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
The
fuel
injection
systems
used
on
the
1996
and
later
cars
covered
bythis
manual
are
OBD
II
compliant
.
This
system
is
in-
corporated
into
both
the
Bosch
M5
.2
(M44
engine)
and
the
Si-
emens
MS
41
.1
(M52/S52US
engine)
engine
management
systems
.
OBD
II
systems
use
sophisticateddiagnostic
soft-
ware
capable
of
recognizing
and
electronically
storing
hun-
dreds
of
DTCs
in
the
system
ECM
.
DTCs
can
only
be
accessed
using
special
scan
tooltest
equipment
.
The
BMW
dealer
is
equipped
with
the
specialized
OBD
II
scan
toolto
quickly
and
efficiently
locate
engine
management
problems
.
Alternately,
a
"generic"
scan
tool
can
be
used
to
access
OBD
II
fault
informa-
tion
.
NOTE-
"
At
the
time
this
manual
went
to
press,
generic
scan
tools
were
notwidely
available
for
BMW
vehicles
.
The
generic
sean
tool
is
a
specialized
toolthat
plugs
into
a
standardized
OBD
11
connector
on
1996
and
later
pas-senger
vehícles
built
for
sale
in
the
US
.
"
The
OBD
11
fault
memory
(including
an
illuminated
Check
Engine
light)
can
only
be
reset
using
the
spe-
cial
scan
tool
.
Removing
the
connector
trom
the
ECM
or
disconnecting
the
battery
will
not
erase
the
fault
memory
.
"
The
16-pin
OBD
11
diagnostic
connector
is
located
on
the
lower
left
dash
panel
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
1
.
6
1
.
Secondary
air
pump
2
.
Electric
solenoid
valve
3
.
One-way
check
valve
4
.
Intake
manifold
5
.
Exhaust
manifolds
6
.
Secondary
air
check-valve
®
G~
i
o
o
0
0
G
0000
o
,-
00
~
1111111
in
,,
0
1--
a
Fig
.
5
.
Components
of
6-cylinder
secondary
air
injection
system
.
4-
cylinder
system
is
similar
.
Secondary
AirInjection
FUEL
INJECTION
130-
5
All
OBD
II
6-cylinder
engines
are
equípped
with
asecond-
ary
air
injection
system
.
In
addition,
beginning
in
January
1997,
the
M44
engine
was
classified
as
a
TLEV
(Transitional
Low
Emission
Vehicle)
engine
and
is
also
equipped
with
sec-
ondary
air
injection
.
Typical
components
of
the
secondary
air
injection
system
are
depicted
in
Fig
.
5
.
Secondary
air
injection
usesan
electric
pump
to
pump
fresh
air
finto
the
exhaust
systemupstream
of
the
catalytic
converter
during
engine
warm-up
.
By
providing
extra
oxygen
to
the
un-
burned
fuel
in
the
exhaust,
hydrocarbons
oxidize
and
carbon
monoxide
combines
with
oxygen
to
form
carbon
dioxide
andwa-
ter
.
The
air
injection
pump
stops
within
a
specified
timed
intenral
.
4
0013120
GENERAL
NOTE-
NOTE-
"
The
Ole
speed
control
valve
signal
can
be
checked
The
intake
manifold
is
held
in
place
with
7
nuts
from
using
a
duty
cycle
meter
(or
dwellmeter)
.
Connect
the
above
and
2
support
bracket
bolts
from
undemeath
.
On
meter
to
the
valve
following
the
manufacturer's
in-
DME
3
.1
cars,
carefully
disconnect
the
idleair
hose
from
structions
.
Turn
on
the
WC
or
create
a
larga
air
leak
theintake
manifold
when
lifting
the
manifold
off
.
For
more
and
check
that
the
meter
reading
reacts
while
the
idle
information,
sea
113
Cylinder
HeadRemovaland
In-
speed
remainssteady
.
stallation
.
"
There
are
some
additional
inputs
to
the
control
mod-
ule
that
affect
idle
speed
(Le
.
throttle
position,
AIC-on
5
.
Disconnect
al¡
necessary
hoses
andremove
idle
speed
signals,
andAIT
Drive
position)
.
Check
these
signals
control
valve
.
if
idle
problems
persist
.
See
Tabla
i
orTable
j
.
Idle
speed
control
valva,
replacing
The
idle
speed
control
valve
is
mounted
beneath
the
intake
manifold
.
Accessing
the
valva
is
best
accomplishedby
first
re-
moving
the
intake
manifold
.
NOTE-
¡tis
recommended
that
the
intake
manifold
gaskets
be
replaced
whenever
the
intake
manifold
is
removed
.
1
.
Remove
top
enginecovers
from
engine
.
See
Fig
.
31
.
FUEL
INJECTION
130-21
6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
Removal
.
Use
new
gaskets
when
installing
intake
manifold
.
NOTE-
Poor
driveability
may
be
noticed
afterinstalling
a
re-
placement
idle
speed
control
valve
.
After
about
10
min-
utes
of
driving,
the
system
will
adapt
the
base
setting
of
the
valva
and
the
idle
speed
should
retum
to
normal
.
Tightening
Torque
"
Intakemanifold
to
cylinder
head
(M7)
........
..
.
15±2
Nm
(11
ti
ft-Ib)
BOSCH
DME
M5
.2
COMPONENT
REPLACEMENT
On-Board
Diagnostics
11
(OBD
II)
is
incorporated
into
the
Bosch
DME
M5
.2
engine
management
systems
used
on
the
M44
engine
.
OBD
II
is
capable
of
detecting
a
full
range
of
faults
.
When
faults
are
detected,
a
Diagnostic
Trouble
Code
(DTC)
is
stored
in
the
system
ECM
.
The
Check
Engine
warn-
ing
light
will
also
come
on
if
an
emissions-relatad
fault
is
de-
tected
.
The
most
efficient
way
to
diagnose
the
Bosch
OBD
II
sys-
tem
is
by
using
a
specialized
scan
tool
.
The
OBD
II
system
is
capable
of
storing
hundreds
of
faults,
making
diagnostics
with
a
scan
tool
the
only
viable
method
.
Therefore,
system
diag-
nostics
is
not
covered
here
.
Fi
31
.
Remove
to
en
ine
covers
b
in
out
caPs
and
removin
NOTE-
nuts
(A)
9
.
P
g
y
Pry
g
g
"
The
OBD
11
fault
memory
(including
an
iiluminated
Note
14
L-te
at
cover
edge
(arrows)
.
Check
Engine
light)
can
only
be
reset
using
the
spe-
cial
scan
tool
.
Removing
the
connector
from
the
ECM
2
.
Remove
two
hold
down
nuts
from
fuel
injector
wiring
or
disconnecting
the
battery
will
not
arase
the
fault
duct
.
Pry
back
injector
connector
retainers
and
lift
off
memory
.
wiring
duct
.
"
The
16-pin
OBD
Il
diagnostic
connector
is
located
on
the
lower
left
dash
panel
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
1
.
3
.
Disconnect
intake
air
bootfrom
throttle
housing
.
Where
applicable
disconnect
accelerator
cable
and
cruise
"
BMW
special
scan
tool
ora
`generic"OBD
II
scan
tool
control
cable
from
their
brackets
.
must
be
used
to
access
DTCs
.
4
.
Unbolt
intake
manifold
and
move
it
out
of
way
enough
to
access
idle
speed
control
valva
.
"
Tablak
lists
engine
control
module
(ECM)
pinouts
for
the
DMEM5
.2
system
BOSCH
DME
M5
.
2
COMPONENT
REPLACEMENT
001ía4
i
Fig
.
34
.
Intake
air
temperature
(IAT)
sensor
in
top
section
of
air
filter
housing
.
¡die
speed
control
valve,
replacing
side
of
the
throttle
body
.
See
Fig
.
35
.
1
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
¡die
valve
.
0012725
Fig
.
35
.
M44
engine
:
Throttle
housing
showing
(A)
throttle
position
sensor
(fPS)
and
(B)
¡die
speed
control
valve
.
2
.
Remove
twomountingscrews
holding
sensor
to
throttle
housing
.
The
¡die
speed
valve
on
the
M44
engine
is
located
on
the
FUEL
INJECTION
130-23
2
.
Disconnect
vacuum
hose
and
retaining
screws
.
3
.
Pull
¡die
speed
control
valve
from
its
fittings
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
rémoval
.
Always
replace
0-
rings
and
seals
.
NOTE
Poor
driveability
may
be
notíced
after
installing
a
re-
placement
¡dio
control
valve
.
After
about10
minutes
of
driving,
the
idie
speed
should
retum
to
normal
.
SIEMENS
MS
41
.1
COMPONENT
REPLACEMENT
On-Board
Diagnostics
II
(OBD
II)
is
incorporated
into
the
Si-
emens
MS
41
.1
engine
management
systems
used
in
the
M52
and
S52US
engine
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
36
.
OBD
11
is
capable
of
detecting
a
fui¡
range
offaults
.
When
faults
are
detected,
a
Diagnostic
Trouble
Code
(DTC)
is
stored
in
the
system
ECM
.
The
Check
Engine
warning
light
will
also
come
on
if
an
emissions-related
fault
is
detected
.
The
most
efficient
way
to
diagnose
the
Siemens
OBD
II
system
is
by
using
a
specialized
scan
tool
.
The
OBD
II
system
is
capa-
ble
of
storing
hundreds
of
faults,
making
diagnostics
with
a
scan
tool
the
only
viable
method
.
Therefore,
system
diagnos-
tics
is
not
covered
here
.
NOTE
-
"
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
disconnecting
the
battery
will
not
erase
the
fault
memory
.
"
The
16-pin
OBD
11
diagnostic
connector
is
located
on
the
lower
left
dash
panel
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
1
.
"
BMW
special
scan
tool
ora
"generic"
OBD
11scan
tool
must
be
used
to
access
DTCs
.
3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
No
adjustment
is
nec
essary
.
"
Table
1
lists
engine
control
module
(ECM)
pinouts
forthe
MS
41
.1
systems
.
SIEMENS
MS
41
.
1
COMPONENT
REPLACEMENT
Fig
.
13
.
Lifting
arm
retaining
clips
(arrows)
at
window
slides
.
12
.
Tip
window
so
rear
ofglass
is
up
out
of
door
.
While
sup-
porting
window,
remove
window
front
limit
stopbracket
.
See
Fig
.
14
.
0013067
Fig
.
14
.
With
window
glass
shown
partially
tipped
out
of
door,
remove
bolt
A
and
loosen
bolt
B
in
order
to
remove
front
window
limit
stop
bracket
.
13
.
Take
glass
fully
out
of
door
.
14
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,notingthe
following
:
"
Guide
front
of
window
into
front
guide
rail
and
rest
it
therewhile
installing
front
window
limit
stop
bracket
.
"
When
installing
window
rear
guide
bracket,
tighten
countersunk
screws
in
glass
first
(throughoutside
of
door),
then
install
guide
rail
bracket
.
"
Insert
rubber
sea¡
at
top
of
door
correctly
See
Fig
.
15
.
"
Use
new
mounting
bolts
when
reinstalling
the
side-im-
pactairbag
to
the
door
(where
applicable)
.
Reset
SRS
warning
light
and
clear
SRS
fault
memory
using
spe-
cial
test
equipment
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
"
Adjust
window
as
described
later
.
"
Re-inítialize
window
regulator
motors
as
described
earlier
.
DOOR
WINDOWS
512-
7
Fig
.
15
.
Correct
installation
of
door
toprubber
seal
.
Tightening
Torques
"
Rear
guide
bracket
to
window
.......
6
Nm
(53
in-lb)
"
Rear
guide
bracket
to
roller
guide
..
.
...
...............
9
Nm
(7
ft-Ib)
Front
door
window,
adjusting
(2-door
modeis)
The
"closewith
door
shut"
feature
of
2-door
cars,
as
well
as
the
frameless
window,
makeswindow
adjustment
critical
:
WARNING
-
"
Some
1997
and
afl
1998
2-door
cars
are
fitted
with
side-impact
airbags
in
the
front
doors
.
When
ser-
vicingthe
door
windows
on
cars
with
front
side-im-
pact
airbags,
always
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
battery
cable
.
See
721Airbag
System
(SRS)
for
cautions
and
procedures
relating
to
the
airbag
sys-
tem
.
"
Adjusting
the
front
window
requires
that
the
bat-
tery
cable
be
reconnected
with
the
side-impact
airbag
disconnected
.
This
will
set
a
fault
code
in
the
SRS
control
module,
turn
on
the
SRS
warning
light,
and
disable
the
SRS
system
until
the
fault
memory
is
cleared
using
special
SRS
test
equip-
ment
.
"
There
is
risk
of
window
glass
breakage
if
correct
adjustment
proceduresare
not
used
.
If
in
doubt,
this
procedureshouldbe
left
to
a
trained
BMW
technician
.
WINDOW
SERVICE,
2-DOOR
MODELS
512-
1
0
DOOR
WINDOWS
0013078
Fig
.
22
.
Move
window
fore/aftatrear
guide
rail
top
mounting
bolts
(ar-
rows)
.
Insertion
Depth
"
A
(See
Fig
.
17
.)
.
..........
.1-1
.5
mm
(0
.04-0
.6
in
.)
6
.
To
set
Insertion
depth
C
(Refer
to
Fig
.
17
.)
:
"
Lower
window
slightly
.
Loosen
stop
at
window
regula-
tor
motor
.
See
Fig
.
23
.
Fig
.
23
.
Window
regulator
stop
(arrow)
.
WINDOW
SERVICE,
2-DOOR
MODELS
0013075
"
Raise
window
.
Loosen
rear
boltat
regulator
support
arm
(5mm
Allen
wrench)
.
See
Fig
.
24
.
Align
window
parallelto
roof
line
by
moving
support
arm
up
or
clown
.
Tighten
arm
bolt
.
"
Lower
window
and
remove
rubber
plugs
at
bottom
of
door
.
If
necessary,temporarily
reconnect
battery
ca-
ble
.
"
Adjust
front
and
rear
limit
stops
so
that
window
retracts
into
window
seal
as
specified
.
See
Fig
.
25
.
"
Raise
window
to
check
adjustment
.
"
Push
regulator
stop
fully
forward
and
tighten
bolt
.
"
Closedoor
and
check
window
operation
.
0013077
Fig
.
24
.
Use
5mm
Afen
socket
to
loosen
mounting
boltat
support
bracket(arrow)
and
slide
bracket
up
or
clown
to
adjust
win-
dow
position
at
roof
line
.
(Allen
bolt
head
faces
outside
of
door
.)
CAUTION
-
"
Recheck
preload
gap
B
(step
4)
.
Excessive
pre-
load
could
cause
window
to
shatter
.
"
The
fully
closed
window
must
not
contact
the
rain
gutter
when
opening
the
door
(in
the
event
the
"close
with
door
shut"
feature
is
faulty
or
the
bat-tery
is
dead)
.
7
.
Usenew
mounting
bolts
when
reinstalling
the
side-im-
pact
airbag
to
the
door
(where
applicable)
.
Reset
SRS
warning
light
and
clear
SRS
fault
memory
using
special
test
equipment
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
8
.
Replace
door
panel,
rubber
door
plugs
and
outside
doormolding
.
9
.
Re-initialize
window
regulator
motors
as
described
ear-
lier
.
515-4
CENTRAL
LOCKING
AND
ANTI-THEFT
11
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Keep
in
mind
the
fol-
4
.
Remove
screws
mounting
bottom
of
window
rear
track
lowing
:
to
door
.
See
Fig
.
9
.
"
Make
sure
rubber
seal
for
handle
is
correctly
posi-
tionedbefore
tightening
mounting
fasteners
.
"
Install
exteriortrim
piece
and
then
use
a
hooked
tool
to
pull
locking
plate
into
locked
position
.
Make
sure
door
handle
trim
contacts
body
evenly
before
locking
trim
in
place
.
"
Use
new
mounting
bolts
when
reinstalling
the
side-im-
pactairbag
to
the
door(where
applicable)
.
Reset
SRS
warning
light
and
clear
SRS
fault
memory
using
spe-
cial
test
equipment
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
"
Reconnect
al¡
harness
connectors
(including
power
window
motor)before
installing
door
panel
.
"
Secure
wire
harnesses
withwire
ties
.
"
Adjust
and
reinitialize
windows
.
See
512
Door
Win-
dows
.
Tightening
Torque
"
Collar
nut
to
doorhandle
..........
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)
1.
Remove
rear
door
panel
and
vapor
barrier
as
described
in
411
Doors
.
2
.
Remove
window
from
rear
dooras
described
in
512
Door
Windows
.
3
.
Disconnect
andremove
inside
door
handle
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
0013073
Fig
.
8
.
Inside
door
handle
retaining
screw
(A)
Unhook
linkage
from
handle
at
B
.
DOOR
HANDLES
AND
LOCKS
Fig
.
9
.
Rear
window
track
lower
fasteners
(arrows)
.
Reardoor
lock,
removing
and
installing
5
.
Remove
window
rear
track
top
screw
and
move
track
aside
.
See
Fig
.
10
.
Fig
.
10
.
Rear
window
track
top
screw
(arrow)
.
6
.
Remove
screw
from
lock
button
linkage
rod
retainer
.
Lift
rod
out
of
retaining
clip
.
See
Fig
.
11
.
7
.
Disconnect
door
lock
harnessconnector
.
8
.
Remove
door
lock
screws
.
See
Fig
.
12
.
0013085
9
.
Move
lock
upslightly
to
disengage
from
exterior
handle
linkage
.
Remove
lock
from
inside
door
.
The
left
latch
in
the
fully
automatic
version
hastwo
mi-
croswitches
(S7
and
S8)which
signal
open,
closed
and
latched
states
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
The
length
of
the
dead
center
point
rod
is
critica¡
lo
correct
opening
and
latching
of
the
convertible
top
.
See
Fig
.
9
.
Dead
Center
Point
Rod
"
Dimension
A
........
205
.5
f
1
mm
(8
.09
t0
.04
in)
Visor
Latch
Motor
The
fully
automatic
convertible
top
is
latched
and
unlatched
by
one
electric
motor
installed
in
the
front
roof
bow
.
To
re-
place,
remove
front
cover
trim
from
the
roof
.
Remove
electri-
cal
harness
connectors
from
motor,
andremove
mounting
screws
.
Slide
the
motor
off
the
output
shafts
to
the
left
and
right
latches
.
During
reinstallation,
theoutput
shafts
must
be
tumed
until
the
S8
microswitch
in
the
left
latch
is
tripped
.
Convertible
top
and
frame,
replacing
1
.
Open
convertible
top
partially
.
Open
convertible
top
lid
.
Fig
.
9
.
Preset
lengthof
dead
centerpoint
rod
.
Open
back
windows
.
2
.
Fully
automatic
power
convertible
top
:
Remove
front
cover
trim
from
top
.
Disconnect
electrical
harness
con-
nectors
from
frontlatch
motor
.
Disconnect
connectors
from
S7
and
S8
microswitches
at
left
latch
.
Motors
M1
Convertible
top
M2
Convertible
top
lid
M3Front
latch
(fully
automatic
top)
Microswitches
S1
&S2
In
convertible
top
motor
S3
In
convertible
top
storage
compartment
S4
In
top
linkage
(semi-automatic
only)
S5
In
luggage
compartment
latch
S6
In
right
convertible
top
lid
latch
S7&S8
In
left
conv
.
top
latch
(fully
automatic)
Fig
.
8
.
Locationof
automatic
and
semi-automatic
convertible
latch
mechanisms,
motors
and
microswitches
.
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
541-5
POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP