1996 BMW 318i Wiring harness

NOTE
-

Sometimes
the
color
of
en
installed
wire
may
be
differ-
ent
than
the
one
on
the
wiring
diagram
.
Don't
be
con-
cerned
.
Just
be
sure
lo
confirm
that
the
wire
connects
lo
the
proper
terminals
.

Wire
color
codes

"
BLU
.........
.
..
..
...
.
.................
Blue

"
BRN
....:....
.
..
..
...
..
...............
Brown

"
YEL
.........
.
..
..
...................
.Yellow

"
GRN
.........
.
..
..
...
.
................
creen

"
G
RY
.......
.
.
.
..
..
.....................
G
ray

"
ORG
.........
.
..
..
...
.
..............
.Orange

"
RED
......
...
.
.
..
.....................
.Red

"
BLK
.........
.
..
..
...
.
................
Black

"
VIO
..........
.
..
...
..
..
.......
.
.......
Violet

"
WHT
.........
.
.
....
.
...
:..............
White

Table
a
.
Terminal
and
Circuit
Numbers

Number



1
Circuít
description

1



j
Low
voltage
switched
terminal
of
coi¡

4



1
High
voltage
center
termina¡
of
coi¡

+x



Originates
atignition
switch
.
Supplies
powerwhen
the
ignition
switch
is
in
the
PARK,
RUN,
or
START
position

15



Originates
atignition
switch
.
Supplies
powerwhen
ignition
switch
is
in
RUN
or
START
position

30



Battery
positive
(+)
voltage
.
Supplies
power
whenever
battery
is
connected
.
(Not
dependent
on
ignition
switch
position,
unfused)

31



1
Ground,
battery
negative
(-)
terminal

50



Supplies
power
from
battery
to
starter
solenoid
when
ignition
switch
isin
START
position
only

+54



Originates
atignition
switch
.
Supplies
power
when
ignition
switch
isin
the
RUN
position
only

85



1
Ground
side
(-)
ofrelay
coil

86



1
Power-in
side
(+)
ofrelay
coil

87



1
Relay
actuatedcontact

D



Alternator
warning
light
and
field
energizing
circuit

ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM-GENERAL
600-
3

Additional
abbreviations
shown
in
the
wiring
diagrams
are

given
below
.

Abbreviations

"
ABS
........
.
...
.
...
.
..........
antilock
brakes

"
A/C
........
.
...
..
..
.
.........
.airconditioning

"
AST/ASC+T
.......
...
.
.
.......
al¡
season
traction

"
CONV
.......
.
.
...
.................
convertible

"
DME
........
.
.
...
.......
digital
motor
electronics

"
ECM



.......
.
...
..
..
.
..
electronic
control
module

"
EWS/EWS
II
......
...
.
.
coded
driveaway
protection

"
SRS
........
.
supplemental
restraint
system-airbag

"
TCM
........
.
..
....
.
transmission
control
module

"
ZKE
(94-98
models)
..
..
.
...
central
body
electronics

"
ZVM
(92-93
models)
...
.
.
..
.
.......
central
locking

ELECTRICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING

Most
terminals
are
identified
by
numbers
on
the
compo-

nents
and
harness
connectors
.
The
terminal
numbers
for
ma-



Four
things
are
required
for
current
toflow
in
any
electrical

jor
electrical
connections
are
shown
in
the
diagrams
.
Though



circuit
:
a
voltagesource,
wires
or
connections
to
transport
the

many
terminal
numbers
appear
only
once,
severa¡other
num-



voltage,
a
load
or
device
that
uses
the
electricity,
and
a
con-
bers
appear
in
numerous
places
throughout
the
electrical
sys-



nection
to
ground
.
Most
problemscanbefound
using
a
digital

tem
and
identify
certain
types
ofcircuits
.
Some
of
the
most



multimeter
(volt/ohm/amp
meter)to
check
for
voltage
supply,

common
circuit
numbers
are
listed
below
in
Table
a
.



for
breaks
in
the
wiring
(infinite
resistance/no
continuity),
orfor

a
path
to
ground
that
completesthe
circuit
.

Electric
current
is
logical
in
its
flow,
always
moving
from
the

voltage
sourcetoward
ground
.
Electricalfaults
can
usually
be

located
through
a
process
of
elimination
.
When
troubleshoot-

ing
a
complex
circuit,
separate
the
circuit
into
smaller
parts
.

The
general
testsoutlined
below
may
be
helpful
in
finding

electrical
problems
.
The
information
is
most
helpful
when

used
with
the
wiring
diagrams
.

Be
sure
to
analyze
the
problem
.
Use
the
wiring
diagrams
to

determine
the
most
likely
cause
.
Getan
understanding
of
how

the
circuit
works
by
following
the
circuit
from
groundback
to

the
power
source
.

When
making
test
connections
at
connectors
andcompo-

nents,
use
care
to
avoidspreading
or
damaging
the
connec-

tors
or
terminals
.
Some
tests
may
require
jumper
wires
to

bypass
components
or
connections
in
the
wiring
harness
.

When
connecting
jumper
wires,
use
bladeconnectors
at
the

wire
ends
that
match
the
size
of
the
terminal
being
tested
.
The

small
interna¡
contacts
are
easily
spread
apart,
and
this
can

cause
intermittent
or
faultyconnections
that
can
leadto
more

problems
.

ELECTRICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING

611-
4



WIPERS
AND
WASHERS

2
.
Remove
wiper
arms
as
described
earlier
.

3
.
Place
engine
hood
in
service
position
.
See
410
Fend-

ers,
Engine
Hood
.

4
.
Unclip
engine
bulkhead
plenum
grille
at
base
of
wind-

shield
and
pulí
it
away
from
rubbergasket
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

Fig
.
5
.



Detach
grill
clips
(arrows)
and
pull
upward
.

0012527

5
.
Remove
wiring
harness
retaining
clip
frombulkhead
in
rear
of
engine
bay
.
Remove
screws
retaining
wiring
harness
protective
cover
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

0012529

Fig
.
6
.



Engine
bulkhead
wiring
harness
cover
screws
(arrows)
.

WINDSHIELD
WIPER
ASSEMBLY

Fig
.
7
.



Right
side
plenum
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.

7
.
On
driver's
side
of
air
plenum,
push
aside
wiring
har-

ness
and
remove
screw
retaining
plenum
.
Pull
plenum

up
andremove
from
engine
compartment
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

001¿534

Fig
.
8
.



Remove
screw
at
A
and
pull
plenum
housing
upward
.

8
.
On
6-cylinder
models
:
Remove
plastic
top
engine
cov-
ers
.
See
110Engine
Removal
and
Installation
.

NOTE-

Cover
ínside
edges
of
cowlpanelsheet
metal
with
thick
tape
to
prevent
damage
during
wiper
assembly
remov-
al
.

9
.
Remove
large
nut
and
washer
at
base
of
wiper
arm

shafts
cowi
panel
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

10
.
Remove
wiper
assembly
support
.
See
Fig
.
10
.

6
.
On
passenger
side
of
air
plenum,
push
aside
wiring



11
.
Separateharness
at
bulkhead
connector
.
See
Fig
.
11
.

harness
and
remove
twoscrews
retaining
plenum
housing
.
See
Fig
.
7
.



12
.
Wrap
protective
tape
around
wiper
shaft
on
driver's
side
to
prevent
damaging
painted
metal
during
remov-
al
.

Fig
.
9
.



Wiper
shaft
nut
at
cowl
(arrow)
.

Fig
.
10
.
Wiper
assembly
support
bolts
(arrows)
.

0012533
0012535

Fig
.
11
.
Wiper
assembly
electrical
connector
(arrow)
.

0012536

13
.
Push
wiper
arm
shaft
down
into
cowl
area
and
maneu-

ver
wiper
assembly
out
of
cowl
.

WIPERS
AND
WASHERS



611-
5

14
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,noting
the
following
:

"
Install
all
fasteners
finger-tight
first
.

"
Once
installed,
wiper
motor
should
first
be
run
to

parked
position
and
switched
off
.

"
Next,
instaf
wiper
arms
butnotblades
.

"
Close
hood
and
fit
wiper
blades
.

"
Check
all
electrical
harness
fittings
and
sealing
grom-

mets
for
correct
reinstallation
.
Replace
any
wire
ties

cut
off
during
removal
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Wiper
shaft
nut
at
cowl
.............
12
Nm
(9
ft-Ib)

"
Wiper
support
to
wiper
assembly

orto
body
..
..
..
.
...............
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)

"
Wiper
arm
to
wiper
shaft
..........
25
Nm
(18
ft-lb)

Windshieldwiper
assembly,
removing
and

installing
(2-door
modeis)

NOTE-

The
wiper
arms
should
be
in
the
parked
position
before
removing
the
wiper
assembly
.
To
avoid
damaging
the
wiper
arms
and
pivots,
donotmanually
sidde
or
force
the
wiper
arm
across
the
windshield
.

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)cablefrom
battery
.

CAUTION-

"
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
bat-
tery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.

"
Use
fendercover
to
protect
windshield
.

2
.
Remove
wiper
arms
as
described
earlier
.

3
.
Place
engine
hood
in
service
position
.
See410
Fend-

ers,
Engine
Hood
.

4
.
Remove
trim
retainers
at
left
and
right
side
and
remove

air
plenum
grill
.
See
Fig
.
12
.

5
.
Remove
screws
retaining
wiring
harness
protective

cover
.
See
Fig
.
13
.

6
.
On
passenger
side
of
air
plenum,push
aside
wiring

harness
and
remove
two
screws
retaining
plenum

housing
.
See
Fig
.
14
.

WINDSHIELD
WIPER
ASSEMBLY

611-
6



WIPERS
AND
WASHERS

Fig
.
12
.
Left
side
air
plenum
grill
trim
retainers
(arrows)
.

uu12529
Fig
.
13
.
Engine
bulkhead
wiring
harness
cover
screws
(arrows)
.

WINDSHIELD
WIPER
ASSEMBLY

Fig
.
15
.
Remove
screw
at
A
and
pull
plenum
upward
.

0012635

Fig
.
14
.
Right
side
plenum
retaining
screws
(black
arrows)
.
Note
positive
leads
to
main
(+)
connector
(white
arrow)
.

7
.
On
driver's
side
of
air
plenum,
push
aside
wiring
har-

ness
and
remove
screw
retaining
pienum
.
Pull
plenum

up
and
remove
from
engine
bay
.
See
Fig
.
15
.

8
.
On
passenger
side
of
engine
compartment
bulkhead,

remove
engine
control
module
(ECM)
compartment

cover
.
See
Fig
.
16
.

9
.
Disconnectharness
connector(s)
from
ECM
and
auto-
matic
transmission
control
module
(if
applicable)
.
Care-
fully
pull
harness
and
wire
loomas
far
forward
as
possible
.
If
necessary,disconnect
positive
leads
at
main
(+)
connector
.

10
.
Remove
wiper
assembly
mounting
fasteners
.
See
Fig
.
17
.

620-
4
INSTRUMENTS

MULTI-INFORMATION
DISPLAY
(MID)

Severa¡
different
versionsof
the
Multi-Information
Display,

have
been
installed
in
E36
cars
.
The
top-of-the-line
model
is

called
the
Oh-BoardComputer
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

Ambient
temperature/ciock

Check
control/clock

0013028

Fig
.
8
.



Different
versions
of
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
installed
in
E36
cars
.

Multi-Information
Display,

removing
and
installing

The
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
is
illuminated
by
bulbs
.

It
mustbe
removed
to
replace
the
bulbs
.
Bulb
replacement
is

included
in
this
procedure
.

1
.
Remove
dashboard
parcel
shelf
.
Reach
under
MID

module
and
pushoutward
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

2
.
Slide
harness
retaining
lever
forward
to
release
MID

from
wiring
harness
.
See
Fig
.
10
.

3
.
To
Rmove
a
faulty
bulb,
use
anarrow
screwdriver
to

turn
bulb
base
45°
counter
clockwíse
.
See
Fig
.
11
.

MULTI-INFORMATIONDISPLAY
(MID)

111

Fig
.
9
.



Removing
the
Multi-Information
Display(MID)
module
.

0012564

Fig
.
10
.
MID
wiring
harness
release
lever
(arrows)
.

Fig
.
11
.
Turn
bulb
base
45°
counterclockwise
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

0012566

640-2



HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING

3
.
Remove
wiring
harness
retaining
clip
at
bulkhead
.
Re-

move
screws
retaining
wiring
harness
cover
and
pull

cover
forward
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

0012529

Fig
.
2
.
Ming
harness
cover
screws
at
base
ofwindshield
(arrows)
.

4
.
On
passenger
side,
push
aside
wiring
harness
and
re-

move
two
screws
retaining
plenum
housing
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Fig
.
3
.



Ríghtside
plenum
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.

VU1L535

5
.
On
driverside,
push
aside
wiring
harness
and
remove

screw
retaining
plenum
.
Pull
plenum
up
and
remove
from
engine
bay
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

6
.
Unclip
blower
motor
housing
cover,
disconnect
control

cable,
and
turn
center
retainer
1
/4
turn
to
remove
cover
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

7
.
Disconnect
electrical
connectors
from
blower
motor
.

8
.
Remove
left
upper
section
of
blower
housingby
detach-
ing
spring
clipsat
edge
of
housing
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS

Fig
.
4
.



Remove
screw
at
A
and
pull
air
plenumupward
.

0012534

0012636

Fig
.
5
.



Blower
motor
housing
clips
(A)
;
control
cable
(B)
;
and
center
retainer(C)
.

i
[u6,

Fig
.
6
.



Spring
clips
(arrows)
on
driver
sideof
blower
housing
.

640-4



HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING

Heater
box,
removing
and
installing

The
heater
box,
located
underneath
thecenter
of
the
dash-

board,
houses
theheater
core,
the
A/C
evaporator,
and
asso-

ciated
sensors
and
actuators
.
Removal
of
theheater
box

requires
that
the
A/C
refrigerant
be
discharged
.

CAUTION-

"
Removing
the
heater
box
requires
evacuating
the
AIC
system
.
DO
NOT
attempt
this
procedure
without
proper
tools
and
training
.

"
Any
person
who
services
a
motor
vehicle
air
con-

ditioner
must,
by
law,
be
properly
trained
and
cer-
tified,
and
use
approved
refrigerant
recycling
equipment
.
Technicians
must
complete
an
EPA-
approved
recycling
course
to
be
certified
UU12639

Fig
.
10
.
Heater
core
mounting
nuts
at
left
sideof
bulkhead
(arrow)
.

1
.
Drain
engine
coolant
.
See
170
Radiator
and
Cooling



wiper
assembly
shown
removed
for
clarity
.

System
.

2
.
Remove
complete
dashboard
.
See513
Interior
Trim
.

3
.
Remove
blower
motoras
described
earlier
.

4
.
Remove
nut
retaining
water
hose
flange
to
rear
bulk-
head
.
I'ush
flange
to
one
side
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

Fig
.
9
.



Nut
retaining
coolant
hose
flangeat
bulkhead
(arrow)
.

NOTE-

Clear
any
remaining
coolant
from
the
heater
core
by
blowing
compressed
air
finto
the
coolant
feed
hose
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS

0012638b

6
.
Cut
wire
tie
holding
wire
harness
to
heater
box
and
dis-

connect
cable
harness
connector
from
heater
box
.
See

Fig
.
11
.

0012647

Fig
.
11
.
Harness
connectors
(A)
and
cable
tie
(B)
at
heaterbox,
under
driver
side
dash
.

7
.
Followingmanufacturer's
instructions,
connect
ap-

proved
refrigerant
recovery/recycling/recharging
unitto

A/C
system
and
discharge
system
.

8
.
Unbolt
A/C
refrigerantlines
flange
from
engine
bay
bulkhead
.
See
Fig
.
12
.

9
.
On
models
with
rotary-knob
A/C
control
head
:
Discon-
5
.
Remove
nuts
from
heater
box
retaining
bracket
on
en-



nect
wiring
harness
connectors
to
A/C
control
module
gine
bulkhead
left
side
.
See
Fig
.
10
.
Repeat
procedure



in
center
console
and
remove
module
.
See
Fig
.
13
.
for
right
side
nuts
.

640-8



HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING

0012649

Fig
.
22
.
A/
C
control
head
faceplate
screwson
rotary
knob
version
(ar-
rows)
.
Once
screws
are
removed,
faceplate
must
be
un-
clipped
from
control
head
.

Fig
.
23
.
Push
control
panel
out
ofcenter
console
.

4
.
Remove
harness
connectors
.
Unfasten
heater
duct
control
flex-shaft
on
right
side
of
control
head
by
squeezing
retaining
tab
.
PA
shaftout
of
coupling
in
control
head
and
remove
head
.

5
.
Installation
is
reverseof
removal
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS

0012650

Heater
and
A/C
control
head,

removing
and
installing(digital-display)

1
.
Remove
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
module
from

center
of
dash
.
See
620
Instruments
.

2
.
Reach
into
dash
through
MID
opening
and
push
A/C

control
head
outwards
.

3
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
and
remove
control

head
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal

Heater
andA/C
control
module,

removing
and
installing
(rotary-knob)

1
.
Remove
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
module
from

center
of
dash
.
See
620
Instruments
.

2
.
Remove
center
console
.
See
513
Interior
Trim
.

3
.
Disconnect
wiring
harness
connectors
to
A/C
control

module
in
center
console
and
removemodule
.
See
Fig
.

24
.

0013007
Fig
.
24
.
A/
C
control
module
(A)
in
center
console
.
Arrows
point
to
electrical
harness
connectors
at
A/Cmodule
.

Heater
and
A/C
control
module,

removing
and
installing(digital-display)

TheA/C
control
module
for
cars
with
the
digital
display
is
mounted
on
the
back
of
the
control
head
.
See
Fig
.
25
.

1
.
Remove
control
head
as
described
earlier
and
place
onan
anti-static
mat
.