT
515-7
NOTE-
The
central
locking
system
responds
to
accidents
vía
animpact
(inertia)
switch
.
When
this
function
ís
activat-
ed,
the
doors
are
automatically
unlocked
and
the
haz-
ard
warning
lights
and
interiorlights
are
turned
on
.
The
impact
switches
are
mounted
in
the
left
and
right
foot-
wells
behind
the
speaker
grilles
.
Central
Locking
System
(ZVM)
Different
versions
of
the
central
locking
control
havebeen
used
in
the
E36
cars
.
In
early
production
cars
(model
years
1992
and
1993),
the
locking
system
is
controlled
through
the
central
locking
module
.
This
system
is
referred
to
as
ZVM
.
Fig
.
19
.
ZVM
door
lock
cylinderpositíons
.
CAUTION-
Do
not
engage
double
locking
position
with
pas-
sengers
in
the
car
unless
the
master
key
isavail-
able
.
The
door
cannotbe
opened
from
outside
orinside
without
the
master
key
.
NOTE-
In
case
of
a
discharged
battery,
the
car
can
still
be
locked
orunlocked
using
the
key
.
0011762
LOCKING
SYSTEM
AND
ELECTRONIC
IMMOBILIZATION
515-10
CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT
EWS
II
control
module,
replacing
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
vüf
.
2
.
Remove
glove
compartment
as
described
in
513
Inte-
rior
Trim
.
3
.
Remove
EWS
II
control
module
harness
connector
.
Pull
module
out
of
bracket
.
See
Fig
.
22
.
NOTE-
The
EWS
11
module
should
be
identified
with
EWS
11
markings
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Ring
antenna,
replacing
4
.
Cut
off
wire
ties
holding
wiring
harness
to
steering
col-
umn
.
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.
CAUTION
-
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnectioncautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manualonpage
viii
.
2
.
Remove
lower
steering
column
cover
.
See
Fig
.
23
.
Transmitter/
receiver
Ring
r
module
antenna
Fig
.
22
.
Location
of
EWS
II
components
.
LOCKING
SYSTEM
AND
ELECTRONIC
IMMOBILIZATION
Fig
.
23
.
Steering
column
cover
retaining
screw
(arrow)
.
5
.
Gently
pry
off
ring
antenna
from
ignition
switch
.
7
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
0012543
3
.
Remove
lower
left
dash
trim
panel
as
described
in
513
Interior
Trim
.
6
.
Unplug
ring
antennaharness
from
EWS
II
transmit-
ter/receiver
module
as
described
below
.
EWS
II
transmitterlreceiver
module,
replacing
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
viii
.
2
.
Remove
lower
left
dash
trim
panel
and
knee
bolster
as
described
in
513
Interior
Trim
.
3
.
Unclip
auxiliary
relay
panel
under
steering
column
and
lower
it
to
access
relays
and
harness
connectors
.
See
Fig
.
24
.
Fig
.
24
.
Lowering
the
left
side
auxiliaryrelay
panel
.
CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT
515-11
0013164
4
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
transmitter/receiv-
er
module
.
Unclip
module
from
panel
.
See
Fig
.
25
.
5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
0
A
0013035
Fig
.
25
.
Position
of
EWS
II
transmitter/receiver
module
(A)
on
left
side
auxiliaryrelay
panel
.
LOCKING
SYSTEM
AND
ELECTRONIC
IMMOBILIZATION
GENERAL
This
repair
group
covers
removal
and
installation
of
the
front
and
rear
seats
.
FRONT
SEATS
The
front
seats
installed
in
E36
cars
come
in
either
manual
or
electrically
powered
versions
.
Cloth,vinyl
and
leather
ver-
sions
are
offered
.
M3
sport
seats
have
extra
bolsters
on
the
sides
of
the
sean-back,
a
thigh
support
bolster,
and
extra
con-
trols
for
sean
inclination
.
Seat
removal
and
installation
is
similar
for
all
versions
.
Seat
disassembly
differs
in
details
among
the
many
models
of
seats
.
Front
seat,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Move
seat
to
fui¡
forward
position
and
raise
it
as
far
as
possible
.
Remove
two
mounting
bolts
at
rear
of
sean
rails
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
2
.
Move
seat
to
fui¡
rear
position,
keeping
it
raised
.
3
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.
Fig
.1
.
Frontseat
rear
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
viii
.
520
Seats
SEATS
520-1
GENERAL
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..............
.
.
520-1
Rear
seat
cushion
and
backrest,
removing
and
installing
FRONT
SEATS
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
520-1
(fixed
seat
back
models)
......
.
.
.
...
.
...
520-5
Front
seat,
removing
and
installing
...
.
.
.
..'
520-1
Rear
seat
cushion
and
backrest,
Manual
Front
Seat
Assembly
.............
520-3
removing
and
installing
fold-downsean
back
models
(
)
..
.
.
..
..
.
...
520-5
Power
Fronf
Seat
Assembly
..
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
;
520-4
Rear
seat
backrest
side
section,
REAR
SEATS
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
............
.
...
520-5
removing
and
installing
(fold-down
seat
back
models)
..
.
.....
.
..
.520-6
4
.
Remove
plastic
caps
from
front
mounting
nuts,
and
then
remove
mounting
nuts
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
WARNING
-
Deactivate
front
seat
belt
lock
tensioners
before
proceeding
to
next
step
.
See720
Seat
Belts
.
NOTE-
Use
a
blanket
to
protect
door
sill
from
scuffing
bysean
rail
during
seatremoval
.
FRONT
SEA
TS
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