Please
read
these
warnings
and
cautions
before
proceeding
with
maintenance
and
repair
work
.
CAUTION-
"
See
also
Warnings
onpage
vi¡
"
Beforedoing
any
electrical
welding
on
cars
equipped
with
ABS,
disconnect
the
battery
negative
(-)
terminal
(ground
strap)
and
the
"
If
you
lack
the
skills,
tools
and
equipment,
ora
suitable
work-
ABS
control
unit
connector
.
shop
for
any
procedure
described
in
this
manual,
we
suggest
you
leave
such
repairs
to
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
or
other
qualified
"
On
cars
equipped
with
anti-theft
radios,
make
sureyou
know
the
shop
.
correct
radio
activation
code
before
disconnecting
the
battery
or
removing
the
radio
.
lf
the
wrong
code
is
entered
into
the
radio
"
BMW
is
constantly
improving
its
cars
and
sometimes
these
when
power
is
restored,
that
radio
may
lock
up
and
be
renderedchanges,
both
in
parts
and
specifications,
are
made
applicable
to
inoperable,
even
if
the
correct
code
is
thenentered
.
earlier
models
.
Therefore,
part
numbers
listed
in
this
manual
are
for
reference
only
.
Always
check
with
your
authorized
BMW
dealer
"
Always
make
sure
ignition
is
off
before
disconnecting
battery
.
parts
department
for
the
latest
information
.
"
Label
battery
cablesbefore
disconnecting
.
Onsome
models,
"
Before
starting
a
job,
make
certain
that
you
have
all
the
neces-
battery
cablesarenot
color
coded
.
sary
tools
and
parts
on
hand
.
Read
al¡
the
instructions
thoroughly,
do
not
attempt
shortcuts
.
Use
tools
appropriate
to
the
work
and
"
Disconnecting
the
battery
may
erase
fault
code(s)
stored
in
con-
use
only
replacement
parts
meeting
BMW
specifications
.
Make-
trol
module
memory
Using
special
BMW
diagnostíc
equipment,
shift
tools,
parts
and
procedures
will
not
make
good
repairs
.
check
forfault
codes
prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery
cables
.If
the
Check
Engine
light
is
illuminated,
see100
Engine-General
for
"
Use
pneumatic
and
electric
tools
only
to
loosenthreaded
parts
On-Board
Diagnostics
(OBD)
fault
code
information
.
lf
any
other
and
fasteners
.
Never
use
these
tools
to
tighten
fasteners,
espe-
system
faults
have
been
detected
(indicated
by
an
ílluminated
cially
on
light
alloy
parts
.
Always
use
a
torque
wrench
to
tighten
warning
light),
see
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
fasteners
to
the
tightening
torque
specification
listed
.
"
If
a
normal
or
rapid
charger
is
used
to
charge
battery,
the
battery
"Be
mindful
of
the
environment
and
ecology
.
Before
you
drain
the
mustbe
disconnected
and
removed
fromthe
vehicle
in
order
to
crankcase,
find
outthe
proper
way
to
dispose
of
the
oil
.
Do
not
avoid
damaging
paint
and
upholstery
pour
oil
onto
the
ground,
down
a
drain,
or
into
a
stream,
pond
orlake
.
Dispose
of
in
accordance
withFederal,
State
and
Local
laws
.
"Do
not
quick-chargethe
battery
(for
boost
starting)
for
longer
than
one
minute
.
Wait
at
least
one
minute
before
boosting
the
bat-
e
If
battery
power
is
lost
or
the
battery
has
been
disconnected,
the
tery
a
second
time
.
powerwindows
must
be
re-initialized
.
Both
one
touch
up/down
and
pinch-protection
will
be
inactive
until
windows
are
re-initial-
"
Connect
and
disconnect
a
battery
charger
only
with
the
battery
ized
.
See
512
Door
Windows
.
charger
switched
off
.
"
The
control
module
for
the
anti-lock
brake
system
(ABS)
cannot
withstand
temperatures
from
a
paint-drying
booth
or
aheat
lamp
in
excess
of
203°F
(95°C)
and
should
not
be
subjected
to
temper-
atures
in
excess
of
185°F
(85°C)
for
more
than
twohours
.
"
Sealed
or
"maintenance
free"
batteries
shouldbeslow-charged
only,
at
anamperage
ratethat
is
approximately
10%
of
the
bat-
tery's
ampere-hour
(Ah)
rating
.
"
Do
not
allow
battery
chargingvoltage
to
exceed
16
.5
volts
.
If
the
battery
begins
producing
gas
or
boiling
violently,
reduce
the
charg-
ing
rate
.
Boosting
a
sulfated
battery
at
a
high
charging
rate
can
cause
an
explosion
.
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
650-2
RADIO
"
A
320-watt
Harmon-Kardon
ten
speaker
system,
including
RADIO
AND
SPEAKER
SERVICE
a
separate
high
power
multi-channel
audio
amplifier
and
two
sub-woofers
.
In
this
system,
thebass
and
volume
out-
puts
from
the
selected
audiosource
automatically
com-
Radio,
removing
and
installing
pensate
for
vehicle
speed,
making
constant
volume
adjustments
unnecessary
.
An
additional
feature
ofthis
CAUTION-
sound
system
is
the
ability
to
switch
from
normal
left-right
"
Before
beginning
work
on
the
radio
or
sound
stereo
into
Spatial
Enhancement
Mode,
which
produces
a
system,
verify
that
the
radio
is
an
original
equip-
fuller,
rounder
sound
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
ment
BMW
radio
and
that
thewiring
harness
has
not
been
modified
.
TheE36
radio
is
also
equipped
with
a
built-in
anti-theft
sys-
tem
.
lf
power
is
removed
from
the
radio
circuitry
by
removing
the
radio
electrical
connectors,
or
by
disconnecting
the
bat-
tery,
the
radio
is
rendered
inoperative
.
The
radio
is
not
perma-
nently
damaged,
and
proper
operation
can
be
restored
by
entering
the
radio
anti-theft
code
.
Fig
.
3
.
Ten
speaker
sound
system
.
RADIO
AND
SPEAKER
SERVICE
"
Servicing
of
aftermarket
sound
equipment
should
be
referredto
an
authorized
agent
of
the
equip-
ment's
manufacturer
.
"
Do
not
remove
radio
or
disconnect
the
batterywithout
first
obtaining
the
anti-theft
code
.
1.
Carefully
pry
open
small
square
covers
at
left
and
right
sides
of
radio
.
WARNING
Your
common
sense,
good
judge-
ment,
and
general
alertness
are
cru-
cial
to
safe
and
successful
service
work
.
Befcre
attempting
any
work
on
your
BMW,
read
the
warnings
and
cautions
on
page
vi¡
and
the
copyright
page
at
the
frontof
the
manual
.
Review
these
warnings
and
cautions
each
time
you
prepare
to
workon
your
BMW
.
Please
also
read
any
warnings
and
cautions
that
accom-
pany
the
procedures
in
the
manual
.
Door
glass
See
Door
windows
Door
windows
general
information
512-1
front
door
window
(2-door
models)
adjusting
512-7
removing/installing
512-5
front
door
window
(4-door
models)
initíalizing
512-1
removing/installing
512-2
rear
door
window
(4-door
models)
removing/installing
512-4
fixed
glass,
removing/installing
512-
4
rear
vent
window
or
vent
latch,
replacing
(2-door
models)
512-11
window
regulator
and
motor,
removing/installing
512-12
window
regulator
service
512-12Doorcheck
See
DoorsDoor
handle
See
Centrallocking
and
anti-theft
Door
panel
See
Doors
Doors
general
information
411-1
door
adjustment
411-2door
check,
replacing
411-2
door
panels
411-3
doors411-1
front
orrear
door,removing/installing
411-1
front
door
panel,
removing/installing
411-3
rear
door
panel,
removing/installing
411-4
rearsidepanel,
removing/installing
(two-door
model)
411-4
Drive
axle
See
Rear
suspension
Driveability
troubleshooting
See
Engine-general
Driveshaft
general
information
260-1
center
bearing
assembly,
replacing
260-6
driveshaft,
aligning
260-3
driveshaft,
installing
260-4
Driveshaft
(cont
.)
driveshaft,
removing260-4
driveshaftservice
260-3
flex-disc,
replacing
260-5
front
centering
guide,
replacing
260-7
guibo
See
flex-disc
troubleshooting260-1
ECM
(engine
control
module)
pin
assignment
See
Fuel
injection
Electrical
circuit
See
Electrical
system-general
Electrical
component
locations
general
information
610-1
auxíliary
relay
panel
610-2
component
location
table
610-9
component
locations
610-3
fuse
position
tables
610-19
fuse
positions
610-1
relay
positions
610-2
splice
panel,
left
610-2
splice
panel,
right
610-3
Electrical
system-general
general
information
600-1
continuity,
checking
600-5
electrical
test
equipment
600-2
safety
precautions
600-1
short
circuits
600-5
short
circuit,
testing
with
ohmmeter
600-6
short
circuit,
testing
with
voltmeter
600-6
troubleshooting
600-3
voltage,
measuring600-4
voltage
and
polarity
600-1
voltage
and
voltage
drops
600-4
voltage
drop,
testing
600-4
wiring
codes
and
abbreviations
600-2
wiring
diagrams
600-2
wiring,
fuses
and
relays
600-1
Electrical
wiring
diagrams
general
information
ELE-1
wiring
diagrams
ELE-2
ABS
ELE-117
ABS/AST
ELE-120
airbag
(supplemental
restraint
system)
ELE-140
air
conditioning
and
heating
ELE-
129
anti-theft
(Alpine)
system
ELE-144
anti-theft
(EWS
II)
ELE-150
body
computer
module
ELE-176
charging
system
ELE-67
convertible
top
ELE-253
cruise
control
ELE-112
data
link
connector
ELE-86
engine
cooling
ELE-94
engine
management
ELE-70
exterior
lights
ELE-194
ground
distribution
ELE-35
headlights/foglights
ELE-180
INDEX
3
Electrical
wiring
diagrams
(cont
.)
heated
seats
ELE-245
horns
ELE-153
instrument
panel
ELE-165
interior
lights/illumination
ELE-211
lumbar
control
ELE-247
on-board
computer
ELE-173
park
ventilation
ELE-139
power
distribution
ELE-2
power
door
locks
ELE-226
power
mirrors
ELE-241
power
seats
ELE-243
power
sunroof
ELE-248
power
windows
ELE-231
radio/cassette/CD/speakers
ELE-
255
rear
window
defogger
ELE-160
shift
interlock
ELE-110
starting
ELE-63
transmission
electronics
ELE-96
warning
systems`
.
chimes
ELE-178
wiper/washer
ELE-154
Emergencies
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Engine-general
general
information
100-1
air
flow
measurement
and
vacuum
leaks
100-12
basic
engine
settings
100-11
basic
requirements
100-11
battery
voltage
100-12connecting
rods
and
pistons
100-1
cooling
system
100-5
cylinder
block
and
crankshaft100-1
cylinder
compression,
checking
100-6
cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
100-2
DISA
(dual
resonance
intake
system)
100-3,130-3
driveability
troubleshooting
100-8
engine
management
system
100-3
fuel
delivery
100-5
fuel
supply
100-14ground
connections
100-13
ignition
100-5
lubrication
system100-5
mechanical
troubleshooting
100-5
on-board
diagnostics
(OBD)
100-8
oxygen
sensors
100-11
preventive
maintenance
100-11
VANOS
(variable
valve
timing)
100-2warningsand
cautions
100-5
wiring
andharness
connections100-
13Engine
control
module
(ECM)
See
Fuel
injection
Engine
removal
and
installation
general
information
110-1
engine,
removing/installing(4-cylinder
engines)
110-1
engine,
removing/installing
(6-cylinder
engines)
110-4
Engine
coolant
temperature
(ECT)
sensor
See
Fuel
injection
Engine
hood
See
Fenders,
enginehood
8
INDEX
Speakers
See
Radio
SRS
(Supplemental
restraint
system)
See
Airbag
system
(SRS)
Starter
See
Battery,
starter,
alternator
Steering
and
wheel
alignment
general
information
320-1
caster
and
camber
320-5
front
toe-in
and
toe
difference
angle
320-6
outer
tie
rod
end,
replacing
320-4
power
steering
pump,
removing/
installing
320-2
power
steering
system
320-2
power
steering
system,
bleeding/filling
320-3
rear
toe-in
320-6
steering
gear320-3
steering
gear
rack,
removing/installing
320-3
steering
wheel
320-1
steering
wheel,
removing/installing
320-1
tie
rod,
replacing
320-5
wheel
alignment
320-5
wheel
alignment
specifications
320-6
Steering
gear
See
steering
and
wheel
alignment
Strut
See
Front
suspension
Subframe
See
Front
suspension
Sunroof
general
information
540-1
motor,
removing/installing
540-3
panel,
adjusting
540-2
panel,
emergency
closing
540-2
Suspension,
front
See
Front
suspension
Suspension,
rear
See
Rear
suspension
Suspension,
steering
and
brakes
general
information
300-1
al¡
season
traction
(AST)
300-4
antilock
brake
system
(ABS)
300-2
brakes
300-2
front
suspension
300-1
integrated
systems
300-2
M3
suspension
and
brakes
300-7
steering
300-2
rear
suspension
300-2suspension
and
steering
troubleshooting
300-7
tires
and
wheels300-2
T
Switches
and
electrical
accessories
general
information
612-1
dome
light,
rear
map
lights,
trunk
light,
replacing
bulbs
612-7
hazard
warning
switch,
replacing
612-5
headlight
switch,
replacing
612-5
foglight
switch,
replacing
612-5
ignition
electrical
switch,
replacing
612-3
ignition
lock
cylinder,
replacing
612-4
ignition
switch
assembly
612-3
outside
mirror
switch,
replacing
612-6
power
window
switch,
replacing
612-5
turn
signal
switch
and
wiper
switch,
removing/installing
612-1
wiper
switch
See
turn
signal
and
wiper
switch
Taillight
See
Exterior
lighting
Thermostat
See
Cooling
system
Throttleposition
sensor
(TPS)
See
Fuel
injection
Throw-out
bearing
See
ClutchTierod
See
Steering
and
wheel
alignment
Tires
See
Suspension,
steering
and
brakes-general
See
also
Maintenance
program
Timing
chain
See
Camshaft
timing
chain
Toe-in
See
Steering
and
wheel
alignment
Tools
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Torque
convector
See
Automatic
transmission
Towing
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Traction
control
See
also
Suspension,
steering
and
brakes-general
Trailing
arm
See
Rear
suspension
Transmission-general
See
also
Automatic
transmission
See
also
Manual
transmission
general
information
200-1
automatic
transmission
200-1
manual
transmission
200-1
transmission
ID
codes
200-2
Transmission
fluid
See
Maintenance
program
See
also
Automatic
transmission
Transmission
input
shaft
See
Manual
transmission
Transmission
output
shaft
See
Manual
transmission
Trim,
interior
See
Interior
trim
Trunk
lid
general
information
412-1
trunk
lid,
412-1
trunk
lid,
aligning
412-1
trunk
lid,
removing/installing
412-1
trunk
lid
support
strut,
removing/
installing
412-2
U
Upholstery
See
Maintenance
program
U-joints
See
Driveshaft
V
V-belt
See
Maintenance
program
Vacuum
booster
See
Brakes
Vacuum
leaks
See
Engine-general
Valveguides
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valve
seals
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valveseats
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valves
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valvetrain
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
VANOS
(variable
valve
timing)
See
Camshaft
timing
chaín
See
also
Engine-general
Vehicle
identification
number
(VIN)
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Vehicle
speed
sensor
See
Instruments
Ventilation
See
Air
conditioning
See
also
Heating
Voltage
regulator
See
Battery,
starter,
alternator
Voltage
tests
See
Electrical
system-general
W
Warnings
vi¡
Washer
fluid
pump
See
Wipers
and
washers
Washers
See
Wipers
and
washers
Water
pump
See
Cooling
system
Waxing
See
Maintenance
program