
Continuity,
checking
Short
Circuits
from
Battery
CAUTION-
Use
only
a
high
quality
digital
ohmmeter
having
high
input
impedance
when
checking
electronic
componente
.
The
internal
power
source
used
in
most
analog
(swing-need1e)
meterscan
damage
solidstate
components
.
0013239
Fig
.
2
.
Digital
multimeter
being
used
to
check
for
voltage
drop
across
a
switch
.
The
continuity
test
can
beused
to
check
a
circuit
or
switch
.
Because
most
automotive
circuits
are
designed
to
have
little
or
no
resistance,
a
circuit
or
part
of
a
circuit
canbe
easily
checked
for
faults
using
an
ohmmeter
.
An
open
circuit
or
a
cir-
cuit
withhigh
resistance
will
not
allow
current
to
flow
.
A
círcuit
with
little
or
no
resistanceallows
current
to
flow
easily
.
When
checking
continuity,
the
ignition
should
be
off
.
On
cir-
cuits
that
are
powered
at
all
times,
the
battery
should
be
dis-
connected
.
Using
the
appropriate
wiring
diagram,
a
circuit
can
be
easily
tested
for
faulty
connections,
wires,
switches,
relays,
and
engine
sensorsby
checking
forcontinuity
.
For
a
continu-
ity
check
on
a
brake
light
switch,
see
Fig
.
3
..
A
short
circuit
is
exactly
what
the
narre
implies
.
The
circuit
takes
a
shorter
paththan
it
was
designed
to
take
.
The
most
common
short
that
causes
problems
is
a
short
to
ground
where
the
insulation
on
a
positive
(+)
wire
wears
away
and
the
metal
wire
is
exposed
.
When
the
wire
rubs
against
a
metal
partof
thecar
or
other
ground
source,
the
circuit
is
shorted
to
ground
.
If
the
exposed
wire
is
live
(positive
battery
voltage),
a
Puse
will
blow
and
the
circuit
may
possibly
be
damaged
.
ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM
-
GENERAL
600-
5
Brake
light
switch
Brake
pedal
in
rest
position
Q
Brake
pedal
depressed
Brake
light
switch
Fig
.
3
.
Brake
light
switchbeing
tested
for
continuity
.
With
brake
ped-
alin
rest
position
(switch
open)
there
is
no
continuity
(infinite
ohms)
.
With
pedal
depressed
(switch
closed)
there
is
continu-
ity
(zero
ohms)
.
Shorts
to
groundcanbe
located
with
a
digital
multimeter
.
Short
circuits
are
often
difficult
to
locate
and
may
vary
in
na-
ture
.
Short
circuits
can
befound
using
a
logical
approach
based
onthe
current
path
.
CAUTION
-
"
On
circuits
protected
with
high
rating
fuses
(25
amp
and
greater),
the
wires
or
circuit
compo-
nents
may
be
damaged
before
the
fuse
blows
.
Always
check
for
damage
before
replacing
fuses
of
this
rating
.
"
When
replacing
blown
fuses,
use
only
fuses
hav-
ingthe
correct
rating
.
Always
confirm
the
correct
fuse
rating
printed
on
the
fuselrelay
panelcover
DC
ELECTRICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING

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
.

610-2
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
Fuses
number47
and
50are
mounted
on
the
left
side
splice
panel
.
Refer
lo
Fig
.
5
.
Fuse48
is
mounted
on
the
auxiliary
relay
panel
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
3
.
Fuse
49
is
mounted
in
the
right
side
of
the
luggage
compart-
ment
behind
the
trim
cover
.
Relay
Positions
Mounted
in
the
left-hand
rear
comer
of
the
engine
compart-
ment,
the
power
distribution
box
contains
46
(uses
and
15
re-
lay
positions
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
Fuses31-46
-
Er
a
&QT
MM
~
Fig
.
2
.
E36
front
power
distribution
box
.
FUSE
AND
RELAY
POSITIONS
Fuses1-20
13
EL1
5
]
mmmmmmmmmm
Fuses
21-30
--
0013034)
1
.
Fuel
pump
relay
9
.
Heater/A/C
Blower
relay
2
.
System
(main)
relay
10
.
Rear
defogger
relay
3
.
Oxygen
sensorheater
re-
11
.
ABS
system
relay
lay
12
.
ABS
pump
relay
4
.
Horn
relay
13
.
High
speed
radiator
fan
re-
5
.
Taillight/foglight
relay
]ay
6
.
Low
beam
relay
14
.
A/C
compressor
relay
7
.
High
beam
relay
15
.
Low
speed
radiator
fan
re-
8
.
Emergency
flasherrelay
¡ay
Auxiliary
Relay
Panel
The
auxiliary
relay
panel
contains
five
relay
positions
.
In
lat-
er
modeis
an
additional
fuse
holder
(Fuse48)
and
the
EWS
II
(anti-theft)
transmitter/receiver
module
are
located
on
this
panel
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
The
panel
is
located
nextto
the
steering
column
under
the
driver's
side
dashboard
.
To
access
this
panel,
remove
the
pwer
dash
panel
on
driver's
side
.
See513
Interior
Trim
.
Then
remove
the
driver's
side
knee
bolster
.
Lower
the
relay
panel
by
gently
releasing
the
plastic
retainers
.
See
Fig
.
4
.
During
installation,
be
sure
the
retainer
tabs
are
engaged
in
the
relay
panel
.
Splice
Panel,
Left
3
¡ni
Fig
.
3
.
Auxiliary
relay
panel
under
left
side
of
dash
.
Fuse
48)
0013035
1
.
Comfort
relay
(where
ap-
4
.
Not
used
plicable)
5
.
Not
used
2
.
Crash
control
module
6
.
EWS
II
transmitter/receiv-
3
.
Park
ventilation
relay
er
module
(from
Jan
.
1995)
0013164
Fig
.
4
.
Auxiliary
relay
panel
under
left
sideof
dashboard
(arrow)
.
The
left
splice
panel
contains
four
relay
positions
and
an
ad-
ditional
fuse
holder
(Fuses
47
and
50)
.
To
access
the
left
side
electrical
splice
panel,
remove
the
left
side
dash
panel
and
knee
bolster,
as
described
earlier
.
The
panel
is
located
above
and
lo
the
left
of
the
clutch
pedal
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

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

610-14
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

Component
Model
Year
Location
Refer
to
Heater
Recirculation
Flap
Actuator
1992-1998
Below
left
dash
right
side
of
steering
column
HeaterBlowerMotor
Resistor
Pack
1992-1998
Behind
center
of
dashboard
Heater
Regulator
FlapActuator
1997-1998
Right
side
of
heater
box
HeaterValve
Assembly
1992-1998
Left
rear
engine
compartment
HeatingNentilation
Relay
Box
1992-1993
Below
left
side
of
dash
HeatingNentilation
Relay
1994-1998
Left
front
footwell
High
Speed
Cooling
Fan
Relay
1992-1998
Power
distribution
box
Fig
.
2
.
Homs,
Right/Left
1993-1998
Front
of
engine
compartment
Horn
Relay
1992-1998
Power
distribution
box
Fig
.
2
.
Horn
Relay
(Alpine)
1994-1998
Behind
glove
compartment
Fig
.
8
.
Board
Computer/Anti-Theft
Fig
.
9
.
Idle
Speed
Control
Valve
1992-1995
Top
rearof
enginebehind
intake
manifold
(M42
engine)
Fig
.
11
.
Idle
Speed
Control
Valve
1992-1995
Top
left
side
of
engine
(M50
engine)
Idle
Speed
Control
Valve
1993-1996
Below
intake
manifold
(M50/S50US
engine)
Idle
Speed
Control
Valve
1996-1998
On
throttle
housing
(M44
engine)
Fig
.
15
.
Idle
Speed
Control
Valve
1997-1998
Left
front
of
engine
below
intake
manifold
(M52/S52US
engine)
Ignition
Coils
1992-1998
Right
of
engineunder
plastic
cover
(four-cylinder)
Fig
.
7
.
Ignition
Cofs
1992-1998
Top
of
engine
undercover
(six-cylinder)
Fig
.
17
.
Ignition
Switch
1992-1998
Right
sídeofsteering
column
Intake
Air
Resonance
Changeover
1992-1998
Leftrear
of
engine
compartment
Valve(DISA)
Intake
Air
Temperature
Sensor
1992-1995
In
mass
air
flow
sensor
(M42
engine)
Intake
Air
TemperatureSensor
1996-1998
In
top
ofair
filter
housing
(M44
engine)
Fig
.
12
.
Intake
Air
Temperature
Sensor
1992-1998
I
Left
sídeof
engine
in
intake
manifold
(six-cylinder)
-
-
I
Fig
.
13
.
Fig
.
14
.
Kick-Down
Switch
(A/T)
1
1992-1998
1
Left
footwell
Mixing
Actuators
1
1992-1998
1
Heater
box
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
610-15
Table
a
.
E36
Component
Locations
Knock
Sensors
1
1992-1998
1
Left
side
of
engine
block
Left
Front
Power
Window
Motor
11992-1998
/
Left
front
door
Left
Front
Window
Monitoring
Switch
1
1997-1998
1
Left
front
door
trim
panel
Left
Front
Window
Retraction
Switch
1
1992
-
1993
1
Left
front
door
handle
lock
assembly
Left
Splice
Panel
1
1992-1998
1
Under
left
side
of
dash
at
kick-panel
1
Fig
.
5
.
Main
Fuse
and
Relay
Box
(Power
1992-1998
I
Left
sideof
engine
compartment
Fig
.
2
.
Distribution
Box)
1
I
Mass
Air
Flow
Sensor
1992-1998
I
Left
side
of
engine,
intake
air
duct
Fig
.
7
.1
I
Fig
.
15
.
Continued
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

610-16
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
Component
Model
Year
Location
Refer
to
MixingSwitch
1992-1994
Center
console
Multi-Function
Clock
1992-1998
Center
console
Multi-information
Display
(MDI)
1992-1998
Center
console
Normal
Speed
Cooling
Fan
Relay
1992-1998
Power
distribution
box
Fig
.
2
.
Neutral
SafetySwitch
(Automatic
1992-1998
Next
to
gear
shift
lever
in
center
console
Fig
.
29
.
Transmission
Range
Switch)
Oil
Pressure
Switch
1992-1998
Left
front
of
engine
below
intake
manifold
at
oil
filter
housing
On-Board
Computer
1992-1998
Center
console
On-BoardComputerHorn
Relay
1992-1998
Behind
glove
compartment
Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.
On-Board
Computer
Temperature
11992-1998
I
Right
front
of
engine
compartment
Sensor
Outside
Temperature
Sensor
1992-1997
Inright
front
brake
cooling
duct
Outside
Temperature
Sensor
1998
Right
rear
of
engine
compartment
behind
fresh
air
cowl
Oxygen
Sensor
HeaterRelay
1992-1998
Power
distribution
box
Fig
.
2
.
Oxygen
Sensor(s)
1992-1998
On
exhaust
pipe
ahead/behind
catalytic
converter
(M42/M44
engine)
Oxygen
Sensor
(x2)
1992-1995
On
exhaust
pipe
ahead
of
catalytic
converter
(M50/S50US
engine)
Oxygen
Sensors
(x4)
1996-1998
On
exhaust
manifold/exhaust
pípe
behind
catalytic
converter
(M52/S52US
engine)
Parking
Brake
Switch
1
1992-1998
I
On
rear
of
parking
brake
lever
Power
Distribution
Box
11992-1998
I
Rear
left
of
engine
compartment
I
Fig
.
2
.
Fig
.
7
.
Fig
.
10
.
Radio
Microswitch
1992
-
1996
Center
console
behind
radio
Radio
Receíver
1
1997-1998
1
Right
rear
luggage
compartment
Relay
And
Fuse
Box
(Power
1992-1998
I
Left
side
of
engine
compartment
I
Fig
.
2
.
Distribution
Box)
Fig
.
7
.
Fig
.
10
.
Rear
Window
Blower
1994-1998
Behind
rear
seat
(convertible)
Rear
Window
Blower
Microswitch
1994-1994
At
convertible
top
linkage
Rear
Window
Blower
Microswitch
1995-1998
Behind
rear
seat
(convertible)
Rear
Window
BlowerRelay
11994-1998
Behind
glove
compartment
Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.
Fig
.
2
.
Fig
.
30
.
Fig
.
8
.
Rear
Window
DefoggerRelay
Reversing
(Back-up)
Light
Switch
SplicePanel,
Right
Rollover
Protection
Actuator
11994-1998
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
Table
a
.
E36
Component
Locations
1992-1998
1992-1998
1992-1998
Power
distribution
box
Right
or
left
side
top
of
transmission
Behind
glove
compartment
Behind
rear
seat
(convertible)
Fig
.
9
.
Continued

610-24
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
Fuses
31-46
v
-
-----------
Fuses
21-30
Fuses1-20
Fuse
positions
1-46
infront
power
distribution
box
Tabled
.
1994
E36
Fuse
Positions
fuse
Rating
Protected
Circuit
1
30A
Power
sunroof
2
15A
Not
used
3
30A
Headlight
washer
(also
see
f
use
37)
4
15A
Heated
seats
(seealsofuse
23)
5
30A
Power
seats
(seealso
f
use
40)
6
20A
Rear
window
defogger/blower(see
also
f
use
23)
7
$A
Central
body
electronics
(ZKE
IV)
(convertible
only)
(see
also
fuse
33,
43)
Central
locking
(seealso
fuse
35,
43)
Convertible
roof
(seealsofuse
35,43)
Rol¡-over
protection
(seealso
f
use
35,
42,
43)
8
I
15A
I
Horn
9
(
20A
1
Sound
system
(see
also
fuse
44)
10
I
30A
ABS
(see
also
fuse
21,38,
46)
AST
(seealso
f
use
21,
38)
11
7
.5A
Headlights/foglights
(see
also
fuse
12,15,23,25,29,
30)
On-Board
Computer
(see
alsofuse
12,23,27,31,33,37,
45,46)
12
7.5A
Headlights/foglights
(see
also
fuse
11,15,23,25,29,
30)
On-Board
Computer
(see
alsofuse
11,23,
27,
31,33,37,
45,46)
13
I
5A
I
Not
used
14
1
30A
1
Front
power
windows
0013034
15
15A
Headlights/foglights
(see
also
fuse
11,12,
23,
25,29,
30)
FOSE
POSITION
TABLES
Table
d
.
1994
E36
Fuse
Positions
fuse
1
Rating
1
Protected
Circuit
16
5A
~
Engine
control
module
(see
also
f
use
28)
Heating
andA/C
(IHKR
E36)(see
alsofuse
20,
23,
31,37,
39,41)
17
I
10A
I
Not
used
18
1
15A
1
Fuel
pump
19
1
30A
1
Rear
power
windows
20
30A
Blowermotor
Heating
and
A/C
(IHKR
E36)
(see
also
fuse
16,23,31,
37,39,41)
Park
ventilation
21
5A
ABS
(seealsofuse
10,38,
46)
AST
(see
also
fuse
10,
38)
22
5A
Instrument
illumination
(see
also
f
use
25,
37)
Park/taillights
(see
also
fuse
33,
37)
23
5A
Headlights/foglights
(see
alsofuse
11,12,15,25,
29,30)
Heated
seats
(seealsofuse
4)
Heating
andA/C
(IHKR
E36)(see
alsofuse
16,20,31,
37,
39,
41)
Instrument
cluster
(see
also
f
use
27,31,
46)
On-Board
Computer
(see
also
f
use
11,
12,
27,
31,
33,37,
45,
46)
Rear
window
defogger/blower
(see
alsofuse
6)
Turn
signais/hazard
lights
(see
alsofuse
34)
24
I
10A
I
Power
mirrors
25
5A
~
Headlights/foglights
(see
also
fuse
11,12,15,23,
29,30)
Instrument
illumination
(see
also
fuse
22,
37)
26
10A
~
Back-up
lights
Electronic
transmission
control
(A4S
310R)
(seealso
f
use
26,
46)
27
5A
~
Instrument
cluster
(see
also
fuse
23,
31,46)
On-BoardComputer
(see
also
f
use
11,12,23,31,
33,37,
45,
46)
28
5A
Cruise
control
(see
also
fuse
46)
Engine
control
module
(see
alsofuse
16)
Starting
system
Electronic
transmission
control
(A4S
310R)
(seealsofuse
26,46)
29
7
.5A
Headlights/foglights
(seealsofuse
11,12,15,23,
25,30)
30
7.5A
Headlights/foglights
(seealsofuse
11,12,15,23,
25)
31
5A
Multi-function
clock
Heating
andA/C
(IHKR
E36)(see
alsofuse
16,20,
23,
37,39,
41)
Instrument
cluster
(see
also
fuse
23,27,46)
On-Board
Computer
(see
also
fuse
11,
12,
23,27,
33,
37,45,
46)
32
1
30A
1
Cigar
lighterlashtray
lights