1997 BMW 530i charging

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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, 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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2 INDEX
Battery, starter, alternator
alternator (generator)
121-10
6-cylinder engine, removingi
installing 121-15
M62 engine 121-16
M62 TU engine (water cooled)
121-18
battery
121-5 charging 121-9
safety terminal 121-3
testing 121-5 charging system, troubleshooting
121-12
starter
121-1 9
6-cylinder engine, removingi instaliinq 121-20 . V-8 engine, rernovinglinsialiing
121-21
solenoid, removinglinstalling
121-23 troubleshooting 121-19
see also Maintenance
Bearing, wheel
see Front suspension
see also Rear suspension
Belts see Maintenance, drive belts
Blade, wiper
see Wipers and Washers
Blower motor see
A/C
BMW emblem
see Exterior trim
BMW special tools 010-18 see also special tools section at
beginning
of each repair group
Body dimensions 400-2
interior features
400-9 salety and security 400-7
Body side molding
see Exterior trim
Bonnet see Engine hood
Boot see Trunk
Brake fluid
020-24, 340-8
Brake fluid pressure sensor
340-30
Brakes
ABS, ASC or DSC system
300-12
component replacement 340-26
ASCIDSC switch
see Switches
bleeding
bralces 340-8
brake booster 340-1 9 bralce Dads. caiioers and rotors ,., 340-1 1
descriotion 300-10
e~ectrdnic brake & stability 300-11
light switch
see Switches
master cylinder
340-16 pariking brake 340-22
troubleshooting 340-5
Bulbs see Lights
Bumper
lront 510-6 height, adjusting 510-12
rear 510-9
Bus system
600-4
Camber
320-33
Camshaft
removingiinslaiiing
M52 engine 116-12
M52 TU
/ M54 engine 116-1 9 M62 engine 11 6-39
wear
116-6
Camshaft position sensors
see ignition system
Camshaft timing chain
adjusting M52 engine
117-22
M52 TU I M54 engine 117-43
M62 engine 117-79 removinglinstalling
M52 engine 117-26
M52TU 1 M54 engine 113-46.116-
28
M62 engine 117-66
Capacities, fluid
020.10
Car rnemorvlicev memorv . . 600-10
see also Centrai
lociking
Carbon canister, activated
see Fuel
tank
Caster
320-33
Catalytic converter and oxygen sensor 020-19
see also Exhaust system: exhaust
manilolds
Cautions
001-3
CD changer
650-4
Center bearing, driveshaft
see Driveshait
Center brake light
sedan
630-13
Center console
513-3
Centrai body electronics (ZKE 111)
600-6
Central locking
car memoryiey memory 515.12 general module iunctions 515-2
remote entry (FZV) 515-8
remote lkey initialization 515-10 single lociddouble ioclk 515-6
switch 515-4
Chain
see Camshaft liming chain
Characteristic map (electrically heated) thermostat
see Electrically heated thermostat
Charging system
see Battery, starter, alternator
Cluster see instruments
Clutch fluid see Maintenance
hydraulics
210-4
mechanical 210-9
switch
see Switches, pedal ciuster
variations
210.10
Codes, fault OED-1
Coil
see Ignition system
Coil spring
see Front suspension
see also Rear
suspe nsion