
GENERAL
.
...
.
.
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
541-1
Visor
Latch
Plate
.....
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
...
.541-4
Visor
Latch
..
.
............
.
.
.
..........
541-4
MANUAL
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
.
.
.
.
...
.
..
541-1
Visor
Latch
Motor
...
.......
.
.
.
..
........
541-5
Visor
Latch
Plate
.
.
......
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
541-1
Convertible
top
and
frame,
replacing
........
541-5
VisorLatch
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
.
.....
.
.
.541-1
Convertible
top
drive
motor,
replacing
......
541-7
Convertible
Top
Lid
Release
Mechanism
.
.
.
.
541-2
Convertible
Top
Emergency
Operation
.....
.541-7
Convertible
top
and
frame,
replacing
....
.
.
.
541-2
Convertible
Top
Lid
.
.
.
.
...........
.
.....
541-9
POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
.
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
541-2
ROLLOVER
PROTECTION
SYSTEM
..
.
.
541-9
FrontLatching
Mechanism
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
.
541-4
GENERAL
The
convertible
top
comes
in
three
versions
:
a
manually
op-erated
top,
a
semi-automatic
power
top
and
a
fully
automatic
power
top
.
NOTE-
The
convertible
top
control
module
(CVM)
is
located
behind
the
left
rearside
trim
panel
.
For
the
location
of
other
convertible
top
electric
components
see610
Electrical
Component
Locations
.
The
rear
window
in
the
convertible
models
is
made
of
a
strong,
flexible
vínyl
which
is
available
separately
.
Replace-
ment
of
the
rear
window
is
not
covered
in
this
manual
.
The
left
and
right
visor
latch
plates
can
be
accessed
by
re-
moving
the
trim
and
moldings
around
the
sides
and
top
of
the
windshield
.
Each
latch
is
secured
to
thetop
of
the
windshield
usingthree
bolts
.
Latch
position
is
adjusted
as
follows
:
541
Convertible
Top
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
541-1
"
Loosen
bolts
"
Latch
top
"
Align
top
"
Retighten
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
BMW
has
designed
a
specialbattery
tray
for
the
convertible
which,
in
conjunction
with
the
mass
of
the
battery
in
the
lug-
gage
compartment,
serves
to
dampen
convertible
body
flex
ing
and
vibration
.
Fig
.
1.
Visor
latchplate
is
held
to
top
of
windshieldwith
three
bolts
(arrows)
.
CAUTION-
The
E36
convertible
requires
a
specialbattery
VisorLatch
which
is
designed
for
constant
vibration
.
A
battery
not
designed
forthis
will
fa¡¡
much
earlier
.
Check
for
ease
of
release
and
locking
of
convertible
top
front
latches
.
Height
of
a
latch
can
be
changed
by
using
the
adjusting
screw
.
To
change
latch
tension,
it
is
necessary
to
re-
MANUAL
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
move
the
trim
on
the
front
bow
of
thetop
.
The
ball-joint
pull-rod
length
can
then
be
adjusted
.
Lubricate
latch
if
necessary
.
See
Visor
Latch
Plate
Fig
.
2
.
MANUAL
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

600
Electrical
System-General
GENERAL
.
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
...
600-1
Voltage
and
Polarity
........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
600-1
Ming,
Fuses
and
Relays
............
.
.
.
.
600-1
Electrical
System
Safety
Precautions
...
.
.
.
.
600-1
Electrical
Test
Equipment
.....
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
.
600-2
WIRING
DIAGRAMS
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
........
600-2
Ming
Codes
and
Abbreviations
..
.
...
.
....
600-2
ELECTRICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING
..
.
..
600-3
Voltage
and
Voltage
Drops
..........
.
.
.
.
.
600-4
GENERAL
Electrical
System
Safety
Precautions
A
brief
description
of
the
principal
parts
of
the
electrical
sys-
tem
is
presented
here
.
Also
covered
here
are
basic
electrical
system
troubleshooting
tips
.
Voltage
and
Polarity
The
vehicle
electrical
system
is
a
12-volt
direct
current
(DC)
negative-ground
system
.
A
voltage
regulator
controls
system
voltage
at
approximately
the
12-volt
rating
of
the
battery
.
Al¡
circuits
are
grounded
by
direct
or
indirect
connection
to
the
negative
(-)
terminal
of
the
battery
.
A
number
of
ground
con-
nections
throughout
the
car
connect
the
wiring
harness
to
chassis
ground
.
These
circuits
are
completedby
the
battery
cable
or
ground
strap
between
the
body
and
the
battery
nega-
tive
(-)
terminal
.
Wiring,
Fuses
and
Relays
Nearly
all
parts
of
the
wiring
harnessconnect
to
compo-
nents
of
the
electrical
system
with
keyed,
push-on
connectors
that
lock
into
place
.
Notable
exceptions
arethe
heavy
battery
cables
and
the
starter
wiring
.
The
wiring
is
color-coded
for
cir-
cuitidentification
.
With
theexception
of
the
battery
charging
system,
most
electrical
power
is
routed
from
the
ignition
switch
or
the
bat-
tery
through
the
main
fuse/relay
panel,
located
in
¡he
left
rear
comer
of
the
engine
compartment
.
Fuses
are
color
coded
to
indicate
current
capacities
.
The
relays
and
control
units/modules
are
mounted
in
vari-
ous
places
throughout
the
vehicle
.
See610
Electrical
Com-
ponent
Locations
.
ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM-GENERAL
600-1
Voltage,
measuring
.
.
.
................
.
.
600-4
Voltage
drop,
testing
.
.
.....
.
.....
.
......
600-4
Continuity,
checking
..
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
600-5
Short
Circuits
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
600-5
Short
circuit,
testing
with
ohmmete'r
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
600-6
Short
circuit,
testing
with
voitmeter
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
600-6
TABLES
a
.
Terminal
and
Circuit
Numbers
..............
..
.600-3
Please
read
the
following
warnings
and
cautions
before
do-
ing
any
work
on
your
electrical
system
.
WARNING
-
"
The
cars
covered
by
this
manual
are
equipped
with
aSupplemental
Restraint
System
(SRS)
that
automatically
deploys
one
or
more
airbags
.
Each
airbag
unit
houses
an
explosive
powerful
charge
.
Any
work
involving
the
SRS
system
should
only
be
performed
byan
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
Making
repairs
without
the
proper
knowledge
and
special
test
equipment
may
cause
serious
per-
sonal
injury
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
"
The
ignition
system
of
the
car
operates
at
lethal
voltages
.
People
with
pacemakers
or
weak
hearts
should
not
expose
themselves
to
the
ignition
sys-
tem
.
Extra
caution
mustbe
taken
when
working
on
the
ignition
system
or
when
servicing
theen-
gine
while
it
is
runningor
the
key
is
on
.
See
120
Ignition
System
for
additional
ignition
system
warnings
and
cautions
.
"
Before
operating
the
starter
without
starting
the
engine
(as
when
making
a
compressfon
test),
dis-
able
the
ignition
system
as
described
in
120
Igni-
tion
System
.
"
Keep
hands,
clothing
and
other
objects
clear
of
the
electric
radiator
coollng
fan
when
working
on
a
warm
engine
.
The
fan
may
start
at
any
tíme,
even
when
the
ignition
is
switched
off
.
GENERAL

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

610-2
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
.

Fig
.
5
.
Splice
panel
under
left
side
of
dash
.
SplicePanel,
Right
ir1!
1,
111lí~lll
.
'
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
610-3
0013091
1
.
Unloader
relay
4
.
Starter
immobilization
2
.
Wiper
relay
relay
(1994
only)
3
.
Wiper
motor
relay
F47
&
F50
Fuses47
and
50
The
right
splice
panel
contains
three
relay
positions
.
It
is
lo-
cated
under
the
right
side
of
the
dashboard
.
To
access
the
panel,
remove
theglove
compartment
as
de-
scribed
in
513
Interior
Trim
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
Fig
.
6
.
Splice
panel
under
right
side
of
dash
(arrow)
.
Glove
compart-
ment
and
right
side
vents
shown
removed
.
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
On
the
following
pages
are
illustrations
and
photos
showing
the
location
of
major
electrical
components
in
E36
vehicles
.
NOTE-
-
Every
component
is
not
installed
in
everycar
.
"
Due
to
changes
in
production,
component
locations
may
vary
from
what
is
illustrated
.
Consult
your
BMW
dealer
for
the
latest
information
.
"
The
gear-position/neutral
safety
switch
ís
also
some-
times
referred
to
as
the
automatic
transmission
range
switch
.
"
The
EWS
11
system
is
also
sometimes
referred
to
as
the
Driveaway
Protection
System
or
the
electronic
im-
mobilization
system
.
"
All-Season
Traction
(AST)
is
also
sometimes
referred
to
as
ASC
or
ASC+T
.
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

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

1
.
Heater
valves
2
.
ABS
pedal
travel
sensor3
.
ABS
pump
Fig
.
10
.
Left
rear
of
engine
compartment
.
4
.
Main
engineharness
con-
nector
5
.
Power
distribution
box
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
610-5
0013202
0013226
Fig
.
11
.
M42
engine
idie
speed
control
valve
(arrow)
beneath
intake
manifold
0012421
Fig
.
12
.
M44
engine
intake
air
temperature
(¡Al)
sensor
in
air
filter
housing
Fig
.
13
.
M50/S50U
S
engine
intake
air
temperature
(IAT)
sensor
(1)
and
throttle
position
sensor
(2)
.
301180
0012724
Fig
.
14
.
M52/S52U
S
engine
intake
air
temperature
(IAT)
sensor
in
bot-
tom
of
intake
manifold
(throttle
housing
shown
removed)
.
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

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