1994 BMW M3 tow

NOTE
-

Sometimes
the
color
of
en
installed
wire
may
be
differ-
ent
than
the
one
on
the
wiring
diagram
.
Don't
be
con-
cerned
.
Just
be
sure
lo
confirm
that
the
wire
connects
lo
the
proper
terminals
.

Wire
color
codes

"
BLU
.........
.
..
..
...
.
.................
Blue

"
BRN
....:....
.
..
..
...
..
...............
Brown

"
YEL
.........
.
..
..
...................
.Yellow

"
GRN
.........
.
..
..
...
.
................
creen

"
G
RY
.......
.
.
.
..
..
.....................
G
ray

"
ORG
.........
.
..
..
...
.
..............
.Orange

"
RED
......
...
.
.
..
.....................
.Red

"
BLK
.........
.
..
..
...
.
................
Black

"
VIO
..........
.
..
...
..
..
.......
.
.......
Violet

"
WHT
.........
.
.
....
.
...
:..............
White

Table
a
.
Terminal
and
Circuit
Numbers

Number



1
Circuít
description

1



j
Low
voltage
switched
terminal
of
coi¡

4



1
High
voltage
center
termina¡
of
coi¡

+x



Originates
atignition
switch
.
Supplies
powerwhen
the
ignition
switch
is
in
the
PARK,
RUN,
or
START
position

15



Originates
atignition
switch
.
Supplies
powerwhen
ignition
switch
is
in
RUN
or
START
position

30



Battery
positive
(+)
voltage
.
Supplies
power
whenever
battery
is
connected
.
(Not
dependent
on
ignition
switch
position,
unfused)

31



1
Ground,
battery
negative
(-)
terminal

50



Supplies
power
from
battery
to
starter
solenoid
when
ignition
switch
isin
START
position
only

+54



Originates
atignition
switch
.
Supplies
power
when
ignition
switch
isin
the
RUN
position
only

85



1
Ground
side
(-)
ofrelay
coil

86



1
Power-in
side
(+)
ofrelay
coil

87



1
Relay
actuatedcontact

D



Alternator
warning
light
and
field
energizing
circuit

ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM-GENERAL
600-
3

Additional
abbreviations
shown
in
the
wiring
diagrams
are

given
below
.

Abbreviations

"
ABS
........
.
...
.
...
.
..........
antilock
brakes

"
A/C
........
.
...
..
..
.
.........
.airconditioning

"
AST/ASC+T
.......
...
.
.
.......
al¡
season
traction

"
CONV
.......
.
.
...
.................
convertible

"
DME
........
.
.
...
.......
digital
motor
electronics

"
ECM



.......
.
...
..
..
.
..
electronic
control
module

"
EWS/EWS
II
......
...
.
.
coded
driveaway
protection

"
SRS
........
.
supplemental
restraint
system-airbag

"
TCM
........
.
..
....
.
transmission
control
module

"
ZKE
(94-98
models)
..
..
.
...
central
body
electronics

"
ZVM
(92-93
models)
...
.
.
..
.
.......
central
locking

ELECTRICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING

Most
terminals
are
identified
by
numbers
on
the
compo-

nents
and
harness
connectors
.
The
terminal
numbers
for
ma-



Four
things
are
required
for
current
toflow
in
any
electrical

jor
electrical
connections
are
shown
in
the
diagrams
.
Though



circuit
:
a
voltagesource,
wires
or
connections
to
transport
the

many
terminal
numbers
appear
only
once,
severa¡other
num-



voltage,
a
load
or
device
that
uses
the
electricity,
and
a
con-
bers
appear
in
numerous
places
throughout
the
electrical
sys-



nection
to
ground
.
Most
problemscanbefound
using
a
digital

tem
and
identify
certain
types
ofcircuits
.
Some
of
the
most



multimeter
(volt/ohm/amp
meter)to
check
for
voltage
supply,

common
circuit
numbers
are
listed
below
in
Table
a
.



for
breaks
in
the
wiring
(infinite
resistance/no
continuity),
orfor

a
path
to
ground
that
completesthe
circuit
.

Electric
current
is
logical
in
its
flow,
always
moving
from
the

voltage
sourcetoward
ground
.
Electricalfaults
can
usually
be

located
through
a
process
of
elimination
.
When
troubleshoot-

ing
a
complex
circuit,
separate
the
circuit
into
smaller
parts
.

The
general
testsoutlined
below
may
be
helpful
in
finding

electrical
problems
.
The
information
is
most
helpful
when

used
with
the
wiring
diagrams
.

Be
sure
to
analyze
the
problem
.
Use
the
wiring
diagrams
to

determine
the
most
likely
cause
.
Getan
understanding
of
how

the
circuit
works
by
following
the
circuit
from
groundback
to

the
power
source
.

When
making
test
connections
at
connectors
andcompo-

nents,
use
care
to
avoidspreading
or
damaging
the
connec-

tors
or
terminals
.
Some
tests
may
require
jumper
wires
to

bypass
components
or
connections
in
the
wiring
harness
.

When
connecting
jumper
wires,
use
bladeconnectors
at
the

wire
ends
that
match
the
size
of
the
terminal
being
tested
.
The

small
interna¡
contacts
are
easily
spread
apart,
and
this
can

cause
intermittent
or
faultyconnections
that
can
leadto
more

problems
.

ELECTRICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING

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

610-10



ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

Component



Model
Year



Location



Refer
to

ABS
Hydraulic
Control
Unit



1992-1998



Left
rear
engine
compartment
undermaster
cylinder



Fig
.
7
.
Fig
.
10
.

ABS
Hydraulic
Control
Unit
Relay



1992-1998



Power
distribution
box



Fig
.
2
.

ABS
Pedal
Travel
Sensor



1992-1998



On
brake
booster
beside
master
cylinder



Fig
.
10
.

ABS
Relay



1992-1998



Power
distribution
box



Fig
.
2
.

ABS/AS
T
(Traction)
Control
Module



1992-1998



Behind
glove
compartment



Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.

ABS
Speed
Sensor,
Left
Front



1992-1998



Left
front
steering
arm



Fig
.
31
.
Wheel

ABS
Speed
Sensor,
Left
Rear



1992-1998



Left
rear
trailing
arm
Wheel

ABS
Speed
Sensor,
RightFront



11992-1998



Right
front
steering
arm
Wheel

ABS
Speed
Sensor,
Right
Rear



1992-1998



I
Left
rear
trailing
arm
Wheel
1

A/C
Compressor



1
1992-1998



(
Rightlower
frontof
engine

A/C
Compressor
Control
Relay



1
1992-1998
1992-1998
1992-1998

A/C
Control
Module

A/C
Evaporator
Temperature
Sensor
A/C
Pressure
Switch



1992-1998



Right
frontof
engine
compartment

A/C
Program
Switch



1992-1998



Center
of
dash
below
radio

A/CRecharging
Ports



1992-1998



Right
rear
engine
compartment



Fig
.
16
.

Air
Flow
Sensor



1992-1998



Between
throttle
housing
&
filter
housing



Fig
.
7
.

Airbag
Contact
Slip
Ring



1992-1998



Rear
ofsteering
wheel

Airbag,
Driver



1992-1998



In
center
of
steering
wheel



Fig
.
25
.

Airbag,
Passenger



1994-1998



Right
front
of
dash
above
glove
compartment



Fig
.
26
.

Airbag,
Side-Impact



1997-1998



Behind
right/left
front
door
panel
Airbag
Control
Module
(Basic)



1992-1993



Behind
glove
compartment



Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.

Airbag
Control
Module
(ZAE)



1994-1998



On
center
tunnel
under
rear
seat
cushion

Airbag
Crash
Sensor,
Airbag



1992-1993



On
righUleft
front
strut
tower
Airbag
Crash
Sensor,
Right/Left



1997-1998



Right/left
door
si¡¡
behind
front
seatSide
Impact

Alternator
(Generator)



1992-1998



Left
lowerfront
of
engine

Amplifier
Hi-fi



1992-1998



Left
front
side
of
luggage
compartment

Antenna
Amplifier
AM/FM



1992-1998



In
upper
left
side
C-pillar



Fig
.
27
.

COMPONENT
LOCA
TIONS

Table
a
.
E36
Component
Locations

Power
distribution
box



Fig
.
2
.

Behind
center
console

Left
sideof
heater
box

Continued

610-12



ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

Table
a
.
E36
Component
Locations

Component



Model
Year



Location



Refer
to

Combination
(Stalk)
Switch



1993-1998



Left
sidesteering
column
(turn
signals/high-low
bean
switch)

Convertible
Top
ActuatingSwitch



1994-1998



Center
console

Convertible
Top
Control
Module



1994-1998



In
lower
left
C-pillar
behind
trim
panel

Convertible
TopEnd
Position
Switch



1994-1998



In
convertible
top
linkage

Convertible
Top
Motor



1994-1998



In
left
sideof
trunk
behind
trim
panel

Convertible
Top
Position



1994-1998



In
convertible
top
linkage
Microswitch
Convertible
Top
Storage
Lid
Lock



1994-1998



In
convertible
top
compartment
left
side
Motor

Convertible
Top
Storage
Lid



1994-1998



Inright
side
convertible
top
storage
lid
latch
Microswitch

Convertible
Top
Storage
Lid
Motor



1994-1998



In
left
side
of
trunk
behind
trim
panel

Coolant
Leve¡
Sensor
(if
applicable)



1992-1998



Bolted
on
radiator,
left
side

Coolant
Temperature
Sensor



1992-1998



Left
front
of
engine/cylinder
head



Fig
.
19
.
Fig
.
20
.

Cooling
Fan
Dual
Switch



1992-1998



Right
side
radiator



Fig
.
18
.

Cooling
Fan
Motor



1992-1998



Behind
front
grill

Crankshaft
Position/RPM
Sensor



1992-1995



At
front
crankshaft
pulley

Crankshaft
Position/RPM
Sensor



1996-1998



Left
rearof
crankcase

Crash
Sensor,
Airbag



1992-1993



On
right/left
frontstrut
tower

Crash
Control
Module



1992



Auxiliary
relay
panel

Crash
Control
Module



1993-1998



Driver's
side
footwell

Crash
Sensor,
Right/Left
Side



1997-1998



Right/left
door
sill
behind
front
seat
Impact
Airbag

Cruise
Control
Actuator



1992-1998



Left
front
of
engine
compartment



Fig
.
7
.

Cruise
Control
Module



1992-1998



Behind
glove
compartment



Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.

Data
Link
Connector



1992-1998



Right
sideof
engine



Fig
.
7
.

Digital
Motor
Electronics
(DME)



1992-1998



Right
rear
engine
compartment,
behind
bulkhead
panel



Fig
.
7
.
Control
Module

DoorLock
Heater



1993-1994



Left
front
doorhandle
DoorHandle
Switch



1994-1998



left
front
door

Drive-away
Protection
(EWS
II)



1/1995
-
1998



Behind
glove
compartment



Fig
.
8
.
Module



Fig
.
9
.

Dual
Coolant
Temperature
Sensor



1997-1998



Below
intake
manifold



Fig
.
19
.

COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

Fig
.
20
.

Electronic
Immobilizer
Control



(
1/1995-1998
~
Behind
glove
compartment



Fig
.
8
.
Module
(EWS
II)



Fig
.
9
.

Continued

610-14



ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

Component



Model
Year



Location



Refer
to

G
102



1992-1998



Left
front
strut
tower

G
103



1992-1998



Right
front
strut
tower

G
110



1992-1998



Left
front
of
engine

G
111



1992-1998



Near
battery

G
117



1992-1998



Right
rearof
engine

G
119



1992-
1998



Right
front
of
engine

G
123



1992-1998



Right
side
of
safety
wall

G
200



1992-1998



Left
kick
panel

G
201



1992-1998



Right
side
ofI/P

G
202



1992-1998



Left
side
ofI/P

G
203



1992-1998



Right
kick
panel

G
230



1992-1998



Right
kick
panel

G
301



1992-1998



Below
rightfront
seat

G
302



1992-1998



Below
center
console

G
303



1992-1998



Below
right
rear
seat

G
310



1992-1998



Behind
right
rear
seat

G
312



1992-1998



Behind
left
rear
seat

G
313



1992-1998



Right
side
of
rear
shelf

G
314



1992-1998



Left
side
of
rear
shelf

G
400



1992-1998



Left
front
side
of
trunk

G
404



1992-1998



Left
rearside
of
trunk

Camshaft
Position
Sensor



1992-1998



Front
of
engine



Fig
.
7
.

Hard
Top,
Connector
1



1994-1998



In
convertible
top
compartment
left
side

Hard
Top,
Connector
II



1994-1998



In
convertible
top
compartment
left
side

Hazard
Flasher
Relay



1992-1998



Power
distribution
box



Fig
.
2
.

Headlight
High
Beam
Relay



1998



Left
hand
side
of
dash
behind
instrument
cluster

Headlight
High
Beam
Relay



1992-1997



Power
distribution
box

Headlight
Low
Beam
Relay



1992-1998



Power
distribution
box

Heat
ExchangerTemperature



1993-1998



Center
console
Sensors
(left
and
right)

HeaterBlower
Motor



1992-1998



Behind
fresh
air
cowl
HeaterBlower
Motor
Relay



1992-1998



Power
distribution
box



Fig
.
2
.

Heat
Rear
Recirculation
Flap



1997-1998



Right
sideof
heater
box
Actuator

COMPONENTLOCATIONS

Tablea
.
E36
Component
Locations

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

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

2
.
Using
special
hex
key,
turn
radio
mountingscrews

counterclockwise
to
loosen
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

0011845

Fig
.
4
.



Use
special
hexkey
or
Torx
driver
to
loosen/tighten
radio
mountingscrews
.

3
.
Pul¡
radio
out
of
instrument
panel
opening
.

4
.
Remove
connector(s)
from
rearof
radio
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

Fig
.
5
.



Radio
connector
being
removed
.

5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

0011846

Left
footweil
speaker,

removing
and
installing

Fig
.
6
.



Hood
release
lever
retaining
screw
(arrow)
.

RADIO
650-
3

1
.
Remove
screw
from
center
of
hood
latch
release
lever
.

Remove
lever
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

0012578

2
.
Rotate
plastic
trim
panel
retainer
1
/4
turn
.
Pul¡
off
door

sea¡
from
edge
of
speaker
cover
and
pull
speaker
trim

panel
back
toward
rear
of
car
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

0012579

Fig
.
7
.



Rotate
plastic
retainer
(black
arrow)
andremove
panel
in
di-

rection
shown
(white
arrows)
.

RADIO
AND
SPEAKER
SERVICE