612
Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories
GENERAL
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
......
.612-1
Headlight
switch,
replacing
..
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
612-5
Foglight
switch,
replacing
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
612-5
INTERIOR
SWITCHES
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
612-1
Hazard
warning
switch,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.612-5
Turn
signal
switch
and
wiper
switch,
Powerwindow
switch,
replacing
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
612-5
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.....
.
....
.
.
.
.
612-1
Outside
mirrorswitch,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.612-6
Ignition
Switch
Assembly
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
....
.
...
612-3
Ignition
electrical
switch,
replacing
.
...
.
....
612-3
INTERIOR
LIGHTS
.
.
................
.
..
612-6
Ignition
lock
cylinder,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.....
.
..
612-4
Dome
light,
rear
map
lights,
trunk
light,
Headlight
and
Foglight
Switch
Assembly
.
.
.
.
612-5
replacing
bulbs
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.612-7
GENERAL
Turn
signal
switch
and
wiper
switch,
replacing
Thissection
covers
replacement
of
interior
switches
and
accessories
.
The
procedures
for
removing
the
turn
signal
stalk
switch
and
the
wiper
system
stalk
switchare
similar
.
When
working
on
electrical
switches,
always
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
cable
from
the
battery
and
insulate
the
cable
end
to
prevent
accidental
re-connection
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.
WARNING
-
The
cars
covered
by
this
manual
are
equipped
with
a
Supplemental
Restraint
System
(SRS)
that
auto-'
matically
deploys
one
or
more
airbags
.
Each
airbag
unit
houses
an
explosive
powerful
charge
.
Any
work
involving
the
SRS
system
should
only
be
per-
formed
byan
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
Making
re-
pairs
without
the
proper
knowledge
and
special
test
equipment
may
cause
serious
personal
injury
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
3
.
With
front
wheels
pointed
straight
ahead,
remove
steer-
"
Testing
and
replacement
information
for
the
oil
ores-
¡ng
wheel
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.
sure
switch
is
covered
in
119
Lubrication
System
.
NOTE-
"
Wirfng
diagramscan
be
found
in
Electrical
Wiring
Diagrams
.
"
Fuse,
relay
and
electrical
component
locations
can
be
found
in
610
Electrical
Component
Locations
.
"
Replacement
information
for
thetransmission
gear
position/neutral
safety
switch
is
covered
in
250
Gear-
shift
Unkage
.
INTERIOR
SWITCHES
NOTE
-
To
preventmarring
interior
trim,
wrap
the
tips
of
screw-
drivers
and
pliers
with
tape
beforeprying
out
switches
or
electrical
accessories
.
SWITCHES
AND
ELECTRICAL
ACCESSORIES
612-1
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover
terminal
with
insulating
material
.
2
.
Remove
airbag
unit
from
steering
wheel
.
See
721
Air-
bag
System
(SRS)
.
Store
airbag
unit
in
a
safe
placew¡th
pad
facing
up
.
NOTE
-
To
helo
with
reassembly,
mark
steering
wheel
and
col-
umn
before
disassembly
.
4
.
Remove
trim
panel
from
lower
left
side
of
instrument
panel
.
See513
Interior
Trim
.
INTERIOR
SWITCHES
640-2
HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING
3
.
Remove
wiring
harness
retaining
clip
at
bulkhead
.
Re-
move
screws
retaining
wiring
harness
cover
and
pull
cover
forward
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
0012529
Fig
.
2
.
Ming
harness
cover
screws
at
base
ofwindshield
(arrows)
.
4
.
On
passenger
side,
push
aside
wiring
harness
and
re-
move
two
screws
retaining
plenum
housing
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
Fig
.
3
.
Ríghtside
plenum
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.
VU1L535
5
.
On
driverside,
push
aside
wiring
harness
and
remove
screw
retaining
plenum
.
Pull
plenum
up
and
remove
from
engine
bay
.
See
Fig
.
4
.
6
.
Unclip
blower
motor
housing
cover,
disconnect
control
cable,
and
turn
center
retainer
1
/4
turn
to
remove
cover
.
See
Fig
.
5
.
7
.
Disconnect
electrical
connectors
from
blower
motor
.
8
.
Remove
left
upper
section
of
blower
housingby
detach-
ing
spring
clipsat
edge
of
housing
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
HEATER
AND
CONTROLS
Fig
.
4
.
Remove
screw
at
A
and
pull
air
plenumupward
.
0012534
0012636
Fig
.
5
.
Blower
motor
housing
clips
(A)
;
control
cable
(B)
;
and
center
retainer(C)
.
i
[u6,
Fig
.
6
.
Spring
clips
(arrows)
on
driver
sideof
blower
housing
.
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
GENERAL
.........
.
.......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
650-1
Rear
speaker,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.650-5
Door
panel
speaker,
AUDIO
SYSTEM
............
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
650-1
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.650-5
Radio
connector
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.
.
.
.
.
650-6
RADIO
AND
SPEAKER
SERVICE
.
.
.
.
.
..
650-2
Radio,
removingand
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
..
650-2
Left
footwell
speaker,
removing
and
installing
.
....
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
650-3
Right
footwell
speaker,
removing
and
installing
.
....
.
.
.
.....
.
..
650-4
GENERAL
AUDIO
SYSTEM
Thissection
coversthe
BMW
factory-installed
sound
sys-
The
BMW
E36
is
equipped
with
a
three
band
radio/cassette
tem,
including
radio
and
speaker
removal,
radio
connectors
player
unit
mounted
in
the
middle
of
thecenter
console
.
In
ad
and
terminal
designations
.
dítion
to
AM
and
FM
bands,
the
radio
will
receive
broadcasts
from
theNational
Weather
Service
.
The
antenna
is
incorporated
into
the
rear
window
defogger
.
650
Radio
Fig
.
1
.
Radio
amplifier
(premiumpackage)
in
luggage
compartment
behind
left
panel
.
RADIO
650-1
TABLE
a
.
Radio
Connector
Terminal
Designation
...
.
......
650-6
The
cassette
deck
is
equipped
with
the
Do1byTM
C
noise
re-
ductionsystem,
for
improved
tape
performance
with
reduced
background
tape
noise
.
A
6-speaker
audio
system
was
standard
in
the
early
years
ofthe
model
line
.
Many
additional
features
have
been
in-
stalled
as
optional
or
standard
equipment
duringthevehicle
production
run
.
"
A
200-watt
power
amplifier
with
custom-contoured
equalization
and
ten
speaker
output
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
"
A
multi-disc
compact
disc
changer,
for
which
the
vehicle
and
the
radio
are
prewired
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
Fig
.
2
.
Optional
multi-disc
compact
disc
changerand
disc
cartridge
.
AUDIO
SYSTEM
GENERAL
This
section
contains
wiring
diagrams
for
1992
through
1998
BMW
3
Series
models
.
WARNING
-
On
cars
equipped
with
airbags,
special
precautions
apply
to
any
electrical
testing
or
repair
.
The
airbag
unit
is
an
explosive
device
and
must
be
handled
with
exterme
care
.
Before
starting
any
work
onan
airbag
equipped
car,
refer
to
the
warnings
and
cau-
tions
in
720
Seatbelts
and
721
Airbag
Systems
(SRS)
.
NOTE-
The
"
gear
position/neutral
safetyswitch
is
also
some-
timesreferred
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
.
ELECTRICAL
WIRING
DIAGRAMS
ELE-1
Electrical
Wiring
Diagrams
GENERAL
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
................
.
.
.
ELE-1
Horns
.....
.
.....
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
ELE-153
Instrument
Panel
.
.
.
.
.
.
..............
ELE-165
ELECTRICAL
WIRING
DIAGRAMS
...
.
.
.
ELE-2
Interior
Lights/Illumination
.............
ELE-211
ABS
..............
.
.
.
.....
.
.....
ELE-117
Lumbar
Control
.
....................
ELE-247
ABS/AST
.............
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.....
ELE-120
On-Board
Computer
..................
ELE-173
Airbag
(Supplemental
Restraint
System)
..
ELE-140
Park
Ventilation
.
.
.
...........
.
...
.
..
ELE-139
Air
Conditioning
and
Heating
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
ELE-129
Power
Distribution
......
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
ELE-2
Anti-Theft
(Alpine)
..........
.
.
.
...
.
...
ELE-144
Power
Door
Locks
.
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
ELE-226
Anti-Theft
(EWS
II)
.
........
.
.
.
...
.
...
ELE-150
Power
Mirrors
...
.
.
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
ELE-241
Body
Computer
Module
.....
.
.....
.
...
ELE-176
Power
Seats
......
.
......
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
..
ELE-243
Charging
System
.
.
................
.
.
.
ELE-67
Power
Sunroof
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...............
ELE-248
Convertible
Top
.
.
.
.
................
.
.
ELE-253
Power
Windows
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.........
ELE-231
Cruise
Control
..
.
.
.
...........
.
....
.
.
ELE-112
Radio/Cassette/CD/Speakers
..........
ELE-255
Data
Link
Connector
................
.
.
.
ELE-86
Rear
Window
Defogger
...............
ELE-160
Engine
Cooling
.......
.
.......
.
....
.
.
.
ELE-94
Shift
Interlock
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...............
ELE-110
Engine
Management
...
.
.......
.
....
.
.
.
ELE-70
Starting
....
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
................
ELE-63
Exterior
Lights
........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
ELE-194
Transmission
Electronics
.
..............
ELE-96
Ground
Distribution
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
ELE-35
Warning
System
:
Chimes
.............
ELE-178
Headlights/Foglights
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
ELE-180
Wiper/Washer
.
.....
.
...............
ELE-155
Heated
Seats
........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
ELE-245
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS
Relayand
fuse
positions,
ground
locations
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
................
seeRepair
Group
610
CAUTION-
Always
switchthe
ignition
off
and
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
battery
cablebefore
removing
any
electrical
components
.
"
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
bat-tery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.
"
Connect
and
disconnect
ignition
system
wires,
multiple
connectors
and
ignition
test
equipment
leads
only
while
ignition
is
switched
off
.
-Always
switch
a
test
meter
to
the
appropiate
func-
tion
and
range
before
making
test
connections
.
"
All-Season
Traction
(AST)
is
also
referred
to
as
ASC
or
ASC+T
.
GENERAL
N
WARNING
Your
common
sense,
good
judge-
ment,
and
general
alertness
are
cru-
cial
to
safe
and
successful
service
work
.
Before
attempting
any
workonyour
BMW,
read
the
warnings
and
cautions
on
page
vi¡
and
the
copyright
page
at
the
front
of
the
manual
.
Review
these
warningsand
cautions
each
time
you
prepare
to
work
on
your
BMW
.
Please
also
read
any
warnings
and
cautions
that
accom-
pany
the
procedures
in
the
manual
.
Master
cylinder
See
Brakes
See
also
Clutch
Mechanical
troubleshooting
See
Engine-general
Microfilter
See
Air
conditioning
Mirror
See
Exterior
trim,
bumpers
Muffler
See
Exhaustsystem
Multi-information
display
(MID)
See
Instruments
Neutral
safetyswitch
See
Gearshift
linkage
O
Oil,
changing
See
Maintenance
program
Oil
panSee
Lubrication
system
Oil
pressure
See
Lubrication
system
Oil
pump
See
Lubrication
systemOn-board
diagnostics
(OBD)
See
Engine-general
See
alsoFuel
injection
See
also
Ignition
system
On-board
trip
computer
See
Multi-information
display
620-4
Oxygen
sensor
See
Engine-general
See
alsoFuel
injection
See
also
Maintenance
program
P
Parking
brake
See
Brakes
See
also
Maintenance
program
Parts
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Poly-ribbed
belt
See
Maintenance
program
Power
steering
See
Steering
and
wheel
alignment
Power
steering
(luid
See
Maintenance
program
R
Radiator
See
Cooling
system
Radio
general
information
650-1audio
system
650-1
radio
connector
650-6
removing/installing
650-2speakersdoor
panel
speaker,
removing/
installing
650-5
left
footwell
speaker,
removing/
installing
650-3
rear
speaker,
removing/installing
650-5
right
footwell
speaker,
removing/
installing
650-4Rearsuspension
See
also
Maintenance
program
general
information
330-1
coil
spring,
removing/installing
330-4
CV
boot,
replacing
330-8
drive
axle,
removing/installing
330-6
drive
axles
330-6
final
drive
carrier
330-12
final
drive
carrier,
removing/installing
330-12
lower
control
arm,
removing/installing
330-12
rear
shock
absorber,
removing/
installing
330-3
rear
suspension
arms
330-9
ride
heíght
330-1
shock
absorbers
and
springs
330-2
trailing
arm,
removing/installing
330-10
trailing
arm
bushing,
replacing
330-11upper
control
arm,
removing/installing
330-12
rear
wheel
bearing,
replacing
330-5
rear
wheel
bearings
330-4
Rear
view
mirror
See
Exterior
trim,
bumpers
Receiver/drivr
See
Air
conditioning
Relays
See
Electrical
component
locations
INDEX
7
Ride
height
See
Front
suspension
or
Rearsuspension
Ring
antenna
See
Central
locking
and
anti-theft
Roof
See
Convertible
top
See
also
Sunroof
Roundel
See
Exterior
trim,
bumpers
S
Seat
belts
general
information
720-1
automatic
front
seat
belt
lock
tensioners
720-2
center
rear
lap-belt,
removing/
installing
720-5
front
seat
beltreel,
removing/installing
720-3
mechanical
spring
tensioner,
disarming
720-2
rear
seat
belt,
removing/installing
(fixed
seat
back
models)
720-4
rear
seat
belt,
removing/installing
(fold-down
seat
back
models)
720-5Seats
general
information
520-1
front
seats520-1
manual
front
seat
assembly
520-3
power
front
seat
assembly
520-4
removing/installing
520-1
rear
seats
520-5
rear
seat
cushion
and
backrest,
removing/installing
(fixed
seat
backmodels)
520-5
rear
seat
cushion
and
backrest,
removing/installing
(fold-down
seat
back
models)520-5
rear
seat
backrest
side
section,
removing/installing
(fold-down
seat
back
models)520-6
Shiftinterlock
See
Gearshift
linkage
Shiftlever
See
Gearshift
linkage
Shíftlock
See
Gearshift
linkage
Shock
absorber
See
Front
suspension
See
also
Rear
suspension
Side-impact
airbag
See
Airbag
system
(SRS)
Slave
cylinder
See
Clutch
Service
indicator
See
Maintenanceprogram
Solenoid
See
Battery,
starter,
alternator
Spark
See
Ignition
system
Spark
plugs
See
Maintenance
program