
541-
4
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
Folding
roof
Frontlatches
Convertible
topframe
i
Lower
mounting
pata
Horizontal
positioning
~~-
bolt
Manual
front
8
e
latch
1
handle
~
O
Visor
latchplata
Fig
.
6
.
Mechanical
components
of
E36
convertible
top
.
Manual,
semi-automatic,
and
fully
automatic
tops
have
similar
mechanical
construction
.
NOTE-
The
electronic
circuits
used
to
controlconvertible
top
operation
arecomplex
.
Diagnosis
of
the
convertible
top
and
the
Rollover
Protection
System
are
beyond
the
scope
of
this
book
.
Your
authorized
BMW
dealer
has
the
proper
diagnostic
equipment
and
tools
to
carry
out
these
tasks
.
Front
Latching
Mechanism
A
close,
tight
fit
between
the
front
bow
of
the
convertible
roof
and
the
top
of
the
windshield
is
critical
for
preventing
moisture
and
wind
noise
from
intruding
into
the
passenger
compartment
.
Visor
Latch
Plate
The
left
and
right
visor
latch
plates
can
be
accessed
by
re-
moving
the
trim
and
moldings
aroundthe
sides
and
top
of
the
windshield
.
Each
latch
is
attached
to
thetop
of
the
windshield
using
three
bolts
.
Latch
position
is
adjusted
as
follows
:
"
Loosen
bolts
Latch
top
"
Align
top
"
Retighten
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
4
a
0012756
Visor
Latch
0012768
Fig
.
7
.
Visor
latchplate
is
heldto
top
of
windshieldwiththreebolts
(arrows)
.
The
semi-automatic
and
the
fully
automatic
top
front
latches
are
of
similar
design
.
For
the
automatic
latching
mechanism
an
additional
motor
has
been
installed
in
the
front
bow
of
the
convertible
top
.
This
releases
the
top
from
the
visor
latch
plates
and
pulís
it
back
far
enough
for
the
main
retracting
mechanism
to
complete
thejob
.
The
latches
and
the
motor
can
be
accessed
byremovingthe
front
cover
trim
from
the
convertible
top
.

541-
8
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
CAUTION-
In
caseof
failure
of
the
automatic
or
semi-auto-
matic
convertible
top
function,
only
use
the
emer-
gency
procedure
to
close
the
top,
never
to
open
it
.
An
authorized
BMW
dealer
should
then
be
con-
sulted
.
0012764
Fig
.
17
.
Convertible
topmotor
emergency
release
handle
under
rear
seat
.
Pull
in
direction
of
arrow
to
release
top
.
It
is
then
possible
to
push
thetop
manually
to
a
near
closed
position
.
In
the
case
of
the
semi-automatic
top,
simply
attach
and
lock
the
front
latches
.
Front
Latches
.
Once
the
fully
automatic
convertible
top
has
been
released
from
the
motor
and
manually
pushed
to
near-closure,
emergency
latchíng
ofthetop
is
possible
by
us-
ing
the
S-shaped
hex
key
provided
in
the
emergency
tool
kit
.
First,
remove
the
plastic
cover
over
the
latch
motor
in
the
front
bow
of
the
convertible
top
.
See
Fig
.
18
.
Next,
use
the
hex
key
from
tool
box
to
crank
the
front
latch-
es
shut
.
See
Fig
.
19
.
Luggage
Compartment
Cover
.
A
microswitch
in
the
right
convertible
top
lid
latch
prevents
the
luggage
compartment
from
being
opened
whilethe
lid
is
up
.
This
lockout
can
be
overridden
by
pressing
on
the
microswitch
.
Refer
toFig
.
14
.
POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
Fig
.
18
.
Remove
plastic
cover
from
center
of
convertible
roof
front
bow
to
access
latching
motor
drive
.
0012762
Fig
.
19
.
Using
emergency
hexkey
to
move
front
part
of
convertible
top
.
CAUTION-
The
convertible
top
lid
and
the
luggage
compart-
ment
cover
interfere
with
each
other
and
cannot
beopen
at
the
same
time
.
To
avoid
damage
to
painted
surfaces,
an
assistant
should
keep
the
lid
down
until
the
luggage
compartment
cover
can
beclosed
.

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

600-2
ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM-GENERAL
CAUTION
-
"
Always
turn
off
the
engine
and
disconnect
the
negative
()
cable
from
the
batterybefore
remov-
ing
any
electrical
components
.
Disconnecting
the
battery
may
erase
fault
code(s)
stored
in
control
module
memory
.
Check
for
fault
codes
using
spe-
cial
BMW
diagnostic
equipment
.
"
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
bat-
tery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
viii
.
"
Connect
and
disconnect
ignition
system
wires,
multiple
connectors,
and
ignition
test
equipment
leads
only
while
the
ignition
is
off
.
"
Do
not
disconnect
the
battery
with
engine
run-
ning
.
"
Do
not
quick-charge
the
battery
(for
boost
start-
ing)
for
longer
than
one
minute,
and
do
not
ex-
ceed
16
.5
volts
at
the
battery
with
the
boosting
cables
attached
.
Wait
at
feast
one
minute
before
boosting
the
battery
a
second
time
.
"
Do
not
usea
test
famp
that
has
a
normal
incan-
descent
bulb
to
test
circuits
contafning
electronic
components
.
The
high
electrical
consumptionof
these
test
lamps
may
damage
the
components
.
"
Do
not
use
an
analog
meter
.
Use
onfy
a
digital
multimeter
.
"
Many
of
the
solid-state
modules
are
static
sensi-
tive
.
Static
discharge
will
permanently
damage
them
.
Always
handle
the
modules
using
proper
static
prevention
equipment
and
techniques
.
"
To
avoid
damaging
harness
connectors
or
relay
panel
sockets,
use
jumper
wires
with
flat-blade
connectors
that
are
the
same
size
as
the
connec-
tor
or
relay
terminals
.
"
Always
switch
a
digital
multimeter
to
the
appropri-
ate
function
and
range
before
making
test
con-
nections
.
"
Do
not
tryto
start
the
engine
of
a
carwhich
has
been
heated
above176°F
(80°C),
(for
example,
in
a
paint
dryingbooth)
.
Allow
it
to
cool
to
normal
temperature
.
"
Disconnect
the
battery
before
dolng
any
electric
welding
on
the
car
.
"
Do
not
wash
the
engine
while
it
is
runnfng,
or
any-
time
the
ignition
is
switched
on
.
WIRING
DIAGRAMS
Electrical
Test
Equipment
Many
of
the
electrical
tests
described
in
this
manual
call
for
measuring
voltage,
currentorresistanceusing
a
digital
multi-
meter
(DMM)
.
Digital
meters
are
preferred
for
precise
mea-
surements
and
for
electronics
work
because
they
are
generally
more
accuratethan
analog
meters
.
The
numerical
display
is
alsoless
likely
to
be
misread,
since
there
is
no
nee-
dle
position
to
be
misinterpreted
by
reading
at
an
angle
.
An
LED
test
light
is
a
safe,
inexpensive
tool
that
can
be
used
to
perform
many
simple
electrical
tests
that
would
otherwise
require
a
digital
multimeter
.
The
LED
indicates
when
voltage
is
present
between
anytwo
test-points
in
a
circuit
.
CA
UTION-
"
Choose
test
equipment
carefully
.
Use
a
digital
multimeter
with
at
leadt
10
megaohm
input
im-
pedance,or
an
LED
test
light
.
An
analog
meter
(swing-need1e)
ora
test
light
with
a
normal
incan-
descent
bulb
may
draw
enough
current
to
dam-
age
sensitive
electronic
components
.
"
An
ohmmeter
must
not
beused
to
measure
resis-
tance
on
solidstate
components
suchas
controlunits
or
time
delay
relays
.
"
Always
disconnect
the
battery
before
making
re-
sístance
(ohm)
measurements
on
the
circuit
.
WIRING
DIAGRAMS
The
wiring
diagrams
shown
in
Electrical
Wiring
Diagrams
have
been
specially
designed
to
enable
quick
and
efficientdi-
agnosis
and
troubleshooting
of
electrical
malfunctions
.
Wiring
Codes
and
Abbreviations
A
lot
of
information
is
included
in
each
wiring
diagram
if
you
know
how
to
read
them
.
Wire
colors
in
the
diagrams
are
ab-
breviated
.
Combined
color
codes
indicate
a
multi-colored
wire
.
For
example
the
code
BLU/RED
indicates
a
Blue
wire
with
a
Red
stripe
.
Many
electrical
components,
connectors,
fuses,
and
ground
locations
are
identified
using
a
unique
number
.
Each
of
there
numbers
corresponds
to
a
particular
part
in
the
circuit
commonly
found
in
Electrical
Wiring
Diagrams
.

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
.

Fig
.
5
.
Splice
panel
under
left
side
of
dash
.
SplicePanel,
Right
ir1!
1,
111lí~lll
.
'
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
610-3
0013091
1
.
Unloader
relay
4
.
Starter
immobilization
2
.
Wiper
relay
relay
(1994
only)
3
.
Wiper
motor
relay
F47
&
F50
Fuses47
and
50
The
right
splice
panel
contains
three
relay
positions
.
It
is
lo-
cated
under
the
right
side
of
the
dashboard
.
To
access
the
panel,
remove
theglove
compartment
as
de-
scribed
in
513
Interior
Trim
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
Fig
.
6
.
Splice
panel
under
right
side
of
dash
(arrow)
.
Glove
compart-
ment
and
right
side
vents
shown
removed
.
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
On
the
following
pages
are
illustrations
and
photos
showing
the
location
of
major
electrical
components
in
E36
vehicles
.
NOTE-
-
Every
component
is
not
installed
in
everycar
.
"
Due
to
changes
in
production,
component
locations
may
vary
from
what
is
illustrated
.
Consult
your
BMW
dealer
for
the
latest
information
.
"
The
gear-position/neutral
safety
switch
ís
also
some-
times
referred
to
as
the
automatic
transmission
range
switch
.
"
The
EWS
11
system
is
also
sometimes
referred
to
as
the
Driveaway
Protection
System
or
the
electronic
im-
mobilization
system
.
"
All-Season
Traction
(AST)
is
also
sometimes
referred
to
as
ASC
or
ASC+T
.
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

Fig
.
19
.
M44
engine
coolant
temperature
(ECT)
sensor
(arrow)
.
Fig
.
22
.
Headlight
ground
at
left
frontof
engine
compartment
(arrow)
.
0012704
Fig
.
20
.
M52
engine
coolant
temperature
(ECT)
sensor
(A)
is
located
beneath
top
enginecover
(B)
and
crankcase
vent
hose
(C)
.
uu12700
Fig
.
21
.
M52
throttle
position
sensor
(A),
idle
speed
control
valve
(B),
and
secondary
air
pump
(C)
.
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
610-7
00119s4
0013131
uvijijo
Fig
.
23
.
Mainground
at
right
strut
tower
(A)
.
B
is
negative
jumper
con-
nection
.
COMPONENT
LOCA
TIONS

610-20
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
Fuses
31-46
o_
~oomoo
ommmo~
8
I
15A
I
Horn
Fuses21-30
Fuses
1-20
Fuse
positions
1-46
in
front
power
distribution
box
Table
b
.
1992
E36
Fuse
Positions
Fuse
1
Rating
1
Protected
Circuit
1
1
30A
1
Power
sunroof
(see
also
fuse
13)
2
I
I
Not
used
3
1
30A
1
Headlight
washer
(a
El
1
:1
El
4
1
15A
1
Heated
seats
(see
also
fuse
23)
5
1
30A
1
Power
seats
(see
also
fuse
40)
6
1
20A
1
Rear
window
defogger
(see
also
fuse
23)
7
5A
~
Anti-theft
system
(Alpine)
(see
also
fuse
43)
Central
locking
(ZVM
II)
(see
also
f
use
35,43)
9
(
20A
1
Sound
system
(see
also
fuse
44)
10
1
30A
1
ABS
(see
also
f
use
21,
27,
38,
46)
11
7
.5A
Crash
control
module
(seealso
fuse
12,25,
29,34)
Headlights/foglights
(see
also
fuse
12,15,22,23,
25,29,
30)
On-BoardComputer
(seealsofuse
12,
23,27,31,
33,37,
45,
46)
12
7
.5A
Crash
control
module
(see
also
f
use
11,
25,
29,34)
Headlights/foglights
(seealsofuse
11,15,
22,
23,25,
29,
30)
On-BoardComputer
(see
also
fuse
11,
23,27,
31,33,
37,45,
46)
13
5A
Power
sunroof
(see
also
fuse
1)
Power
windows
(see
also
f
use
14)
14
j
30A
1
Power
windows
(see
also
fuse
13)
15
5A
Headlights/foglights
(see
also
fuse
11,
12,22,
23,
25,29,
30)
16
5A
~
Engine
control
module
(seealsofuse
28)
Heating
andA/C
(IHKR
E36)(see
alsofuse
20,
23,
31,37,
39,
41)
17
I
I
Notused
FUSE
POSITION
TABLES
0013034
Table
b
.
1992
E36
Fuse
Positions
Fuse
Rating
Protected
Circult
18
1
15A
1
Fuel
pump
19
j
15A
1
Park
ventilation
(see
also
fuse
20)
20
30A
~
Heating
andA/C
(IHKR
E36)(see
alsofuse
16,23,31,37,39,
41)
Park
ventilation
(see
also
f
use
19)
21
1
5A
{
ABS
(see
also
fuse
10,27,
38,46)
22
5A
Headlights/foglights
(see
also
f
use
11,12,15,
23,
25,29,
30)
Instrument
illumination
(see
also
fuse
25,33,
37)
Park/taillights
(seealsofuse
33,
37)
23
5A
Multi-function
clock
(see
also
fuse
27,
31,
45,
46)
Headlights/foglights
(see
also
fuse
11,12,15,22,25,
29,30)
Heated
seats
(seealsofuse
4)
Heating
andA/C
(IHKR
E36)(see
alsofuse
16,20,31,37,39,
41)
Instrument
cluster
(see
also
fuse
27,31,
46)
On-Board
Computer
(seealso
fuse
11,
12,
27,31,
33,
37,45,
46)
Rear
window
defogger
(see
alsofuse
6)
Turn
signals/hazard
lights
(seealsofuse
34)
24
I
10A
I
Power
mirrors
25
5A
Crash
control
module
(see
also
f
use
11,12,
29,34)
Headlights/foglights
(see
also
fuse
11,12,15,22,23,29,
30)
Instrument
illumination
(see
also
fuse
22,
33,
37)
26
15A
~
Back-up
lights
Electronic
transmission
control
(A4S
310R)
(seealsofuse
28,46)
27
5A
ABS
(see
also
fuse
10,21,38,
46)
Multi-function
clock
(see
also
fuse
23,
31,
45,46)
Instrument
cluster
(see
also
fuse
23,
31,46)
On-BoardComputer
(see
also
fuse
11,12,23,
31,
33,37,45,
46)
28
5A
Cruise
control
(see
alsofuse
46)
Engine
control
module
(see
alsofuse
16)
Starting
system
Electronic
transmission
control
(A4S
310R)
(see
also
f
use
26,
46)
29
7
.5A
Crash
control
module
(see
also
fuse
11,12,
25,34)
Headlights/foglights
(see
also
fuse
11,12,15,22,23,
25,
30)
30
7
.5A
Headlights/foglights
(see
also
fuse
11,
12,
15,22,23,
25)
31
5A
Multi-function
clock
(see
alsofuse
23,27,
45,46)
Heating
andA/C
(IHKR
E36)(see
also
fuse
16,20,
23,
37,39,
41)
Instrument
cluster
(seealso
fuse
23,
27,46)
On-Board
Computer
(see
also
f
use
11,12,23,27,
33,
37,45,
46)