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Battery, Starter, Alternator
Water-cooled alternator
The water-cooled alternator, used on 1999 and later M62 TU
engines, is a sealed unit housed inside the engine block wa-
ter jacket. It is cooled via the engine cooling system. It is a
"brushless" sealed unit that cannot be serviced. Maintaining
consistent alternator temperatures increases the life span of
the alternator, and elimination of the alternator cooling fan re-
duces alternator noise
significantly.
The M62 TU water-cooled alternator incorporates load start
reduction. This function is intended to shorten the duration of
engine starting, particularly at low ambienttemperatures. The
current load is limited to
20 amps during starting in order to re-
duce alternator braking torque on the engine. Following the
current limiting phase, full power output is then progressively
reached.
Charging system diagnostics requires special test equip-
ment. If the test equipment is not available, charging system
fault diagnosis can be performed by an authorized
BMW
dealer or other qualified repair shop. See Table a. Battery,
alternator and starter troubleshooting for general electri-
cal component troubleshooting.
Before checking the alternator, make sure the battery is fully
charged and capable of holding a charge. Check that the bat-
tery terminals are clean and tight and the alternator drive belt
is properly tensioned and not severely worn.
NOTE-
Some model require up to 15 second to reacli full alternator
output.
CA UTIOG
If the charge indicator light in the instrument cluster remains
on, the charge warning circuit in the instrument cluster may
be faulty. Check that the ground lead is securely
affached to
the grounding stud on the cylinder head
(A). Replacing the
instrument cluster before repairing the ground lead will both
damage the instrument cluster and cause the failure to
reoccur.

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Battery, Starter, ~lternatorl
Charging system quick-check
Use a digital multimeter to measure voltage across the bat-
tery terminals with key off and then again with engine running.
Battery voltage should be about 12.6 volts with key off and be-
tween 13.5 and 14.5 volts with engine running.
NOTE-
The regulated voltage (engine running) should be between
13.2 and 14.5, depending on temperature andoperating con-
ditions.
If the voltage is higher than 14.8, the voltage regula-
tor or
mulitfunction controller is most likely faulty
Check for clean and tight battery cables. Check ground cable
running from negative
(-) battery terminal to chassis and
ground cable running from engine to chassis. Check alterna-
tor drive belt condition and tension.
Charging system, checking
CAUTIOI\C
* Do not disconnect the battery while the engine is running.
Damage to the alternator and/or engine electronic systems
may result.
Only use a digital multimeter when testing charging
system components.
--7
4 Turn ignition key on. Check that battery warning light comes
on.
NOTE-
If the warning light does not come on, repair bulb or wiring
faults before continuing to checlc the charging system.
/ Charge indicator
502820805
4 6-cylinder engines only, remove complete air filter housing:
Loosen
intake duct hose clamp (A) at throttle assembly.
Loosen clamp and remove idle control hose from intake
duct
(B) and disconnect idle speed control valve electrical
harness connector.
Disconnect electrical harness connector
(C) from mass air
flow sensor.
Remove air filter housing mounting screw
(D).
Disconnect vent tube (E).
Loosen air intake duct clamp (F).
Carefully lift air filter housing out of engine bay.

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Battery, Starter, ~lternatorl
Alternator, removing and installing
(6-cylinder engine)
A replacement alternator should have the same rating as the
original. Alternator manufacturer and ampere rating are nor-
mally marked on the alternator housing.
- Disconnect negative (-) battery cable.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the batteg read the battery discon-
nection cautions given
in 001 General Warnings and Cau-
I tions.
Remove complete air filter housing:
Loosen intake duct hose clamp
(A) at throttle assembly.
Loosen clamp and remove idle control hose from intake
duct
(B) and disconnect idle speed control valve electrical
harness connector.
Disconnect electrical harness connector
(C) from mass air
flow sensor.
* Remove air filter housing mounting screw (D),
Disconnect vent tube (E).
Loosen air intake duct clamp (F).
Carefully lifl air filter housing out of engine bay.
Remove alternator drive belt. See belt removal procedures in
020 Maintenance.
- Remove radiator cooling fan and fan shroud. See 170 Radi-
ator and Cooling System.
NOTE-
The radiator cooling fan nut (32 mm wrench) has left-hand
threads.
- Unbolt power steering fluid reservoir and bracket. Suspend to
one side without detaching fluid hoses.
- Disconnect alternator air cooling tube.
- Disconnect wiring from rear of alternator.
'4 Remove upper and lower mounting bolts (arrows) and lift
alternator.
If idler pulley for belt interferes, remove pulley cover and
retaining bolt to remove pulley. out

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121-16
Battery, Starter, Alternator
- installation is reverse of removal.
Tightening torques Belt tensloner to engine block
M8 (8.8 grade) 22
Nm (16 ft-ib)
Fan clutch to coolant pump
with BMW special tool 11
5 040 30 Nm (22
ft-lb)
without BMW special tool
11 5 040 40 Nm
(29 ft-ib)
Pulley to alternator 70
Nm (44 ft-lb)
Terminal 30
(B+) wire to alternator (M8) 13 Nm (10 ft-ib)
Alternator, removing and installing
(M62 engine, air cooled)
A replacement alternator should have the same rating as the
original. Alternator manufacturer and ampere rating are nor-
mally
marked on the alternator housing.
- Disconnect negative (-) battery cable.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery discon-
nection cautions
001 General Warnings and Cautions.
- Remove cooling fan and alternator drive belt. See 020 Main-
tenance.
- Pry out trim caps and remove fasteners from plastic cover on
left head. Lift off cover.
Disconnect positive
(+) lead from jump start post (arrow).
Raise car and support in a safe manner.
WARNING-
Make sure the car is stable and well supported at aN times.
Use a professional automotive lift
orjack stands designed for
the purpose.
A floorjack is not adequate support.

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121-18
I Battery, Starter, Alternator
Alternator, removing and installing
(M62 TU engine, water cooled)
V-8 models produced after 9/98 are equipped with a water
cooled alternator.
CAUTION-
Allow engine to cool before removing alternator as coolant
will
escape from the alternator water jacket.
- Disconnect negative (-) battery cable
CAUTION- Prior to disconnecting the
battew read the battery discon-
nection cautions given in
001 General Warnings and Cau-
tions.
- Remove radiator cooling fan and fan shroud. See 170 Radi-
ator and Cooling System.
- Drain engine cooling system. See 170 Radiator and Cool-
ing System.
- Remove alternator drive belt. See 020 Maintenance.
- Disconnect battery lead (terminal 30 or B+) and two-pin har-
ness connector from front of alternator.
I < Remove bolts securing alternator to water jacket and remove
aling ring
alternator.
NOTE- If necessary, raise car and remove engine compartment
splash shield to access lower alternator mounting bolts.
The upper coolant hose can also
be removed to assist al-
ternator removal.

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Battery, Starter, Alternator
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Replace alternator rubber sealing O-ring.
* Fill and bleed cooling system as described in 170 Radiator
and Cooling System.
Tightening torques
Fan clutch to coolant pump
with
BMW special tool 11 5 040 30 Nm (22 ft-lb)
without
BMW special tool 11 5 040 40 Nm (29 ft-lb)
Terminal 30 (Bc) wire to alternator (ME) 13 Nm (10 ft-lb)
STARTER
Starter troubleshooting
Typical starter wiring terminal identification is shown. Large
wire at terminal
30 (not shown in photo) is direct battery volt-
age. Smaller wire at terminal
50 operates starter solenoid via
ignition switch.
If starter turns engine slowly when ignition is in start position:
Check battery state of charge.
Inspect starter wires, terminals, and ground
connectlons
for good contact. In particular, make sure ground connec-
tions between battery, body and
englne are completely
clean and tight.
If no faults are found, starter may be faulty and should be
replaced.
- If starter fails to operate, check EWS (drive-away protection
system). Try another ignition key.
If no faults can be found,
have the EWS system checked using
BMW scan tool equip-
ment.
Checkclutch pedal operated
starter lock-out switch or gear
position switch (automatic).
NOTE-
* A factory-installed drive-away protection system, also re-
ferred to as
EWS, is used on E39 cars. This system pre-
vents operation of the starter if a specially coded ignition
key is not used.
On cars with automatic transmission, the transmission
gear position switch signals
EWS to prevent the engine
from starting in gear positions other than PARK or NEU-
TRAL.
On cars with manual transmissions, a starter immobiliza-
tion switch
at the clutch pedal is used to prevent the starter
from operating unless the clutch pedal is pushed fully to
the floor.

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121-23
Battery, Starter, ~lternatorl
Solenoid switch, removing and installing
- Remove starter as described previously.
- Disconnect field winding strap between starter motor and
solenoid switch.
NOTE-
If the field winding strap is damaged or burned, a new or
rebuilt starter motor is needed.
< Remove solenoid switch mounting screws (arrows), and
separate solenoid from starter.
Unhoolc solenoid plunger from lever in starter drive
- Installation is reverse of removal. Lubricate solenoid piston
with light grease.
CAUTION- When installing field winding strap to starter, position
itso that
it does not contact the starter body.
Tightening torque
Field strap to starter
13 Nm (10 ff-lb)

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130-1 3
Fuel Injection I
< Unplug harness connector (arrow) from sensor.
CAUTION-
Be sure ignition is OFF before disconnecting or reconnecting
DME system components.
NOTE-
Do not confuse the throttle position sensor on the main Nirot-
tle body with the throttle position switch on the secondary
throttle body, where applicable.
- Remove two mounting screws holding sensor to throttle
housing.
- Installation is reverse of removal. Clear adaptation settings
from ECM using BMW-compatible scan tool.
NOTE-
Poor idle quality may be noticeable for a period if the adapta-
tion settings are not cleared after installing new TPS.
ldle speed control valve,
checking and replacing
The idle speed control valve regulates idle speed by redirect-
inq airaround the throttlevalve.The idlespeed control valve is
mounted on the underside of the intake manifold adjacent to
the dipstick tube bracket. Accessing the valve is best accom-
plished by first removing the air filter housing and the throttle
body assembly.
The valve issupplied with
batteryvoltagefrom the ECM relay.
The idle speed control valve incorporates a two-coil rotary ac-
tuator. The ground sides of each coil are pulsed
sirnulta-
neously by the ECM. The duty cycle of each circuit is varied to
achieve the required idle speed.
Afaulty ldle speed control valve sets afault code and the MIL
is illuminated when
OED II fault criteria are exceeded.
Before checking the idle speed control valve, confirm that the
throttle position sensor is working correctly.
- With engine running, check that idle speed control valve is
buzzing.
- Turn on AIC system or shift transmission into drive. ldle
should remain steady or increase slightly.