1994 BMW 325i top

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-
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

630-2



EXTERIOR
LIGHTING

Headlight
assembly,

removing
and
installing

CAUTION-

Followingheadlight
assembly
work
headlight

beam
aim
must
be
adjusted
using
special
equip-
ment
.

1
.
Left
side
:
Remove
air
filter
housing,
air
intake
duct,
and

air
mass
meter
.
See
100
Engine-General
.

2
.
Disconnect
harness
connectors
from
headlight
bulbs
.

3
.
Remove
front
turn
signal
.
See
Front
turn
signal
as-

sembly,
removingand
installing
later
in
this
repair

group
.

4
.
Remove
radiator
cover
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

5
.
Using
a
wrench,
brace
adjusting
nut
at
top
center
of
headlight
.
Remove
three
screws
at
top
of
assembly
.

See
Fig
.
3
.

Fig
.
3
.



Brace
headlightadjustingnut
as
shown
and
remove
top
screws
(arrows)
.

FRONT
LIGHTING

0012568
0012569

6
.
Remove
two
screwson
bottom
of
assembly
.
See
Fig
.

4
.

0012567a

Fig
.
4
.



Headlight
bottom
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.
Screws
mount
in
threaded
expanding
rivets
which
act
as
headlightheight

adjusters
.

7
.
Remove
headlight
assembly
from
front
.

8
.
On
installation,
tighten
lower
screws
first
while
holding

expanding
rivets
with
a
wrench
.
There
should
be
a
2
.5

mm
gap
between
bottom
oflens
and
front
panel
.
Use

adjusting
nut
to
raise
or
lower
headlight
unit
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

0012681

Fig
.
5
.



Measure
gap
A
(2.5
mm)
between
bottom
of
headlight
as-
sembly
and
front
panel
.

9
.
Clearance
between
hood
and
headlight
cover
should
be
1
.5
mm
.
Adjust
by
turning
upper
headlight
adjustinq
nuts,
then
tighten
down
center
screw
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

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

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

640-10



HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING

i

El
Radio

Antenna

Rear



.
,



si,-
Left
side



I
d

1
.
Rear
vents
2
.
Fresh
air
3
.
Face-level
vents
4
.
Recirculation
5
.
Footwell
vents
0013017

Fig
.
28
.
Location
oflate
production
air
distribution
motors
in
heater
box(shown
in
rear,
side
and
top
views)
.

Heater
andA/C
air
distribution
motor,

replacing
(rotary-knob)

1
.
Toaccess
left
side
motors
(dash
vent
mixing
or
recircu-

lation
flap),
remove
lower
dash
panel
and
knee
bolster

on
driver
side
.
See
513
Interior
Trim
.

2
.
To
access
right
side
motor
(fresh
air
flap),
remove
glove

compartment
.
See513
Interior
Trim
.

3
.
Each
motor
can
be
removed
after
its
electrical
wiring

harness
connector
has
been
removed
.
Squeeze
plastic

clip
to
release
motor
.
See
Fig
.
29
.

Fig
.
29
.
A/
C
air
distribution
motor
plastic
retaíning
clip
(arrow)
.
Re-
lease
clip
and
tilt
motor
out
of
housing
.

Rear
Window
Defogger

0011877

The
rear
window
defogger
switch
is
integrated
with
the
heating
andA/C
control
head
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS

Fig
.
30
.
Wiring
diagram
of
rear
window
defogger
and
radio
antenna
.

Rear
Window
Blower
(Convertible
Models)

A
blower
fan,
fitted
into
the
rear
seatback,
defogs
therear

window
.
It
will
only
operate
with
the
engine
nunning
and
the

top
raised
.
A
microswitch
behindthe
rear
seats
provides
the

signal
that
thetop
is
raised
.

To
access
the
blower
fan
motor,
it
is
necessary
to
remove

four
screwsfrom
the
center
seat
back
.
Remove
the
wiring
har-

ness
connector
and
motor
mounting
boits,
then
remove
motor

by
pulling
it
down
and
forward
.
See
Fig
.
31
.

ri

Suppressor
filter

1
0013005

Fig
.
31
.
Rear
window
blower
in
center
of
rear
seat
back
(arrow)
.

The
electric
rear
window
defogger
is
integrated
with
the
ra-

dio
antenna
.
See
Fig
.
30
.



y



/f



0013014

To
access
the
rear
window
blower
relay,
remove
the
glove
compariment
.
See
Fig
.
32
.

Fig
.
32
.
Rear
window
blower
relay
located
in
frontof
glove
compart-
ment
(arrow)
.

AIR
CONDITIONING

Thissection
covers
removal
and
installation
of
air
condition-

ing
refrigerant
components
.
A/C
testing
and
diagnosis,
refrig-

erantdischarge,
evacuatíon
and
recharge
are
not
covered

here
.

The
subassemblies
and
lines
of
the
air
conditionerare
filled

with
either
refrigerant
R12
(1992
cars)
or
R-134a
(1993
and

later
cars)
.
The
major
components
of
the
A/Csystem
are

shown
in
Fig
.
33
.

A/CSystem
Warnings
and
Cautions

WARNING
-

"
Always
be
careful
that
refrigerant
does
not
come
in
contact
with
your
skin
.
Always
wearhand
andeye
protection
(gloves
and
goggles)
when
work-

ing
around
the
AIC
system
.
If
refrigerant
does
come
in
contact
with
your
skin
oreyes
:
-Do
not
rub
skin
oreyes
;

-Immediately
flush
skin
oreyes
withcool
water
for
15
minutes
;
-Rush
to
a
doctor
orhospital
;
-Do
not
attempt
to
treat
yourself
.

"
Work
in
a
wefl
ventilated
area
.
Avoid
breathing
re-
frigerant
vapors
.
Exposure
may
irrítate
eyes,

nose,
and
throat
.
Switch
on
exhaustlventilation
systems
when
working
on
the
refrigerant
system
.

"
Do
not
expose
any
component
of
the
AIC
system
to
high
temperatures
(Above
80°Cl176°F)or

open
flames
.
Excessive
heat
will
cause
a
pres-

sureincrease
whichcould
burst
the
system
.

HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING



640-
1
1

0013015

WARNING
-

"
Keep
refrigerant
away
from
open
llames
.
Poison-
ous
gas
will
be
produced
if
it
bums
.
Do
not
smoke
near
refrigerant
gases
for
the
same
reason
.

"
The
AICsystem
is
filled
with
refrigerant
gas
which
is
under
pressure
.
Pressurized
refrigerant
in
the
presenceof
oxygen
may
forma
combusti-
ble
mixture
.
Never
introduce
compressed
air
finto
any
refrigerant
container
(full
or
empty),
capped
off
AIC
component,
or
piece
of
service
equip-
ment
.

"
Refrígerant
gases
are
heavier
than
air,
displace
oxygen
and
may
cause
suffocation
in
areas
of
poor
círculation,
for
example
under
a
car
.
Switch
on
exhaustlventilation
systems
when
working
on
the
refrigerant
system
.

"
State
and
local
governments
may
have
additional
requirements
regarding
air
conditioning
servic-
ing
.
Alwayscomply
with
state
and
local
laws
.

"
Electric
welding
near
refrigerant
hoses
causes
R-134a
to
decompose
.
Discharge
system
before
welding
.

CA
UTION
-

-As
of
January
1,
1992,
any
person
who
services
a
motor
vehicle
air
conditioner
must,
by
law,
be
properly
trained
and
certified,
and
use
approved
refrigerant
recycling
equipment
.
Technicians
must
complete
an
EPA-approved
recycling
course
to
be
certified
.

"
It
is
recommended
that
al¡
system
refrigerant
AIC
refrigerant
be
left
to
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
or
other
qualified
AIC
service
facility
.

"
Do
not
top
off
a
partially
charged
refrigerant
sys-
tem
.
Dischargesystem,evacuate
and
then
re-
charge
system
.

"
R-134a
and
R-12
refrigerants
and
refrigerant
oils
and
system
components,
including
hoses
and
sealing
O-rings,
are
NOT
compatible
.
Compo-
nent
damage
andlor
system
contamination
will

result
.

"
The
mixture
of
refrigerant
oil
(PAG
oil)
and
refrig-
erant
R-134a
attacks
some
metals
and
alloys
(for
example,copper)
and
breaks
down
certain
hose
materials
.
Use
only
hoses
and
lines
that
are
iden-
tified
with
a
green
mark
(stripe)
or
the
lettering
R-
134a"
.

"
Immediately
plug
open
connections
on
AIC
com-
ponents
to
prevent
dirt
and
moisture
contamina-
tion
.

"
Do
not
steam
clean
condensers
or
evaporators
.

Use
only
cold
water
or
compressed
air
.

AIR
CONDITIONING

640-16



HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING

A/C
expansion
valve,

removing
and
installing

Fig
.
45
.
Control
module
carrier
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.

1
.
Following
manufacturers
instructions,
connectanap-

proved
refrigerant
recovery/recycling/recharging
unit
to

A/C
system
and
discharge
system
.

WARNING
-

Do
not
discharge%harge
the
WC
system
without
properequipmentand
training
.
Damage
to
the
vehi-

cle
and
personal
injury
may
result
.

2
.
Remove
glove
compartment
and
glove
compartment

support
frame
.
See513
Interior
Trim
.

3
.
Remove
right
side
footwell
vents
.

4
.
Remove
right
side
control
module
carrier
screws
and
tilt

carrier
down
.
See
Fig
.
46
.

5
.
Remove
expansion
valve
cover
.
See
Fig
.
46
.

Fig
.
46
.
Four
screws
retain
expansion
valve
cover
(arrows)
.

AIR
CONDITIONING

0012666
0012663

6
.
Remove
A/C
refrigerant
line
fiange
bolt(s)
from
expan-

sion
valve
.
Plug
lines
immediately
.
See
Fig
.
47
.

NOTE
-

If
necessary,
remove
air
plenum
grille
fromrear
of
en-

gine
compartment
as
described
earlier
in
Blower
mo-

tor,
removing
and
installing
.
Remove
wiring
hamess

cover
screws
and
then
remove
right
side
plenum
screws
.
Reaching
finto
the
plenum
chamber,
remove
AIC
fine
flange
bolt
to
allow
expansion
valve
room
for
removal
.

Fig
.
47
.
Refrigerant
line
fiange
mounting
boltat
expansion
valve(arrow)
.

7
.
Remove
screws
from
top
of
expansion
valve
and
re-

move
expansion
valve
from
evaporator
.
See
Fig
.
48
.

Fig
.
48
.
Expansion
valve
mountingscrews
(A)
.

0011667