
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

INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
....
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
..
620-1
Instrument
cluster,
seif-testing
.
.
.......
.
..
620-1
Instrument
cluster,
removing
and
installing
...
620-1
Instrument
cluster
bulbs,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
620-2
GENERAL
This
repair
group
covers
removal
and
installation
of
the
in-
strument
cluster
and
the
Multi-information
Display
(MID)
mod-
ule
.
Bulb
replacement
information
for
these
units
is
also
included
here
.
NOTE
-
A
quick
check
of
the
temperature
gauge
and
its
electri-
cal
circuitis
given
in
170
Radiator
and
Cooling
Sys-
tem
.
Use
this
procedure
to
diagnosea
faulty
temperature
gauge
INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
When
servicing
the
instrument
cluster,
always
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
cable
from
the
battery
and
insulate
the
cable
end
to
prevent
accidental
re-connection
.
Instrument
cluster,
seif-testing
Severa¡
different
versions
of
the
basic
instrument
cluster
havebeen
fitted
in
E36
cars
.
It
is
possibleto
perform
an
instru-
ment
cluster
test
and
display
system
test
information
.
Some
of
the
information
displayed
by
the
instrument
cluster
during
seif-testing
is
used
for
interna¡
BMW
organizationpur-
poses,
suchasmatching
the
correct
instrument
cluster
com-
ponents
during
parts
replacement
.
Other
functions
test
the
various
instrument
modules
.
Self-test
is
also
used
to
recode
the
instrument
cluster
after
removal
.
In
later
production
vehicles
(1996
and
later)
the
test
results
canbe
downioaded,
via
the
diagnostic
plug,
byan
authorized
BMW
dealertechnician
.
1
.
Turn
ignition
to
"radio"position
.
2
.
Press
and
hold
reset
button
on
trip-odometer
untiltrip-
odometer
display
shows
numerical
codes
.
620
Instruments
4
.
Turn
off
ignition
.
Instrument
cluster,
removing
and
installing
INSTRUMENTS
620-1
GENERAL
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
.
....
620-1
Odometer
coding
plug,
replacing
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
620-2
Vehicle
speed
sender,
replacing
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
620-3
MULTI-INFORMATION
DISPLAY
(MID)
.
.
.
620-4
Multi-Information
Display,
removing
and
installing
..
.
....
.
.........
620-4
3
.
With
each
subsequent
press
of
the
button,
a
different
function
is
tested
.
Some
functions
will
activate
need1e
gauges
.
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover
terminal
with
insulating
material
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
vi¡¡
.
2
.
Remove
airbag
unit
from
steering
wheel
.
See
721
Air-
bag
System
(SRS)
.
Store
unit
in
a
safe
place
.
WARNING
-
The
airbag
is
an
explosive
devfce
and
should
be
treated
with
extreme
caution
.
Improper
handling
of
the
airbag
could
cause
serious
injury
or
death
.
Store
the
airbag
with
the
horn
pad
facing
up
.
If
stored
facing
down,
accidental
deployment
couldpropel
it
vfolently
into
the
air,
causing
injury
.
3
.
With
front
wheels
pointed
straight
ahead,
remove
steer-
ing
wheel
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.
4
.
Remove
instrument
cluster
retaining
screws
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
5
.
Place
a
towel
over
steering
column
.
Carefully
tilt
top
of
cluster
out
of
dash
panel
.
Unlock
and
disconnect
har-
ness
connectors
from
back
of
cluster
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER

FRONT
LIGHTING
.
...........
.
....
.
.
.
.
630-1
Headlight
buib,
replacing
............
.
.
.
.
630-1
Headlight
assembly,
removing
and
installing
.......
.
....
.
.
.
.
630-2
Foglight
assembly,
removing
and
installing
..
630-3
Front
turn
signal
assembly,
removing
and
installing
.....
.
.
.
........
630-4
GENERAL
The
headlight
and
foglight
assemblies
usehalogen
bulbs
.
To
ensure
the
longevity
of
halogen
bulbs,
the
bulb
glass
should
not
be
handied
.
Dirt
and
skin
oíls
may
cause
a
bulbto
fail
prematurely
.
If
necessarywipe
bulb
using
a
clean
cloth
dampened
with
rubbing
alcohol
.
NOTE-
Use
only
original
equipment
replacement
bulbs
.
Non-
original
equipment
bulbs
may
cause
false
failure
read-
ings
on
the
check
control
display
(where
applicable)
.
WARNING
-
INhenworking
on
electrical
systems,
remove
the
fuse
protecting
the
circuit
under
repair
.
See
610
Electrical
Component
Locations
.
FRONT
LIGHTING
Headlight
bulb,
replacing
1
.
Open
engine
hood
.
2
.
Working
in
back
of
headlight
assembly,grasp
rear
of
bulbsocket
(harnessconnector)
and
turn
counterclock-
wise
90°
.
Pull
bulb
out
of
headlight
assembly
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
3
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
bulb
.
CA
UTION-
Do
not
touch
halogen
bubs
with
yourbare
hands
.
If
necessary
wipe
bulb
using
a
clean
cloth
damp-
ened
with
rubbing
alcohol
.
630
Exterior
Lighting
EXTERIOR
LIGHTING
630-1
GENERAL
.
.
.
.
...
.
................
.
.
.
.
630-1
Side
Marker
Lights
.......
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
..
630-4
REAR
LIGHTING
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
..
630-4
Taillight
Bulbs
..........
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
630-4
Taillight
assembly,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
630-5
CenterBrake
Light
.......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
630-5
Center
brake
light
housing,
replacing
(4-door
and
coupe
models)
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.
.630-5
License
plate
light,
removingand
installing
.
.630-6
0012567
Fig
.1.
Torelease
bulbfrom
headlight
assembly,
rotate
socket
coun-
terclockwise
to
disengage
retaining
tabs
(arrows)
.
Right
side
bulb
is
shown
in
unlocked
position
.
Note
that
bottom
tab
A
is
wider
than
other
two
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Align
tabs
on
bulb
base
to
cutouts
on
rear
of
lens
assembly
.
Secure
bulb
by
rotating
clockwise
90°
.
Bulb
Applications
"
Low
beam
headlight
bulb
...
.
..
..
.........
H9006
"
High
beam
headlight
bulb
..
.
..
..
.........
H9005
FRONT
LIGHTING

4
Foglight
assembly,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Foglight
lens
release
catch
2
.
Foglight
lensrear
protective
cap
3
.
Foglight
bulb
4
.
Foglight
lens
Fig
.
7
.
Foglight
assembly
(removed)
.
0012682
Fig
.
6
.
Measure
gap
B
(1.5
mm)
between
front
of
hood
and
headlight
cover
.
Note
horizontal
headlightadjusting
nut
(1)
and
retaining
screw
(2)
.
The
following
procedure
covers
foglight
lens
and
foglight
buib
replacement
.
Foglight
components
are
shown
in
Fig
.
7
.
0012683
EXTERIOR
LIGHTING
630-
3
1
.
Insert
a
screwdriver
in
upper
air
duct
inlet
of
front
lower
valence
and
disengage
foglight
lens
catch
mechanism
.
Swing
light
outward
and
gently
disengage
hinged
end
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
8
.
Insert
screwdriver
in
upper
air
duct
inlet
.
uu¡¿biu
2
.
Remove
rear
protection
capand
disengage
steel
wire
foglight
bulb
clamp
.
3
.
Remove
bulb
from
rear
of
foglight
assembly
.
Discon-
nect
electrical
harness
from
foglight
bulb
.
CAUTION
-
Do
not
touch
halogen
bulbs
with
yourbare
hands
.
If
necessary
wipe
buib
using
a
clean
cloth
damp-ened
withrubbing
alcohol
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Check
electrical
con-nector
for
corrosion
.
Spray
with
contact
cleaner,
if
nec-
essary
.
Bulb
Application
(USA
Models)
:
"
Foglight
bulb
......
...
..
...
..........
Hl
(55w)
FRONT
LIGHTING

To
access
the
rear
window
blower
relay,
remove
the
glove
compariment
.
See
Fig
.
32
.
Fig
.
32
.
Rear
window
blower
relay
located
in
frontof
glove
compart-
ment
(arrow)
.
AIR
CONDITIONING
Thissection
covers
removal
and
installation
of
air
condition-
ing
refrigerant
components
.
A/C
testing
and
diagnosis,
refrig-
erantdischarge,
evacuatíon
and
recharge
are
not
covered
here
.
The
subassemblies
and
lines
of
the
air
conditionerare
filled
with
either
refrigerant
R12
(1992
cars)
or
R-134a
(1993
and
later
cars)
.
The
major
components
of
the
A/Csystem
are
shown
in
Fig
.
33
.
A/CSystem
Warnings
and
Cautions
WARNING
-
"
Always
be
careful
that
refrigerant
does
not
come
in
contact
with
your
skin
.
Always
wearhand
andeye
protection
(gloves
and
goggles)
when
work-
ing
around
the
AIC
system
.
If
refrigerant
does
come
in
contact
with
your
skin
oreyes
:
-Do
not
rub
skin
oreyes
;
-Immediately
flush
skin
oreyes
withcool
water
for
15
minutes
;
-Rush
to
a
doctor
orhospital
;
-Do
not
attempt
to
treat
yourself
.
"
Work
in
a
wefl
ventilated
area
.
Avoid
breathing
re-
frigerant
vapors
.
Exposure
may
irrítate
eyes,
nose,
and
throat
.
Switch
on
exhaustlventilation
systems
when
working
on
the
refrigerant
system
.
"
Do
not
expose
any
component
of
the
AIC
system
to
high
temperatures
(Above
80°Cl176°F)or
open
flames
.
Excessive
heat
will
cause
a
pres-
sureincrease
whichcould
burst
the
system
.
HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING
640-
1
1
0013015
WARNING
-
"
Keep
refrigerant
away
from
open
llames
.
Poison-
ous
gas
will
be
produced
if
it
bums
.
Do
not
smoke
near
refrigerant
gases
for
the
same
reason
.
"
The
AICsystem
is
filled
with
refrigerant
gas
which
is
under
pressure
.
Pressurized
refrigerant
in
the
presenceof
oxygen
may
forma
combusti-
ble
mixture
.
Never
introduce
compressed
air
finto
any
refrigerant
container
(full
or
empty),
capped
off
AIC
component,
or
piece
of
service
equip-
ment
.
"
Refrígerant
gases
are
heavier
than
air,
displace
oxygen
and
may
cause
suffocation
in
areas
of
poor
círculation,
for
example
under
a
car
.
Switch
on
exhaustlventilation
systems
when
working
on
the
refrigerant
system
.
"
State
and
local
governments
may
have
additional
requirements
regarding
air
conditioning
servic-
ing
.
Alwayscomply
with
state
and
local
laws
.
"
Electric
welding
near
refrigerant
hoses
causes
R-134a
to
decompose
.
Discharge
system
before
welding
.
CA
UTION
-
-As
of
January
1,
1992,
any
person
who
services
a
motor
vehicle
air
conditioner
must,
by
law,
be
properly
trained
and
certified,
and
use
approved
refrigerant
recycling
equipment
.
Technicians
must
complete
an
EPA-approved
recycling
course
to
be
certified
.
"
It
is
recommended
that
al¡
system
refrigerant
AIC
refrigerant
be
left
to
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
or
other
qualified
AIC
service
facility
.
"
Do
not
top
off
a
partially
charged
refrigerant
sys-
tem
.
Dischargesystem,evacuate
and
then
re-
charge
system
.
"
R-134a
and
R-12
refrigerants
and
refrigerant
oils
and
system
components,
including
hoses
and
sealing
O-rings,
are
NOT
compatible
.
Compo-
nent
damage
andlor
system
contamination
will
result
.
"
The
mixture
of
refrigerant
oil
(PAG
oil)
and
refrig-
erant
R-134a
attacks
some
metals
and
alloys
(for
example,copper)
and
breaks
down
certain
hose
materials
.
Use
only
hoses
and
lines
that
are
iden-
tified
with
a
green
mark
(stripe)
or
the
lettering
R-
134a"
.
"
Immediately
plug
open
connections
on
AIC
com-
ponents
to
prevent
dirt
and
moisture
contamina-
tion
.
"
Do
not
steam
clean
condensers
or
evaporators
.
Use
only
cold
water
or
compressed
air
.
AIR
CONDITIONING

Fig
.
36
.
6-cylinder
engine
belt
diagram
:
To
remove
A/C
belt,
lever
ten-
sioner
(A)
in
clockwise
direction
using
long-handled
wrench
or
breaker-bar
.
6
.
Disconnect
electrical
harness
connector
from
com-
pressor
.
7
.
Remove
A/C
pressure
hose
and
suction
hose
flange
10
.
Before
recharging,
evacuate
system
for
at
least
30
min
.
bolts
from
compressor
.
Plug
hoses
immediately
See
Recharge
system
following
equipment
manufacturer's
Fig
.
37
.
instructions
.
See
Table
d
.
A/C
System
Refrigerant
Capacities
.
0011879
Fig
.
37
.
A/
C
compressor
pressure
hose
(A)
and
suction
hose
(B)
.
(6-
cylinder
engine
shown
.
4-cylinder
engine
is
similar
.)
HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING
640-
1
3
Fig
.
38
.
A/
C
compressor
mounting
boits
(arrows)
.
9
.
Installation
is
reverseof
removal
.
CAUTION
-
"
Always
replaceO-rings
when
reconnecting
re-
frigerantfines
.
"
When
installlng
a
new
compressor
always
re-
place
receiverldrier
unit
.
Tightening
Torques
"
A/C
compressor
to
engine
block
....
22
Nm
(17
ft-Ib)
"
A/C
line
flange
to
A/C
compressor
5/8
in
.
fine
.
......
.....
....
.
.....
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)
3/4
in
.
fine
.......
.....
..........
39
Nm
(29
ft-Ib)
7/8
in
.
fine
...
....
.....
..........
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)
11/16
in
.
fine
.....
..
..
..
...
.
.....
48
Nm
(35
ft-Ib)
A/C
Compressor
Clutch
The
compressor
clutch
can
be
replaced
without
disturbing
thesealed
refrigerant
system,
although
clearances
in
the
six-
cylinder
cars
may
be
very
tight
.
Detach
the
compressor
from
the
compressor
bracket
togain
extra
clearance
.
8
.
Remove
compressor
mounting
boits
.
See
Fig
.
38
.
Re-
Typical
A/C
compressor
and
clutch
is
shown
in
Fig
.
39
.
move
compressor
by
pulling
downward
from
under-
neath
car
.
Remove
driveplate
and
pulley
to
access
clutch
magnetic
winding
.
See
Fig
.
40
.
AIR
CONDITIONING

720-2
SEAT
BELTS
WARNING
-
"
For
maximum
protection
from
injury,
seat
belts
should
be
replaced
as
a
set
(including
all
hard-
ware),
if
they
are
subject
to
occupant
loading
in
a
collision
.
"
Seat
belts
should
not
be
modified
or
repaired
.
The
seat
belt
anchorage
points
should
not
be
changed
or
modified
.
"
Do
notbleach
or
dye
seat
belt
webbing
.
Webbing
that
is
severely
fadedor
re-dyed
will
not
meet
the
strength
requirements
of
a
collision
and
must
be
replaced
.
"
Seat
belts
shouldbe
periodically
inspected
for
webbing
defects
suchas
cuts
or
pulled
threads
.
FRONT
SEATBELT
ASSEMBLY
Automatic
Front
Seat
Belt
Lock
Tensioners
The
procedure
for
disabling
the
mechanical
spring
tension-
er
used
on
early
cars
is
covered
below
.
On
cars
with
thepyro-
technic(explosive
device)
tensioners,
the
orange
harness
connectorshould
be
removed
from
the
tensioner
any
time
the
seat
is
removed
.
WARNING
-
Both
the
mechanical
and
the
pyrotechnictensioners
are
powerful
devíces
and
shouldbehandled
with
extreme
care
.
Mechanical
spring
tensioner,
disarming
1
.
Remove
front
seat
.
See
520
Seats
.
2
.
Disarm
tensioner-electrically
adjustableseats
:
"
Working
at
side
of
seat,
turn
activating/deactivating
screw
clockwise
until
display
changes
from
green
to
red
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
"
Before
reinstalling
seat,
turn
screw
until
display
chang-
esback
to
green
.
NOTE-
Green
is
armed
.
Red
is
disarmed
.
3
.
Disarm
tensioner-manually
adjustable
seats
:
"
Cut
wíre
tie
next
to
tab
on
bowden
cable
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
"
Turn
and
lift
tabto
disengage
cable
housing
from
seat
bracket
.
"
Disconnect
cable
end
from
seat
lever
.
"
When
reinstalling,
correctly
engage
tab
end
of
cable
into
seat
bracket
and
fasten
in
position
using
new
wíre
tie
.
FRONT
SEATBELT
ASSEMBLY
0012737
Fig
.
2
.
Electrically
adjustable
front
seat
.
Turn
screw
(A)
to
disarm
me-
chanical
tensioner
.
Display
B
tucos
from
green
to
red
.
F19
.3
.
Manuallyadjustablefrontseat
.Turnandlifttab(arrow)todis-