1995 BMW 328i blow

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