1995 BMW 323i board

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION



240-1

240
Automatic
Transmission

GENERAL
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
.
240-1



TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND

INSTALLATION
..................
.
.
.
.
.240-4
TRANSMISSION
SERVICE
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
240-1



Transmission,
removing
and
installing
....
.
.
.240-4

ATF
leve¡,
checking
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
240-1

ATF,
draining
and
filling
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
240-2



TABLE

a
.
Automatic
Transmission
Gear
Ratios
.......
..
.
.
240-1

GENERAL



TRANSMISSION
SERVICE



lo

Automatic
transmissions
are
identified
by
code
letters



ATF
leve¡,
checking

foundon
a
data
plate
located
on
the
sideof
thetransmission

case,
behind
the
manual
valve
lever
.
See
200Transmis-



The
automatic
transmissions
installed
in
the
E36
models
sion-General
for
application
information
.
Forgear
ratio
spec-



are
normally
filled
with
Dexron
III
automatic
transmission
fluid

ifications,
see
Table
a
.



(ATF),
although
alternative
fluids
have
been
installed
from
the

factory,
depending
on
transmission
type
and
model
year
.

CAUTION-



Some
transmíssions
are
filled
with
a
special
BMW
"lifetime"

ATF
does
not
circulate
unless
the
engine
is
run-



automatic
transmission
fluid,
which
does
not
require
periodic

ning
.
When
towing
an
automafic
transmission
ve-



fluid
changes
.

hicle,
usea
flat-bed
truck
or
ralse
the
rear
wheels
off
the
ground
.



CAUTION-

Mixing
different
types
of
transmission
fluids
will

The
electronic
transmission
control
module
(TCM)
monitors



lead
to
transmission
failure
.

transmissionoperation
for
faults
and
alerts
the
driver
by
illumi-

nating
the
transmission
fault
indicator
on
the
instrument
pan-

el
.
On-board
diagnostic
codes
stored
in
the
TCM
mustbe



NOTE-

downloaded
and
interpreted
by
trained
technicians
using
spe-



The
transmission
lubricant
instafed
can
be
foundona

cial
BMW
diagnostic
equipment
.



type
plate
on
the
side
of
the
transmission
.
In
addition,
a
sticker
may
be
located
on
the
fluid
sump
indicatingthe
typeof
transmission
lubricant
used
.
Ifin
doubt,
con

NOTE-



sult
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
for
altemate
fluid
use

Internal
repairs
to
the
automatic
transmission
require



and
current
information
regardingtransmission
operat-
special
service
equipment
and
knowledge
.
If
it
is
deter-



ing
fluids
.

mined
thatinterna¡
service
is
required,
consult
en
au-

thorízedBMWdealerabouta
factoryreconditioned
unit



The
transmission
is
not
equipped
with
a
dipstick
.
Checking
or
a
transmission
rebuild
.



the
ATF
leve¡
requires
measuring
and
maintaining
a
specified

ATF
temperature
during
the
checking
procedure
.
The
check-

ing
temperature
is
not
fully
warm
orcold
(the
ATF
sump

should
be
approximately
warm
to
the
touch)
.

Table
a
.
Automatic
Transmission
Gear
Ratios

Transmission



MS
310R
(THM-R1)



MS
310R
(THM-Rl)



MS
310Z(5HP
18)



I



MS
270R
(THM-R1)
(1992-1993)(1993-on)

Gear
ratios
:
1st



2
.40



2
.86



3
.67



2
.86

2nd



1
.47



1
.62



2
.00



1
.62
3rd



1
.00



1
.00



1.41



1
.00
4th



0
.72



0
.72



1
.00



0
.72
5th



-



-



0
.74



-
Reverse



2
.00



2
.00



4
.10



2
.00

TRANSMISSIONSERVICE

300-2



SUSPENSION,
STEERING
AND
BRAKES-GENERAL

Steering

INTEGRATED
SYSTEMS

The
steering
linkage
connects
the
rack-and-pinion
unit
through
tie
rodsto
the
steering
arms
.
The
tie
rod
ends
allow
the
wheels
to
pivot
and
react
to
suspension
travel
.

Rear
Suspension

The
rear
axle
carrier
is
the
main
mounting
point
for
the
final

drive
housing
and
the
rear
suspension
components
.

Trailing
arms
locatethe
rear
wheels
and
anchorthe
springs,

shocks
and
stabilizer
bar
.
Driveaxies
with
constant-velocity

(CV)
joints
at
both
ends
transfer
power
from
the
differential
to

the
road
wheels
.
The
differential
is
mounted
to
the
rearaxle

carrier
through
rubber
mountsand
bushings
to
hele
isolate

drivetrain
noise
and
vibration
.

Brakes

E36
cars
areequipped
with
power
disc
brakes
with
an
inte-
gral
antilock
brakes
(ABS)
.
The
parking
brake
is
a
dual-drum

system
integrated
with
the
rear
brake
rotors
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Power
assist
is
provided
by
a
vacuum
booster
when
the
en-

gine
is
running
.
The
brakepedal
pushrod
is
connected
directly

to
the
master
cylinder,
so
failure
of
the
vacuum
booster
does

not
normally
result
in
total
brake
failure
.

0012124



Each
disc
brakeuses
a
caliper
with
a
single
hydraulic
cylin-
Fig
.
2
.



Front
suspension
control
arm
(arrow)
.



der
.
Brake
pads
in
the
left
front
and
right
rear
contain
wear

sensors
.
When
the
padsneed
replacement,the
sensors
illu-
The
front
suspension
is
designed
with
minimum
positive



minate
a
light
on
the
dashboard
.
steering
offset
.
This
geometry
contributes
to
stability
when

traction
is
unequalfrom
side
to
side
.
Suspension
travel
is
lim-



Tires
and
Wheels
ited
by
rubber
bump
stops
.

The
three
point
mounting
of
each
L-shaped
control
arm
ere-



Tiresize
is
critica¡
to
the
proper
operatíon
of
the
E36
ABS
or

cisely
controls
the
front-to-rear
and
side-to-side
position
of
the



ABS/AST
system
.
Severa¡
different
styles
of
wheels,
in
15,16

strut,
while
the
flexibility
of
the
joints
and
mounts
alsoallows



and
17
inch
diameters,
are
available
from
an
authorized
BMW

the
movement
necessary
for
suspension
travel
.
The
control



dealer
.

arm
mounting
points
are
designed
with
anti-dive
geometry
.

The
suspension
reduces
the
normaltendency
for
the
front
of



NOTE-
the
vehicle
to
dive
under
hard
braking
.



Aftermarket
wheelsshould
be
selected
wlth
care
.
Im-
properly
fitted
wheels
can
contact
anddamage
sus

Control
arm
position
is
fixed,
with
no
adjustment
provisions



pension,
brakeorbodycomponentsandmayadversely

on
the
control
arms
for
alter¡ng
front
wheel
al
ignment
.
A
stabi-



affect
vehicle
stability
.

lizer
bar
mounted
to
both
control
arms
heles
to
reduce
body
rol¡
whencomering
.



INTEGRATED
SYSTEMS

Antilock
Brake
System
(ABS)
is
standard
on
all
E36
cars
.

The
variable-assist
power
steering
system
consists
of
an



Standard
on
some
models
and
installed
as
optional
equipment
on

engine-driven
hydraulic
pump,
a
rack-and-pinion
type
steer-



others,
is
All
Season
Traction
(AST)
.

ing
gear,
and
connecting
linkage
to
the
road
wheels
.
TheE36
utilizes
an
engine-speed
dependent
variable
effort
steering



Antilock
Brake
System
(ABS)

system
.
At
low
speeds,
maximum
power
assist
is
provided
to
ease
parking
and
city
driving
.
Athigh
speeds,
assist
is
re-



The
electronically-controlled
ABS
maintains
vehícle
stabili
duced
to
ensure
stability
.



ty
and
control
during
emergency
braking
by
preventing
wheel
lock-up
.
ABS
provides
optimum
deceleration
and
stability
dur-

STABILIZER
BAR

Stabilizer
bar,
removing
and
installing

Stabilizer
bar
link
arrangements
differ
slightly
among
mod-

els
.
In
most
models
the
links
attach
lo
the
control
arms
near

the
outboard
end
.
OnM3
models
the
links
attach
lo
the
strut

assemblies
.

1
.
Raise
car
and
remove
both
front
wheels
.

WARNING
-
Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supported
on
jack
stands
desígned
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
beneath
a
structural
chassís
point
.
Do
not

place
jack
stands
under
suspension
parts
.

uul

Fig
.
15
.
Disconnect
stabilizer
bar
connecting
link
at
bar
(arrow)
.
(3181

model
shown
.
M3
stabilizer
link
attaches
lo
strut
.)

FRONT
SUSPENSION



310-
9

14
.
Insta¡¡
a
new
grease
cap,
using
Loctite
©
638
sealant
or



3
.
Remove
two
stabilizer
bar
bushing
brackets
on
left
and

equivalent
.
Insta¡¡
wheel
and
lower
car
.



right
sides
.
Remove
bar
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Use
new
seif-lockíng

Tightening
Torque



núts
on
connecting
links
.

"
Brake
rotor
lo
wheel
hub
..........
16
Nm
(12
ft-Ib)



"
On
M3
models
:
When
attaching
stabilizer
link
lostrut

"
Collar
nut
lo
stubaxle
.
.........
290
Nm
(214
ft-Ib)



orlobar,
usea
thin
wrench
lo
hold
flats
on
link
parallel
"
Brake
caliper
losteering
arm
......



110
Nm
(81
ft-Ib)



lo
strut
.

"
Road
wheel
lo
hub
...
...
.
.
.
100±10
Nm
(74t7
ft-Ib)
NOTE-
Installation
of
the
stabilizer
bar
is
easiest
with
thecar
leve¡
(front
wheels
at
the
same
height),
and
as
near
to
normal
ride
height
as
possible
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Stabilizer
bar
bushing
brackets

lo
subframe
crossmember
...
..
.
..
.
22
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

"
Stabilizer
bar
link
bracket
lo

control
arm
................
.
.
.
.
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-1b)

"
Stabilizer
bar
link
lo
stabilizer
bar
(M10)
.............
.
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)

"
Stabilizer
bar
link
lostrut
or
bar
(M3)
.
59
Nm
(44
ft-Ib)

SUBFRAME
CROSSMEMBER

The
subframe
crossmember
provides
rigid
mounting'poínts

2
.
Remove
stabilizer
bar
connecting
link
from
stabilizer



for
the
engine,
suspension,
and
steering
components
.
The

baron
left
and
right
sides
.
See
Fig
.
15
.



crossmember
is
not
normally
subject
lo
wear
and
should
ohly

be
replaced
if
structurally
damaged
.

Removing
the
subframe
crossmember
requires
engine
lift-

ing
equipment
lo
support
theweight
of
tfhe
engine
from
above

so
that
the
subframe
can
be
removed
from
below
.

WARNING-

Removal
or
replacement
of
the
subframe
cross-

member
may
affect
suspension
and
steering
geom-
etry,
including
front
wheel
afignment
.
Make
appropriate
matching
marks
during
removal
and
have
the
front
end
aligned
once
repairs
are
com-
plete
.

Subframe
crossmember,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Using
enginesupport
equipment,
raise
engine
until

weight
of
engine
is
supported
.
See
110EngineRe-

moval
and
Installation
.
See
Fig
.
16
.

2
.
Raise
car
andremove
front
wheels
.

WARNING-

Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supportedon
jack

stands
desígned
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
beneatha
structural
chassís
point
Do
not

place
jack
standsundersuspension
parts
.

SUBFRAME
CROSSMEMBER

340-
1
2
BRAKES

ABS
is
self-tested
by
the
ABS
diagnostic
unit
each
time
the
car
is
started
.
Once
the
test
is
complete,
the
ABS
dashboard
light
tucos
off
.
If
the
light
remains
lit
or
comes
on
at
any
time
during
driving,
a
system
fault
has
occurred
and
ABS
is
elec-
tronically
disabled
.
The
conventional
braking
systemremains
fully
functioning
.

ABS
Inspection

A
visual
inspection
of
the
ABS
may
help
to
locate
system
faults
.
If
no
visual
faults
can
befound
and
the
ABS
light
re-
mains
on,
have
the
system
diagnosedbyan
authorized
BMW
dealer
.

Carefully
inspect
the
entire
ABS
wiring
harness,
particularly

the
pulse
sensorharnesses
and
connectors
near
each
wheel
.

Look
for
chafing
or
damage
due
to
incorrectly
routed
wires
.

Carefully
remove
the
wheelspeed
sensors
.
Clean
the
sen-



Fig
.
18
.
Front
ABS
pulse
sensor
mounting
bolt
(arrow)
.
sor
tips
.
Inspect
the
toothed
wheel
on
thewheel
hub
.
Check
for
missing,
clogged
or
corroded
teeth,
or
other
damage
that
could
alter
the
clearance
between
the
sensor
tip
and
the
toothed
wheel
.

NOTE-

If
a
toothed
ring
is
damaged,
the
entire
wheel
hub
mustbe
reptaced
.
See
310
Front
Suspension
or330
Rear
Suspension
.

ABS
wheel
speed
sensors,
replacing

1
.
Raise
applicable
end
of
car
.

WARNING
-

Make
sure
thecar
is
firmly
supportedon
jack
stands
designed
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack
stands
be-
neath
a
structural
chassis
point
Do
not
place
jack
stands
under
suspension
parts
.

2
.
Unscrew
wheelspeed
sensor
mounting
bolt
.
Remove
sensor
from
its
housing
.
See
Fig
.
18
.
Remove
harnessfrom
retaining
mounts
.

3
.
Front
ABS
sensor
:
Working
in
front
wheel
housing,
dis-
connect
and
remove
sensor
.
See
Fig
.
19
.

4
.
Rear
ABS
sensor
:
Working
in
rear
wheel
housing,
dis-
connect
andremove
sensor
.

5
.
During
installation,
apply
thin
coat
of
Molykote
0
Long-
term
2
or
an
equivalent
grease
to
pulse
sensor
and
housing
.

ANTILOCK
BRAKE
SYSTEM
(ABS)

0012122
Fig
.
19
.
Front
ABS
wheel
speed
electrical
connector
(arrow)
in
wheel
well
.

6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

400-
4
BODY-GENERAL

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

E36
interiors
have
a
unique
character,
with
a
combínation
of
sporty
features
and
innovative
design
.
Al¡
body
versions
were
made
in
a
wide
choice
of
interior
and
exterior
colors
.
New

colors
with
matching
leather
and/or
fabric
upholstery
were
in-
troduced
for
each
model
year,
including
light-alloy
wheels
in
new
designs
.

Driving
comfort
is
enhanced
by
power
steering,
tilt
steering
wheel
(optional),
height-adjustable
front
seats,
and
electrical-
ly
adjustable
and
heated
rear-view
mirrors
.
Inside
thecar
there
are
reading
lights
at
four
seating
positions
.

Seats
and
Seat
Belts



NOTE-

Theseat
base
usedon
cars
with
pyrotechnic
seatbelt

Anatom¡cal
ly-correct
seats
are
constructed
from
polyure-



tensioners
is
not
interchangeable
with
the
earlier
seat

thane
foam
containing
areas
or
"zones"
of
different
firmness
.



base
.

The
seat
bases
have
steel
springs
for
added
support
and
strength
.
The
power
seats
are
provided
with
conveniently
lo-



Instruments
and
Controls
cated
switches
along
the
outside
edge
of
the
seat
.
Heated
seats
are
an
option
in
all
models
.
See
520
Seats
for
more
de-



Everything
in
the
interior
passenger
compartment
essential
tails
.



to
the
driver
is
logically
grouped
and
easy
to
reach
.
Al¡
instru-
ments
and
controls
havebeen
arranged
ergonomically
and
The
M3
sport
seat
is
shown
in
Fig
.
3
.



are
fully
integrated
into
the
overall
design
of
the
vehicle
.

Fig
.
3
.



M3
sport
seat
.

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

0013195

The
early
E36
cars
areequipped
with
a
single
(driver
side)
airbag
in
the
steering
wheel
.
Startingwith
the
1994
models,
a
dual
airbag
Supplemental
Restraint
System
has
been
stan-
dard
equipment
.
Side-impact
airbags
in
the
front
doors
are
op-
tional
in
1997
4-door
cars
and
standard
equipment
in
all
1998
models
.

Through
1996,
E36
seatbelts
were
equipped
with
BMW's
original-designspring
tensioners
.
In
1997,
the
seat
base
de-
sign
was
modified
to
accommodate
a
pyrotechnic
(explosive
charge)
seatbelt
tensioner
.
Both
types
of
tensioners
arede-
signed
to
automatically
tension
the
belts
by
about2
inches(55
mm)
in
the
event
of
a
collision
.

The
padded
dashboard
houses
the
instrument
cluster
and
the
ventilation
and
heating
system
.
The
instrument
cluster
uses
large
easy-to-read
analog
instruments
and
is
removable
as
a
unit
without
removing
the
dashboard
.
The
Service
Inter-
val
Indicator
(SII)
will
remind
the
driver
when
thecar
requires
service
.
See
620
Instruments
.

The
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
unit
in
thecenter
of
the
dashboard
comes
in
a
variety
of
four
configurations,
the
most
advanced
being
the
On-Board
Computer
(OBC)
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

Al¡
versions
of
the
MID
have
a
clock
and
calendar
.
In
addi-
tion,
different
versions
areequipped
with
a
"check
control,"

display
for
fuel-economy
information
and
system
warnings
.
Consult
the
owner's
manual
for
fui¡
operating
instructions
.

Ambient
temperaturelclock

MÍM
Aa
.Mi}rm
-Mil"
IMua~naa~u~itacar
"
za
.~

Central
Body
Electronics

0013028

Fig
.
4
.



Different
versionsof
Multi-information
Display(MID)
installed
in
E36
cars
.

The
E36
cars
are
equipped
with
a
sophisticated
centralized

body
electric/electronics
plan
.
The
system
is
self-diagnostic

and
incorporates
many
functions
into
a
single
control
module
.

The
consolidation
of
several
systems
into
a
single
control

module
minimizes
power
requirements
and
the
incorporation

of
the
diagnostic
link
results
in
more
efficient
and
accurate

troubleshooting
.

Self-diagnostic
codes
are
accessible
electronically
through

the
data-link
connector
in
the
engine
compartment
.
See610

Electrical
Component
Locations
.

BODY-GENERAL
400-
5

Two
versions
of
central
body
electronics
are
used
depend-

ing
on
model
year
.

1992
and
1993
models
are
equipped
with
a
central
locking

module
(ZVM)
which
incorporates
control
of
the
following
sys-

tems
:

"Interiorlighting
"
Central
locking
with
double
lock
feature

"
Output
relays
for
powerwindows
and
sunroof

"
Electronic
power
protection

E36
cars
since
the
1994
model
year
are
equipped
with
ZKE

IV
.
This
is
an
electronic
comfort
and
convenience
system
that

includes
the
following
additional
features
:

"
One
touch
up/down
power
window
operation

"
Power
window
and
sunroof
closure
from
driver
or
pas-

sengerdoor
lock

"
Vehicle
locking
or
unlocking
from
the
trunk
lock
.

Other
features
of
the
system
are
discussed
in
515
Central

Locking
and
Anti-Theft
.

Electronic
Immobilization
System

Beginning
in
model
year
1994,
all
E36
vehicles
incorporate

adriveaway
protection
system
regardless
of
whether
the
vehi-

cle
is
equipped
with
a
BMW
Alarm
System
or
an
On-Board

computer
.
Two
types
of
factory
systems
were
installed,
de-
pending
on
vehicle
production
date
.

On
the
early
system
(model
year
1994
up
to
January
1995),

the
ignition
and
fuel
injection
functions
are
disabled
whenever

the
vehicle
is
locked
in
the
double
lock
mode
.
This
is
referred

lo
as
EWS
or
EWS
I
.

Beginning
in
January
1995,
the
driveaway
protection
sys-

tem
was
upgraded
to
a
more
sophisticated
system,
called

EWS
II
.
This
system
uses
a
wireless
communication
link
be-

tween
a
transponder
chip
in
the
ignition
keyand
the
ring
an-

tenna
surrounding
the
ignition
switch
.
The
EWS
II
control

module
blocksthe
starting
of
the
vehicle
unlessthe
correct

coded
ignition
key
is
used
.

For
further
information
about
drive
away
protection
sys-

tems,
see
515
Central
Locking
and
Anti-Theft
.

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

400-
6
BODY-GENERAL

Heating
and
Air
Conditioning

The
electronically
controlled
heating
and
air
conditioning

systemusesan
extra
large,
infinitely
variable
radial
blower
motor
for
good
distribution
of
air
.
Fresh
air
enters
through
the
grille
below
the
engine
hood
and
finto
the
passenger
compart-
ment
via
the
dashboard
and
footwell
vents
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

Repair
information
for
the
heating
and
air
conditioning
sys-

tem
is
covered
in
640
Heating
and
Air
Conditioning
.

Fig
.
5
.



Heating
and
air
conditioning
ventilation
plan
.

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

GENERAL

This
repair
group
covers
interior
trim
removal
and
installa-
tion
procedures
.
Forremoval
and
installation
of
interior
switches,
including
interior
lighting
equipment,
see
612

Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories
.

Most
of
the
interior
trim
and
finish
paneis
are
clipped
or

screwed
into
place
.
Many
of
the
trim
retaining
clips
arede-

signed
to
be
used
only
once
.
When
removing
trim
that
is
held
in
place
with
clips,
it
is
a
good
idea
lo
have
spareson
hand
be-
fore
beginningthejob
.

CENTER
CONSOLE

The
front
section
center
console
houses
the
Multi-Informa-

tion
Display
(MID)
module,the
front
ashtray
and
cigarette

lighter
;
shifter
lever,
power
window
switches
and
the
hazard
warning
switch
.
The
rear
center
console
section
houses
the

ashtray(s)
and
covers
the
emergency
brakecable
ends
.

Center
console,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover

terminal
with
insulating
material
.

CA
UTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
viii
.

2
.
Remove
shifter
boot
or
selectorlever
cover
.
See250

Gearshift
t-inkage
.

3
.
Remove
rear
ashtray
retaining
screws
totake
out
ash-

tray
.
Remove
rear
console
retaining
screwunder
ash-

tray
.

513
Interior
Tri
m

INTERIORTRIM



513-1

GENERAL
..
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
.
.
.
513-1



DASHBOARD
.....
.

.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
:
.
.513-2

Glove
compartment,removing
and
installing
.
.513-2
CENTER
CONSOLE
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
513-1



Lower
left
dash
panel,
Center
console,
removing
and
installing
.....
513-1



removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
513-2

Dashboard,removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
...
.
.513-3

4
.
Remove
Multi-Information
Display
module
.
See620
In-
struments
.

5
.
Remove
hazardwarning
switch
and
power
window
switches
bypushing
up
and
out
from
below
.

6
.
Remove
lower
left
dashboard
panel
and
glove
compart-

ment
as
described
later
in
this
repair
group
.

7
.
Remove
retaining
screwunder
hazard
light
switch
.
Pull
rear
console
back
and
remove
retaining
nut
at
back
of
front
console
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

Fig
.1.



Console
retaining
screw
.

8
.
Take
out
rear
console
first,
then
front
console
.

0013154

CENTER
CONSOLE