1996 BMW 323i Stall

541-
6



CONVERTIBLE
TOP

3
.
Remove
headliner,
starting
from
front
and
working



7
.
Remove
fasteners
in
bottom
of
storage
compartments

backward
.
Note
arrangement
and
lacing
of
tensioning



behind
door
posts
and
lift
out
complete
top
.
Note
num

cable
so
it
can
be
reinstalled
in
its
original
configura-



ber
of
shims
on
horizontal
mounting
bolt
.
See
Fig
.
12
.

tion
.
See
Fig
.
10
.

0012748

Fig
.
10
.
Headliner
tensioning
cable
and
some
of
its
retaining
eyelets
(arrows)
.

4
.
Disconnect
electrical
harness
connector
from
S4
mi-

croswitch
in
middle
linkage
of
convertible
top
.

5
.
Disconnect
electric
motor
linkage
rods
in
convertible

top
storage
compartment
behind
left
rearseat
.
See
Fig
.

Vizib1

Fig
.
11
.
Convertible
top
linkage
rods(arrows)
in
compartment
behind
left
rear
seat
.

POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

8
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Be
sure
to
replace
U-

shaped
shims
on
horizontal
mounting
bolts
.
See
Fig
.

13
.

0012754

Fig
.
13
.
Horizontalpositioning
bolt
(A)
and
U-shaped
adjusting
shims
(B)
for
convertible
top
.
One
of
two
main
mounting
nuts
(ar-
rows)
also
visible
.

6
.
Pull
electrical
harness
through
to
disengage
from
top
.



9
.
To
adjust
position
and
fit
oftop,
Rmove
or
add
U-
shaped
shims
until
top
is
properly
aligned
.
Tighten
nuts

and
screws
.

Convertible
top
drive
motor,
replacing



5
.
Working
in
convertible
top
storage
compartment
be-
hind
driver's
seat,
remove
convertible
top
linkage
rods
1
.
Open
convertible
top
partially,
stopping
when
convert-



from
top
of
motor
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
11
.
ible
top
lid
is
fully
upen
.
Remove
lid
.

2
.
Release
luggage
compartment
lock-out
by
pressing
on
microswitch
in
right
convertible
top
lid
latch
.
See
Fig
.

14
.

0012745

Fig
.
14
.
Rightside
convertible
top
lid
latch
.
Arrow
points
to
location
of
luggage
compartment
lock-out
microswitch
.

3
.
Open
luggage
compartment
.
Remove
trim
and
inner

lining
from
left
side
of
compartment
.

4
.
Disconnect
electrical
harness
connectors
at
top
motor
.

Release
emergency
release
cable
from
lever
.
Push
le-

ver
up
to
release
motor
.
See
Fig
.
15
.

uu12759

Fig
.
15
.
Convertible
top
motor
(A)
and
release
lever
(B)
in
luggage

compartment
.

CONVERTIBLE
TOP



541-
7

6
.
Remove
four
fastenersholding
motor
to
body
and
re-

move
motor
through
luggage
compartment
.
See
Fig
.

16
.

0012761

Fig
.
16
.
Convertible
top
motor
mountingscrews
(arrows)
.
Gasket
(A)
mustbe
renewed
when
motor
is
replaced
.

7
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Keep
the
following
in

mind
:

"
Replace
sealing
gasket
between
top
of
motor
and

body
.

"
Securemotormountingscrews
with
Locktite
®
270
or
equivalent
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Convertible
top
motor
to
body

mountingscrews
...
...
.
.
.........
10
Nm
(7
.5
ft-Ib)

Convertible
Top
Emergency
Operation

A
malfunction
in
the
electrical
system
or
another
fault
in
the

convertible
top
mechanism
can
cause
the
automatic
or
semi-
automatic
top
to
be
stuck
in
open,
shut,
or
intermediate
posi-

tion
.
The
following
general
procedures
are
suggested
in
order

to
close
the
top
in
an
emergency
situation
.
Resetting
proce-

dures
for
convertible
top
synchronization
after
emergency
clo-

sure
are
beyond
the
scope
of
this
manual
.

Main
Motor
.
To
release
thetop
linkage
from
the
motor,
lift

the
left
comer
of
the
rearseat
to
access
emergency
release

handle
.
See
Fig
.
17
.

POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

Convertible
Top
Lid

The
components
of
the
convertible
top
lid
are
shown
in
Fig
.
20
.

Fig
.
20
.
Components
of
the
convertible
top
lid
.

ROLLOVER
PROTECTION
SYSTEM

The
lid
latches
are
cable
operated
by
a
drive
motor
located
in
the
left
sideof
the
luggagecompartment,
behind
the
trim
lin-

er
.
The
same
motor
is
used
to
raise
and
lower
the
lid
during

automatic
convertible
topoperation
.

The
latch
cables
must
be
adjusted
so
that
the
lidfits
snugly
against
the
body
when
locked
.

The
lid
drive
motor
can
be
removed
and
replaced
from
the

luggage
compartment
.

Two
spring-locaed
cassettes
are
mounted
behind
the
rear
seat
.
A
single
rollover
sensor,
mounted
on
the
left
cassette,
signals
the
convertible
top
module
(CVM)
of
animminent
roll-
over,
whereupon
the
module
triggers
both
cassettes
within

3j10th
of
a
second
.
See
Fig
.
21
.

Once
the
cars
ignition
has
been
switched
on,
the
rollover

sensor
performs
a
self-test
lasting
6
seconds
.
During
this
time

a
yellow
warning
light
is
lit
on
the
dashboard
.
If
thewarning
lightfails
to
go
out
after
6
seconds,
this
means
that
a
fault
has

been
detected
in
the
system
.
The
fault
is
stored
in
the
CM

Faults
canbe
retrieved
and
diagnosedby
special
diagnostic

equipment
.

NOTE-

Diagnosis
of
the
convertible
top
and
the
Rollover
Pro-
tection
System
are
beyond
the
scope
of
this
book
.
Your
authorized
BMW
dealer
has
the
proper
diagnostic
equipment
and
tools
to
carry
out
these
tasks
.

CONVERTIBLE
TOP



541-
9

Fig
.
21
.
Construction
of
the
rollover
protection
cassette
.

After
deployment,
thedetent
pawl
in
a
rollover
protection
cassette
can
be
retracted
using
the
special
tool
in
the
tool
kit,
fitted
to
the
screwdriver
handle
.
The
rear
seatheadrest
needs
to
be
raised
for
this
procedure
.

WARNING
-

Ensure
that
the
area
above
and
adjacent
to
the
roll-
over
bars
remains
clear
and
unobstructed
at
all
times
.

CAUTION-

"
Itis
not
possible
to
close
the
convertible
top
with
the
rollover
bars
extended
.

"
If
a
hardtop
is
mounted,
be
sure
to
install
the
pro-
tective
rollover
bar
covers
provided
with
the
hard-
top
to
prevent
damaglng
the
rear
window
in
case
of
deployment
.

0012744

ROLLOVER
PROTECTION
SYSTEM

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

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

Fig
.
29
.
Transmission
gear-position/neutral
safety
switch
under
center
console
.
Squeeze
connector
tabs
(arrows)
to
disengage
har-
ness
connector

ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS



610-
9

6263

Fig
.
30
.
Back-up
light
switch
(arrow)
on
transmission
.
(Switch
may
be
found
on
right
or
left
sideof
transmission,
depending
on
ap-
plication
.)

Fig
.
31
.
ASS
wheel
speed
sensor
(arrow)
in
front
steering
arm
.

Component
Location
Table

Table
a
is
a
cross-referenced
listing
of
electrical
compo-

nents
in
E36
vehicles
beginning
onpage
10
.
In
addition
to
lo-

cation
descriptions,
where
possiblethere
is
areference
to
a

figure
showing
the
component
.

NOTE-

-
Every
component
is
not
installed
in
everycar
.

"
Due
to
changes
in
production,
component
locations
may
vary
.
Consult
your
BMW
dealer
forthe
latest
in-
formation
.

"
The
figure
numbers
are
all
within
this
section
.
Many
other
electrical
components
are
illustrated
throughout
this
book
.
Consult
the
main
index

"
The
gear-position/neutral
safetyswitch
is
aleo
some-
times
referred
to
as
the
automatic
transmission
range
switch
.

"
The
EWS
11
system
is
also
sometimes
referredto
as
the
Driveaway
Protection
System
or
the
electronic
im-
mobilization
system
.

"
All-Season
Traction
(AST)
is
also
sometímes
referred
to
as
ASC
or
ASC+T
.

0012117

COMPONENT
LOCATIONS