1997 BMW 328i handle

541-2



CONVERTIBLE
TOP

Fig
.
2
.



Manually
operated
frontlatch
.
Loosen
mounting
nuts
(A)
and
locknut
(B),
then
adjust
latch
height
with
hex-bolt
(C)
.
(Fully
automatic
front
latch
height
adjuster
is
similar
.)
Latch
tension

ís
adjusted
at
rod
ball-joint
end
(D)
.

Convertible
Top
Lid
Release
Mechanism

The
convertible
lid
release
handle
is
situated
in
the
trim

panel
behind
the
driver's
seat
.
To
remove
thehandle,
pull
its

plastic
insert
forward
and
remove
the
triminsert
.
The
handle
is

mounted
with
a
single
screw
.

Abowden
cable
is
routed
from
the
handle
to
the
left
lid
latch
.

Another
cable
is
routed
from
the
left
tothe
right
latch
inside
the

luggage
compartment
.
It
is
accessed
by
pulling
down
the
trim

lining
off
the
front
wall
of
the
compartment
.

Convertible
top
and
frame,
replacing

1
.
Open
convertible
top
partially
.
Open
convertible
top
lid
.



J
I~I~KX
Open
back
windows
.



_

v
2
.
Remove
fasteners
in
compartments
behind
door
posts

and
lift
out
complete
top
.
Count
number
of
shims
on

horizontal
mounting
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Be
sure
to
replaceU-
shaped
shims
on
horizontal
mounting
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

Fig
.
4
.



Horizontal
positioning
bolt(A)
and
U-shaped
adjusting
shims4
.
To
adjust
position
and
fit
oftop,
remove
or
add
U-



(B)for
convertible
top
.
One
of
two
main
mounting
nuts
(ar
shaped
shims
until
top
is
properly
aligned
.
Tighten
nuts



rows)
also
visible
.

and
screws
.

POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

The
semi-automatic
top,
installed
in
1996
convertibles,

must
first
be
manually
released
from
the
visor
latch
plates
and
pushed
back
past
the
"tension
point,"
wheréupon,
the
auto-
matic
retracting
motor
and
linkage
take
over
and
pull
it
into
the
storage
compartment
behind
the
back
seat
.

POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

Fig
.
3
.



Mounting
nuts
(A)
for
convertible
top
(two
oneach
side)
.
There
is
also
a
horizontal
bolt
with
spacers
oneach
side
(B)
.

0012754

The
fully
automatic
top,
standard
on
1997
and
later
convert-

ibles,
allows
complete
operation
of
the
top,
from
fully
open
to
fully
closed,withthe
push
of
atoggleswitch
on
the
console
.

The
top
switch
incorporates
a
"top
unlatched"
warning
LED
.

A
schematic
representation
of
the
fully
automatic
convert-
ible
top
is
shown
in
Fig
.
5
.

541-
4



CONVERTIBLE
TOP

Folding
roof

Frontlatches

Convertible
topframe

i

Lower
mounting
pata
Horizontal
positioning
~~-
bolt
Manual
front
8
e
latch



1
handle

~



O

Visor
latchplata

Fig
.
6
.



Mechanical
components
of
E36
convertible
top
.
Manual,
semi-automatic,
and
fully
automatic
tops
have
similar
mechanical
construction
.

NOTE-

The
electronic
circuits
used
to
controlconvertible
top
operation
arecomplex
.
Diagnosis
of
the
convertible
top
and
the
Rollover
Protection
System
are
beyond
the
scope
of
this
book
.
Your
authorized
BMW
dealer
has
the
proper
diagnostic
equipment
and
tools
to
carry
out
these
tasks
.

Front
Latching
Mechanism

A
close,
tight
fit
between
the
front
bow
of
the
convertible

roof
and
the
top
of
the
windshield
is
critical
for
preventing

moisture
and
wind
noise
from
intruding
into
the
passenger

compartment
.

Visor
Latch
Plate

The
left
and
right
visor
latch
plates
can
be
accessed
by
re-

moving
the
trim
and
moldings
aroundthe
sides
and
top
of
the
windshield
.
Each
latch
is
attached
to
thetop
of
the
windshield
using
three
bolts
.
Latch
position
is
adjusted
as
follows
:

"
Loosen
bolts

Latch
top

"
Align
top

"
Retighten
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

4
a

0012756

Visor
Latch

0012768

Fig
.
7
.



Visor
latchplate
is
heldto
top
of
windshieldwiththreebolts
(arrows)
.

The
semi-automatic
and
the
fully
automatic
top
front
latches

are
of
similar
design
.
For
the
automatic
latching
mechanism

an
additional
motor
has
been
installed
in
the
front
bow
of
the
convertible
top
.
This
releases
the
top
from
the
visor
latch

plates
and
pulís
it
back
far
enough
for
the
main
retracting
mechanism
to
complete
thejob
.

The
latches
and
the
motor
can
be
accessed
byremovingthe
front
cover
trim
from
the
convertible
top
.

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

541-
8



CONVERTIBLE
TOP

CAUTION-

In
caseof
failure
of
the
automatic
or
semi-auto-
matic
convertible
top
function,
only
use
the
emer-
gency
procedure
to
close
the
top,
never
to
open
it
.
An
authorized
BMW
dealer
should
then
be
con-
sulted
.

0012764

Fig
.
17
.
Convertible
topmotor
emergency
release
handle
under
rear
seat
.
Pull
in
direction
of
arrow
to
release
top
.

It
is
then
possible
to
push
thetop
manually
to
a
near
closed
position
.
In
the
case
of
the
semi-automatic
top,
simply
attach

and
lock
the
front
latches
.

Front
Latches
.
Once
the
fully
automatic
convertible
top
has
been
released
from
the
motor
and
manually
pushed
to
near-closure,
emergency
latchíng
ofthetop
is
possible
by
us-
ing
the
S-shaped
hex
key
provided
in
the
emergency
tool
kit
.

First,
remove
the
plastic
cover
over
the
latch
motor
in
the
front
bow
of
the
convertible
top
.
See
Fig
.
18
.

Next,
use
the
hex
key
from
tool
box
to
crank
the
front
latch-
es
shut
.
See
Fig
.
19
.

Luggage
Compartment
Cover
.
A
microswitch
in
the
right
convertible
top
lid
latch
prevents
the
luggage
compartment
from
being
opened
whilethe
lid
is
up
.
This
lockout
can
be
overridden
by
pressing
on
the
microswitch
.
Refer
toFig
.
14
.

POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

Fig
.
18
.
Remove
plastic
cover
from
center
of
convertible
roof
front

bow
to
access
latching
motor
drive
.

0012762

Fig
.
19
.
Using
emergency
hexkey
to
move
front
part
of
convertible
top
.

CAUTION-

The
convertible
top
lid
and
the
luggage
compart-
ment
cover
interfere
with
each
other
and
cannot
beopen
at
the
same
time
.
To
avoid
damage
to
painted
surfaces,
an
assistant
should
keep
the
lid
down
until
the
luggage
compartment
cover
can
beclosed
.

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

600-2



ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM-GENERAL

CAUTION
-

"
Always
turn
off
the
engine
and
disconnect
the

negative
()
cable
from
the
batterybefore
remov-

ing
any
electrical
components
.
Disconnecting
the

battery
may
erase
fault
code(s)
stored
in
control

module
memory
.
Check
for
fault
codes
using
spe-
cial
BMW
diagnostic
equipment
.

"
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
bat-

tery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of

this
manual
onpage
viii
.

"
Connect
and
disconnect
ignition
system
wires,
multiple
connectors,
and
ignition
test
equipment
leads
only
while
the
ignition
is
off
.

"
Do
not
disconnect
the
battery
with
engine
run-

ning
.

"
Do
not
quick-charge
the
battery
(for
boost
start-
ing)
for
longer
than
one
minute,
and
do
not
ex-
ceed
16
.5
volts
at
the
battery
with
the
boosting
cables
attached
.
Wait
at
feast
one
minute
before
boosting
the
battery
a
second
time
.

"
Do
not
usea
test
famp
that
has
a
normal
incan-

descent
bulb
to
test
circuits
contafning
electronic
components
.
The
high
electrical
consumptionof
these
test
lamps
may
damage
the
components
.

"
Do
not
use
an
analog
meter
.
Use
onfy
a
digital
multimeter
.

"
Many
of
the
solid-state
modules
are
static
sensi-
tive
.
Static
discharge
will
permanently
damage
them
.
Always
handle
the
modules
using
proper
static
prevention
equipment
and
techniques
.

"
To
avoid
damaging
harness
connectors
or
relay
panel
sockets,
use
jumper
wires
with
flat-blade
connectors
that
are
the
same
size
as
the
connec-
tor
or
relay
terminals
.

"
Always
switch
a
digital
multimeter
to
the
appropri-
ate
function
and
range
before
making
test
con-
nections
.

"
Do
not
tryto
start
the
engine
of
a
carwhich
has
been
heated
above176°F
(80°C),
(for
example,
in
a
paint
dryingbooth)
.
Allow
it
to
cool
to
normal
temperature
.

"
Disconnect
the
battery
before
dolng
any
electric
welding
on
the
car
.

"
Do
not
wash
the
engine
while
it
is
runnfng,
or
any-
time
the
ignition
is
switched
on
.

WIRING
DIAGRAMS

Electrical
Test
Equipment

Many
of
the
electrical
tests
described
in
this
manual
call
for

measuring
voltage,
currentorresistanceusing
a
digital
multi-

meter
(DMM)
.
Digital
meters
are
preferred
for
precise
mea-

surements
and
for
electronics
work
because
they
are
generally
more
accuratethan
analog
meters
.
The
numerical

display
is
alsoless
likely
to
be
misread,
since
there
is
no
nee-

dle
position
to
be
misinterpreted
by
reading
at
an
angle
.

An
LED
test
light
is
a
safe,
inexpensive
tool
that
can
be
used

to
perform
many
simple
electrical
tests
that
would
otherwise

require
a
digital
multimeter
.
The
LED
indicates
when
voltage

is
present
between
anytwo
test-points
in
a
circuit
.

CA
UTION-

"
Choose
test
equipment
carefully
.
Use
a
digital

multimeter
with
at
leadt
10
megaohm
input
im-

pedance,or
an
LED
test
light
.
An
analog
meter
(swing-need1e)
ora
test
light
with
a
normal
incan-
descent
bulb
may
draw
enough
current
to
dam-
age
sensitive
electronic
components
.

"
An
ohmmeter
must
not
beused
to
measure
resis-
tance
on
solidstate
components
suchas
controlunits
or
time
delay
relays
.

"
Always
disconnect
the
battery
before
making
re-

sístance
(ohm)
measurements
on
the
circuit
.

WIRING
DIAGRAMS

The
wiring
diagrams
shown
in
Electrical
Wiring
Diagrams

have
been
specially
designed
to
enable
quick
and
efficientdi-

agnosis
and
troubleshooting
of
electrical
malfunctions
.

Wiring
Codes
and
Abbreviations

A
lot
of
information
is
included
in
each
wiring
diagram
if
you
know
how
to
read
them
.
Wire
colors
in
the
diagrams
are
ab-

breviated
.
Combined
color
codes
indicate
a
multi-colored
wire
.
For
example
the
code
BLU/RED
indicates
a
Blue
wire

with
a
Red
stripe
.

Many
electrical
components,
connectors,
fuses,
and

ground
locations
are
identified
using
a
unique
number
.
Each

of
there
numbers
corresponds
to
a
particular
part
in
the
circuit
commonly
found
in
Electrical
Wiring
Diagrams
.

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

Component



Model
Year



Location



Refer
to

Heater
Recirculation
Flap
Actuator



1992-1998



Below
left
dash
right
side
of
steering
column

HeaterBlowerMotor
Resistor
Pack



1992-1998



Behind
center
of
dashboard

Heater
Regulator
FlapActuator



1997-1998



Right
side
of
heater
box

HeaterValve
Assembly



1992-1998



Left
rear
engine
compartment

HeatingNentilation
Relay
Box



1992-1993



Below
left
side
of
dash

HeatingNentilation
Relay



1994-1998



Left
front
footwell

High
Speed
Cooling
Fan
Relay



1992-1998



Power
distribution
box



Fig
.
2
.

Homs,
Right/Left



1993-1998



Front
of
engine
compartment

Horn
Relay



1992-1998



Power
distribution
box



Fig
.
2
.

Horn
Relay
(Alpine)



1994-1998



Behind
glove
compartment



Fig
.
8
.
Board
Computer/Anti-Theft



Fig
.
9
.

Idle
Speed
Control
Valve



1992-1995



Top
rearof
enginebehind
intake
manifold
(M42
engine)



Fig
.
11
.

Idle
Speed
Control
Valve



1992-1995



Top
left
side
of
engine
(M50
engine)

Idle
Speed
Control
Valve



1993-1996



Below
intake
manifold
(M50/S50US
engine)

Idle
Speed
Control
Valve



1996-1998



On
throttle
housing
(M44
engine)



Fig
.
15
.

Idle
Speed
Control
Valve



1997-1998



Left
front
of
engine
below
intake
manifold
(M52/S52US
engine)

Ignition
Coils



1992-1998



Right
of
engineunder
plastic
cover
(four-cylinder)



Fig
.
7
.

Ignition
Cofs



1992-1998



Top
of
engine
undercover
(six-cylinder)



Fig
.
17
.

Ignition
Switch



1992-1998



Right
sídeofsteering
column

Intake
Air
Resonance
Changeover



1992-1998



Leftrear
of
engine
compartment
Valve(DISA)

Intake
Air
Temperature
Sensor



1992-1995



In
mass
air
flow
sensor
(M42
engine)

Intake
Air
TemperatureSensor



1996-1998



In
top
ofair
filter
housing
(M44
engine)



Fig
.
12
.

Intake
Air
Temperature
Sensor



1992-1998



I
Left
sídeof
engine
in
intake
manifold
(six-cylinder)



-



-



I



Fig
.
13
.
Fig
.
14
.

Kick-Down
Switch
(A/T)



1
1992-1998



1
Left
footwell

Mixing
Actuators



1
1992-1998



1
Heater
box

ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS



610-15

Table
a
.
E36
Component
Locations

Knock
Sensors



1
1992-1998



1
Left
side
of
engine
block

Left
Front
Power
Window
Motor



11992-1998



/
Left
front
door

Left
Front
Window
Monitoring
Switch
1
1997-1998



1
Left
front
door
trim
panel

Left
Front
Window
Retraction
Switch
1
1992
-
1993



1
Left
front
door
handle
lock
assembly

Left
Splice
Panel



1
1992-1998



1
Under
left
side
of
dash
at
kick-panel



1



Fig
.
5
.

Main
Fuse
and
Relay
Box
(Power



1992-1998



I
Left
sideof
engine
compartment



Fig
.
2
.
Distribution
Box)
1



I

Mass
Air
Flow
Sensor



1992-1998



I
Left
side
of
engine,
intake
air
duct



Fig
.
7
.1



I
Fig
.
15
.

Continued

COMPONENT
LOCATIONS