610-16
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
Component
Model
Year
Location
Refer
to
MixingSwitch
1992-1994
Center
console
Multi-Function
Clock
1992-1998
Center
console
Multi-information
Display
(MDI)
1992-1998
Center
console
Normal
Speed
Cooling
Fan
Relay
1992-1998
Power
distribution
box
Fig
.
2
.
Neutral
SafetySwitch
(Automatic
1992-1998
Next
to
gear
shift
lever
in
center
console
Fig
.
29
.
Transmission
Range
Switch)
Oil
Pressure
Switch
1992-1998
Left
front
of
engine
below
intake
manifold
at
oil
filter
housing
On-Board
Computer
1992-1998
Center
console
On-BoardComputerHorn
Relay
1992-1998
Behind
glove
compartment
Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.
On-Board
Computer
Temperature
11992-1998
I
Right
front
of
engine
compartment
Sensor
Outside
Temperature
Sensor
1992-1997
Inright
front
brake
cooling
duct
Outside
Temperature
Sensor
1998
Right
rear
of
engine
compartment
behind
fresh
air
cowl
Oxygen
Sensor
HeaterRelay
1992-1998
Power
distribution
box
Fig
.
2
.
Oxygen
Sensor(s)
1992-1998
On
exhaust
pipe
ahead/behind
catalytic
converter
(M42/M44
engine)
Oxygen
Sensor
(x2)
1992-1995
On
exhaust
pipe
ahead
of
catalytic
converter
(M50/S50US
engine)
Oxygen
Sensors
(x4)
1996-1998
On
exhaust
manifold/exhaust
pípe
behind
catalytic
converter
(M52/S52US
engine)
Parking
Brake
Switch
1
1992-1998
I
On
rear
of
parking
brake
lever
Power
Distribution
Box
11992-1998
I
Rear
left
of
engine
compartment
I
Fig
.
2
.
Fig
.
7
.
Fig
.
10
.
Radio
Microswitch
1992
-
1996
Center
console
behind
radio
Radio
Receíver
1
1997-1998
1
Right
rear
luggage
compartment
Relay
And
Fuse
Box
(Power
1992-1998
I
Left
side
of
engine
compartment
I
Fig
.
2
.
Distribution
Box)
Fig
.
7
.
Fig
.
10
.
Rear
Window
Blower
1994-1998
Behind
rear
seat
(convertible)
Rear
Window
Blower
Microswitch
1994-1994
At
convertible
top
linkage
Rear
Window
Blower
Microswitch
1995-1998
Behind
rear
seat
(convertible)
Rear
Window
BlowerRelay
11994-1998
Behind
glove
compartment
Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.
Fig
.
2
.
Fig
.
30
.
Fig
.
8
.
Rear
Window
DefoggerRelay
Reversing
(Back-up)
Light
Switch
SplicePanel,
Right
Rollover
Protection
Actuator
11994-1998
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
Table
a
.
E36
Component
Locations
1992-1998
1992-1998
1992-1998
Power
distribution
box
Right
or
left
side
top
of
transmission
Behind
glove
compartment
Behind
rear
seat
(convertible)
Fig
.
9
.
Continued
INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
....
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
..
620-1
Instrument
cluster,
seif-testing
.
.
.......
.
..
620-1
Instrument
cluster,
removing
and
installing
...
620-1
Instrument
cluster
bulbs,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
620-2
GENERAL
This
repair
group
covers
removal
and
installation
of
the
in-
strument
cluster
and
the
Multi-information
Display
(MID)
mod-
ule
.
Bulb
replacement
information
for
these
units
is
also
included
here
.
NOTE
-
A
quick
check
of
the
temperature
gauge
and
its
electri-
cal
circuitis
given
in
170
Radiator
and
Cooling
Sys-
tem
.
Use
this
procedure
to
diagnosea
faulty
temperature
gauge
INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
When
servicing
the
instrument
cluster,
always
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
cable
from
the
battery
and
insulate
the
cable
end
to
prevent
accidental
re-connection
.
Instrument
cluster,
seif-testing
Severa¡
different
versions
of
the
basic
instrument
cluster
havebeen
fitted
in
E36
cars
.
It
is
possibleto
perform
an
instru-
ment
cluster
test
and
display
system
test
information
.
Some
of
the
information
displayed
by
the
instrument
cluster
during
seif-testing
is
used
for
interna¡
BMW
organizationpur-
poses,
suchasmatching
the
correct
instrument
cluster
com-
ponents
during
parts
replacement
.
Other
functions
test
the
various
instrument
modules
.
Self-test
is
also
used
to
recode
the
instrument
cluster
after
removal
.
In
later
production
vehicles
(1996
and
later)
the
test
results
canbe
downioaded,
via
the
diagnostic
plug,
byan
authorized
BMW
dealertechnician
.
1
.
Turn
ignition
to
"radio"position
.
2
.
Press
and
hold
reset
button
on
trip-odometer
untiltrip-
odometer
display
shows
numerical
codes
.
620
Instruments
4
.
Turn
off
ignition
.
Instrument
cluster,
removing
and
installing
INSTRUMENTS
620-1
GENERAL
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
.
....
620-1
Odometer
coding
plug,
replacing
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
620-2
Vehicle
speed
sender,
replacing
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
620-3
MULTI-INFORMATION
DISPLAY
(MID)
.
.
.
620-4
Multi-Information
Display,
removing
and
installing
..
.
....
.
.........
620-4
3
.
With
each
subsequent
press
of
the
button,
a
different
function
is
tested
.
Some
functions
will
activate
need1e
gauges
.
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
on
page
vi¡¡
.
2
.
Remove
airbag
unit
from
steering
wheel
.
See
721
Air-
bag
System
(SRS)
.
Store
unit
in
a
safe
place
.
WARNING
-
The
airbag
is
an
explosive
devfce
and
should
be
treated
with
extreme
caution
.
Improper
handling
of
the
airbag
could
cause
serious
injury
or
death
.
Store
the
airbag
with
the
horn
pad
facing
up
.
If
stored
facing
down,
accidental
deployment
couldpropel
it
vfolently
into
the
air,
causing
injury
.
3
.
With
front
wheels
pointed
straight
ahead,
remove
steer-
ing
wheel
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.
4
.
Remove
instrument
cluster
retaining
screws
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
5
.
Place
a
towel
over
steering
column
.
Carefully
tilt
top
of
cluster
out
of
dash
panel
.
Unlock
and
disconnect
har-
ness
connectors
from
back
of
cluster
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
620-2
INSTRUMENTS
Fig
.1.
Instrument
cluster
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.
INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
0012562
Fig
.
3
.
Turnbulb
base
45°
in
direction
shown
(arrow)
.
l
v
w
r
v
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
)7
18
19
20
y
21
1
.
Temperature
warning
12
.
Brake
fluid
warning
oo13n6
2
.
Right
turn
signal
13
.
Brake
pad
wear
warning
3
.
Instrument
lighting
14
.ABS
warning
Fig
.
2
.
Instrument
cluster
connector
locking
lever
(arrow)
.
4
.
Oil
pressure
warning
15
.
Seat
belt
warning5
.
Highbeam
16
.ASTwarning
6
.
Battery
charging
lamp
17
.Check
control
6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:
7
.
Left
turn
signal
18
.Check
engine
"
Instrument
cluster
harness
connector
locking
levers
8
.
Low
fuel
warning
19
.
LCD
lighting
must
be
in
up
position
before
installing
connector
.
9
.
Airbag
warning
20
.
Rear
foglight
(not
used)
10
.
Catalytic
converter
warning
21
.
Front
foglights
"
Install
airbag
to
steering
wheel
as
described
in
721
11
.
Emergency
brake
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
0012563
"
Reconnect
negative
(-)
cable
to
battery
last,
once
al¡
Fig
.
4
.
Bulb
designation
chart
.
harness
connectors
have
been
reconnected
.
"
Recode
cluster
as
described
in
Instrument
cluster,
CAUTION-
seif-testing
.
Note
wattage
of
bulb
.
Excessive
wattage
could
melt
cluster
housing
.
Replace
defective
bulbs
with
Instrument
cluster
bulbs,
replacing
reptacementbulbs
of
the
same
wattage
.
1
.
Remove
instrument
cluster
as
described
above
.
Odometer
coding
plug,
replacing
2
.
Remove
faulty
bulb
by
turning
bulb
base
45°
inits
mount
and
remove
from
housing
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
The
coding
plug
maintains
a
record
of
thevehicle
mileage
.
The
back
of
the
instrument
cluster
and
its
bulb
locations
are
1
.
Record
vehicle
mileage
.
shown
in
Fig
.
4
.
2
.
Remove
instrument
cluster
as
described
earlier
.
620-
4
INSTRUMENTS
MULTI-INFORMATION
DISPLAY
(MID)
Severa¡
different
versionsof
the
Multi-Information
Display,
have
been
installed
in
E36
cars
.
The
top-of-the-line
model
is
called
the
Oh-BoardComputer
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
Ambient
temperature/ciock
Check
control/clock
0013028
Fig
.
8
.
Different
versions
of
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
installed
in
E36
cars
.
Multi-Information
Display,
removing
and
installing
The
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
is
illuminated
by
bulbs
.
It
mustbe
removed
to
replace
the
bulbs
.
Bulb
replacement
is
included
in
this
procedure
.
1
.
Remove
dashboard
parcel
shelf
.
Reach
under
MID
module
and
pushoutward
.
See
Fig
.
9
.
2
.
Slide
harness
retaining
lever
forward
to
release
MID
from
wiring
harness
.
See
Fig
.
10
.
3
.
To
Rmove
a
faulty
bulb,
use
anarrow
screwdriver
to
turn
bulb
base
45°
counter
clockwíse
.
See
Fig
.
11
.
MULTI-INFORMATIONDISPLAY
(MID)
111
Fig
.
9
.
Removing
the
Multi-Information
Display(MID)
module
.
0012564
Fig
.
10
.
MID
wiring
harness
release
lever
(arrows)
.
Fig
.
11
.
Turn
bulb
base
45°
counterclockwise
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
0012566
GENERAL
E36
cars
are
equipped
with
integrated
automatic
heating
and
air
conditioning
systems
.
Many
of
the
procedures
given
in
this
repair
group
require
that
the
A/C
refrigerant
charge
be
evacuated
using
specialized
equipment
.
See
A/C
System
Warningsand
Cautions
later
in
this
repair
group
.
HEATER
AND
CONTROLS
Blower
motor,
removing
and
installing
NOTE-
On
6-cylinder
cars,
the
plastic
top
enginecover
and
fuel
rail
covermustbe
removed
.
The
fuel
injectorhamess
re-
taining
screws
must
be
removed
and
the
harness
set
aside
.
The
engine
control
module
(ECM)
cover
must
be
removed,
the
control
unit
connectors
unplugged
and
the
harness
pulled
out
of
the
way
.
See
130
Fuel
Injection
.
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.
2
.
Open
hood
.
Unclip
engine
bulkhead
plenum
grille
at
base
of
windshíeld
and
remove
grille
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING
640-1
640
Heating
and
Air
Conditioning
GENERAL
.
...
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.
.
640-1
Heater
andA/C
air
distribution
motor,
replacing(rotary-knob)
.
.
...
.
.
.
.......
.
640-10
HEATER
AND
CONTROLS
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.640-1
Rear
Window
Defogger
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
640-10
Blower
motor,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-1
Rear
Window
Blower
(convertible
models)
.
.640-10
Blowermotor
resistor
pack,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-3
AIR
CONDITIONING
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-11
Heater
valve,
replacing
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-3
Heater
box,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-4
A/CSystem
Warnings
and
Cautions
.
.
.
.
.
.
:640-11
Heater
core,
replacing
.....
.
.
:
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-6
A/C
compressor,
replacing
.
.
::.
:
:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.640-12
Heater
core
temperature
sensor,
replacing
.
.
640-7
A/C
Compressor
Clutch
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-13
Heater
andA/C
Control
Head
.
.
....
.
.....
.
640-7
A/C
condenser,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-14
Heater
andA/C
control
head,
removing
A/C
receiver/drier,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-15
and
installing
(rotary-knob)
.
.
....
.
......
640-7
A/C
expansion
valve,
Heater
andA/C
control
head,
removing
removing
and
installing
...
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-16
and
installing
(digital-display)
.
.....
.
.....
640-8
A/C
evaporator,
removing
and
installing
.
.
..
640-17
Heater
andA/C
control
module,removing
A/C
evaporator
temperature
sensor,
and
installing
(rotary-knob)
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-8
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
..............
.
.
.
.
.
..
640-17
Heater
andA/C
control
module,removing
A/C
microfilter,
replacing
......
.
....
.
.
.
..
640-18
and
installing
(digital-display)
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
...
640-8
Sensor
fan
for
interior
temperature,
TABLES
replacing
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-9
a
.
Blower
Motor
Test
Values
.........
...
.
.
......
640-3
Heater
andA/C
AirDistribution
Motors
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-9
b
.
Heater
Core
Temperature
Sensor
Test
Values
...
.640-7
c
.
Evaporative
Temperature
Sensor
Test
Values
...
640-17
d
.
A/C
System
Fluid
Capacities
(total)
..
..........
640-18
0012527
Fig
.
1
.
Detach
grille
retaining
clips
(arrows)
and
pull
grille
upward
and
out
of
rubbergasket
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
viii
.
HEATER
AND
CONTROLS
640-6
HEATING
AND
AIRCONDITIONING
Heater
core,replacing
1.
Drain
engíne
coolant
.
See170
Radiator
and
Cooling
System
.
WARNING
-
Allow
the
cooling
system
to
cool
before
opening
or
drainíng
the
cooling
system
.
2
.
Remove
center
console
.
See
513
Interior
Trim
.
3
.
Remove
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
module
.
See
620
Instruments
.
4
.
Remove
lower
dash
panel
and
knee
bolster
on
driver
side
.
See
513
Interior
Trim
.
Fig
.
17
.
Wire
harness
retaining
clips
and
wire
ties
at
heater
box
cover
5
.
Working
under
driver
side
of
dash,
remove
coolant
(arrows)
.
flange
from
heater
core
.
See
Fig
.
16
.
0012651
Fig
.
16
.
Bolts
at
3-way
coolant
flange
under
driver's
side
of
dash
(ar-
rows)
.
NOTE-
Residual
coolant
in
heater
core
will
spill
.
Protect
thecarpet
.
6
.
Working
at
front
of
driveshaft
tunnel,
unclip
wire
har-
nesses
and
move
to
one
side
in
front
of
heater
box
.
See
Fig
.
17
.
7
.
Remove
heatercore
temperature
sensorsas
described
later
in
this
repair
group
.
8
.
Remove
front
heater
box
cover
.
See
Fig
.
18
.
9
.
On
right
side
of
heater
box,
unclip
heater
air
duct
actu-
ating
lever
.
Remove
cross-rod
(with
flaps)
from
frontof
heater
core
.
See
Fig
.
19
.
HEATER
AND
CONTROLS
0012662
Fig
.
18
.
Screws
retaining
front
heater
box
cover
(shown
removed)
to
heater
box
(arrows)
.
0012661
Fig
.
19
.
Pry
heater
flap
actuating
lever
in
direction
A
.
Pull
offair
flap
cross-rod
in
direction
B
.
10
.
Pul¡
heater
core
up
and
backward,
away
from
heater
box
.
If
necessary,
remove
left
and
right
reinforcing
bracket
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
20
.
CAUTION-
Replace
coolant
flange
O-rings
and
tighten
fas-
teners
to
specified
torques
.
Tightening
Torques
1
.
Remove
center
console
.
See
513
Interior
trim
.
0012660
Fig
.
20
.
PA
heater
core
upand
towardback
of
car
.
Lower
mounting
bolts
for
steering
column
brace
and
glove
compartment
sup-
port
frame
may
have
to
be
removed
(arrows)
.
11
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Fill
and
bleed
cooling
system
.
See
170
Radiator
and
Cooling
System
.
"
Coolant
flange
to
heater
core
.
..
....
3
Nm
(27
in-lb)
Heater
andA/C
Control
Head
Heatercore
temperature
sensor,
replacing
The
automatic
heating
and
air
conditioning
systemuses
severa¡
sensors
to
control
interior
air
temperature
.
Use
the
fol-
lowing
procedure
and
the
data
in
Table
b
to
pinpoint
problems
with
theheater
core
sensors
.
2
.
Remove
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
module
.
See
6201nstruments
.
HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING
640-7
0012648
Fig
.
21
.
Remove
heatercore
temperaturesensors
in
direction
shown
(arrow)
.
Table
b
.
Heater
CoreTemperatureSensor
Test
Values
Test
temperature
Resistance
4°F
(-20°C)
84
.39
-
109
.61
k
ohms
14
°
F
(-10°C)
48
.58
-
62
.09
k
ohms
32°F
(0°C)
28
.89
-
36
.40
k
ohms
68°F
(20°C)
11
.13
-
13
.83
k
ohms
140°F
(60°C)
2
.19
-
2
.78
k
ohms
212°F
(100°C)
0
.58
-
0
.77
k
ohms
Two
types
of
heater
and
aír
conditioning
control
heads
viere
installed
in
E36
cars
.
Early
models
have
control
heads
with
four
rotary
knobs
and
a
separate
control
module
.
A
flexible
shaft,
clipped
to
the
right
sideof
the
control
head,
controls
the
heater
flaps
.
Later
model
E36
cars,
starting
in
approximately
mid-1995,
have
digital
display
control
heads
with
buttons
.
The
A/C
con-
trol
module
is
integrated
with
the
digital
control
head
.
Heater
and
A/C
control
head,
removing
and
installing
(rotary-knob)
3
.
Pul¡
temperature
sensors
from
heater
box
and
discon-
1
.
Remove
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
module
from
nect
harness
connectors
.
See
Fig
.
21
.
center
of
dash
.
See
620
Instruments
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
2
.
Pul¡
off
outer
rotary
knobs
from
A/C
control
head
.
Re-
move
two
screwsonknob
bezels
.
Remove
control
pan-
el
face
plate
by
prying
it
off
control
head
gently
.
See
Fig
.
22
.
3
.
Carefully
push
control
head
back
into
dash
and
down-
ward
through
MID
opening
.
See
Fig
.
23
.
HEATER
AND
CONTROLS
Sensor
fan
Fig
.
25
.
Digital
display
A/C
control
head
components
.
2
.
Unscrew
left
and
right
screws
retaining
control
head
to
control
module
.
Press
retaining
clips
and
release
front
plate
from
control
head
.
Remove
A/C
control
module
from
control
head
housing
.
Sensor
fan
for
interior
temperature,
repiacing
A
small
electricfan,installed
in
the
A/C
control
head,
draws
cabin
air
past
the
climate
control
temperature
sensor
.
1.
Remove
A/C
control
head
as
described
earlier
.
2
.
Rotary-knob
control
head
:
Disconnect
electrical
con-
nector
from
top
of
control
head
housing
.
Pry
open
plas-
tic
housing
and
remove
sensor
fan
.
See
Fig
.
26
.
0013181
Fig
.
26
.
Sensor
fan
(A)
and
harness
(B)
in
back
of
A/C
control
head
(rotary-knob
control
head
shown)
.
3
.
Digital
display
models
:
Disconnect
electrical
harness
connector
from
control
head
housing
.
Remove
screws
holding
sensor
fan
to
bottom
of
control
moduleand
re-
move
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
25
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING
640-
9
Heater
and
A/C
Air
Distribution
Motors
The
recirculation,
fresh
air
and
othervent-duct
flaps
are
controlled
electrically
via
a
series
of
air
distribution
actuating
motors
.
Cars
with
the
rotary-knob
control
head
use
three
elec-
tromechanical
motors,
each
held
in
place
via
a
small
plastic
clip
.
See
Fig
.
27
.
Rightside
of
heater
box
l
Fig
.
27
.
Location
of
early
production
air
distribution
motors
(arrows)
.
Later
systems
(with
the
digital
display
control
head)
use
five
distribution
motors,
four
of
which
are
digítally
controlled
.
See
Fig
.
28
.
HEATER
AND
CONTROLS