Convertible
top
drive
motor,
replacing
5
.
Working
in
convertible
top
storage
compartment
be-
hind
driver's
seat,
remove
convertible
top
linkage
rods
1
.
Open
convertible
top
partially,
stopping
when
convert-
from
top
of
motor
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
11
.
ible
top
lid
is
fully
upen
.
Remove
lid
.
2
.
Release
luggage
compartment
lock-out
by
pressing
on
microswitch
in
right
convertible
top
lid
latch
.
See
Fig
.
14
.
0012745
Fig
.
14
.
Rightside
convertible
top
lid
latch
.
Arrow
points
to
location
of
luggage
compartment
lock-out
microswitch
.
3
.
Open
luggage
compartment
.
Remove
trim
and
inner
lining
from
left
side
of
compartment
.
4
.
Disconnect
electrical
harness
connectors
at
top
motor
.
Release
emergency
release
cable
from
lever
.
Push
le-
ver
up
to
release
motor
.
See
Fig
.
15
.
uu12759
Fig
.
15
.
Convertible
top
motor
(A)
and
release
lever
(B)
in
luggage
compartment
.
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
541-
7
6
.
Remove
four
fastenersholding
motor
to
body
and
re-
move
motor
through
luggage
compartment
.
See
Fig
.
16
.
0012761
Fig
.
16
.
Convertible
top
motor
mountingscrews
(arrows)
.
Gasket
(A)
mustbe
renewed
when
motor
is
replaced
.
7
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Keep
the
following
in
mind
:
"
Replace
sealing
gasket
between
top
of
motor
and
body
.
"
Securemotormountingscrews
with
Locktite
®
270
or
equivalent
.
Tightening
Torque
"
Convertible
top
motor
to
body
mountingscrews
...
...
.
.
.........
10
Nm
(7
.5
ft-Ib)
Convertible
Top
Emergency
Operation
A
malfunction
in
the
electrical
system
or
another
fault
in
the
convertible
top
mechanism
can
cause
the
automatic
or
semi-
automatic
top
to
be
stuck
in
open,
shut,
or
intermediate
posi-
tion
.
The
following
general
procedures
are
suggested
in
order
to
close
the
top
in
an
emergency
situation
.
Resetting
proce-
dures
for
convertible
top
synchronization
after
emergency
clo-
sure
are
beyond
the
scope
of
this
manual
.
Main
Motor
.
To
release
thetop
linkage
from
the
motor,
lift
the
left
comer
of
the
rearseat
to
access
emergency
release
handle
.
See
Fig
.
17
.
POWER
CONVERTIBLE
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
3
.
Break
open
plastic
retainer
in
back
of
instrument
clus-
ter
andremove
coding
plug
.
See
Fig
.
5
.
5
.
Reset
vehicle
mileage
.
1
ILO
NOTE-
Consultan
authorized
BMW
dealer
service
department
about
resetting
vehicle
mileage
using
the
special
BMW
Service
tester
.
Vehicle
speed
sender,
replacing
0
0013029
Fig
.
5
.
Remove
coding
plug
retainer
with
a
screwdriver
(arrow)
.
4
.
Install
coding
plug
and
new
retainer
.
Reinstall
instru-
ment
cluster
.
The
vehicle
speed
sender
supplies
an
electronic
pulsed
speed
signal
to
the
speedometer
.
The
sender
is
mounted
be-
neath
the
rear
of
the
car,
on
the
differential
cover
plate
.
1
.
Locate
vehicle
speed
sender
electrical
connector
at
back
of
differential
.
Depress
retaininglevers
on
con-
nector
and
remove
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
INSTRUMENTS
620-
3
0013180
Fig
.
6
.
Vehicle
speed
sender
harnessconnector
(A)
and
sender
(B)
.
2
.
Remove
vehicle
speed
sender
retaining
screws
and
re-
move
sender
from
differential
cover
.
3
.
On
installation,
replace
O-ring
and
coat
with
oil
(90W)
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
0011755
NOTE-
'
If
the
speedometer
is
malfunctioning,
check
the
vehicle
Fig
.
7,
O-ring
correctly
installed
on
vehicle
speed
sender,
speed
sensor
hamess
connectoron
the
rear
differen-
tial
.
Water
damage,
frayed
wires
and
corrosion
of
the
connectorcontactsareoftenthecause
ofspeedometer
4
.
Insta¡¡
sender
into
differential
and
tighten
mounting
malfunction
.
bolts
evenly
in
stages
until
the
sender
is
firmly
seated
.
Tightening
Torque
"
Vehicle
speed
sender
to
differential
cover
...
.
.....
6
.6-8
.4
Nm
(53-74
in-lb)
INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
Airbag
Systems
.......
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
.
721-1
AIRBAG
SENSORS
AND
ELECTRONICS
721-2
SRS
Warning
Light
and
Fault
Display
.
.
.
.
.
..
721-2
Airbagcontact
ring,
replacing
........
.
.
.
.
.
721-3
Airbag
crash
sensor,replacing
..
.
....
.
...
.
721-4
ZAE
control
module,
replacing
.
.
.
.........
721-5
GENERAL
This
repair
group
covers
only
removal
and
installation
of
air-
bag
components
.
Airbag
system
repair
and
fault
diagnosis
is
not
covered
here
.
Diagnostics,
component
testing,
and
airbag
system
repair
should
be
carried
out
by
trained
BMW
service
technicians
.
NOTE-
Special
test
equipment
is
required
to
retrieve
SRS
fault
codes,
diagnose
system
faults,
and
resetltum
off
the
SRS
indicator
light
.
The
SRS
indicator
light
will
remain
on
until
any
problem
has
been
corrected
and
the
fault
memory
has
been
cleared
.
When
servicing
cars
equipped
with
SRS,
the
precautions
on
this
page
mustbeobserved
to
prevent
personal
injury
.
Airbag
Systems
The
airbag
system
installed
on
E36
cars
through
the
1993
model
year
consisted
of
a
single
airbag
in
the
steering
wheel
.
This
systemcan
be
identified
by
the
orange
crash
sensors
lo-
cated
on
the
front
wheel
wells
and
the
absence
of
a
passenger
side
airbag
.
The
ZAE
airbag
system,
starting
in
model
year
1994
(pro-
duction
date9/93
and
later),
provides
both
a
driver
side
and
a
passenger
sideairbag
.
On
ZAE
vehicles,
the
crash
sensorsare
integrated
into
the
airbag
control
module,
located
under
thecenter
of
the
rear
seat
.
The
ZAE
control
module
triggers
deployment
of
the
airbags
When
it
sensos
the
vehicle
deceler-
ating
at
a
rate
equivalent
to
a
head-on
collisionof
at
least
13
mph
(18
km/h)
.
In
some
1997
4-door
models
and
all
1998
models,
side-impact
airbags
were
installed
in
the
front
doors
.
The
airbag
units
are
mounted
behindthe
door
trim
panels
.
Caution
mustbeused
when
working
on
vehicle
systems
in
the
proximity
of
air
bags,
such
as
the
steering
column,
the
dashboard,
or
the
doors
.
AIRBAG
SYSTEM
(SRS)
721-1
GENERAL
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
......
.
.
.
.
721-1
Front
side-impact
airbag
crash
sensor,
removing
and
installing
....
.
.....
.
.....
.
721-5
AIRBAGS
..............
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
721-5
Driver
side
airbag,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
721-5
Passenger
side
airbag,
removing
and
installing
..............
.
.
.721-6
Front
side-impact
airbag,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
.721-7
WARNING
-
"
Airbag(s)
are
inflated
byan
explosive
device
.
Handled
improperly
or
without
adequate
safe-
guards,
the
System
can
be
very
dangerous
.
Spe-
cial
precautions
must
be
observed
prior
to
any
work
ator
near
the
driverside
airbag,
the
passen-
ger
side
airbag
(where
applicable)
or
the
side-im-
pact
airbags
(where
applicable)
.
"
The
airbag
is
a
vehicle
safety
system
.
Serious
in-
jury
may
result
if
System
service
is
attempted
by
persons
unfamiliar
with
the
BMW
SRS
and
its
ap-
proved
service
procedures
.
BMW
advises
that
all
inspection
and
service
be
performed
by
an
autho-
rized
BMW
dealer
.
"
Always
disconnect
the
battery
and
cover
the
neg-
ative
()
battery
terminal
with
an
insulator
before
startingdiagnostic,
troubleshooting
or
service
worknot
associated
with
SRS,
and
before
doing
any
welding
on
the
car
.
"
If
an
airbag
has
been
activated
due
to
an
acci-dent,
BMW
specifies
that
SRS
components
be
replaced
.
For
more
information
on
post-collision
SRS
service,
see
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
"
Do
not
allow
the
airbag
unit
to
come
in
contact
with
cleaning
solutions
orgrease
.
Never
subject
an
airbag
unit
to
temperatures
aboye
212°F
(100°C)
.
When
reconnecting
the
battery,
no
per-
son
should
be
inside
the
vehicle
.
"
Always
place
an
airbag
unitthat
has
been
re-
moved
from
its
packaging
with
the
padded
sidefacing
upward
.
Do
not
leave
an
airbag
unlt
unat-
tended
.
"
!f
the
airbag
unit
or
airbag
control
modulehas
been
dropped
froma
height
of
!
1
2
meter
(1
Y2
ft.)
ormore,
theairbag
unit
should
not
be
installed
.
Aírbag
system
components
are
shown
in
Fig
.
1.
GENERAL
721-
6
AIRBAG
SYSTEM
(SRS)
5
.
Carefully
lift
airbag
unit
off
steering
wheel
and
discon-
6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Tighten
right
side
nect
orange
harness
connector
from
rear
of
airbag
unit
.
screw
on
airbag
first
(as
viewedfrom
driver's
seat),
See
Fig
.
10
.
then
left
side
screw
.
NOTE-
NOTE-
In
some
models,
theairbag
electrical
connection
to
the
If
there
is
no
electrical
harness
connector
between
the
steering
wheel
isvia
aplug
in
back
of
the
airbag
unit
.
airbag
and
the
steering
wheel,
be
sure
to
fit
the
push
There
is
no
wire
harness
to
disconnect
.
in
electrical
plug
in
back
of
the
airbag
finto
the
proper
re-
ceptacle
in
the
steering
wheel
.
Fig
.
10
.
Driver
sideairbag
unit
harness
connector
(arrow)
.
AIRBAGS
WARNING
-
"
Store
the
removed
airbag
unit
with
the
horn
pad
facing
up
.
If
stored
facing
down,
accidental
de-
ployment
couldpropel
it
violently
into
the
air,
causing
injury
.
"
Once
an
airbag
is
removed,
the
car
must
not
be
driven
.
"
Do
not
connect
the
battery
with
the
airbag
dis-
connected
.
A
fault
code
will
be
stored,
setting
off
the
SRS
warning
light
.
Special
tools
are
needed
to
reset
the
fault
memory
.
"
Special
instructions
apply
when
installing
an
air-
bag
equipped
steering
wheel
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.
"
Once
the
airbag
unit
is
installnd
and
all
other
ser-vice
procedureshave
been
completed,
start
the
engíne
and
check
that
the
SRS
warning
light
goes
out
.
If
the
warning
light
stays
on,
the
SRS
system
will
not
function
as
designed
.
Have
the
system
diagnosed
and
repaired
by
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
0013184
Tightening
Torque
"
Airbag
unitto
steering
wheel
........
8
Nm
(71
in-lb)
Passenger
side
airbag,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover
negative
terminal
with
insulating
material
.
2
.
Remove
glove
compartment
.
See
513
Interior
Trim
.
3
.
Lift
cover
from
topof
passenger
sideairbag
on
dash-
board
.
See
Fig
.
11
.
0013108
Fig
.
11
.
After
removing
glove
compartment,
lift
out
passenger
side
air-
bag
cover
.
Note
airbag
mounting
bolts
(A)
and
airbag
electri-
cal
connector
(B)
.
4
.
Remove
passenger
sideairbag
mounting
bolts
.
Dis-
connect
electrical
harness
connector
from
rear
of
air-
bag
unit
and
remove
airbag
.
5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Make
sure
wiring
har-
ness
is
not
pínched
when
installing
airbag
unit
in
dash-board
.
6
INDEX
Ignition
system
general
information
120-1basictroubleshooting
principies
120-3camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor
120-
6
camshaft
positíon
(CMP)
sensor,
replacing
(4-cylinder
engine)
120-6camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor,
replacing
(6-cylinder
engines)
120-7
checking
for
spark
120-3
crankshaftposition/rpm
sensor
120-5
crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor,
testing/replacing
(front
mounted
sensor)
120-6
crankshaft
positíon/rpm
sensor,
testing
(rear
mounted
sensor)
120-6
disabling
ignition
system120-2
ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing
(4-
cylinder
engines)
120-3
ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing
(6-
cylinder
engines)
120-4
ignítion
firing
order
120-7
ignition
system
diagnostics
120-3
ignition
system
schematics
120-7
ignition
system
service
120-3knock
sensors,
replacing
120-7warnings
and
cautions
120-2
Inspectíon
I
and
Inspection
II
See
Maintenanceprogram
Instrumentpanel
See
interior
trim
Instruments
general
information
620-1
instrument
cluster,
removinglinstalling
620-1
instrument
cluster,
self-testing
620-1
instrument
cluster
bulbs,
replacing
620-2
multi-information
display
(MID),
620-4
multi-information
display
(MID),
removing/installing
620-4
odometer
coding
plug,
replacing
620-
2
vehicle
speed
sensor,
replacing
620-3
Intake
manifold
4-cylinder
engíne,
removing
113-3
6-cylinder
engine,
removing
113-11
See
alsoCylinder
head
removal
and
installation
Intake
air
temperaturesensor
See
Fuel
injection
Interior
trim
general
information
513-1
center
console,
removing/installing
513-1
dashboard,
removing/installing
513-3
glove
compartment,
removing/
installing
513-2
lower
left
dash
panel,
removing/
installing
513-2
J
Jump
startíng
010-12
K
Knock
sensor
See
Ignition
system
L
Leather
upholstery
See
Maíntenance
program
Leve¡
sender
See
Fuel
pump
Lubrication
system
general
information
119-1
oil
pan,
removing/installing
(4-cylinder
engines)
119-2
oil
pan,
removing/installing
(6-cylinder
engine,
1992models)119-4
oil
pan
119-2
oil
pan,
removing/installing
(6-cylinder
engine,
1993
and
later
models)
119-6
oil
pressure,
checking
119-1
oil
pressure
warningsystem,
testing
119-2
oil
pump
119-8
oil
pump,
removing/installing
(4-cylinder
engine)
119-8
oil
pump,
removing/installing
(6-cylinder
engine)
119-9
troubleshooting
119-1
M
Maíntenance
program
general
information
020-2
accelerator
and
throttle
linkage
020-13
air
filter,
replacing
020-11
automatic
transmission
fluid
020-8
automatic
transmission
service
020-18
battery,
checking
and
cleaning
020-12
battery,
replacing
020-12
BMW
service
indicator
020-2
body
and
hinges,
lubricating
020-19
brake
fluid
020-9
brake
fluid,
replacing
020-17
brake
pad/rotor
wear,
checking
020-17
brake
system,
inspecting
020-17
clutch
fluid,
checking
020-19
cooling
system
service
020-14
drive
axle
joint
boots,
inspecting
020-19
engine
coolant
(anti-freeze)
020-9
engine
drive
belts
020-13
engine
oil,
checking
leve¡
020-9
Maintenance
program
(cont
.)
engine
oil
and
filter,
changing020-9engine
oil
service
020-9
exhaust
system,
inspecting
020-18
exterior
washing020-20
final
drive
gear
oil
020-9
final
drive
oil
level,
checking
020-18
front
suspension
and
steering
linkages,
inspecting
020-18
fuel
filter,
replacing
020-16
fuel
tank
and
fuel
lines,
inspecting
020-19
¡dle
speed
020-12
inspection
I
and
inspection
11
020-2
interior
care020-20
leather
upholstery
and
trim
020-20
maintenance
tables
020-3
manual
transmission
fluid,
checking
and
filling
020-18manual
transmission
fluid
020-8
manual
transmission
service
020-18oxygensensors
020-15
parking
brake,
checking
020-17
polishing
020-20
poly-ribbed
belt,
replacing
020-13
power
steering
fluid
020-9
power
steering
fluid,
checking
leve¡
020-14
rear
suspension,
inspecting
020-18
resetting
service
indicator
020-3
seat
belts
020-20
spark
plugs,
replacing
020-11
special
cleaning
020-20
tires,
checking
inflation
pressure
020-17
tires,
rotating
020-17
v-belt,
replacing
020-13
washing
chassis
020-20waxing020-20
windshield
wiperblade
maintenance
020-19
wheels,
aligníng
020-17
Manual
transmission
See
also
Maintenance
program
See
also
Transmission-general
general
information
230-1
back-up
light
switch,
replacing
230-2
inputshaft
sea¡,
replacing
(transmission
installed)
230-5
output
shaftsea¡,
replacing
(transmission
installed)
230-4
selector
shaft
sea¡,
replacing
(transmission
installed)
230-3
transmission
fluid,
replacing
230-2
transmission
fluidlevel,
checking
230-2
transmission
fluid
service
230-1
transmission
removal
and
installation
230-5
transmission,
removing/installing
230-
6
transmission
service
230-2
Mass
air
flow
sensor
See
Fuel
Injection