
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

600-
4
ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM-GENERAL
Voltage
and
Voltage
Drops
The
wires,
connectors,
and
switches
that
carry
current
are
designed
with
very
low
resistance
so
that
current
flows
with
a
minimum
loss
of
voltage
.
A
voltage
drop
is
caused
by
higher
than
normal
resistance
in
a
circuit
.
This
additional
resistance
actually
decreases
or
stops
the
flow
of
current
.
A
voltage
drop
can
be
noticed
byproblems
ranging
fromdim
headlights
to
sluggish
wipers
.
Some
common
sources
of
voltage
drops
are
corroded
or
dirty
switches,
dirty
or
corroded
connections
or
contacts,
and
loose
or
corroded
ground
wires
and
ground
con-
nections
.
A
voltage
drop
test
is
a
good
test
to
make
if
current
is
flowing
through
the
circuit,
butthe
circuit
is
not
operating
correctly
.
A
voltage
drop
test
will
help
to
pinpoint
a
corroded
ground
strap
or
a
faulty
switch
.
Normally,
there
should
be
less
than
1
volt
drop
across
most
wires
or
closed
switches
.
A
voltage
drop
across
a
connector
or
short
cable
shouldnot
exceed
0
.5
volts
.
Voltage,
measuring
1
.
Connect
digital
multimeternegative
lead
to
a
reliable
ground
point
oncar
.
NOTE-
The
negative
(-)
battery
terminal
is
alwaysa
good
ground
point
.
2
.
Connect
digital
multimeter
positive
lead
to
point
incir-
cuit
you
wish
to
measure
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
If
a
reading
is
ob-
tained,
current
is
flowing
through
circuit
.
NOTE-
The
voltage
reading
shouldnot
deviate
more
than
1
volt
from
the
voltage
at
the
battery
.
If
the
voltage
drop
is
more
than
this,
check
for
acorroded
connector
or
cose
ground
wire
.
ELECTRICAL
TROLIBLESHOOTING
from
Battery
Fig
.
1
.
Digital
multimeterbeing
used
to
test
voltage
.
No
voltage
r_l
-1
Load
LJ
Switch
NOTE-
The
maximum
voltage
drop
in
an
automotive
circuit,
as
recommended
by
the
Society
of
AutomotiveEngineers
(SAE),
is
as
follows
:
0
voltsfor
small
vire
connections
;
0
.1
Volts
for
high
current
connections
;
0
.2
volts
for
high
current
cables
;
and
0
.3volts
for
switch
or
solenoidcon-
tacts
.
On
longer
wires
or
cables,
the
drop
may
be
slight-ly
higher
.
In
any
case,
a
voltage
drop
of
more
than
1.0volt
usually
indicates
a
problem
.
0013238
NOTE-
"
A
voltage
drop
test
is
generally
more
accuratethan
a
Voltage
drop,
testing
simple
resistance
check
because
the
resistances
in-
volvedare
often
too
small
to
measure
with
most
ohm-
Voltage
drop
can
only
be
checked
when
current
is
running
meters
.
For
example,
a
resistance
as
small
as0
.02
through
the
circuit,
suchasby
operating
the
starter
motor
or
ohms
would
results
in
a
3
volt
drop
in
a
typical
150
turning
onthe
headlights
.
A
digital
multimeter
should
beused
amp
starter
circuit
.
(150
amps
x
0
.02
ohms
=3
volts)
.
lo
ensure
accurate
readings
.
"
Keep
in
mind
that
voltage
with
the
key
on
and
voltage
with
the
engine
running
arenotthe
same
.
With
the
ig-
1
.
Connect
digital
multimeter
positive
lead
to
positive
(+)
nition
on
and
the
engine
off
(battery
voltage),
voltage
battery
terminalor
a
positive
power
supply
close
lo
bat
should
be
approximately
12
.6volts
.
With
the
engine
tery
source
.
running
(charging
voltage),
voltage
should
be
approx-
imately
14
.0
volts
.
Measure
voltage
at
the
battery
with
2
.
Connect
digital
multimeter
negativelead
to
other
end
of
the
ignition
on
and
then
with
the
engine
running
to
get
cable
orswitch
being
tested
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
exact
measurements
.
3
.
With
power
on
and
circuit
working,
meter
shows
volt-
age
drop
(difference
between
two
points)
.
This
value
should
not
exceed
1
volt
.

00-
6
ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM-GENERAL
Short
circuit,
testing
with
ohmmeter
Short
circuit,
testing
with
voltmeter
1
.
Remove
blown
fuse
from
circuit
and
disconnect
cables
1
.
Remove
blown
fusefrom
circuit
.
from
battery
.
2
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
circuifs
loador
2
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
circuit's
loador
consumer
.
consumer
.
3
.
Using
an
ohmmeter,
connect
one
test
lead
to
loadside
of
f
use
terminal
(terminal
leading
to
circuit)
and
the
oth-
ertest
lead
to
ground
.
See
Fig
.
4
.
Load
disconnected
from
Battery
LO
n
I
~
Shotrouit
vu
.uto
earthth
Switch
Load
0013241
Fig
.
4
.
Digital
multimeter
being
usedasan
ohmmeter
to
find
short
circuit
.
4
.
lf
there
is
continuity
to
ground,
there
is
a
short
to
ground
.
ELECTRICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING
NOTE-
Most
fuses
power
more
than
one
consumer
.
Be
sure
aff
consumers
are
disconnected
when
checking
for
a
short
circuit
.
3
.
Using
a
voltmeter,
connect
test
leads
across
f
use
termi-
nals
.
See
Fig
.
5
.
Make
sure
power
is
present
ín
circuit
.
lf
necessary
turn
keyon
.
~2
.U
from
Battery
Load
disconnected
Short-circuit
to
earth
I
Fuse
box
0013240
5
.
If
there
is
no
continuity,
work
from
wire
harness
hearest
Fig
.
5
.
Digital
multimeter
being
usedas
a
voltmeter
to
find
short
cir
to
fuse/relay
panel
and
move
or
wiggle
wireswhile
ob-
cuit
.
serving
meter
.
Continue
to
movedown
harness
until
meter
displays
a
reading
.
This
is
the
location
of
short
to
4
.
lf
voltage
is
present
at
voltmeter,
there
is
a
short
to
ground
.
ground
.
Visually
inspect
the
wire
harness
at
this
point
for
any
faults
.
5
.
lf
voltage
is
not
present,
work
from
wire
harness
near-
If
no
faults
are
visible,
carefully
slice
open
the
harnesscover
est
to
fuse/relay
panel
and
move
orwiggle
wireswhile
or
the
wire
insulation
for
further
inspection
.
Repair
any
faults
observing
meter
.
Continue
to
move
down
harness
until
found
.
meter
displays
a
reading
.
This
is
the
location
of
short
to
ground
.
6
.
Visually
inspect
wire
harness
atthis
point
for
any
faults
.
lf
no
faults
are
visible,
carefully
slice
open
harness
cov-
erorwire
insulation
for
further
inspection
.
Repair
any
faults
found
.

610
Electrical
Component
Locations
GENERAL
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
........
610-1
FOSE
POSITION
TABLES
..
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
610-19
FUSE
AND
RELAY
POSITIONS
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
610-1
Fuse
Positions
.
.
.
................
.
.
.
.
.
610-1
Relay
Positions
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
........
.
.
.
.
.
610-2
Auxiliary
RelayPanel
.....
.
...
.
........
.
610-2
SplicePanel,
Left
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
...
.
........
.
610-2
SplicePanel,
Right
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.........
610-3
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.610-3
Component
Location
Table
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
610-9
GENERAL
FUSE
AND
RELAY
POSITIONS
This
repair
group
covers
f
use,
relay,
and
control
module
lo-
The
front
power
distribution
box,
an
auxiliary
relay
panel,cation
information
.
Electrical
equipment
and
accessories
in-
and
two
auxiliary
splice
panels
contain
most
of
the
fuses
and
stalled
varies
depending
on
model
and
model
year
.
Always
relays
in
E36
vehicles
.
Refer
to
the
component
location
later
confirm
that
the
proper
electrical
component
has
been
identi-
in
this
section,
as
well
as
the
tables
at
the
end
of
this
repair
fied
by
using
the
electrical
wiring
diagrams
.
group
for
electrical
component
location
.
WARNING
-
On
cars
equipped
with
airbags,
special
precautionsapply
to
any
electrical
system
testing
orrepair
.
Air-
bag
units
areexplosive
devices
and
mustbe
han-
dled
with
extremecare
.
Before
starting
any
work
onan
airbag
equipped
car,
refer
to
the
wamings
and
cautions
in
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
CAUTION
-
"
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
bat-
tery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.
"
Relay
and
fuse
positions
are
subject
to
changeand
may
varyfrom
car
to
car
.
If
questions
arise,
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
is
the
best
source
for
the
most
accurate
and
up-to-date
information
.
"
A
good
way
to
verify
a
relay
position
isto
com-
pare
the
wiring
colors
at
the
relay
socket
to
thecolors
indicated
on
the
wiring
diagrams
located
at
the
rear
of
this
manual
.
"
Always
switchthe
ignition
off
and
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
battery
cable
before
removing
any
electrical
components
.
"
Connect
and
disconnect
ignition
system
wires,
multiple
connectors,
and
ignition
test
equipment
leads
only
while
the
ignition
is
switched
off
.
"
Only
usea
digital
multimeter
for
electrical
tests
.
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
610-1
TABLES
a
.
E36Component
Locations
...........
.
.
..
...
610-10b
.
1992
E36
Fuse
Positions
..........
..
.
.
.....
610-20c
.
1993
E36
Fuse
Positions
..........
..
..
.
....
610-22d
.
1994
E36
Fuse
Positions
.........
...
.......
610-24e
.
1995
E36
Fuse
Positions
.........
...
.......
610-26
f
.
1996
E36
Fuse
Positions
.........
...
.......
610-28g
.
1997-1998
E36
Fuse
Positions
..
.
..
...
.......
610-30
Fuse
Positions
CAUTION
-
"
Replace
fuses
with
those
of
the
same
rating
.
In-
stalling
a
fuse
with
higher
rating
can
lead
to
cir-
cuit
failure
and
may
also
start
a
fire
.
"
Relay/fuse
positions
vary
by
model
and
equip-
ment
.
Fuses
number
1
through
46
are
mounted
in
the
front
power
distribution
box
.
See
Fig
.
1.
Fuses
31-46
~
Illlllllllll
°
-
Ilmmlmomlmoi
Fuses
1-20
(a
1
:1
E
El
~
~O!7
L~~n
4~
i
Fuses
21-30
Fig
.1.
Fuse
positions
1-46
in
front
power
distribution
box
.
0013034
FUSE
AND
RELAY
POSITIONS

610-4
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
--J
L
Windshield
washertank
&
pump
Fig
.
7
.
E36
engine
compartment
layout
.
M42
engine
compartment
shown
.
-,x
0013204
Fig
.
8
.
Control
modules
under
right
sideof
dash
.
Glove
compart-
ment
has
been
removed
.
For
module
identification,
see
Fig
.
9
.
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
RSP
'I
4
ABS
Main
engine
Power
hydraulic
harness
distribution
control
unit
connector
I
box
oe
1
.
SRS
(Airbag)
control
module
(through
1993)
2
.
ABS/ASC+T
control
module
(as
applicable)
3
.
Central
locking
module
(through
1993)
4
.
Anti-theft
alarm
module
or
ZKE
IV
control
module
(from
1994)5
.
Rear
window
blower
relay
(convertible
models)6
.
Horn
relay
7
.
Wiper/washer
module
8
.
Rear
power
window
relay
(four-door
models)9
.
Luggage
compartment
lid
lock
relay
(convertible)
10
.
Cruise
control
module
EWS
II
control
module
(from
Jan
.
1995)
RSP
:
Right
splice
panel
0013215
Fig
.
9
.
Identificationof
control
modules
under
right
side
of
dash
.
Module
utilízation
varies
byyear
andmodel

610-6
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
Fig
.
15
.
M44
engine
harness
connectors
atair
intake
0011644
Fig
.
16
.
A/
C
recharging
ports
(arrows),
right
rear
of
engine
compart-ment
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
0012427
811004
Fig
.
17
.
Six-cylinder
ignition
coil
in
top
of
cylinder
head
(M52
engine)
.
Fig
.
18
.
Cooling
fan
dualswitch
in
radiator
(arrow)
.
0013203

610-$
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
Fig
.
24
.
Brake
pedalswitches
.
Fig
.
25
.
Driver
side
airbag
connector
(arrow)
.
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
0011751
Fig
.
26
.
Passenger
sideairbag
connector
(arrow)
behind
glove
com-
partment
.
Fig
.
27
.
Antenna
diversity
module
(arrow)
inleft
C-pillar
.
Fig
.
28
.
Right
side
offuel
tank
under
rear
seat
cushion
.
0013108
0013010
0013142

Fig
.
29
.
Transmission
gear-position/neutral
safety
switch
under
center
console
.
Squeeze
connector
tabs
(arrows)
to
disengage
har-
ness
connector
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
610-
9
6263
Fig
.
30
.
Back-up
light
switch
(arrow)
on
transmission
.
(Switch
may
be
found
on
right
or
left
sideof
transmission,
depending
on
ap-
plication
.)
Fig
.
31
.
ASS
wheel
speed
sensor
(arrow)
in
front
steering
arm
.
Component
Location
Table
Table
a
is
a
cross-referenced
listing
of
electrical
compo-
nents
in
E36
vehicles
beginning
onpage
10
.
In
addition
to
lo-
cation
descriptions,
where
possiblethere
is
areference
to
a
figure
showing
the
component
.
NOTE-
-
Every
component
is
not
installed
in
everycar
.
"
Due
to
changes
in
production,
component
locations
may
vary
.
Consult
your
BMW
dealer
forthe
latest
in-
formation
.
"
The
figure
numbers
are
all
within
this
section
.
Many
other
electrical
components
are
illustrated
throughout
this
book
.
Consult
the
main
index
"
The
gear-position/neutral
safetyswitch
is
aleo
some-
times
referred
to
as
the
automatic
transmission
range
switch
.
"
The
EWS
11
system
is
also
sometimes
referredto
as
the
Driveaway
Protection
System
or
the
electronic
im-
mobilization
system
.
"
All-Season
Traction
(AST)
is
also
sometímes
referred
to
as
ASC
or
ASC+T
.
0012117
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS