1993 BMW M3 ind

120-
4



IGNITION
SYSTEM

2
.
Check
for
battery
voltage
o
cofs
.
If
voltage
is
not



Table
b
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance

present,
check
wire
between
terminal
15
and
ignition



(M42
Engine)
switch
.
See
Electrical
Wiring
Diagrams
.

"
On
M42
engine,
connect
digital
multimeter
between
ter-

minal
15(+)
in
each
harness
connector
and
ground
.
See

Fig
.
4
.

"
On
M44
engine,
connect
voltmeter
between
terminal
2

(15+)
in
connector
and
ground
.
Turn
ignition
on
and

check
for
voltage
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

3
.
Turn
ignition
off
.

0
4a15

Fig
.
4
.



Ignition
coil
harness
connector
terminal
identification
for
M42

engine
.

Fig
.
5
.



Ignition
coil
harness
connector
terminal
identification
for
M44
engine
.

CAUTION-

The
wiring
to
the
coil(via
the
ignition
switch
15+)
is
not
fuse
protected
.
Use
care
when
testing
thiscircuit
.

4
.
Use
a
digital
multimeter
totest
coil
primary
resistance
.

"
On
M42
engine,
use
Table
b
asa
guide
to
check
coil

resistance
.
Make
checks
at
each
harness
connector
.

"
On
M44
engine,
use
Table,c
as
a
guide
to
check
coil
primary
resistance
.

5
.
Inspect
coil
housing
for
hairline
cracks
or
leaking
cast-
ing
material
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
A
leaky
ignition
coil
may
indi-



11502

cate
a
faulty
ECM
(engine
control
module)
.
Check
the
ECM
before
installing
a
new
coil
.



Fig
.
6
.



Ignition
coil
harnessconnector
terminal
identification
for
6-
cylinder
engine
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE

11502

Terminals
Resistance
(refer
to
Fig
.
4
.)

Coil
primary



1
(-)
and
15
(+)



10
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
secondary



N
.A
.



N
.A
.

Table
c
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance

(M44
Engine)

Terminais
Resistance
(referto
Fig
.
5
.)

Coil
#1
primary



1
(-)
and
2
(+)



0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
#2
primary



6
(-)
and2
(+)



0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
#3
primary



7
(-)
and
2
(+)



0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
#4
primary



5
(-)
and2
(+)



0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
secondary



N
.A
.



N
.A
.

NOTE-

If
a
single
coilís
faulty
on
M44
engines,
the
complete
coil
pack
will
have
to
be
replaced
.

Ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing

(6-cylinder
engine)

CAUTION-

Use
a
digital
multimeter
for
the
following
tests
.

1.
Remove
plastic
enginecovers
from
top
of
engine
by

prying
off
nut
covers
and
removingcover
mounting

nuts
.
See
113
Cylinder
HeadRemoval
and
Installa-

tion
.

2
.
Disconnect
harnessconnectorfromcof
.
Connect
mul-
timeter
between
terminal
15
(+)
in
connector
and

ground
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

3
.
Turn
ignition
on
and
check
for
batteryvoltage
.

"
If
batteryvoltage
is
not
present,
check
wire
between

terminal
15
and
ignition
switch
.
See
Electrical
Wiring

Diagrams
.

"mozo

CAUTION
-

The
wiring
to
termina¡
15
(+)
of
the
coil(vía
the
ig-

nition
switch)
is
not
fuse
protected
.
Use
care
when
testíng
thiscircuit
.

4
.
Turn
ignition
off
.

5
.
Use
a
multimeter
to
test
coil
primary
resistanceat
coil

terminals
.
See
Table
d
.

Table
d
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance

(6-cylinder
Engine)

Terminals
Resistance

(referto
Fig
.
4
.)

Coil
primary



1
1
(-)
and
15
(+)



X
0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
secondary



l
N
.A
.



N
.A
.

6
.
Remove
coil
and
inspect
coil
housing
for
hairline
cracks

or
leaking
casting
material
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
A
leaky
ignition

coil
may
indícate
a
faulty
engine
control
module
(ECM)
.

Check
ECM
before
installing
a
new
coil
.

811004

Fig
.
7
.



Ignition
coil
being
removed
on
6-cylinder
engine
(M52
engine

shown)
.

CA
UTION-

"
Note
location
of
coil
ground
straps
before
coilre-

moval
;
reinstallin
the
same
location
.

"
When
replacing
ignition
coils,
ensure
that
the
re-

placement
coil(s)
are
from
the
same
manufactur-

er
containing
the
same
partlcode
numbers
.
If

individual
coils
with
the
correct
specifications
are
not
available,
all
coils
should
be
replaced
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM



120-
5

Crankshaft
Position/rpm
Sensor

If
the
engine
control
module
(ECM)
does
not
receive
a

crankshaft
position
signal
during
cranking,
the
engine
will
not

start
.

On
1992-1995(pre-OBD
II)
cars,
the
crankshaft
posi-
tion/rpm
sensor
is
mounted
on
the
front
engine
cover
and

reads
the
toothed
vibration
dampener
wheel
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

Fig
.
8
.



Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor
mounted
at
front
of
engine
on
1992-1995
cars
.
(arrow)
.

On
1996
and
latee
cars
(OBD
II
compliant),
the
crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor
is
mounted
in
the
left
rear
side
of
the
cyl-

inderblock
.
The
sensor
reads
a
toothed
wheel
mounted
to
the

end
of
the
crankshaft
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

Fig
.
9
.



Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor
toothed
wheel
mounted
to

rear
of
crankshaft
OBD
II
compliant
cars
.
The
sensor
is

mounted
in
the
left
rear
side
of
the
cylinder
block
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE

120-
6



IGNITION
SYSTEM

Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor,

testing
and
replacing
(front
mounted)

1
.
Disconnect
sensor
harness
connector
.

2
.
Using
a
digital
multimeter,
check
resistance
between
terminals
1
and
2
in
connector
.
See
Fig
.
10
.

n1
n2n3

Fig
.
10
.
Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensorconnector
.

Crankshaft
positionlrpm
sensor
specifications

"
Coil
resistance
(approx
.)
terminais
1
and
2
....
.
..
...
....
1280
±
10%
ohms

"
Air
gap
(sensor
distance
from
toothed
wheel)
..
.
.
........
.1
.0
±
0
.3
mm
(0
.04
±
0
.01
in
.)

3
.
If
the
resistance
is
not
correct,
the
sensor
is
faulty
and
should
be
replaced
.

NOTE
-

When
installing
the
new
sensor,
be
sure
thewiring
Is
rerouted
in
the
same
orientation
.
Secure
the
sensor
us-
ing
new
wire
ties
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor
to
mounting
bracket
.........
.
.
5
t
1
Nm
(62
t
9
in-lb)

Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor,



4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Use
a
new
O-ring
replacing
(rear
mounted)



when
installing
sensor
.
Be
sure
wiring
is
rerouted
in
same
orientation
.
1
.
Disconnect
sensor
harness
connector
.

6502AGN56

2
.
Locatesensor
on
rear
left
sideof
cylinder
block
.
Re-
move
sensormounting
bolt
and
remove
sensorfrom
cylinder
block
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE

3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Use
a
new
O-ring

when
installing
sensor
.
Be
sure
wiring
is
rerouted
in
same
orientation
.
Secure
sensor
using
new
wire
ties
.

NOTE-

It
may
be
easier
to
remove
the
sensor
working
from
the
underside
of
the
vehicle
.

Camshaft
Position
(CMP)
Sensor

The
camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor
is
usedby
the
engine
management
system
for
sequential
fuel
injection
and
knock
control
.

Camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor,

replacing
(4-cylinder
engine)

1
.
Remove
CMP
sensorfromtop
timing
cover,
just
above
coolantthermostat
housing
.
See
Fig
.
11
.

Fig
.
11
.
Camshaft
position
sensor
mounting
bolt
(arrow)
.
M42
engine
shown
.

2
.
On
M42
engines
to
9/93
:
Disconnect
CMP
harness
plug
just
above
oil
filter
housing
.

3
.
On
M42
from9/93
and
all
M44
engines
:
Remove
upper
intake
manifold
as
described
in
113
Cylinder
Head
Re-
moval
and
Installation
.
Then
unplug
CMP
sensor
har-
ness
connector
below
manifold
.

Camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor,

replacing
(6-cylinder
engine)

1
.
Remove
plastic
cover
from
above
fuel
injectors
.

2
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
VANOS
solenoid

and
unscrew
solenoid
from
VANOS
control
unit
.
Re-



"
Clean
contactsurface
on
engine
block
before
fnstall

move
oil
supply
line
from
VANOS
control
unit
.
See
117



ing
knock
sensors
.

Camshaft
Timing
Chain
.

3
.
Remove
camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor
from
left
frontof

cylinder
head,
next
to
top
of
oil
filter
housing
.



"
Knock
sensor
to
cylinder
block
....
20
Nm
(15
ft
.
lbs
.)

4
.
Disconnect
CMP
sensor
harnessfrom
under
intake

manifold
.

5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Use
a
new
O-ring

when
installing
sensor
.
Be
sure
wiring
is
rerouted
in

same
orientation
.

Tightening
Torques

"
CMP
sensor
to
cylinder
head
....
.
.
..
5
Nm
(3
.5
ft-Ib)

"
VANOS
oil
supply
pipe
to

VANOS
control
unit
...........
.
..
32
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

"
VANOS
solenoid
to
VANOS

control
unit
...
.
.................
30
Nm
(22
ft-Ib)

Knock
sensors,
replacing

Knock
sensors
are
usedon
engines
with
Bosch
DME
M1
.7,

Bosch
DME
M3
.3
.1,
Bosch
DME
M5
.2,
and
Siemens
MS
41
.1

engine
management
systems
.
The
knocksensors
are
bolted
to
the
left
sideof
the
cylinder
block
and
monitor
the
combus-

tion
chamber
for
engine-damaging
knock
.
If
engine
knock
is

detected,
the
ignition
point
is
retarded
accordingly
via
the
en-

gine
control
module
.

CA
UTION-

"
Label
knock
sensorharness
connectors
before

disconnecting
them
.
The
connectors
must
not
be

interchanged
.
Engine
damage
may
result
if
the
sensors
are
monitoring
the
wrong
cytinders
.

"
Note
the
installed
angle
of
the
knock
sensoron
the

block
before
removing
it
.
Reinstall
the
sensor
in

the
same
position
.
Be
sure
to
usea
torque
wrench

when
tightening
the
sensormounting
bola

NOTE
-

"
On
M52
engines,
a
single
harness
connects
the
twosensors
to
the
main
harness
connector
.
The
shorter
cable
lead
fs
for
the
knock
sensor
for
cytinders
4,
5,
and
6
.

Tightening
Torque

IGNITION
SYSTEM



120-
7

0012730

Fig
.
12
.
Knock
sensor
mounting
bolt
on
front
left
side
of
cylinder

block
.

NOTE-

Knock
sensor
function
Is
monitoredby
the
On-Board
Diagnostic
system
.
If
a
knock
sensor
is
detected
to
be
faulty,
an
appropriatediagnostic
trouble
code
(DTC)
may
be
stored
in
memory
.
See
100
Engine-General
for
information
on
retrieving
DTCs
.

On
6-cylinder
engines,
the
knock
sensors
are
accessible
af-
ter
removing
the
intake
manifold
.
On
4-cylinder
engines,
the

upper
section
of
the
intake
manifold
should
be
removed
to
ac-

cess
the
sensors
.
See
Fig
.
12
.
NOTE-

Intakemanifold
removal
and
installation
procedures
are



"
Cylinder
no
.
1is
at
the
front
of
the
engine
.

covered
in
113
Cylinder
HeadRemoval
and
Installation
.

Ignition
Firing
Order

Ignition
Firing
Order

"
4-cylinder
engines
.....
..
...
.
..........
.1-3-4-2

"
6-cylinder
engines
...........
..
.
.
..
..
1-5-3-6-2-4

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SCHEMATICS

Fig
.
13
through
Fig
.
17
show
ignition
system
schematics

usedon
the
enginescoveredby
this
manual
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SCHEMATICS

120-12



IGNITION
SYSTEM

Warning
.
Lethal
voltagepresent

Battery
voltage
in
run
or
start
(via
ignitíon
switch
terminal
15)

I
t

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SCHEMATICS

Battery
voltage
in
run
or
start
(
via
ignition
switchterminal
15)



WIRING
COLOR
CODE

Knock
Sensor
Knock
Sensor



Crankshaftlrpm



Camshaft
(cyl
.
1-3)



(cyl
.
4-6)



Position
Sensor



Position
-
-
Sensor
-

Fig
.
17
.
Siemens
MS
41
.1
ignition
systemusedon1996
and
later
6-cylinder
engines
.

1.0
BR

PQ

1
.08~1
.0BKIRD



/1
.0BK/YL



'10BK/BL



'1
.03KIGN



10BKNI
4
1D

BK
-
BLACK
BR
-
BROWN
RD
-
RED
YL
-
YELLOW
GN
-
GREEN
BL
-
BLUE
VI-
VIOLET
GY
-
GREY
WT
-
WHITE
PK
-
PINK

Batteryvoltage
in
run
or
start
(via
main
relay
terminal
87)

!1



rl
1.0
B~



^
1.0
BK/RD



^
1.0
BKIYL



^
1
.0
BK/BL



n
1.0
BK/GN



n
1
.0
BKIVI



%~
r
-------
--------------_____________----_______-_-____
49



29



1



30



2



31



3



8754
1
power
input



Power
input



I
1



Engine
Control
Module
(Siemens
MS
41
.1)



1
1



grounds



1
n
1



Powerinput
Mainrelaycontrol
1
1-
57

___
58



_
59
_
__
63
_



38



83



48



40



64



43



65



41



28



32



34



4



26



73



1
-



-----------
-
_-----
-
------
_
------
-
------
-
---



-

.5Y1-



.5BKY.5GNY.5BRY
Y



.35BKY
1
Y



Y



.35BKY/Y35YY
75
.18R/
.5YL-1
1'
.

Batteryvoltage
at
all
times
to
Main
relay
(terminal
85)

Ground



v
(RH
rear
of
engine



Z
compartment,
rear



=
of
shock
tower)



Ground
(RH
rear
of
enginecompartment,
rearof
shock
tower)



0012731

CHARGING
SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING
.............
.
.
.
.
.121-2

Charging
System
Quick-Check
...
.
..
.
...
.
121-2

Static
current
draw,
checking
........
.
...
.
121-2

BATTERY
SERVICE
....................
121-3

Battery
Testing
.
.
.
.
.
.........
.
........
.
121-3

Hydrometer
Testing
.
...
.
.
.
...
.
.........
121-3

Battery
Open-Circuit
Voltage
Test
....
.
....
121-4

Battery
Load
Voltage
Test
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
121-4

Battery
Charging
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
121-4

ALTERNATOR
SERVICE
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
...
121-4

Chargingsystem,checking
.
.
.
.
.
.........
121-4

Alternator,
removingand
installing

(4-cylinder
engine)
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
121-5

Alternator,
removingand
installing

(6-cylinder
engine)
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
121-6

GENERAL

The
charging
system
consists
of
a
belt-driven
alternator

with
integral
voltage
regulator
and
a
battery
mounted
in
the

luggage
compartment
.

Various
versions
of
alternators,
voltage
regulators,
starters,

and
batteries
are
used
in
the
E36
cars
.
It
is
important
to
re-

place
components
according
tothe
original
equipment
speci-

fication
.
Check
with
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
for
specific

application
and
parts
information
.

WARNING
-

"
Weargoggles,
rubbergloves,
and
a
rubberapron
when
working
around
batteries
and
battery
acid
(electrolyte)
.

"
Battery
acid
contains
sulfuric
acid
and
can
cause
skin
irritation
and
burning
.
ff
acid
is
spilled
onyour
skin
or
clothing,
flush
the
area
at
once
with
large
quantities
of
water
.
lf
electrolyte
gets
into
your
eyes,flush
them
with
largequantities
of
clean
wa-
terfor
several
minutes
and
call
a
physician
.

"
Batteries
that
are
being
charged
or
are
fully
charged
give
off
explosive
hydrogen
gas
.
Keep
sparks
and
open
flames
away
.
Do
not
smoke
.

BATTERY,
STARTER,
ALTERNATOR



121-1

121
Battery,
Starter,
Alternator

GENERAL
..
.
...
.
........
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
121-1



Voltage
regulator,
removing
and
ínstalling
.
.
.
121-6

Alternator
brushes,
inspecting
and
replacing
.121-7

STARTER
SERVICE
....
.
.
.
.
.
..........
.121-7

Starter
Troubleshootíng



121-7



15
..
.
.
.
.
.
........
.
.
.

Starter,
removing
and
installing

(4-cylinder
engine)
....
.
.
.
............
.
121-8

Starter,
removing
and
installing

(6-cylinder
engine
with
manual
transmission)
..
.
...........
.
...
121-8

Starter,
removing
and
installing

(6-cylinder
engine
with

automatic
transmission)
................
121-9

Solenoid
switch,
removingand
installing
....
121-10

TABLES

a
.
Battery,
Starter
and
Charging
System

Troubleshooting
............
.
.
.
.
:...
........
121-2

b
.
Specific
Gravity
of
Battery
Electrolyte
at
80°F
(27°C)
...............
.
.
..
..........
121-3

c
.
Open-Circuit
Voltage
and
Battery
Charge
........
121-4

d
.
Battery
Load
Test-Minimum
Voltage
.
..........
121-4

CAUTION
-

"
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
bat-tery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.
"
Disconnecting
the
battery
cables
may
erase
fault
codes
stored
in
control
unit
memory
.

"
Always
disconnect
the
negative
()
battery
cable
first
and
reconnect
it
last
.
Cover
the
battery
post
with
an
insulating
material
whenever
the
cable
is
removed
.

"
After
reconnecting
the
battery,
the
power
window
motors
must
be
reinitialized
.
See
511
Door
Win-
dows
.

"
Never
reverse
the
battery
cables
.
Even
a
momen-
tary
wrong
connection
can
damage
the
alternatoror
other
electrical
components
.

"
Battery
cables
may
be
the
same
color
.
Label
ca-blebefore
removing
.

GENERAL

121-2



BATTERY,
STARTER,
ALTERNATOR

CHARGING
SYSTEM
TROUBLESHOOTING



Static
currentdraw,
checking

Charging
system
diagnostics
requires
special
test
equip-

ment
.
If
the
test
equipment
is
not
available,
charging
system

fault
diagnosis
can
be
performedby
an
authorized
BMW
deal-

eror
other
qualified
repair
shop
.
A
general
troubleshooting

guide
is
given
in
Table
a
.

Charging
System
Quick-Check

As
a
quick-check,
use
a
digital
multimeter
lo
measure
volt-



2
.
Disconnect
battery
negative
(-)
cable
.

age
across
the
battery
terminals
with
the
key
off
and
then

again
with
the
engine
running
.
The
battery
voltage
should
be



CAUTION-
about12
.6
volts
with
key
off
and
approximately
14
.0
volts
with



Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
the
engine
running
.
If
the
voltage
does
not
increase
when
the



disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
engine
is
running,there
is
a
fault
in
the
charging
system
.



manual
onpaga
viii
.

NOTE
-

The
regulated
voltage
(engine
running)
should
be
be-
tween
13
.5
and
14
.5,
depending
on
temperatura
and
operating
conditions
.
If
the
voltage
is
higher
than
14
.8,
the
voltage
regulator
is
most
Mely
faulty
.

Check
for
clean
and
tight
battery
cables
.
Check
the
ground

cable
running
from
the
negative
(-)
battery
terminal
lo
the

chassis
and
the
ground
cable
running
from
the
engine
lo
the

chassis
.
Check
the
alternator
drive
belt
condition
and
tension
.

If
the
battery
discharges
over
time,
there
may
be
a
constant

drain
or
current
draw
on
the
battery
.
A
small
static
drain
on
the

battery
is
normal,
but
a
largedrain
will
cause
the
battery
lo

quickly
discharge
.
Make
a
static
current
draw
test
asthe
first

step
when
experiencing
battery
discharge
.

1
.
Make
sure
ignition
and
al¡
electrical
accessories
are

switched
off
.

3
.
Connect
a
digital
ammeter
between
negative
battery

post
and
negative
battery
cable
lo
measure
current
.

See
Fig
.
1
.
Wait
at
least
one
minuta
lo
get
an
accurate

reading
.

A
range
of
about
0
lo
100
milliamps
is
normal,
dependingon

the
number
of
accessories
that
need
constant
power
.
A
current

of
400
milliamps
(0.4
amp)
or
more
may
indicate
a
problem
.

Table
a
.
Battery,
Starter
and
Charging
System
Troubleshooting

Symptom



1



Probable
Cause



1



Correctiva
Action

1
.
Engine
cranks
slowlyor
not



a
.
Battery
cables
loose,
dirty
orcor-



a
.
Clean
or
replace
cables
.
See020
Maintenance
Program
.
a
tall,
solenoíd
clicks
when



roded
.
starter
is
operated
.



b
.
Battery
discharged
.



b
.
Charge
battery,
test
and
replace
if
necessary
.
c
.
Body
ground
straploose,
dirty
or



c
.
Inspect
ground
strap,
clean,
tighten
or
replace
if
necessary
.
corroded
.
d
.
Poor
connection
at
starter
motor



d
.
Check
connections,
test
for
voltage
at
starter
.
Test
for
voltage
at
terminal
30
.



neutral
safety
or
clutch
interlock
switch
.
e
.
Starter
motor
or
solenoid
faulty
.



e
.
Test
starter
.

2
.
Battery
will
not
stay



a
.
Short
circuit
draining
the
battery
.



a
.
Test
for
excessive
current
drainwith
everything
electrical
in
the
charged
more
than
a
few



vehicle
off
.
days
.



b
.
Short
driving
trips
and
high
elec-



b
.
Evaluate
driving
style
.
Where
possible,
reduce
electrical
con
trical
drain
on
charging
system



sumption
when
making
short
trips
.
does
not
allow
battery
to
re-
charge
.
c
.
Drive
belt(s)
worn
or
damaged
.



c
.
Inspect
or
replace
multi-ribbed
belt(s)
.
See
020
Maintenance
Program
.
d
.
Battery
faulty
.



d
.
Test
battery
and
replace
íf
necessary
.
e
.
Battery
cables
loose,
dirty
orcor-



e
.
Clean
or
replace
cables
.
See
020
Maintenance
Program
.
rodad
.
f
.
Alternatoror
voltage
regulator



f
.
Test
alternator
and
voltage
regulator
.
faulty
.

3
.
Battery
losing
water
.



1
a
.
Battery
overcharging
.



1
a
.
Test
voltage
regulator
for
proper
operation
.

4
.
Lights
dim,
light
intensity



a
.
Drive
belt(s)
worn
or
damaged
.



a
.
Inspect
or
replace
multi-ribbed
belt(s)
.
See
020
Maintenance
varies
with
engine
speed
.



Program
.
b
.
Alternatoror
voltage
regulator



b
.
Test
alternator
and
voltage
regulator
.
faulty
.
c
.
Body
ground
straps
loose,
dirty
or



c
.
Inspect
ground
straps,
clean,
tighten
or
replace
as
necessary
.
corroded
.

CHARGING
SYSTEM
TROUBLESHOOTING

Fig
.1.



Electrical
system
static
current
draw
being
measured
.

To
determine
the
circuit
or
component
causing
the
problem,

remove
one
Puse
at
a
time
until
the
current
drops
to
a
normal
range
.

BATTERY
SERVICE

The
E36
uses
a
six-cell,
12-volt
leadacid
battery
mounted

in
the
luggage
compartment
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

NOTE-

E36
convertible
models
require
a
specialbattery
which
is
designed
for
constant
vibratfon
.
A
battery
not
de-signed
for
this
will
fail
much
earlier
.

Battery
capacity
is
determined
by
the
amount
of
current

needed
tostart
the
vehicle,
and
by
the
amount
of
current
con-
sumed
by
the
electrical
system
.

BMW
batteries
are
rated
by
ampere/hours
(Ah)
and
cold

cranking
amps
(CCA)
rating
.
The
Ah
rating
is
determined
by

the
average
amount
of
current
the
battery
can
deliver
over
time
without
dropping
below
a
specified
voltage
.
The
CCA
is

determined
by
the
battery's
ability
to
deliver
starting
current
at

0°
F
(-18°
C)
without
dropping
below
a
specified
voltage
.

Battery
Testing

noN~A

B9517

Battery
testing
determines
the
state
of
battery
charge
.
On

conventional
or
low-maintenance
batteries
the
most
common

method
of
testing
the
battery
is
that
of
checking
the
specific

gravity
of
the
electrolyte
using
a
hydrometer
.
Before
testing

the
battery,
check
that
the
cables
are
tight
and
free
of
corro-

sion
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

Hydrometer
Testing

The
hydrometer
consists
of
a
glass
cylinder
with
a
freely

moving
float
inside
.
When
electrolyte
is
drawn
into
the
cylin-

der,
the
levelto
which
the
float
sinks
indicates
the
specific

BATTERY,
STARTER,
ALTERNATOR



121-
3

Fig
.
2
.



Battery
in
right
sideof
luggage
compartment
.

gravity
of
the
electrolyte
.
The
more
dense
the
concentration
of
sulfuric
acid
in
the
electrolyte,
the
less
the
float
will
sink,
result-

ing
in
a
higher
reading
and
indicating
a
higher
state
of
charge)
.

NOTE-

Electrolyte
temperature
affects
hydrometer
reading
.
Check
the
electrolyte
temperaturewith
a
thermometer
.
Add
0
.004
to
the
hydrometer
reading
for
every
10°F
(6°C)
that
the
electrolyte
is
above
80°F
(27°C)
.
Sub-
tract
0
.004
from
the
reading
for
every
10°F
(6°C)
that
the
electrolyte
is
below
80°F
(27°C)
.

Before
checking
the
specificgravity
of
a
battery,
load
the
battery
with
15
amperes
for
one
minute
.
lf
the
battery
is
in-

stalled
in
the
vehicle,
this
can
be
done
by
turning
on
the
head-

lights
without
the
engine
running
.
Table
b
lists
the
percentage

of
charge
based
on
specific
gravity
values
.

Table
b
.
Specific
Gravity
of
Battery
Electrolyteat

80
°
F
(27°C)

Specific
gravity



1



Stateof
charge

1
.265



Fully
charged
1
.225



75%
charged
1
.190



50%
charged
1
.155



25%
charged
1
.120



Fully
discharged

The
battery
isin
satisfactory
condition
if
theaverage
specif-

ic
gravity
of
the
six
cells
is
at
least
1
.225
.
If
the
specific
gravity

is
above
this
leve¡,
butthe
battery
lacks
power
for
starting,
de-

termine
the
battery's
senrice
condition
with
a
load
voltage
test,

as
described
below
.
If
the
average
specific
gravity
of
the
six

cells
is
below
1
.225,
remove
the
battery
from
the
luggage

compartment
and
recharge
.
If,
after
recharging,
the
specific
gravity
varies
by
more
than
0
.005
between
any
two
celis,
re-

place
the
battery
.

CHARGING
SYSTEM
TROUBLESHOOTING