GENERAL
This
repair
group
covers
removal
and
installation
of
the
front
and
rear
seats
.
FRONT
SEATS
The
front
seats
installed
in
E36
cars
come
in
either
manual
or
electrically
powered
versions
.
Cloth,vinyl
and
leather
ver-
sions
are
offered
.
M3
sport
seats
have
extra
bolsters
on
the
sides
of
the
sean-back,
a
thigh
support
bolster,
and
extra
con-
trols
for
sean
inclination
.
Seat
removal
and
installation
is
similar
for
all
versions
.
Seat
disassembly
differs
in
details
among
the
many
models
of
seats
.
Front
seat,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Move
seat
to
fui¡
forward
position
and
raise
it
as
far
as
possible
.
Remove
two
mounting
bolts
at
rear
of
sean
rails
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
2
.
Move
seat
to
fui¡
rear
position,
keeping
it
raised
.
3
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.
Fig
.1
.
Frontseat
rear
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
viii
.
520
Seats
SEATS
520-1
GENERAL
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..............
.
.
520-1
Rear
seat
cushion
and
backrest,
removing
and
installing
FRONT
SEATS
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
520-1
(fixed
seat
back
models)
......
.
.
.
...
.
...
520-5
Front
seat,
removing
and
installing
...
.
.
.
..'
520-1
Rear
seat
cushion
and
backrest,
Manual
Front
Seat
Assembly
.............
520-3
removing
and
installing
fold-downsean
back
models
(
)
..
.
.
..
..
.
...
520-5
Power
Fronf
Seat
Assembly
..
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
;
520-4
Rear
seat
backrest
side
section,
REAR
SEATS
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
............
.
...
520-5
removing
and
installing
(fold-down
seat
back
models)
..
.
.....
.
..
.520-6
4
.
Remove
plastic
caps
from
front
mounting
nuts,
and
then
remove
mounting
nuts
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
WARNING
-
Deactivate
front
seat
belt
lock
tensioners
before
proceeding
to
next
step
.
See720
Seat
Belts
.
NOTE-
Use
a
blanket
to
protect
door
sill
from
scuffing
bysean
rail
during
seatremoval
.
FRONT
SEA
TS
520-2
S
EATS
Fig
.
2
.
Frontseat
front
mounting
nut
(arrow)
.
FRONT
SEA
TS
0013166
5
.
On
2-door
cars
:
unhook
seat
belt
from
guide
on
seat
back
.
8
.
Remove
seatfrom
car
.
Fig
.
3
.
Seat
belt
mounting
bolt
(arrow)
.
0013216
9
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Keep
the
following
in
mind
:
6
.
Tilt
seat
back
to
access
and
unplug
electrical
harness
"
Use
wire
ties
orequivalent
means
to
keep
seat
har
connectors
.
Cut
or
untwist
wire
ties
as
necessary
.
ness
wiring
from
being
exposed
to
fraying
.
"
Reactivate
front
seat
belt
locks
.
7
.
On
4-door
cars
:
Unbolt
seat
belt
from
seat
frame
.
See
"
Start
all
seat
mounting
boits
.
Fig
.
3
.
"
Tighten
seat
mounting
fasteners
in
thís
sequence
:
in-
ner
front
;
outer
front
;
inner
rear,
outer
rear
.
Tightening
Torque
"
Front
seat
to
floor
........
.......
55
Nm
(41
ft-Ib)
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
610-$
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
Fig
.
24
.
Brake
pedalswitches
.
Fig
.
25
.
Driver
side
airbag
connector
(arrow)
.
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
0011751
Fig
.
26
.
Passenger
sideairbag
connector
(arrow)
behind
glove
com-
partment
.
Fig
.
27
.
Antenna
diversity
module
(arrow)
inleft
C-pillar
.
Fig
.
28
.
Right
side
offuel
tank
under
rear
seat
cushion
.
0013108
0013010
0013142
610-10
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
Component
Model
Year
Location
Refer
to
ABS
Hydraulic
Control
Unit
1992-1998
Left
rear
engine
compartment
undermaster
cylinder
Fig
.
7
.
Fig
.
10
.
ABS
Hydraulic
Control
Unit
Relay
1992-1998
Power
distribution
box
Fig
.
2
.
ABS
Pedal
Travel
Sensor
1992-1998
On
brake
booster
beside
master
cylinder
Fig
.
10
.
ABS
Relay
1992-1998
Power
distribution
box
Fig
.
2
.
ABS/AS
T
(Traction)
Control
Module
1992-1998
Behind
glove
compartment
Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.
ABS
Speed
Sensor,
Left
Front
1992-1998
Left
front
steering
arm
Fig
.
31
.
Wheel
ABS
Speed
Sensor,
Left
Rear
1992-1998
Left
rear
trailing
arm
Wheel
ABS
Speed
Sensor,
RightFront
11992-1998
Right
front
steering
arm
Wheel
ABS
Speed
Sensor,
Right
Rear
1992-1998
I
Left
rear
trailing
arm
Wheel
1
A/C
Compressor
1
1992-1998
(
Rightlower
frontof
engine
A/C
Compressor
Control
Relay
1
1992-1998
1992-1998
1992-1998
A/C
Control
Module
A/C
Evaporator
Temperature
Sensor
A/C
Pressure
Switch
1992-1998
Right
frontof
engine
compartment
A/C
Program
Switch
1992-1998
Center
of
dash
below
radio
A/CRecharging
Ports
1992-1998
Right
rear
engine
compartment
Fig
.
16
.
Air
Flow
Sensor
1992-1998
Between
throttle
housing
&
filter
housing
Fig
.
7
.
Airbag
Contact
Slip
Ring
1992-1998
Rear
ofsteering
wheel
Airbag,
Driver
1992-1998
In
center
of
steering
wheel
Fig
.
25
.
Airbag,
Passenger
1994-1998
Right
front
of
dash
above
glove
compartment
Fig
.
26
.
Airbag,
Side-Impact
1997-1998
Behind
right/left
front
door
panel
Airbag
Control
Module
(Basic)
1992-1993
Behind
glove
compartment
Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.
Airbag
Control
Module
(ZAE)
1994-1998
On
center
tunnel
under
rear
seat
cushion
Airbag
Crash
Sensor,
Airbag
1992-1993
On
righUleft
front
strut
tower
Airbag
Crash
Sensor,
Right/Left
1997-1998
Right/left
door
si¡¡
behind
front
seatSide
Impact
Alternator
(Generator)
1992-1998
Left
lowerfront
of
engine
Amplifier
Hi-fi
1992-1998
Left
front
side
of
luggage
compartment
Antenna
Amplifier
AM/FM
1992-1998
In
upper
left
side
C-pillar
Fig
.
27
.
COMPONENT
LOCA
TIONS
Table
a
.
E36
Component
Locations
Power
distribution
box
Fig
.
2
.
Behind
center
console
Left
sideof
heater
box
Continued
610-12
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
Table
a
.
E36
Component
Locations
Component
Model
Year
Location
Refer
to
Combination
(Stalk)
Switch
1993-1998
Left
sidesteering
column
(turn
signals/high-low
bean
switch)
Convertible
Top
ActuatingSwitch
1994-1998
Center
console
Convertible
Top
Control
Module
1994-1998
In
lower
left
C-pillar
behind
trim
panel
Convertible
TopEnd
Position
Switch
1994-1998
In
convertible
top
linkage
Convertible
Top
Motor
1994-1998
In
left
sideof
trunk
behind
trim
panel
Convertible
Top
Position
1994-1998
In
convertible
top
linkage
Microswitch
Convertible
Top
Storage
Lid
Lock
1994-1998
In
convertible
top
compartment
left
side
Motor
Convertible
Top
Storage
Lid
1994-1998
Inright
side
convertible
top
storage
lid
latch
Microswitch
Convertible
Top
Storage
Lid
Motor
1994-1998
In
left
side
of
trunk
behind
trim
panel
Coolant
Leve¡
Sensor
(if
applicable)
1992-1998
Bolted
on
radiator,
left
side
Coolant
Temperature
Sensor
1992-1998
Left
front
of
engine/cylinder
head
Fig
.
19
.
Fig
.
20
.
Cooling
Fan
Dual
Switch
1992-1998
Right
side
radiator
Fig
.
18
.
Cooling
Fan
Motor
1992-1998
Behind
front
grill
Crankshaft
Position/RPM
Sensor
1992-1995
At
front
crankshaft
pulley
Crankshaft
Position/RPM
Sensor
1996-1998
Left
rearof
crankcase
Crash
Sensor,
Airbag
1992-1993
On
right/left
frontstrut
tower
Crash
Control
Module
1992
Auxiliary
relay
panel
Crash
Control
Module
1993-1998
Driver's
side
footwell
Crash
Sensor,
Right/Left
Side
1997-1998
Right/left
door
sill
behind
front
seat
Impact
Airbag
Cruise
Control
Actuator
1992-1998
Left
front
of
engine
compartment
Fig
.
7
.
Cruise
Control
Module
1992-1998
Behind
glove
compartment
Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.
Data
Link
Connector
1992-1998
Right
sideof
engine
Fig
.
7
.
Digital
Motor
Electronics
(DME)
1992-1998
Right
rear
engine
compartment,
behind
bulkhead
panel
Fig
.
7
.
Control
Module
DoorLock
Heater
1993-1994
Left
front
doorhandle
DoorHandle
Switch
1994-1998
left
front
door
Drive-away
Protection
(EWS
II)
1/1995
-
1998
Behind
glove
compartment
Fig
.
8
.
Module
Fig
.
9
.
Dual
Coolant
Temperature
Sensor
1997-1998
Below
intake
manifold
Fig
.
19
.
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
Fig
.
20
.
Electronic
Immobilizer
Control
(
1/1995-1998
~
Behind
glove
compartment
Fig
.
8
.
Module
(EWS
II)
Fig
.
9
.
Continued
Tablea
.
E36
Component
Locations
Component
Model
Year
Location
Refer
to
Engine
Compartment
Light
Switch
1993-1996
Over
right
headlight
assembly
Fig
.
7
.
Engine
Control
Module
(ECM)
1992-1998
Right
rear
enginecompartment,
behind
bulkhead
panel
Fig
.
7
.
Engine
Control
Module
(System)
1992-1998
I
Power
distribution
box
Fig
.
2
.
Relay
Engine
Coolant
Leve¡
Sensor
1
1992-1998
1
Left
front
of
enginecompartment,
radiator
coolant
reservoir
Engine
Coolant
Temperature
1992-1998
I
Left
front
of
engine
under
intake
manifold
I
Fig
.
19
.
Sensor
Fig
.
20
.
Evaporative
Emission
Valve
1992-1998
Left
side
strut
Power
area
Evaporator
Temperature
Sensor
1992-1998
Left
side
of
heater
box
EWS
II
Control
Module
1/1995
-
1998
Behind
glove
compartment
Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.
EWS
II
Ring
Antenna
1
1/1995
-
1998
1
At
ignition
cylinder
EWS
II
Transmitter
Module
1/1995
-
1998
Right
side
of
steering
column
in
auxiliaryrelay
panel
Fig
.
3
.
Exhaust
Gas
Flap
Valve
1996-1998
Left
rear
muffler
area
Flasher
Relay
1992-1998
Power
distribution
box
Fig
.
2
.
Foglight
Relay
1
1992-1998
1
Power
distribution
box
1
Fig
.
2
.
Fresh
Air
FlapActuator
1
1992
1
Right
side
of
heater
box
Fresh
Air
FlapActuator
1
1993-1995
1
Below
right
side
heater
box
Fresh
Air
FlapActuator
1
1996-1998
Below
left
side
heater
box
Fuel
Injectors
1992
-
1998
Top
left
side
of
engine
Fuel
Leve¡
Sensor,
Left
1
1992-1998
/
Under
left
side
of
rear
seat
infuel
tank
Fuel
Leve¡
Sensor,
Right
1
1992-1998
1
Under
right
side
of
rear
seat
in
fuel
tank
1
Fig
.
28
.
Fuel
Pump
1
1992-1998
1
Under
right
side
of
rear
seat
in
fuel
tank
1
Fig
.
28
.
Fuel
Pump
Relay
1
1992-1998
1
Power
distribution
box
1
Fig
.
2
.
Fuel
Pump/Start
Identification
Relay
1994
-
1996
Power
distribution
box
Fuel
Tank
Pressure
Sensor
1
1997-1998
1
Right
rear
wheel
well
behind
trim
liner
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
610-13
Fuse
andRelay
x(Power
11992-1998
I
Left
side
of
engine
compartment
I
Fig
.
2
.
Distribution
Box
Fig
.
7
Fig
.
10
.
Gas
Filler
LockMotor
1992-1998
Right
side
of
luggage
compartment
Gear
Position/Neutral
Safety
Switch
1992-1998
Next
to
gear
shift
lever
in
center
console
Fig
.
29
.
(Automatic
Transmission
Range
Switch)
Glove
Compartment
Lock
Motor
1994-1998
Behind
glove
compartment
Grounds
G
100
1995-1998
Front
of
left
front
fender
(headlights)
Fig
.
22
.
G
101
1992-1998
Front
of
right
front
fender
Continued
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS