1995 BMW M3 spark plug

Fig
.
5
.



BMW
special
tool
11
2300
(arrow)
inserted
through
bell-
housing
hole
and
finto
flywheel
.

A

Tightening
Torque

"
BMW
special
tool11
1
260/11
3
270

to
cylinder
head
.................
23
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

5
.
Remove
intake
camshaft
bearing
cap
no
.
1
.

6
.
Turn
eccentric
shaft
on
special
tool
until
pressure
is
ap-

plied
to
camshaft
bearing
caps
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

7
.
Remove
remaining
bearing
capmounting
nuts
.

CYLINDER
HEAD
AND
VALVETRAIN



116-
5

NOTE-

Fig
.
7
.



Special
tool
(eccentric
shaft)
beingturned
to
apply
pressure
to
camshaft
bearing
caps
.

8
.
Slowly
release
pressure
oncamshaft
bearing
capsby

turning
eccentric
shaft
.
Remove
bearing
caps
and

camshaft
.
Repeat
procedure
on
remaining
camshaft
.

CAUTION-

Camshaft
bearing
capsmust
be
reinstalled
in
their
original
locations
.

"
The
camshaft
bearing
caps
are
coded
with
a
letter

and
a
number
.
For
example,
`A1
"is
the
exhaust
cam-
shaft
bearing
cap
at
the
front
of
the
engine,
and
"E1"
is
the
intake
camshaft
bearing
cap
at
the
front
of
the
engine
.

"
The
camshaftsare
stamped
with
a
code
letter-`E"
for

the
intake
síde
and
`A"
for
the
exhaust
side
.
F19
.6
.



Special
BMW
tool
no
.
11
3260
(A)
with
adapter
ll
3
270
(B)
.

Tool
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
thread
into
spark
plug
holes
.



"
"E"
is
for
Einfal3,
(German
for
intake)
and
`A"
is
for

Auspuff,
(German
for
exhaust)
.

"
The
front
of
the
engine
is
at
the
front
of
the
car
.

CYLINDER
HEAD,
DISASSEMBLYAND
ASSEMBLY

116-
6



CYLINDER
HEAD
AND
VALVETRAIN

9
.
Camshaft
installation
is
reverse
of
removal,noting
the

following
:

"
Prior
to
installation,
check
al¡
components
for
wear
as
described
below
under
Cylinder
Head
and
Val-

vetrain
Reconditioning
.

"
Crankshaft
must
be
at
least
45°
away
from
MC
before

installing
camshafts
to
cylinder
head
.

"
Lubricate
camshafts
prior
to
installation
.
"
Insta¡¡
camshafts
into
cylinder
head
with
lobes
for
cyl-
inder
no
.
1
pointing
up
and
towards
each
other
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

"
After
installing
camshaft(s),
observe
specified
waiting

time
for
hydraulic
cam
followers
to
fully
compress
be-

fore
bringing
crankshaft
back
to
TDC
.

Fig
.
8
.



Camshaft
correctly
positioned
for
reassembly
so
thatcylinder
no
.
1
lobes
(arrows)
face
each
other
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Camshaft
bearing
caps
to
cylinder
head
(M7)
.
..
...
..
.
....
15
Nm
(11
ft-Ib)
"
Cylinder
head
cover
to
cylinder
head
(M6)
..
.
..........
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

"
Primary
timing
chaintensioner
to
cylinder
head-see
117
Camshaft
Timing
Chain
"
Spark
plugs
(M12)
.............
.
.
23
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)

"
Timing
chain
sprocket
to
camshaft
flange
(M6)-see
117
Camshaft
Timing
Chain

CYLINDER
HEAD,
DISASSEMBLYAND
ASSEMBLY

Valves,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Remove
cylinder
head
as
described
in
113
Cylinder

HeadRemoval
and
Installation
.
Remove
exhaust

manifold(s)
.

2
.
Remove
camshafts
using
special
tools
as
descríbed

earlier
.

3
.
On
M42
and
al¡
6-cylinder
engines
:
Remove
camshaft

carriers
by
pulling
them
straight
up
off
mounting
studs
.

CAUTION-

"
Do
not
let
the
hydraulic
cam
followers
fa¡¡
out
as
the
camshaft
carrier
is
removed
.
Special
suction
cupsare
available
from
BMW
to
hold
the
hydrau-
lic
cam
followers
in
place
during
carrier
removal
.
Camshaft
installation
waiting
times

"
at
or
above
68°F
(20
0
C)
....
..
.
..
......
10
minutes

"
50-68°F
(10-20°C)
...
.
..
....
.
..
......
30
minutes

"
32-50°F
(0-10°C)
....
.
..
....
.
..
......
75
minutes
4
.
On
M44
engines
:
Remove
all
hydraulic
valve
adjusters
.
See
Hydraulicvalve
adjusters,
checking
and
re-
"
Reinstall
timing
chainsprockets
and
tensioner
as
spe-



placing
(M44
engine),
later
in
this
section
.
cifically
described
in
117
Camshaft
Timing
Chain
.
"
Waít
at
least
10
minutes
before
cranking
engine
over



CAUTION-
withstarter
motor
for
the
first
time
.



Hydraulic
valve
adjusters
should
be
stored
in
an
upright
position
.
lf
necessary,
use
amagnetic
tool
to
aid
in
removal
of
the
adjusters
.

"
Hydraulic
cam
followers
shouldbe
stored
in
an
upright
position
.

5
.
Remove
valves
using
a
valve
spring
compressor
.

NOTE-

"
The
M44
cylinder
head
has
recessed
valve
stems
.
This
requires
the
use
of
a
special
valve
spring
com-
pressor
tool
.

"
Label
each
valve
assembly
as
it
is
removed
so
it
can
be
installed
in
its
original
position
.

6
.
Remove
and
discard
valve
stem
oil
seals
from
valve
guides
.
See
Valve
stem
oil
seals
later
in
this
section
.

7
.
Valve
installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

"
Reinstall
exhaust
manifold(s)
with
new
gaskets
.
Use
Molycote
HSC'
5
or
equivalent
anti-seize
thread
com-
pound
on
fasteners
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Exhaust
manifold
to
cylinder
head
M7
............
..
...
....
.
...
..
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

116-
8



CYLINDER
HEAD
AND
VALVETRAIN

0012502

Fig
.
10
.
Location
of
camshaft
oil
sprayer
tube
sea¡
in
M44
cylinder
head
(arrow)
.

Hydraulic
valve
adjusters,

checking
and
replacing
(M44
engine)

The
M44
engine
uses
hydraulic
valveadjusters
(HVA)
to
keep
valve
clearances
within
a
limited
working
range
.
See
Fig
.
11
.
HVAs
are
sealed
units
and
require
no
maintenance
.

1
.
Camshafts
2
.
Rocker
arms
3
.
Hydraulic
valve
adjusters
(HVA)
4
.
Valve
and
conical
valve
spring

Fig
.
11
.
Cutaway
view
of
M44
cylinder
head
.

Under
some
circumstances,
such
as
a
cold
start,
thehy-
draulic
units
may
become
noisy
.
Hydraulic
valve
adjusternoise
is
usually
ahigh-pitched
tapping
or
chattering
noise
.
In
most
instances,
this
is
consídered
normal
aslong
as
the
noise
goes
away
in
a
few
minutes
(maximum20
minutes)
.
If
thenoise
does
not
go
away,
either
the
hydraulic
unit
is
faulty
orthe
oil
pressure
tothe
adjuster(s)
is
low
.

CYLINDER
HEAD
AND
VALVETRAIN,
RECONDITIONING

NOTE-

8efore
checking
valveadjusters,
make
sure
engine
oil
is
fresh
and
at
proper
level
.

1
.
Run
engine
until
it
reaches
normal
operating
tempera-

ture
.

2
.
Turn
engine
off
and
remove
top
engine
cover,
spark

plugs,
and
cylinder
head
cover
.
See
113
Cylinder
Head
Removal
and
Installation
.

3
.
Use
a
plastic
or
wooden
stick
to
press
down
on
top
of

rocker
armend
(side
away
from
camshaft)
.
If
any
play
can
be
detected,the
HVA
is
faulty
and
should
be
re-

placed
.

NOTE-

When
checking
the
HVA,
make
sure
the
camshaft
lobe
is
facing
upso
that
there
is
no
valve
spring
pressure
on
the
adjuster
.

4
.
To
remove
an
HVA,
turn
engine
over
until
camshaft
lobe

points
straight
up
.
Using
BMW
special
tool
no
.
11
5
130,
depress
valvespring
and
remove
rocker
arm
from
under
camshaft
.
See
Fig
.
12
.

Fig
.
12
.
BMW
special
tool
no
.
115
130
(arrow)
being
used
to
depress
valve
stem
to
remove
rocker
arm
.

WARNING
-

Removed
rocker
armsmustbe
reinstalled
in
the
same
locations
.

Valves

Valve
specifications
are
listed
in
Table
d
.
Remove
carbon

deposits
from
thevalves
using
a
wire
brush
or
wire
wheel
.

Specification



M42
engine



M42IM44
engines



M50
engine



M50,
M52
engines



S50
USIS52
US
(1992)



(1993-1998)



(1992)



(1993-1998)



I
engine
(1995-1998)

Valve
head
dia
.
Intake



133
.0
mm
(1
.299
in)



133
.0
mm
(1
.299
in)



33
.0
mm
(1
.299
in)



33
.0
mm
(1
.299
in)



130
.0
mm
(1
.181
in)
Exhaust



30
.5
mm
(1
.201
in)



30
.5
mm
(1
.201
in)



30
.5
mm
(1
.201
in)



~
30
.5
mm
(1
.201
in)



27
.0
mm
(1
.063
in)

Valve
stem
dia
.
Standard
Intake



6
.975-0
.015
mm



5
.975-0
.015
mm



6
.975-0
.015
mm



5
.975-0
.015
mm



5
.975-0015
mm
(0
.2746-00006
in)



(0
.2352-00006
in)



(0
.2746-00006
in)



(0
.2352-00006
in)



(0
.2352
-
00006
in)
Exhaust



6
.960-0015
mm



5
.960-0
.015
mm



6
.960
--0
.015
mm



5
.960
-0
.015
mm



5
.960-0
.015
mm
(0
.2740-00006
in)



(0
.2345-0
.0006
in)



(0
.2740--0
.0006
in)



(0
.2345-0
.0006
in)



(0
.2345-0
.0006
in)

Intake



7
.075-0
.015
mm



6
.075-0
.015
mm



7
.075-0
.015
mm



6
.075-0
.015
mm



6
.075-0
.015
mm
(0
.2785-00006
in)



(0
.2392-0
.0006
in)



(0
.2785-00006
in)



(0
.2392
-
00006
in)



(0
.2392-00006
in)
Exhaust



7
.060-0015
mm



6
.060-0015
mm



7
.060-0
.015
mm



6
.060-0015
mm



6
.060-0015
mm
(0
.
2779-0
.0006
in)



(0
.2386-00006
in)



(0
.2779-00006
in)



(0
.2386-00006
in)



(0
.2386-00006
in)

Oversize
2
Intake



7
.175-0
.015
mm



6
.175-0
.015
mm



7
.175-0
.015
mm



6
.175-0
.015
mm



6
.175-0
.015
mm
(0
.2825-00006
in)



(0
.2431-00006
in)



(0
.2825-00006
in)



(0
.2431--0
.0006
in)



(0
.2431-00006
in)
Exhaust



7
.160-0015
mm



6
.160-0015
mm



7
.160-0
.015
mm



6
.160-0015
mm



6
.160-0-015
mm
(0
.2819
-
00006
i
n
)



(0
.2425-00006
in)



(0
.2819-00006
in)



(0
.2425-00006
in)



(0
.2425-00006
in)

Valves,
leak
test
NOTE-

BMW
speclal
tools
are
available
to
remove
the
valve
To
test
thevalves
for
leakage,
the
camshafts
and
camshaft



stem
oil
seals
.
As
an
alternative,
standard
valvesea¡

carriers
(where
applicable)
should
first
be
removed
.
Instali
the



removal
tools
are
available
from
most
automotive
parts

valve
assemblies
and
the
spark
plugs
in
each
cylinder
.
Place



stores
.
See
Flg
.
17
.

the
cylinder
head
on
a
workbench
with
the
combustion
cham-

ber
facing
upward
.
Fill
each
combustion
chamber
with
a
thin

non-flammable
liquid,
suchas
a
parts
cleaning
fluid
.
After
fif-

teenminutes,
check
the
leve¡
of
the
fluid
.
If
the
fluid
level
in
any

cylinder
drops,
thatcylinder
is
not
sealing
properly
.

Valve
Stem
Oil
Seals

The
purpose
of
the
valve
stem
oil
sea¡
is
to
prevent
excess

oil
from
entering
the
combustion
chamber
.
The
sign
offautty

valve
stem
oil
seals
is
excessive
oil
consumption
and
smoke

from
the
exhaust
immediately
after
starting
and
during
decel-

erat¡on

NOTE-

Valve
stem
oil
seals
should
not
be
reused
.
ff
valves
are

removed,
new
valve
stem
oil
seals
should
be
installed
.

Valve
stem
oil
sea¡
replacement
requires
that
the
cylinder

head
be
disassembled
and
thevalves
removed
as
described

above
under
Valves,
removing
and
installing
.

CYLINDER
HEAD
AND
VALVETRAIN



116-
11

Table
d
.
Valve
Specifications

Fig
.
17
.
Valve
stem
oil
sea¡
being
removed
from
valve
guide
.

Lubricate
the
new
seals
and
insta¡]
them
using
hand
pres-

sure
only
.
Be
sure
to
install
the
valve
spring
seat(s)
before
in-

stalling
the
sea¡
.

CYLINDER
HEAD
AND
VALVETRAIN,
RECONDITIONING

117-2



CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN,

4-CYLINDER

Special
BMW
service
tools
are
needed
for
timing
chain
re-
moval
and
installation
procedures
.
The
special
tools
assure

proper
timing
of
the
valvetrain
.
Precíse
marks
to
setthe
timing

on
the
camshafts
are
not
provided
for
reassembly
.
Read
the

procedures
through
before
beginning
the
job
.

CAUTION-

lf
the
camshaftsare
not
properly
timed,
the
pis-
tons
can
contact
thevalves
.

Camshaft
timing
chain,
removing

(4-cylinder
engines)
U0119-

Fig
.
3
.



Upper
timing
chain
covermounting
bolts(arrows)
.
Thermo-
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)cablefrom
battery
.



stat
housing
shown
removed
.
Cylinder
ídentification
sensor
(A)
also
shown
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.

2
.
Drain
engine
coolant
.
Drain
engine
block
byremoving
block
drain
.
Remove
radiator
cooling
fan
shroud
and
cooling
fan
.
See
170
Radiator
and
Cooling
System
..

WARNING
-

Allow
the
engine
to
cool
before
openingor
draining
the
cooling
system
.

CA
UTION-

On
cars
with
viscous-type
fan
clutch,
fan
has
left
hand
threads
.

NOTE-

The
block
drain
plug
is
located
on
the
exhaust
sideof
the
engine,
below
cylinder
no
.
4
.

3
.
Remove
cylinder
head
cover
.
See
113
Cylinder
HeadRemoval
and
Installation
.

NOTE-

Make
note
of
the
arrangement
of
the
rubber
insulators
when
removing
the
cylinder
head
cover
mounting
belts
.

4
.
Loosen
sparkplugs
.
See
120
Ignition
System
.

5
.
Disconnect
coolant
hoses
from
thermostat
housingon
front
of
cylinder
head
.
Unbolt
thermostat
housing
from
cylinder
head
.

6
.
Remove
cylinder
identification
sensor
from
upper
tim-
ing
chain
cover
.
Remove
upper
timing
chain
cover
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN,
4-CYLINDER

7
.
Set
engine
to
approximate
TDC
by
rotating
in
normal
operating
direction
until
camshaft
lobes
at
cylinder
no
.

1
are
facing
up
and
toward
each
other
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

0011998
Fig
.
4
.



Engine
set
to
approximate
TDC
.
Cylinder
no
.
1
camshaft
lobes
face
in
and
sprocket
arrows
point
up
(arrows)
.

8
.
Remove
air
conditioning
drive
belt
.
Loosenand
push
aside
air
conditioning
compressor
.
Remove
air
condi-
tioning
compressor
mounting
bracket
.
See
640
Heat-
ing
and
Air
Conditioning
.

9
.
Remove
engine
drive
belts
and
coolant
pump
pulley
.
See
020
Maintenance
Program
.

10
.
Secure
crankshaft
vibration
damper
to
prevent
crank-
shaft
from
turning
.
Using
a
socket,
loosen
vibration
damper
hub
center
bolt
.

Camshaft
timing
chains,
removing

(6-cylinder
engines)

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.

CA
UTION-

Disconnecting
the
battery
may
erase
fault
codes)
stored
in
control
module
memory
.
Check
for
fault
codes
using
special
BMW
diagnostic
equipment
.

2
.
Drain
engine
coolant
.
Drain
engine
block
by
removing

block
drain
.
Remove
radiator
cooling
fan
shroud
and

cooling
fan
.
See170
Radiator
and
Cooling
System
.
.

WARNING
-

Allow
the
engine
to
cool
before
openingor
draining
the
system
.

CAUTION-

Radiator
fan
has
left
hand
threads
.

NOTE-

The
block
drain
plug
is
located
on
the
exhaust
side
of
the
engine,
below
cylinder
no
.
4
.

3
.
Drain
engine
oíl
andremove
oil
pan
.
See
119
Lubrica-

tion
System
.

4
.
Remove
alternator
cooling
duct
.

5
.
Remove
two
large
coolant
hoses
from
thermostat

housing
.
Remove
engine
lifting
bracket
and
thermostat

housing
from
front
of
cylinder
head
.

6
.
Loosen
bolts
for
coolant
pump
pulley
.
Then
remove

drive
belts
for
alternator
andA/C
compressor
.
See
020

Maintenance
Program
.
Remove
coolant
pump
pulley
.

Fig
.
16
.

NOTE-

OnM50
engines
with
a
two-roller
drive
belt
tensioner,

remove
the
upper
rollerto
access
thetensioner
mount-
ing
bolts
.

NOTE-

Make
note
of
the
arrangement
of
the
rubber
insulators

when
removing
the
cylinder
head
cover
mounting
bolts
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAIN



117-
7

Fig
.
16
.
Drive
belt
tensioner
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.

B11055

7
.
Remove
drive
belt
tensioner
from
front
of
engine
.
See



Fig
.
17
.
1992-1995
M50
engine
speed
sensor
on
timing
cover
(ar-
row)
.

10
.
Unclip
andremove
baffle
cover
from
above
intake
cam-

shaft
.
See
Fig
.
18
.

11
.
On
1992
engines
:
Remove
upper
timing
chain
cover

from
front
of
cylinder
head
.
See
Fig
.
19
.

8
.
Remove
engine
speed
sensor
from
lower
timing
chain



12
.
Loosen
spark
plugs
.
See
120
Ignition
System
.

cover,
if
applicable
.
See
Fig
.
17
.

13
.
Set
engine
to
approximate
TDC
by
rotating
in
normal

9
.
Remove
cylinder
head
cover
.
See
113
Cylinder
Head



operating
direction
until
camshaft
lobes
at
cylinder
no
.

Removal
and
Installatíon
.



1
are
facing
each
other
.
See
Fig
.
20
.

14
.
Set
engine
to
TDC
by
aligning
"0/T'
mark
(0°TDC)on

front
vibration
damper
with
cast
bosson
lower
timing

chain
cover
.
See
Fig
.
21
.

15
.
Remove
vibration
damper
mounting
bolts
and
remove

vibration
damper
and
pulley
.
See
Fig
.
22
.

CAMSHAFT
TIMING
CHAINS,
6-CYLINDER

GENERAL
.
........
.
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-1



Camshaft
Position
(CMP)
Sensor
....
.
.
.
...
120-6

Disabling
Ignition
System
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-2



Camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor,
replacing

Warnings
and
Cautions
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-2



(4-cylinder
engine)
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
120-6

Camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor,
replacing

IGNITION
SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTICS
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-3



(6-cylinder
engine)
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-7
Basic
Troubleshooting
Principles
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-3



Knock
sensors,
replacing
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-7

Ignition
Firing
Order
.....
.
...
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.120-7

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE
.
.........
.
120-3

Checking
for
Spark
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.
.
120-3

Ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing

(4-cylinder
engine)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
.
120-3

Ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing

(6-cylinder
engine)
.........
.
..........
120-4

Crankshaft
Positionlrpm
Sensor
.......
.
...
120-5

Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor,
testing
and

replacing
(front
mounted)
.........
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-6

Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor,replacing

(rear
mounted)
.....
.
.....
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
120-6

GENERAL



Troubleshooting
and
testing
of
the
engine
management

system
should
be
carried
out
using
the
BMW
specialized
ser

This
repair
group
covers
repair
andcomponent
replace-



vice
tester
(scan
tool)
.

ment
information
for
the
ignition
system
.
All
engines
use
a
distributorless
ignition
system
with
indívid-

ual
ignitioncoils
for
each
cylinder
.
There
is
no
distributor
cap

NOTE-



or
ignition
rotor
.
Each
coil
can
be
selectively
controlled
by
the

"
Spark
plug
replacement
is
covered
in
020
Mainte-



engine
control
module
on
a
cylinder-by-cylinder
basis
.
On
later

nance
Program
.



systems,
knock
sensors
are
used
to
monitor
and
control
igni-

"
For
fuel
related
troubleshooting
and
testing,
see
130



tion
knock
(ping)
and
adjusttiming
accordingly
.

Fuel
lnjection
.
Ignition
timing
is
electronically
controlled
and
not
adjust-

All
engines
covered
by
this
manual
use
an
advanced
en-



able
.
The
engine
control
module
(ECM)
usesengine
load,
en-

gine
management
system
.
The
engine
management
system



gine
speed,
coolant
temperature,
and
intake
air
temperature

incorporates
on-board
diagnostics,
fuel
injection,
ignition
and



as
the
basic
inputs
for
timing
control
.
Knock
detection
is
also

other
advanced
engine
control
functions
.



an
input
to
the
control
module,
where
applicable
.

Table
a
.
Engine
Management
System
Variants

Engine
code



1
System

4-cylinder
M42
(1.8
I)



Bosch
DME
Ml
.7
M44
(1
.9
I)



Bosch
DME
M5
.2
(OBD
II)

6-cylinder
M50
1992
(2.5
I)



Bosch
DME
M8
.1
1993-1995
(2
.5
I)



Bosch
DME
M33
.1
M52
1996-1998
(2.8
I)



Siemens
MS
41
.1
(OBD
II)

1998
(2
.5
I)



Siemens
MS
41
.1
(013D
11)
S50US
(3.0
I)



Bosch
DME
M3
.3.1
S52US
(3.2
I)



Siemens
MS
41
.1
(OBD
II)

120
Ignition
System

IGNITION
SYSTEM



120-1

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SCHEMATICS
...
.
.
.
.120-7

TABLES

a
.
Engine
Management
System
Variants
......
120-1

b
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance
(M42
engine)
......
120-4

c
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance
(M44
engine)
......
120-4

d
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance

(6-cylinder
engine)
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
..
120-5

NOTE-

All
engines
coveredby
this
manual,
with
theexception

of
the
1992
M50,
incorporate
knocksensors
as
part
of

the
engine
management
system
.

The
initial
ignition
point
is
determined
by
the
crankshaft
po-

sition/rpm
sensor
during
cranking
.
Once
the
engine
is
run-

ning,
timing
is
continually
adjusted
based
on
operating

conditions
.
A
characteristic
ignition
map
is
shown
in
Fig
.
1
.
A

map
similar
to
the
one
shown
is
digitally
stored
in
the
engine

control
module
.

GENERAL

120-2



IGNITION
SYSTEM

Fig
.1
.



Ignition
characteristic
map
.

Disabling
Ignition
System

WARNING
-

The
ignition
system
is
a
high-energy
system
operat-
ing
in
a
dangerous
voltage
range
that
couldprove
to
be
fatal
if
exposed
terminals
or
live
parts
are
con-
tacted
.
Use
extreme
caution
when
working
on
a
car
with
the
ignition
on
or
the
engine
running
.

The
ignition
system
operates
in
a
lethal
voltage
range
and
should
therefore
be
disabied
any
time
senrice
or
repair
work
is
being
doneon
the
engine
that
requires
the
ignition
to
be
switched
on
.

The
engine
management
system
can
be
disabled
byremov-
ingthe
main
relay
.
The
relay
is
located
in
the
power
distribution
box
in
the
left
rear
of
the
engine
compartment
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

0013134
Fig
.
2
.



Maínsystem
relay
(arrow)
in
power
distribution
box
(left
rear
of
engine
compartment)
.

GENERAL

WARNING
-

"
Do
not
touch
or
disconnect
any
of
the
high
ten-
sion
cables
at
the
cotls
orspark
plugs
while
the
engine
ts
running
orbeingcranked
by
the
starter
.
Fatalvoltages
are
present
.

"
Before
operating
the
starter
without
starting
the
engine
(for
example
when
making
a
compression
test)
always
disable
the
ignition
.

CAUTION-

"
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
bat-tery
disconnection
cautions
gtven
at
the
front
of
thts
manual
on
page
viti
.

"
Do
not
attempt
to
disable
the
ignition
by
either
re-
moving
the
cotl
from
the
spark
plugs
(6-cylinder
engines)
or
disconnecting
the
coll
wires
from
the
plugs
(4-cylinder
engines)
.

"
Connect
or
disconnect
ignition
system
wires,
multiple
connectors,
and
ignition
test
equipment
leads
only
while
the
ignitionis
off
.
Switch
multtm-
eter
functions
or
measurement
ranges
onty
with
the
test
probes
disconnected
.

"
Do
not
disconnect
the
battery
while
the
engine
ts
running
.

"
Many
of
the
tests
of
ignition
system
components
require
the
use
of
high-impedance
test
equip-
ment
to
prevent
damage
to
the
electrical
compo-
nents
.
A
high
impedance
digital
multimeter
should
be
used
for
all
voltage
and
resistance
tests
.
AnLED
test
light
shouldbe
used
in
place
of
an
incandescent-type
test
lamp
.

"In
general,
make
test
connections
only
as
speci-fied
by
BMW,
as
described
inthis
manual,
or
as
described
by
the
instrumenta
manufacturer
.