170-2
RADIATOR
AND
COOLING
SYSTEM
Cooling
Fans
TROUBLESHOOTING
Belt-driven
coolingfan
.
The
primary
cooling
fan
is
belt-
driven
.
It
is
mounted
to
the
frontof
the
coolant
pump
through
a
fan
clutch
.
The
fan
clutch
is
a
viscous
fluid
coupling
that
con-
trols
the
speed
of
thefan
based
on
engine
compartment
tem-
perature
.
Electric
cooling
fan
.
Models
with
M44
engine
and
stan-
dard
transmission
substitute
an
electric
fan
for
the
belt-driven
viscous
fan
.
This
is
attached
to
the
rear
of
the
radiator
and
controlledvia
the
DME
5
.2
engine
management
system
.
NOTE-
The
electric
cooling
fan
in
these
models
is
activated
by
the
engine
control
module
(ECM)
.
Auxiliary
coolingfan
.
In
al¡
models
a
two-speed
electric
auxiliary
cooling
fan
is
mounted
behind
the
front
grill
and
in
front
of
the
radiator
.
This
fan
is
primarily
used
for
the
A/C
sys-
tem,
but
also
operates
when
the
coolant
temperature
ex-
ceeds
a
predetermined
leve¡
.
Warnings
and
Cautions
The
following
warnings
and
Cautions
should
beobserved
when
working
on
the
cooling
system
.
WARNING
-
"
Atnormal
operating
temperature
the
cooling
sys-
tem
is
pressurized
.
Allow
the
system
to
cool
as
long
as
possible
before
opening-a
minimum
of
an
hour-then
release
the
cap
slowly
to
allow
sale
release
of
pressure
.
"
Releasing
the
cooling
system
pressure
lowers
the
coolants
boiling
point
and
the
coolant
may
boíl
suddenly
.
Use
heavy
gloves
and
wear
eye
and
laceprotection
to
guard
against
scalding
.
"
Use
extreme
care
when
draining
and
disposing
of
engine
coolant
.
Coolant
is
poisonous
and
lethal
to
humans
and
pets
.
Pets
are
attracted
to
coolant
because
of
its
sweet
smell
and
taste
.
Consult
a
veterinarian
immediately
if
coolant
is
ingested
byan
animal
.
CAUTION-
"
Avoidadding
cold
water
to
the
coolant
while
the
engine
is
hot
or
overheated
.
If
it
is
necessary
to
add
coolant
to
ahot
system,
do
so
only
with
the
engine
running
and
coolant
pump
tuming
.
"
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
bat-
tery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Most
cooling
system
faults
can
be
grouped
into
one
of
three
categories
:
"
Cooling
system
leaks
"
Poor
coolant
circulation
"
Radiator
cooling
fan
faults
When
investigating
the
cause
of
overheating
or
coolant
loss,
begin
with
a
visual
inspection
.
Be
sure
to
check
the
con-
dition
and
tension
of
the
coolant
pump
drive
belt
.
Check
hoses
for
cracks
or
softness
.
Check
clamps
for
looseness
.
Check
the
coolant
leve¡
and
check
for
evidence
of
coolantleaks
from
the
engine
.
Check
that
the
radiator
fins
are
not
blocked
with
dirt
or
de-
bris
.
Clean
the
radiator
using
low-pressure
water
or
com-
pressed
air
.
Blow
outward,
fromthe
engine
side
out
.
Inspect
the
coolant
pump
by
first
removing
the
drive
belt
from
the
pump
.
Firmly
grasp
opposite
sídes
of
the
pulley
and
check
for
play
in
all
directions
.
Spin
the
pulley
and
check
that
the
shaft
runs
smoothly
.
NOTE-
The
coolant
provides
lubrication
for
the
pump
shaft,
soan
occasional
drop
of
coolant
leaking
from
the
pump
is
acceptable
.
If
coolant
drips
steadily
from
the
vent
hole,
the
pump
should
be
replaced
.
The
cooling
system
becomes
pressurized
at
normal
operat-
ing
temperature,
which
raises
the
boiling
point
of
the
coolant
.
Leaks
may
prevent
the
system
from
becoming
pressurized,
allowing
the
coolant
to
boil
at
a
lower
temperature
.
If
visual
ev-
idence
is
inconclusive,
a
cooling
system
pressure
test
can
help
to
pinpointhard-to-find
leaks
.
If
the
cooling
system
is
full
of
coolant
and
holds
pressure,
the
next
most
probable
cause
of
overheating
are
:
"
Faulty
radiator
fan
"
Loose
or
worn
drive
belt
"
Failed
thermostat
or
coolant
pump
"
Clogged/plugged
radiator
or
coolant
passages
.
NOTE
-
"
Some
early
style
coolant
pumps
were
fitted
wíth
fi-
berlplastic
type
impellers
.
Over
time,
this
impeller
can
wear
away
and
result
in
overheating
.
The
plastic
im-
peller
can
also
slip
or
free-wheel
on
the
pump
shaft
.
If
the
engine
overheats
and
no
other
faults
canbe
found,
theold
style
impeller
may
be
the
cause
of
the
problem
.
"
Only
pumps
with
the
updated
metal
impeller
should
be
used
for
replacement
.
NOTE-
Some
cars
covered
by
this
manual
may
have
an
alter-
nate
cooling
fan
switchwith
switching
temperatures
of
176%190W
(80%88°C)
.
When
replacing
the
switch
check
theswitching
specifications,
whichshouldbe
stamped
on
the
switch
body
.
1
.
If
coolant
is
circulating
at
normal
operating
tempera-
ture,
but
auxiliary
cooling
fan
does
not
run,
disconnect
connector
from
radiator
temperature
switch
and
make
tests
listed
in
Table
c
.
Table
c
.
Auxiliary
Cooling
Fan
Temperature
Switch
Tests
Wires
jumpered
Test
Test
resuits
conditions
Black/green
(terminal2)
and
Ignition
ON
Fan
runs
on
brown
(terminal
1)
low
speed
Black/gray
(terminal
3)
and
Ignition
ON
Fan
runson
brown
(terminal
I
1)
high
speed
2
.
If
fan
runs
only
when
powered
directly
by
jumpered
connector
and
hot
coolant
is
circulating
through
radia-
tor,
radiator
temperature
switch
is
most
likelyfaulty
.
Use
a
new
sealing
ring
when
replacing
switch
Tightening
Torque
"
Temperature
switch
to
radiator
......
15
Nm
(11
ft-Ib)
3
.
If
auxiliary
fan
does
notrun
when
powered
directly,
check
for
battery
voltage
at
temperature
switch
connec-
tor
(black/green
wire)
with
ignition
on
.
If
battery
voltage
is
not
present,
check
fuses
.
See
610
Electrical
Com-
ponent
Locations
.
RADIATOR
AND
COOLING
SYSTEM
170-
5
~r~nmm
a
00
0
Fig
.
4
.
Auxiliary
radiator
cooling
fan
low
speed
relay
(1)
and
high
speed
relay
(2)
in
power
distribution
box
.
(Relay
locations
may
vary
.)
Auxiliary
Cooling
Fan
Circuit
Fuses
Fig
.
5
.
Auxiliary
radiator
fan
resistor
(arrow)
.
"
Fuse16
.
...................
..
..
...
...
.5
amp
"
Fuse
41
(ex
.
M44
w/man
.
trans)
.
..
.
..
.....
30
amp
"
Fuse
48
(M44
w/man
.
trans
.
only)
..
.
..
.....
40
amp
COOLING
SYSTEM
SERVICE
0013034
4
.
If
no
faults
are
found,
remove
low
speed
relay
and
turn
Coolant,draining
and
filling
ignition
ON
.
See
Fig
.
4
.
1
.
Remove
expansion
tank
cap
.
Set
temperature
controls
"
Check
for
power
at
terminal
30
and
terminal
86
of
relay
to
full
warm
.
socket
.
"
Reinstall
low
speed
relay
and
repeat
testat
high
speed
WARNING
-
relay
socket
.
Fix
any
wiring
faults
found
.
Allow
the
cooling
system
to
cool
before
openlng
or
On
early
productioncars
(up
to
9/92)
:
If
fan
operates
only
on
draining
the
cooling
system
.
high
speed
and
no
electrical
faults
have
been
foundup
to
this
point,
usean
ohmmeter
to
check
that
fan
resistor
is
not
electri-
2
.
Place
3
ra
allo
ug
.
beneath
radiator
drain
plug
and
re-
cally
open
.
Resistor
is
mounted
on
auxiliary
cooling
fan
housing
move
drain
plg
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
behind
front
grille
.
See
Fig
.
5
.
Wiring
diagrams
for
the
radiator
cooling
fan
canbefoundunder
Electrical
Wiring
Diagrams
.
3
.
Place
3-g
pail
beneath
rear
of
engine
blo
.
Loos-
en
and
re
mlon
ove
engine
blockcoolant
drain
plug
k
.
COOLING
SYSTEM
SERVICE
170-8
RADIATOR
AND
COOLING
SYSTEM
Electric
cooling
fan,
replacing
On
late
4-cylinder
models
(M44
engine)
with
manual
trans-
mission,
the
primary
cooling
fan
is
electrically
operated
and
is
mounted
on
the
engine
side
of
the
radiator
.
1
.
If
necessary,
remove
cover
from
top
of
radiator
.
See
Fig
.
10
.
0012505
Fig
.
10
.
Air
cover
in
back
of
radiator
.
Unclip
cover
from
fan
shroud
af-
ter
removing
mounting
screws
.
2
.
Disconnect
fan
harness
connector
at
bottom
left
of
ra-
diator
.
3
.
Remove
fan
shroud
mountingscrews
at
left
and
right
side
of
radiator
.
Lift
fan
assembly
straight
up
and
offra-
diator
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Be
sure
to
align
side
tabs
on
fan
housíng
with
retaining
tabs
on
radiator
when
reinstalling
fan
.
Auxiliary
cooling
fan,
replacing
The
auxiliary
electric
cooling
fan
is
mounted
behind
the
front
bumper,
in
front
of
the
A/C
condenser
.
There
aretwo
ver-
sions
of
auxiliary
fans
installed,
depending
on
model
and
en-
gine
installed
.
TType
1
(u
p
to
9192)
1
.
Remove
front
radiator
air
shroud
.
See
Fig
.
11
.
2
.
Remove
fan
mountingscrews
.
See
Fig
.
12
.
3
.
Tilt
fan
forward
.
Disconnect
electrical
harness
connec-
tor
before
lifting
fan
up
.
COOLING
SYSTEM
SERVICE
Fig
.
11
.
Front
radiator
air
shroud
fasteners
(arrows)
.
Fig
.
12
.
Version
1
auxiliary
fan
mountingscrews
(arrows)
.
NOTE
-
If
necessary,
remove
front
bumper
or
lowerengine
cov-
erto
access
electrical
harnessconnector
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
l)
Type
2
(from
9192)
2
.
Remove
fan
mounting
screws
.
See
Fig
.
13
.
0013137
1.
Remove
front
bumper
and
radiator
grilles
.
See
510
Ex-
terior
Trim,
Bumpers
.
3
.
Angle
fan
up
and
forward,
disconnecting
electrical
har-
nessconnectorbehind
it
.
Remove
it
through
bumper
opening
.
400-2
BODY-GENERAL
4-door
Sedan
Coupe
-
saas3
.7""
351
/
37
.3
O
I
x
`-193
267
o
oa
'3281
model
"M3
model
Convertible
BODYASSEMBLY
55
ass
.e
iss
""
-
66
.9
-
Fig
.
2
.
E36
body
dimensíons
.
BODY
ASSEMBLY
29
.4
29
4
The
BMW
3
Series
chassis
is
a
unibodydesign
constructed
ofhigh
strength
steel
.
Attaching
parts,
suchas
the
front
fend-
ers,
rear
quarter
panels,
doors,
trunk
lid
and
hood
are
also
constructed
of
steel
.
706
.31108
.7"
I
38
.5
174
.5
174
.5
O
oo
196
.3/106
.7'
"
35_5
1.
.
55
.9,566
".
106
.3/196
.7""
i.
358
-1745-
55
9/56
3'/56
6"
-
J
0013099
Windows
bonded
flush
to
the
body
and
the
guided
flow
of
cooling
air
into
the
engine
compartment
provide
a
good
coeffi-
cient
of
drag(CD)
.
TheE36
cars
have
a
CD
of
approximately
0
.30for
the
sedan
and
coupe
models,
and
0
.35
for
the
con-
vertible
models
:
The
exterior
panels
are
corrosion-resistant
zinc
coated
steel
.
The
front
fenders
are
bolted
on
and
easily
replaceabie
.
The
body
styles
of
E36
cars
coveredby
this
manual
arethe
See410
Fenders,
Engine
Hood
.
4-door
sedan,
2-door
coupe
and
convertible
.
Body
dimen-
sions
vary
slightly
betweenmodels
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
The
front
and
rear
bumpers
use
an
aluminum
framework
with
an
overlaid
high-impact,
deformable
plastic
cover
.
This
Exterior
and
Aerodynamics
bumper
system
keeps
damage
to
a
minimum
in
head-on
colli-
sions
of
up
to
10
m
.p
.h
.
(15
km/h)
.
See
510
Exterior
Trim,
TheE36
can
be
immediatelyrecognized
asa
typical
BMW
.
Bumpers
.
With
its
traditionalstyling
features,
suchas
the
BMW
kidney
grille,
circular
headlights
behind
a
glass
cover
(for
reasons
of
streamliníng),
and
the
"kick"
in
the
rearmost
roof
pillar
(C-pil-
lar)
.
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
replacement
of
the
front
fenders
and
removal
and
installation
of
the
engine
hood
.
NOTE-
The
body
is
painted
at
the
factoryafter
assembly
.
Re-
alignment
of
body
panels
may
expose
unpainted
metal
.
Paint
all
exposed
metal
once
the
work
fs
complete
.
FRONT
FENDERS
Front
fender,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Raise
hood
.
Raise
and
safely
support
front
of
vehicle
.
WARNING
-
"
When
raising
thecar
using
a
floor
jack
or
a
hy-
draulic
lift,
carefully
position
the
jack
pad
to
pre-
vent
damaging
thecar
body
.
A
suitable
liner
(wood,
rubber,
etc
.)
should
be
placed
between
the
jack
and
the
car
to
prevent
body
damage
.
"
Watch
the
jack
closely
.
Make
sure
it
stays
stable
and
does
not
shift
or
tilt
.
As
the
car
is
raised,
the
car
may
roll
slightly
and
the
jack
may
shift
.
2
.
Remove
front
wheel
.
Remove
inner
plastic
liner
from
wheel
well
.
3
.
Remove
front
bumper
.
See510
Exterior
Trim,
Bumpers
.
4
.
Working
atfront
corner
of
fender,
remove
front
grille
panel
bolts
(2
bolts
at
left
and
right)
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
FENDERS,
ENGINE
HOOD
410-1
410
Fenders,
Engine
Hood
GENERAL
...............
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
410-1
ENGINE
HOOD
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.410-3
Hood,
raising
to
service
position
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
410-3
FRONTFENDERS
........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.410-1
Hood,
removin
and
installin
410-3
Front
Pender,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
....
410-1
Hood,
aligning
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
410-4
Hood
release
cable
and
latches,
adjusting
...
410-4
001
.145
Fig
.
1
.
Front
grille
panel
to
front
fender
retaining
bolts
(arrows)
.
Front
bumpershown
removed
.
5
.
Remove
front
turn
signalliens
assembly
from
applica-
ble
front
corner
.
Carefully
pryout
side
directional
from
fender
(later
cars
only)
.
See
630
Exterior
Lighting
.
6
.
Remove
fender
attaching
bolts
atfront
underside
of
fender
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
7
.
Remove
bolts
along
top
edge
of
fender
:
See
Fig
.
3
.
8
.
Open
front
door
and
remove
fender
mounting
bolts
in
door
jamb
.
See
Fig
.
4
.
9
.
Carefully
remove
fender
from
body
.
FRONTFENDERS
410-4
FENDERS,
ENGINE
HOOD
4
.
With
aid
of
assistant,
remove
hood
hinge
bolts
from
left
and
Rght
sides
of
hood
.
Lift
hood
off
carefully
See
Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
8
.
Hood
hinge
bolts
(arrows)
.
Right
side
shown
.
5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
NOTE-
The
hood
was
fitted
and
attached
to
an
unfinished
body
at
the
factory
.
Unfinished
surfaces
exposed
by
this
pro-
cedure
must
betouchedup
wfth
pafnt
.
Hood,
aligning
ENGINE
HOOD
0013149
6013150
Fig
.
9
.
Hood
panel
gaps
should
be
even
(approx
.
5
.5
mm)
at
all
points
(arrows)
.
Hood
release
cable
and
latches,
adjusting
Before
adjusting
hood
latches,
be
sure
the
hood
is
aligned
evenly
to
fenders
and
front
panel
.
The
hood
latch
and
cable
assembly
is
shown
in
Fig
.
10
.
"
Repair
any
paint
damage
and
paint
any
exposed
metal
.
"
Check
hood
alignment
as
described
next
.
1
.
To
adjust
hood
cables
:
When
installing
the
hood,
align
the
hinges
as
close
to
the
original
paintedsurface
as
possible
.
Movement
of
the
hood
on
its'attaching
hardware
may
require
touch-up
paint
.
The
hood
should
be
aligned
so
that
gapson
all
sides
areas
even
as
possible
.
See
Fig
.
9
.
Clearance
Specification
"
Hood
edges
to
adjoining
body
panel
(gap)
........
..
..
..
.....
.5
.5
mm
(0.216
in)
"
Remove
left
and
right
radiator
grilles
.
See
510
Exterior
Trim,
Bumpers
.
"
Remove
electric
auxíliary
cooling
fan
.
See
170
Radia-
tor
and
Cooling
System
.
"
Adjust
cable
section
between
two
hood
latches
so
there
is
no
play
(cables
must
not
be
under
tension
ei-
ther)
.
2
.
Loosen
hood
latches
at
hood
on
left
and
right
sides
.
Loosen
bolts
only
enough
to
allow
movement
of
latch
.
See
Fig
.
11
.
3
.
Lower
(but
do
not
fully
latch)
hood
severa¡
times
so
latches
on
hood
center
themselves
in
lower
locks
.
CA
UTION-
Do
not
let
hood
fockwith
latchbolts
loose
.
4
.
Tighten
hood
latch
bolts
when
alignment
is
correct
.
5
.
Remove
one
screw
fromeach
side,
clean
and
coat
with
Loctite
O
270
or
equivalent,
and
reinstall
.
GENERAL
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
..
.
...
.
.........
510-1
Front
bumper
impact
absorber,
replacing
....
510-4
Rear
bumper,
removing
and
installing
.....
.510-4
OUTSIDE
REAR
VIEW
MIRRORS
.
...
.
.....
510-1
Rear
bumper
impact
absorber,
replacing
...
.
510-6
Outside
mirrorglass,
replacing
.
.
.........
510-1
Bumper
height,
adjusting
...
.
...
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
510-6
Outside
mirror
housing,
removing
and
installing
....
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
510-1
EXTERIOR
TRIM
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
510-6
Outside
mirror,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
510-2
BMW
embiem,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
510-7
Body
side
molding,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
510-7
BUMPERS
.
.
.
.
.
....
.
.....
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
510-3
Radiator
grille,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.510-7
Front
bumper,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
510-3
Front
panel,
removing
and
installing
...
.
.
.
.
.
510-7
GENERAL
510
Exterior
Trim,
Bumpers
This
repair
group
includes
repair
information
for
the
outside
rear
view
mirror,
front
and
rear
bumpers,
and
the
easily
re-
movable
exterior
trim
parts
.
OUTSIDE
REAR
VIEW
MIRRORS
The
remove
controlled
mirrors
come
in
two
styles
:
heated
and
unheated
.
Many
of
the
mirror
components
are
separately
available
from
an
authorized
BMW
dealer,
including
the
glass
and
outside
plastic
housing
.
Outside
mirror
glass,
replacing
CAUTION-
Mirror
shouldbe
ator
above
room
temperature
before
removal
.
Otherwise,
small
plastic
parts
or
glass
will
break
.
1
.
Insert
thin
pry
tool
(wooden
or
tape-wrapped
screwdriv-
er)
between
bottom
mirror
edge
and
mirror
housing
and
carefully
pry
out
mirror
glass
from
housing
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
2
.
Heated
mirror
:
remove
heating
element
harness
con-
nectors
from
back
of
mirror
glass
.
3
.
Install
new
glass
into
position
by
pressing
firmly
until
it
snaps
into
place
.
EXTERIOR
TRIM,
BUMPERS
510-1
00130
..
Fig
.1
.
Prying
mirror
glass
out
of
mirror
housing
.
Note
screwdriver
shaft
wrapped
with
tape
.
Outside
mirror
housing,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Remove
mirror
glass
as
described
above
.
2
.
Remove
housing
retaining
screws
and
lift
off
rear
hous-
ing
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
3
.
Tilt
mirror
housing
forward
and
compress
plastic
retain-
ers
and
lift
off
front
housing
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Check
mirror
function
before
installing
covering
parts
.
OUTSIDE
REAR
VIEW
MIRRORS