1997 BMW 328i rear

Taillight
assembly,

removing
and
installing

1
.
Open
trunk
lid
.
Remove
cover
from
rear
of
taillight
.
Re-

fer
to
Fig
.
11
.

2
.
Depress
locking
tabs
on
electrical
harness
convector

and
disconnect
from
rear
of
taillight
lens
assembly
.
Re-

move
four
taillight
assembly
retaining
nuts
.
See
Fig
.
13
.

0012574

Fig
.
13
.
Taillight
mounting
nuts
(arrows)
and
harness
connector
(A)
.

3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

Center
Brake
Light

On
convertible
models,
it
is
necessary
to
open
trunk
lid
and

remove
inner
tailgatetrim
adjacent
to
license
plate
light
as-

sembly
.
Then
remove
the
electrical
connectors
and
four
cen-

ter
brake
light
retaining
nuts
.
Push
center
brake
light
out
.

Replace
bulbs
if
necessary
.

On
4-door
and
coupe
models,
open
trunk
lid
.
Working
di-

rectly
under
center
brake
light,
turn
bulb
socket
counterclock-

wise
1
/4turn
andremove
from
center
brake
light
assembly
.

Replace
bulb
if
necessary
.
See
Fig
.
14
.

EXTERIOR
LIGHTING



630-
5

0012575

Fig
.
14
.
Turncenter
brake
light
socket
counterclockwise
and
remove
bulb
.

Center
brake
light
housing,
replacing

(4-door
andcoupe
models)

1
.
Remove
rear
window
parcel
shelf
.
See513
Interior
Trim
.

2
.
Depress
tabs
on
center
brake
light
electrical
connector

and
disconnect
.

3
.
Remove
retaining
screws
and
remove
socket
.

4
.
Replace
bulb
.

REAR
LIGHTING

630-
6



EXTERIOR
LIGHTING

License
plate
light,

removing
and
installing

1
.
With
trunk
lid
raised,
remove
lícense
plate
light
trim
panel
screws
.
See
Fig
.
15
.

0012576
Fig
.
15
.
Remove
screws
(arrows)
and
remove
license
plate
light
trim
panel
.

2
.
Using
a
flat
tipped
screw
driver,
pry
gently
on
right
side
of
license
plate
light
assembly
.
See
Fig
.
16
.

3
.
Lift
license
plate
light
assembly
from
sheetmetal
.
Re-
lease
harness
connector
locking
tabs
and
separate
harness
from
license
plate
light
electrical
connector
.

REAR
LIGHTING

Fig
.
16
.
Insert
screwdriver
(arrow)
.

NOTE
-

Inspect
bulb
contactsprings
for
damageand
corrosión
.
Reptace
socket
assembly
if
necessary
.

4
.
Installatíon
is
reverse
of
removal
.

0012577

GENERAL

E36
cars
are
equipped
with
integrated
automatic
heating

and
air
conditioning
systems
.
Many
of
the
procedures
given
in

this
repair
group
require
that
the
A/C
refrigerant
charge
be

evacuated
using
specialized
equipment
.
See
A/C
System
Warningsand
Cautions
later
in
this
repair
group
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS

Blower
motor,
removing
and
installing

NOTE-

On
6-cylinder
cars,
the
plastic
top
enginecover
and
fuel
rail
covermustbe
removed
.
The
fuel
injectorhamess
re-
taining
screws
must
be
removed
and
the
harness
set
aside
.
The
engine
control
module
(ECM)
cover
must
be
removed,
the
control
unit
connectors
unplugged
and
the
harness
pulled
out
of
the
way
.
See
130
Fuel
Injection
.

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.

2
.
Open
hood
.
Unclip
engine
bulkhead
plenum
grille
at

base
of
windshíeld
and
remove
grille
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING



640-1

640
Heating
and
Air
Conditioning

GENERAL
.
...
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.
.
640-1



Heater
andA/C
air
distribution
motor,

replacing(rotary-knob)
.
.
...
.
.
.
.......
.
640-10

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.640-1



Rear
Window
Defogger
.
.
.



.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
640-10
Blower
motor,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-1



Rear
Window
Blower
(convertible
models)
.
.640-10

Blowermotor
resistor
pack,
replacing



.
.
.
.
.
.
640-3



AIR
CONDITIONING
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-11
Heater
valve,
replacing
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-3

Heater
box,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-4



A/CSystem
Warnings
and
Cautions
.
.
.
.
.
.
:640-11

Heater
core,
replacing
.....
.
.
:
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-6



A/C
compressor,
replacing
.
.
::.
:
:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.640-12

Heater
core
temperature
sensor,
replacing
.
.
640-7



A/C
Compressor
Clutch
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-13

Heater
andA/C
Control
Head
.
.
....
.
.....
.
640-7



A/C
condenser,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-14

Heater
andA/C
control
head,
removing



A/C
receiver/drier,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-15
and
installing
(rotary-knob)
.
.
....
.
......
640-7



A/C
expansion
valve,

Heater
andA/C
control
head,
removing



removing
and
installing
...
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-16
and
installing
(digital-display)
.
.....
.
.....
640-8



A/C
evaporator,
removing
and
installing
.
.
..
640-17

Heater
andA/C
control
module,removing



A/C
evaporator
temperature
sensor,

and
installing
(rotary-knob)
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-8



replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
..............
.
.
.
.
.
..
640-17

Heater
andA/C
control
module,removing



A/C
microfilter,
replacing
......
.
....
.
.
.
..
640-18

and
installing
(digital-display)
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
...
640-8

Sensor
fan
for
interior
temperature,



TABLES

replacing
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-9



a
.
Blower
Motor
Test
Values
.........
...
.
.
......
640-3

Heater
andA/C
AirDistribution
Motors
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-9



b
.
Heater
Core
Temperature
Sensor
Test
Values
...
.640-7

c
.
Evaporative
Temperature
Sensor
Test
Values
...
640-17

d
.
A/C
System
Fluid
Capacities
(total)
..
..........
640-18

0012527

Fig
.
1
.
Detach
grille
retaining
clips
(arrows)
and
pull
grille
upward
and
out
of
rubbergasket
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
viii
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS

9
.
Release
blower
motor
retaining
strap
andremove
blow-
er
motor
and
fans
fromcowl
opening
.

NOTE-

Twist
and
rotate
blowermotor
assembly
to
facilítate
re-
moval
from
opening
.
If
the
blower
motor
is
to
be
rein-stafled,
use
care
not
to
damage
fan
wheels
during
removal
.
ff
the
blower
motor
fs
to
be
replaced,
cut
offfan
wheels
at
center
to
aid
in
removal
.

10
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
When
installing
a
re-
placement
blower
motor,
instan
motor
into
cowlarea
before
installing
fan
wheels
.
Blower
motor
test
specifi-

cations
are
listed
in
Table
a
.

NOTE
-

On
replacementblowermotors
from
BMW,
thefan
wheels
come
unattached
to
aid
in
installation
.
Locatearrow
on
blower
motor
and
instan
fan
wheels
atthis
po-
sition
.
Be
sure
color
coolng
matches
.
Retain
fan
wheels
using
the
new
clips
.
See
an
authorized
BMW
parts
de-
partment
for
the
latest
parts
information
.

Table
a
.
Blower
Motor
Test
Values

Testingvoltage



13
VDC

Operating
voltage



9-15
VDC

Max
.
current
consumption
(approx
.)



12
amps

Maximum
speed



3,600-4,000rpm

Axialplay
(max
.
allowable)



1
.0
mm
(0
.04
in
.)

Blower
motor
resistor
pack,
replacing

The
blower
resistor
pack
is
clipped
into
the
upper
left
side
of
theheater
box
.

1
.
Remove
lower
left
dash
trim
panel
.
See513
Interior

Trim
.

2
.
Working
under
left
(driver's)
side
of
dash,
unclip
and

pulí
out
resistor
pack
from
sideof
heater
box
.
Remove

harness
connector
from
resistor
pack
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

Heater
valve,
replacing

The
two-way
heater
valve
is
located
in
the
rear
of
the
engine

compartment
on
the
driver
side
.
The
solenoid
operated
valves

control
the
coolant
flow
through
the
dual-chamber
heater

core
.

1
.
Drain
engine
coolant
.
See
170
Radiator
and
Cooling

System
.

HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING



640-
3

uuiGO4I

Fig
.
7
.



Blower
fan
resistor
pack
(black
arrow)
and
resistor
pack
re-
ceptacle
(white
arrow)
below
left
sideof
dash
.

WARNING
-

Allow
the
cooling
system
to
cool
before
opening
ordraining
the
cooling
system
.

2
.
Disconnect
hoses
and
harness
connector
at
heater
valve
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

001[ó38b

Fig
.
S
.



Hoses
(A)
and
harnessconnector
(B)
at
heatervalve
.

3
.
Carefully
pull
heater
valve
out
of
rubber
mounting
and

pull
up
and
out
of
engine
compartment
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Use
new
hose

clamps
.
Inspect
hoses
and
replace
asnecessary
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS

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
.

640-10



HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING

i

El
Radio

Antenna

Rear



.
,



si,-
Left
side



I
d

1
.
Rear
vents
2
.
Fresh
air
3
.
Face-level
vents
4
.
Recirculation
5
.
Footwell
vents
0013017

Fig
.
28
.
Location
oflate
production
air
distribution
motors
in
heater
box(shown
in
rear,
side
and
top
views)
.

Heater
andA/C
air
distribution
motor,

replacing
(rotary-knob)

1
.
Toaccess
left
side
motors
(dash
vent
mixing
or
recircu-

lation
flap),
remove
lower
dash
panel
and
knee
bolster

on
driver
side
.
See
513
Interior
Trim
.

2
.
To
access
right
side
motor
(fresh
air
flap),
remove
glove

compartment
.
See513
Interior
Trim
.

3
.
Each
motor
can
be
removed
after
its
electrical
wiring

harness
connector
has
been
removed
.
Squeeze
plastic

clip
to
release
motor
.
See
Fig
.
29
.

Fig
.
29
.
A/
C
air
distribution
motor
plastic
retaíning
clip
(arrow)
.
Re-
lease
clip
and
tilt
motor
out
of
housing
.

Rear
Window
Defogger

0011877

The
rear
window
defogger
switch
is
integrated
with
the
heating
andA/C
control
head
.

HEATER
AND
CONTROLS

Fig
.
30
.
Wiring
diagram
of
rear
window
defogger
and
radio
antenna
.

Rear
Window
Blower
(Convertible
Models)

A
blower
fan,
fitted
into
the
rear
seatback,
defogs
therear

window
.
It
will
only
operate
with
the
engine
nunning
and
the

top
raised
.
A
microswitch
behindthe
rear
seats
provides
the

signal
that
thetop
is
raised
.

To
access
the
blower
fan
motor,
it
is
necessary
to
remove

four
screwsfrom
the
center
seat
back
.
Remove
the
wiring
har-

ness
connector
and
motor
mounting
boits,
then
remove
motor

by
pulling
it
down
and
forward
.
See
Fig
.
31
.

ri

Suppressor
filter

1
0013005

Fig
.
31
.
Rear
window
blower
in
center
of
rear
seat
back
(arrow)
.

The
electric
rear
window
defogger
is
integrated
with
the
ra-

dio
antenna
.
See
Fig
.
30
.



y



/f



0013014

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

640-16



HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING

A/C
expansion
valve,

removing
and
installing

Fig
.
45
.
Control
module
carrier
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.

1
.
Following
manufacturers
instructions,
connectanap-

proved
refrigerant
recovery/recycling/recharging
unit
to

A/C
system
and
discharge
system
.

WARNING
-

Do
not
discharge%harge
the
WC
system
without
properequipmentand
training
.
Damage
to
the
vehi-

cle
and
personal
injury
may
result
.

2
.
Remove
glove
compartment
and
glove
compartment

support
frame
.
See513
Interior
Trim
.

3
.
Remove
right
side
footwell
vents
.

4
.
Remove
right
side
control
module
carrier
screws
and
tilt

carrier
down
.
See
Fig
.
46
.

5
.
Remove
expansion
valve
cover
.
See
Fig
.
46
.

Fig
.
46
.
Four
screws
retain
expansion
valve
cover
(arrows)
.

AIR
CONDITIONING

0012666
0012663

6
.
Remove
A/C
refrigerant
line
fiange
bolt(s)
from
expan-

sion
valve
.
Plug
lines
immediately
.
See
Fig
.
47
.

NOTE
-

If
necessary,
remove
air
plenum
grille
fromrear
of
en-

gine
compartment
as
described
earlier
in
Blower
mo-

tor,
removing
and
installing
.
Remove
wiring
hamess

cover
screws
and
then
remove
right
side
plenum
screws
.
Reaching
finto
the
plenum
chamber,
remove
AIC
fine
flange
bolt
to
allow
expansion
valve
room
for
removal
.

Fig
.
47
.
Refrigerant
line
fiange
mounting
boltat
expansion
valve(arrow)
.

7
.
Remove
screws
from
top
of
expansion
valve
and
re-

move
expansion
valve
from
evaporator
.
See
Fig
.
48
.

Fig
.
48
.
Expansion
valve
mountingscrews
(A)
.

0011667