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Battery, Starter, ~lternatorl
WARNING-
Always wear protective goggles and clothing when perform-
ing a load test.
Table
d. Battery load test - minimum voltage
Ambient temperature Voltage*
27
" C (80" F) 9.6 V
-I 8' C (0"
F) 8.5 V
* Measure
after applying a 200 amp load for 15 seconds.
Closed-circuit current measurement
If the vehicle battery is discharged for an unknown reason,
perform a closed-circuit current measurement as the first test.
For diagnostic purposes, it is important to not disconnect the
battery. Disconnecting the battery may reset a faulty control
unit, preventing proper diagnosis.
The following test is generally completed overnight using a
multimeterwith a closed circuitcurrent measurement adaptor
with a recording function
- Check that battery voltage is 12 volts or higher. If lower,
recharge battery.
- Switch off electrical consumers (interior lights, telephone,
aftermarket equipment, or others).
- Open luggage compartment and remove battery trim panel.
Use screwdriver to lock latch on trunk lid or hatch, simulating
closed luggage compartment. Close other doors.
- Open driver's door, then close it, simulating driver entering
vehicle.
- Switch ignition to RUN position for at least five seconds, then
turn ignition to OFF position. This simulates driving vehicle.
- Open and close driver's door, simulating driver leaving
vehicle.
- Lock car and arm alarm.
- Wait at least 16 minutes for consumer cut-off.

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121-10
I Battery, Starter, Alternator
- Strip approximately 15 rnm (0.6 in) of insulation from cable
end.
terminal harness
Shrink insulation
Terminal connector
4 Push terminal connector of new cable over stripped end of
old cable. Tighten clamp.
- Slip shrink-fit insulation over positive cable. Attach new safe-
ty harness to end of positive cable. Shrink insulation with hot
air blower.
- Reinstall cable in cable bracket and attach to battery.
- Reattach negative battery cable. Reinstall luggage cornpart-
rnent trim pieces.
- Use BMW scan tool DlSplus or equivalent to read out airbag
control module fault memory. Correct faults, then clear mem-
ory.
1 1 4 Various versions of alternators have been used in E39
vehicles. See Table e.
Table e. Alternator application chart
Model Alternator type
Air cooled, 90 amp or 120 amp
Air cooled, with multi-function control
(MFR), 120 amp or 140 amp
Air cooled with multi-function control
(MFR), 120 amp or 140 amp
540i 1997 Air
cooled. 120
amp or 140amp sazrz~orsl 1998 ~~~ ~ .~ . ...~ ~ ~-~~~~ Air cooled; with integrated mu~ii-
function control (MFR). 120 amp 140
amp 1999-2002 Water
cooled, with integrated multi-
function control (MFR), 90-150 amp
(variable output)

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121-11
Battery, Starter, ~lternatorl
Alternator 1997 - 98 5281 1997 540i
/-- -----,
I'
-----------
F15 / 7.5A/ :
&.. .... , 30 1 Xi0015
Battery
Hol in run 61 E (D+) Alternator
and stsrt
lBL
(Generator)
1 .--------,charge , . I , indicator I xGoli i
I <"9,7,a,T
Alternator, basic
On 1997-1 998 6-cylinderand 1997 V-8 models, the charging
system indicator light is supplied voltage
(+) to one side of the
light bulb, and the other side of the bulb is connected to the
voltage regulator.
With the engine off and the key in the run position, voltage
from the ignition switch flows through the regulator to ground,
completing the circuit and illuminating the charge indicator
bulb.
When the vehicle is started and the alternator begins to pro-
duce voltage, the output of the diode trio increases and the
light is turned off.
Alternator with multi-function control
(MFR)
Alternator with multi-function control
(MFR)
The multi-function controlled alternator is used on:
* 1999-2002 6-cylinder models
* 1998-2002 V-8 models
4 On cars with multi-function control alternator, the charge in-
dicator lamp is activated by means of an electronic switch in-
tegrated in the alternator controller. This switch receives its
voltage supply from terminal
15 on the 3-pin connector at the
rear of the alternator. The controller measures internally the
voltage difference between terminal 30 and terminal
15 and
signals the DME ECM to turn the charge indicator lamp on.
The controller features integrated fault detection. The battery
charge indicator lamp will come on in the event of:
* Failure of belt drive
No charge due to an
electrical/electronic fault
Interruption in excitation circuit
Over-voltage due to a defective controller output stage Fault or break in charge line
No charge due to alternator fault

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- -
/Battery, Starter, Alternator -- - -. - --I
< Check for battery voltage at alternator terminal 30 (B+) (ar-
row):
Pull back rubber insulating cover at terminal 30 at rear of
alternator.
Connect voltmeter between terminal 30 and ground and
check for battery voltage.
If voltage is not present, check
wiring for faults.
NOTE-
On V-8 engines, access to the rear of the alternator is limited.
Check for battery voltage between the jump start post on the
left cylinder head and ground.
r Disconnect harness connector from alternator. Turn ianition
on and check for battery voltage between terminal
lgand
ground. If voltage is not present, check wiring and fuses for
faults.
Reconnect connector to alternator.
Locate the blue wire coming from terminal
61E of the alter-
nator connector. Carefully connect the positive
(+) test lead
to the wire using a piercing test lead end.
Turn ignition key on and check for voltage. Voltage should be
less than 1.5 VDC and charge indicator lamp should light.
- Making sure all test equipment and tools are clear, start en-
gine. Voltage should increase to
8.0 VDC or higher. The
charge indicator light should go out.
If voltage does not increase and system is not charging,
the fault is in alternator.
- If voltage does not increase, but system is charging, inter- - roaate svstem for faults usina an appropriate BMW scan - .. . tool and'reset fault memory.
- If a load tester is not available, a quick alternator output test
can be done by running engine at about 2000 rpm and turn-
- -
ing on electrical loads (fans, lights, rear window defroster, -
- and wipers). With all accessories on, battery voltage should
be above 12.6
V.

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130-2
/Fuel Injection
This repair group covers service and repair of the Bosch and
Siemens engine management systems used on
1997
through 2002 E39 models. Additional engine management
service and repair information may also be found in the fol-
lowing repair groups:
0 020 Maintenance
120 Ignition System
160 Fuel Tank and Fuel Pump
610 Electrical Component Locations
OBD On Board Diagnostics
NOTE-
Camshaft position sensor, crankshaft speed sensor and
knoclc sensors are covered in 120 Ignition System.
Table a. Engine management system applications
- - ~ ~
1 ~odellmodel year / Engine IDME system I - I
5281, 1997-1 998 IM52. 2.8 liter ISiemens MS 41 .I I 1
528i. 1999ZO00 1~52 TU, 2.8 liter ]siemens MS 42.0 I I
5251, 2001-2002 1~54, 2.5 liter 1 Siemens MS 43.0 I I
530i, 2001-2002 1~54, 3.0 liter ISiemens MS 43.0
5401 1999-2001 1~62 TU, 4.4 liter l~osch ME 7.2
I
OBI) II software and hardware is incorporated in the engine
management control systems. The
OED II system monitors
components that influence exhaust and evaporative emis-
sions. If a problem is detected, the
OED I1 system stores the
associated fault code and condition.
540i. 1997
4 If vehicle emission levels exceed 1.5 times Federally mandat-
ed criteria, the
OED II system illuminates a malfunction indi-
cator light
(MIL) in the instrument cluster.
For the
E39 cars covered by this manual, three different
MIL symbols were used, depending on year and model.
See illustration.
When faults arise, or if the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is
illuminated, begin troubleshooting by connecting BMW ser-
vice tester
DISplus, MoDiC, GTl or equivalent scan tool. The
capabilities of OBD
II software has the potential to save hours
540i. 1998 IM62, 4.4 liter /Bosch M5.2.1
M62, 4.4 liter Bosch M5.2

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-
Fuel Injection
of diagnostic time and to help avoid incorrect component re-
placement and possible damage to system components.
NOTE-
* Professional diagnostic scan tools available at the time of
this printing include the BMW factory tools and a small
number of aftermarket BMW-specific tools. The
CS2000
from Baum Tools Unlimited, the Retriever from Assenma-
chef Specialty Tools, and the MT2500 from Snap-on are
three examples.
In addition to the BMW-specific professional line of scan
tools, there are inexpensive generic OBD
I1 scan tool soft-
ware programs and
handheld units available. Although
these tools have limited capabilities as compared to the
dedicated tools, they are powerful diagnostic tools.
For the
DIY owner, simple aftermarltet DTC readeris avail-
able through
http://www.pealteresearch.com. This tool is
capable of checlting for
DTCs as well as turning off the il-
luminated
MIL and resetting the service indicator lights.
Tools and test equipment
If the equipment required to do the job is unavailable, it is rec-
ommended that these repairs be left to an authorized
BMW
dealer or other qualified BMW repair facility.
4 Low current test light ("noid")
(Tool No. Baum 11 15a)

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- -.
Fuel Injection
SIEMENS MIS 42.0 AND 43.0
When system faults are detected, a diagnostic trouble code
(DTC) is stored in the engine control module (ECM). The MIL
also illuminates
if an emissions-related fault is detected.
When faults arise, or
if the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is
illuminated, begin troubleshooting by connecting BMW ser-
vice tester
DISplus, MoDiC, GTI or equivalent scan tool. The
capabilities of OBD
II software has the potential to save hours
of diagnostic time and to help avoid incorrect component re-
placement and possible damage to system components.
CAUTION-
* The tests in this section may set fault codes (DTCs) in tlie
ECM and illuminate the MIL. After all testing is completed,
access and clear DTC fault
memory using an OBD I/ or
BMW compatible scan tool. See
OBD On-Board Diag-
nostics.
Only use a
dgital multimeter for electrical tests.
Relay positions can vary. Be sure to confirm
relayposi-
tion by identifying the wiring in the socket using the wir-
ing diagrams found in
ELE Electrical Wiring
Diagrams.
NOTE-
- OBD I1 fault memory. (including an illuminated MIL! can
only be reset using the special scan tool. Removing the
connector from the ECM or disconnecting the battery will
not erase the fault memory.
The BMW-dedicated 20-pin diagnostic
linlc connector
(DLC) is in the right rear of the engine compartment The
20-pin DLC is discontinued on models after
6/2000.
The 1 &pin OBD I1 diagnostic connector (arrow) is located
inside the car on the lower left dash panel.
The MS
42.0 and MS 43.0 systems manage the following
functions.
- Air:
Idle speed valve
Electronic throttle
Hot film mass air flow (MAF) sensor
Resonance-turbulence intake control
- Fuel:
* Fuel supply
Running losseslnon return
Fuel injection

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Fuel Injection
When system faults are detected, a diagnostic trouble code
(DTC) is stored in the engine control module (ECM). The MIL
also illuminates
if an emissions-related fault is detected.
When faults arise, or
if the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is
illuminated, begin troubleshooting by connecting BMW ser-
vice tester
DISplus, MoDiC, GTl or equivalent scan tool. The
capabilities of OBD
II software has the potential to save hours
of diagnostic time and to help avoid incorrect component re-
placement and possible damage to system components.
CA UTIOI\C
The tests in this section may set fault codes (DTCs) in the
ECM and illuminate the MIL. After all testing is completed,
access and clear DTC fault memory using an OBD
I1 or
BMW compatible scan tool. See OBD On-Board Diag-
nostics.
. Only use a digital multimeter for electrical tests.
Relay positions can vary. Be sure to confirm relay posi-
tion by identifying the wiring in the
socket using the wir-
ing diagrams found in ELE Electrical Wiring
Diaqrams.
NOTE-
= OBD I1 fault memory (including an illuminated MIL) can
only be reset using the special scan tool. Removing the
connector from the ECM or disconnecting the battery will
not erase the fault memory.
0 The BMW-dedicated 20-pin diagnostic link connector
(DLC) is in the right rear of the engine compartment. The
20-pin DLC was eliminated on models after
6/2000.
The 16-pin OBD I1 diagnostic connector (arrow) is located
inside the car on the lower left dash panel.