1993 BMW M3 Electric

NOTE-

Cylinder
head,
installing

(6-cylinder
engine)

CAUTION-

If
the
camshafts
were
removed
and
installed
while

the
cylinder
head
was
off,
a
minimum
waiting
time

is
required
after
ínstalling
the
camshafts
.
When

the
camshaftsareremoved,
the
hydraullc
lifters

can
expand
.
This
expansion
can
cause
increased

valve
lift
when
the
camshafts
are
bolted
down,
re-

sulting
in
open
valves
.

Cylinder
head
installation
waiting
times

"
68°F
(20°C)
and
higher
.
.
.
..
..........
10
minutes

"
50-68°F
(10-20°C)
........
..
.........
30
minutes

"
32-50°F
(0-10
°C)
.........
...
........
75
minutes

CYLINDER
HEAD
REMOVAL
AND
INSTALLATION



113-
1
5

1
.
Clean
cylinder
head
and
gasket
surfaces
of
cylinder

block
and
al¡
timing
chain
covers
.

"
Remove
all
foreign
matter
and
any
¡¡quid
from
bolt

holes,
then
clean
with
a
thread
chaser
.

CA
UTION-

Do
not
use
ametal
scraper
or
wire
brush
to
clean

the
aluminum
cylinder
head
or
pistons
.
If
neces-
sary,
use
a
hard
wooden
or
plastic
scraper
.
Also

available
are
abrasive
discs
to
be
used
in
conjunc-
tion
with
an
electric
drill
.
Be
sure
to
use
the
correct
disc
for
the
typeof
metal
being
cleaned
.

2
.
Check
gasket
surface
of
cylinder
head
and
cylinder

block
for
warpage
using
a
straight
edge
.

NOTE-

Fig
.
40
.
Cylinder
head
bolt
loosening
sequence
.



If
the
cylinder
head
has
been
machined,a
special
0
.3

mm
thickergasketshould
be
installed
.
The
thickergas-

ket
is
available
from
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
.

BMW
special
tool
no
.
112250
is
a
thin-walled
Torx
E12

socket
wíth
anextended
reach
.
The
cylinder
head
bolts



3
.
Place
new
cylinder
head
gasket
on
cylinder
block
.

are
recessed
finto
the
head
below
the
camshaft
towers



Check
that
two
locating
dowels
are
correctly
positioned

wíth
liffle
working
space
.



in
block
and
arenot
damaged
.

36
.
Remove
crankshaft
locking
tool
(BMW
special
tool
no
.



NOTE-

11
2
300)
.
Using
the
crankshaft
vibration
damper
bolt,



The
word
"OBEN",
printed
on
the
gasket,
should
face

turn
engine
opposite
its
normal
direction
of
rotation



up
.Thecylinderheadgasketwillfitcorrectlyinonlyone

(counterclockwise
asviewed
from
the
front)
approxi-



orientation
.

mately
45°
.
This
prevents
accidental
contact
between

valves
and
pistons
during
installation
.



4
.
With
camshafts
locked
in
TDC
positionwith
BMW
spe-

cial
tools
as
described
earlier,
set
cylinder
head
in
po

NOTE-



sition,
guiding
primary
chain
through
cylinder
head
Guide
cam
chain
to
keep
it
from
jamming
when
turning



opening
.

the
crankshaft
.
CA
UTION-

"
The
camshafts
must
be
locked
in
the
MC
posi-

tion
at
the
rear
of
the
cylinder
head
with
BMW

special
tool
no
.
113240
before
installing
the
cyl-

inder
head
.

"
Make
sure
the
crankshaft,
which
had
been
rotat-

ed
approximately
45°
opposite
thedirection
of
engine
rotation,is
still
in
that
position
before
low-
ering
the
cylinder
head
into
position
.

5
.
Lightly
lubricate
new
cylinder
head
bolts
.
Loosely
instan
bolts
and
their
washers,
then
thread
them
in
until
they

are
finger
tight
.
Install
cylinder
head-to-lower
timing

chaincover
boitsfinger
tight
.

CAUTION-

Tonc-type
cylinder
head
bolts
should
not
be
re-

used
.
They
are
stretch-typebolts
and
must
always
be
replaced
whenever
loosened
.

CYLINDER
HEAD,
6-CYLINDER

117-
1
4



CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN

22
.
Installation
of
remaining
parts
is
reverse
of
removal,



When
theengine
is
running,
the
piston
housing
is
supplied

noting
the
following
:



with
pressurized
engine
oil
.
At
idie,
the
solenoid
isin
the
off

"
When
installing
thermostat,
make
sure
arrow
or
vent



position
(de-energized)
and
valve
timing
is
maintained
in
the

hole
faces
up,
if
applicable
.



normal
position
:
When
the
solenoid
is
energized,
the
gear
cup

"
Refill
cooling
systemas
described
in
170
Radiator



piston
moves
forward
to
advance
the
camshaftby
a
maximum

and
Coming
System
.



of
12
.5
.

"
Install
oil
pan
as
described
in
119
Lubrication
Sys-

tem
.
"
Fill
engine
with
oil
and
install
a
new
oil
filter
as
de-

scribed
in
020
Maintenance
Program
.

"
Insta¡¡
ground
wires
at
cylinder
head
cover
mounting

studs
and
at
front
of
cylinder
head
and
thermostat

housing,
where
applicable
.



VANOS
system
operation,
testing

Tightening
Torques



There
are3
special
tools
required
to
check
VANOS
opera-

"
Coolant
drain
plugto
cylinder
block
.
.
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)



tion
;
an
electricaltest
lead
(BMW
special
tool
no
.
12
6
410),
an

"
Radiator
cooling
fan
to
coolant
pump
.
40
Nm
(30
ft-Ib)



air
line
fitting
(BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
3
450),
and
a
crank-

"
Radiator
drain
screw
to
radiator
...
.
2
.5
Nm
(22
in-Ib)



shaft
TDC
locking
tool
(BMW
special
tool
no
.
112
300)
.

"
Upper
timing
chaincover
to
cylinder
head



The
test
leal
is
used
to
power
the
solenoid,
simulating
the
M6
nut
...
.....
.............
..
.
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)



ground
signal
from
the
DME
control
unit
.
The
air
line
fitting
M8
bolt
.....
....
.
.
.............
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)



takes
the
place
of
the
oil
supply
line
fitting
to
simulate
oil
Ares-
"
VANOS
control
unit
to
cylinder
head



sure
.
The
locking
tool
positions
and
locks
the
crankshaft
at

M6
nut
.........
..
..
.
..........
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)



TDC,
cylinder
no
.
l.
M8
bolt
........
...
.............
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

"
VANOS
oil
supply
pipe
to
VANOS
control
unit



1
.
Remove
alternator
cooling
air
duct
.

banjo
bolt
.......
..
..
.
..........
32
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

VANOS
(VARIABLE
VALVE
TIMING)



3
.
Remove
top
plastic
enginecovers
.
Disconnect
ignition

coil
harness
connectors
fromcofs
.
Remove
ignition

1993
and
later
6-cylinder
engines
are
equipped
with
a
vari-



coils
.

able
valve
timing
system
called
VANOS
.
This
system
is
con-

trolled
by
the
engine
management
system
and
dynamically



4
.
Remove
cylinder
head
cover
mounting
bolts
and
re-

adjusts
intake
camshaft
timing
based
on
engine
load,
engine



move
cylinder
head
cover
.
Unclip
andremove
oil
baffle

speed
and
engine
temperature
.



cover
from
above
intake
camshaft
.
See
113
Cylinder

Head
Removal
and
installation
.

The
main
components
of
the
VANOS
system
are
the
control

unit
with
piston
housing
and
integral
spool
valve,
and
the
mod-

ified
intake
camshaft
.
See
Fig
.
35
.

VANOS
(VARIABLE
VA
LVE
TIMING)

Fig
.
35
.
VANOS
control
unit
with
modified
intake
camshaft
.

B11001

WARNING
-

Special
BMW
service
tools
are
required
to
check
and
repair
the
VANOS
System
.
Read
theproce-

dures
through
before
beginning
the
job
.

2
.
Disconnect
crankcase
ventilation
hose
fitting
from
cyl-

inder
head
cover
.

NOTE-

Note
the
arrangement
of
the
cylinder
head
cover
bolt
insulators
and
gaskets
during
removal
.

5
.
Set
engine
to
approximate
TDC
by
rotating
in
normal

operating
direction
until
camshaft
lobes
at
cylinder
no
.

1
are
facing
each
other
.
See
Fig
.
20
.

6
.
Set
engine
to
TDC
by
aligning
"0/T"
mark
(0°TDC)on

front
vibration
damper
withcast
boss
on
lower
timing
chain
cover
.
See
Fig
.
21
.

7
.
Lock
crankshaft
in
position
by
inserting
BMW
special

tool
no
.
11
2
300
through
transmission
bellhousing
and

into
hole
in
flywheelor
driveplate
.
See
Fig
.
36
.

NOTE-

Confirm
that
the
locking
tool
has
been
correctly
in-
stalled
by
trying
to
rotatethe
crankshaft
.

Fig
.
36
.
BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
2
300
installed
through
bellhousing
and
finto
flywheel
.

8
.
Remove
oil
line
fitting
from
VANOS
control
unit
.

NOTE-

Wrap
the
VANOS
oil
line
fitting
with
a
shop
to
absorb
leaking
oil
.

9
.
Using
hollow
bolt
and
seals
from
oil
supply
line,
instan

BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
3
450
(air
line
fitting)
and
con-
nect
a
supply
of
compressed
air
(30-115
psi)
to
VANOS

oil
fitting
.

10
.
Measure
and
record
distance
between
trigger
plate

edge
and
side
of
secondary
timing
chain
tensioner
.

See
Fig
.
37
.

Fig
.
37
.
VANOS
reference
measurement
(dimension
A)
between
trig-
ger
píate
(sender
gear)
and
side
of
secondary
chain
tensioner
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN



117-
1
5

11
.
Disconnectharness
connector
from
VANOS
solenoid
.
Connect
BMW
special
tool
no
.
12
6
410
(electrical
test
lead)
to
VANOS
solenoid
connector
.

"
Connect
positive
(+)
test
lead
to
positive
(+)
terminal
ofbattery
Connect
negative
(-)
test
leadto
chassis
ground
.
solenoid
should
audibly
click
and
intake
cam-
shaft
should
advance
.

CA
UTION-

"
Be
sure
to
connect
the
test
hamess
polaritycor-
rectly
.
lf
the
polarity
is
reversed,
the
intemal
diode
in
the
VANOS
solenoid
will
be
destroyed
.
Although
the
solenoid
will
still
functionwith
a
faultydiode,
a
fault
code
may
be
set
in
the
ECM
memory
.

"
To
confirm
voltage
polarity,
turn
the
ignition
on
and
check
for
positive
(+)
batteryvoltage
at
the
terminal
corresponding
to
the
redlwhite
wire
in
the
main
harness
connector
.
Check
that
the
pos-
itive
terminal
(+)
in
the
main
connector
corre-
sponds
to
the
same
terminal
in
the
solenoid
connector
that
is
being
connected
to
the
battery
.

12
.
With
solenoid
actuated,
measure
and
record
new
dis-

tance
between
trigger
plate
edge
and
side'of
second-
ary
timing
chain
tensioner,
as
shown
in
Fig
.
37
.

13
.
Difference
between
first
measurement
(step
10)
andsecond
measurement
(step12)
should
be
at
least
8
.5
mm
(0
.3346
in
.)
.
lf
any
faults
arefound,
solenoid
may

be
faulty,
or
hydraulic
control
unit
may
be
faulty
or
incor-
rectly
installed
.

14
.
Check
VANOS
solenoid
byremoving
it
from
control
unit
.
Check
that
solenoid
plunger
and
control
unit

plunger
move
freely
.
Install
solenoid
using
tighteníng

torque
given
below
.

NOTE-

"
The
solenoid
is
available
asareplacement
part
.
lf
the
control
unit
plunger
is
sticking,
the
complete
control
unit
will
have
to
be
replaced
.

"lf
the
VANOS
system
does
not
advance
correctly
and
no
other
faults
can
be
found,
itis
possible
that
the
VANOS
control
unit
may
Nave
been
fnstalled
incor-
rectly-especially
if
the
camshaft
sprockets
have
pre-
víously
been
removed
for
other
repairs
.
Check
the
installation
by
removing
and
reinstalling
the
control
unit
as
described
later
.

VANOS
(VARIABLE
VALVE
TIMING)

119-2



LUBRICATION
SYSTEM

NOTE-
Component
Location



If
the
light
does
not
go
out,
thewiring
to
theswitch
is"
Oil
pressure
switch



most
likely
grounded
somewhere
between
the
switch

all
engines
.......
...
.
..
......
ora
oil
filter
housing



terminal
and
the
warning
light
.
Sea
Electrical
Wiring

Diagrams
atrearof
manual
for
electrical
schematics
.

CAUTION-

Some
oil
may
drain
out
as
the
oil
pressure
switch
is
removed
.
Use
a
rag
to
soak
up
any
spills
.

2
.
Install
pressure
gauge
in
place
of
switch
.

3
.
With
gauge
instalied,
start
engine
and
allow
to
reach

operating
temperature
.
Check
oil
pressureboth
cold

and
hot
.

NOTE-

For
the
most
accurate
test
results,
the
engine
oil
(and
filter)
shouldbe
newand
of
the
correct
grade
.

Oil
Pressure

"
¡dle
(mínimum)
..
.
.
..............
.
.
0
.5
bar
(7psi)

"
Regulated
pressure
(elevated
engine
speed)

4-cylinder
engines
..
......
4
.3
±
0
.2
bar
(63
t3
psi)

6-cylinder
engines
.
.
.............
.
4
.0
bar
(59
psi)

4
.
Remove
pressure
gauge
and
reinstall
pressure
switch
.

If
testing
shows
low
oil
pressure,
one
or
more
of
the
follow-

ing
conditions
may
be
indicated
:
OIL
PAN

"
Worn
or
faulty
oii
pump
.

"
Worn
or
faulty
engine
bearings



The
oil
pancan
be
removed
with
the
engine
instalied,
al-

Severe
engine
wear
.



though
specíal
enginesupport
equipment
will
be
needed
.

Al¡
of
these
conditionsindicate
the
need
for
major
repairs
.

Oil
pressure
warning
system,
testing

When
the
ignition
is
tumed
ora,
the
oil
pressure
warning
light

comes
ora
.
When
the
engine
ís
started
and
the
oil
pressure
ris-

es
slightly,
the
oil
pressure
switch
opens
and
thewarning
light

goes
out
.
Make
sure
the
oil
leve¡
is
correct
before
making

tests
.

1
.
Turra
ignition
switch
ora
.

"
Warning
light
ora
instrument
panel
must
light
up
.

2
.
Remove
connector
from
oil
pressure
switch
.

"
Warning
light
ora
instrument
panel
must
go
out
.

OIL
PAN

3
.
If
warning
light
does
not
light
when
ignition
is
ora,
re-

move
connector
from
oil
pressure
switch
anduse
a

jumper
wire
to
ground
connector
terminal
to
a
clean

metal
surface
.

NOTE
-

If
the
warning
light
comes
ora,
check
the
switch
as
de-
scríbed
in
the
nextstep
.
If
the
warning
light
does
not
come
ora,
thewiring
to
the
instrument
cluster
or
to
the

light
itself
isfaulty
.

4
.
To
test
switch,
connect
ara
ohmmeter
between
terminal

in
switch
body
and
ground
.
With
engine
off,
these

should
be
continuity
.
With
engine
running,
oil
pressure

should
opera
switch
and
there
should
beno
continuity

Replace
a
faulty
switch
.

WARNING
-

Keep
in
mind
that
low
oil
pressure
may
be
prevent-

ing
the
switch
from
tuming
the
light
out
.
If
the
light

remains
ora
while
the
engine
is
running,
check
the

oil
pressure
asdescribed
earlier
.
Do
not
drive
the
car
until
the
problem
is
corrected
.
Theengine
may
be
severely
damaged
.

Oil
pan,
removing
and
installing

(4-cylinder
engines)

1
.
Raise
car
arad
place
securely
ora
jackstands
.

2
.
Remove
splash
shíeld(s)
from
under
engine,
where
ap-

plicable
.

3
.
Drain
engine
oil
as
described
in
020
Maintenance
Pro-
gram
.

4
.
Disconnect
vacuum
hose
adapter
from
vacuum
brake

booster
at
rear
of
engine
compartment
.

5
.
Remove
oil
dipstick
guide
tube
mounting
nut
and
pull
guide
tube
from
oil
pan
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

120-2



IGNITION
SYSTEM

Fig
.1
.



Ignition
characteristic
map
.

Disabling
Ignition
System

WARNING
-

The
ignition
system
is
a
high-energy
system
operat-
ing
in
a
dangerous
voltage
range
that
couldprove
to
be
fatal
if
exposed
terminals
or
live
parts
are
con-
tacted
.
Use
extreme
caution
when
working
on
a
car
with
the
ignition
on
or
the
engine
running
.

The
ignition
system
operates
in
a
lethal
voltage
range
and
should
therefore
be
disabied
any
time
senrice
or
repair
work
is
being
doneon
the
engine
that
requires
the
ignition
to
be
switched
on
.

The
engine
management
system
can
be
disabled
byremov-
ingthe
main
relay
.
The
relay
is
located
in
the
power
distribution
box
in
the
left
rear
of
the
engine
compartment
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

0013134
Fig
.
2
.



Maínsystem
relay
(arrow)
in
power
distribution
box
(left
rear
of
engine
compartment)
.

GENERAL

WARNING
-

"
Do
not
touch
or
disconnect
any
of
the
high
ten-
sion
cables
at
the
cotls
orspark
plugs
while
the
engine
ts
running
orbeingcranked
by
the
starter
.
Fatalvoltages
are
present
.

"
Before
operating
the
starter
without
starting
the
engine
(for
example
when
making
a
compression
test)
always
disable
the
ignition
.

CAUTION-

"
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
bat-tery
disconnection
cautions
gtven
at
the
front
of
thts
manual
on
page
viti
.

"
Do
not
attempt
to
disable
the
ignition
by
either
re-
moving
the
cotl
from
the
spark
plugs
(6-cylinder
engines)
or
disconnecting
the
coll
wires
from
the
plugs
(4-cylinder
engines)
.

"
Connect
or
disconnect
ignition
system
wires,
multiple
connectors,
and
ignition
test
equipment
leads
only
while
the
ignitionis
off
.
Switch
multtm-
eter
functions
or
measurement
ranges
onty
with
the
test
probes
disconnected
.

"
Do
not
disconnect
the
battery
while
the
engine
ts
running
.

"
Many
of
the
tests
of
ignition
system
components
require
the
use
of
high-impedance
test
equip-
ment
to
prevent
damage
to
the
electrical
compo-
nents
.
A
high
impedance
digital
multimeter
should
be
used
for
all
voltage
and
resistance
tests
.
AnLED
test
light
shouldbe
used
in
place
of
an
incandescent-type
test
lamp
.

"In
general,
make
test
connections
only
as
speci-fied
by
BMW,
as
described
inthis
manual,
or
as
described
by
the
instrumenta
manufacturer
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTICS



IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE

Poor
driveability
may
have
a
variety
of
causes
.
The
fault



On
4-cylinder
engines,
an
ignition
coil
pack
is
mounted
to

may
lie
with
the
ignition
system,
the
fuel
system,
parts
of
the



the
passenger
side
strut
tower
in
the
engine
compartment
.

emission
control
system,
or
a
combination
of
the
three
.
Be-



The
coil
pack
integrates
4
individual
coils
.

cause
of
these
interrelated
functions
and
their
effects
oneach

other,
it
is
often
difficult
to
know
where
to
begin
looking
for



On
6-cylinder
engines,
an
ignition
coil
is
located
directly

problems
.



above
each
spark
plug
.

For
this
reason,
effective
troubleshooting
should
alwaysbe-

gin
with
an
interrogation
of
the
On-Board
Diagnostic
(OBD)

system
.
The
OBD
system
detects
certain
emissions-related

engine
management
malfunctions
.
When
faults
are
detected,

the
OBD
system
stores
a
Diagnostic
Trouble
Code
(DTC)
in

the
system
ECM
.
In
addition,
the
Check
Enginewarning
light

will
come
on
if
an
emissions-related
fault
is
detected
.

Two
generations
of
OBD
areusedon
the
cars
coveredby

this
manual
.
See
100
Engine-General
for
OBD
information
.

On-Board
Diagnostics

"
1992-1995
models
............
...
.
..
...



OBD
I

"
1996
and
later
models
.........
.......
..
OBD
II

NOTE-

"
On
carswith
OBD
ti,
specialized
OBD
11
scan
tool

equipment
mustbeused
to
access
DTCs,
either
using

the
BMW
special
tool
or
a
`generic"
OBD
11
scan
tool
.

"
The
OBD
11
fault
memory
(including
an
illuminated

Check
Engine
light)
can
only
be
reset
using
the
spe-

cial
scan
tool
.
Removing
the
connector
from
the
ECM

or
dísconnecting
the
battery
will
not
erase
the
fault

memory
.

Basic
Troubleshooting
Principies

An
engine
that
starts
and
runs
indicates
the
ignition
system

is
fundamentally
working-delivering
voltage
toat
least
some

of
the
sparkplugs
.
A
hard-starting
or
poor-running
engine,

however,
may
indicate
ignition
coil
problems,
cracked
or
dete-

riorated
spark
plug
wires
(4-cylinder
engines
only),
and
worn

or
fouled
spark
plugs
.

WARNING
-

Inefficient
combustion
(richair/fuel
mixture)
can

cause
the
catalytic
converter
to
overheat
and
plug
.

An
overheated
catalytic
converter
can
also
bea
tire

hazard
.

Checking
for
Spark

IGNITION
SYSTEM



120-
3

WARNING
-

If
a
spark
test
is
done
incorrectly,
damage
to
theen-
gine
control
module
(ECM)
or
the
ignitioncoil(s)
may
result
.

Checking
for
spark
is
difficult
onengines
with
distributorless

ignition
systems
.

Try
Rmovng
the
plugs
and
inspecting
for
differences
be-

tween
them
.
A
poor-firing
plug
may
be
wet
with
fuel
and/or

black
and
sooty,
butnot
always
.
If
a
coil
is
not
operating,
the

engine
management
system
will
electrically
disable
the
fuel
injectorto
that
cylinder
.
The
key
is
to
look
for
differences
be-

tween
cylinders
.

Ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing

(4-cylinder
engine)

1.
Disconnect
mainharness
connector
from
coils
:

"
On
M42
engine,
remove
plastic
covering
from
coils
and

disconnect
individual
harness
connectors
.

"
On
M44
engine,
disconnect
main
harness
connectorat

end
of
coil
pack
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Fig
.
3
.



Ignition
coil
pack
for
M44
engine
(arrow)
.
Coil
harness
con-

nector
shown
at1
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE

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

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