520-
6
SEATS
4
.
Push
spring-loaded
lock
back
and
unclip
seat
back
.
See
Fig
.
9
.
Fig
.
9
.
Push
spring-loaded
clip
back
(arrow)
.
UU13117
5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Make
sure
backrest
locks
at
top
seat
belt
connection
.
REA
R
SEA
TS
Rear
seat
backrestside
section,
removing
and
installing
(foid-downseat
back
modeis)
1.
Pull
front
of
cushion
up
and
out
of
clips
.
2
.
Fold
down
rear
seat
backrest
.
3
.
Lift
backrest
side
section
up
and
out
.
See
Fig
.
10
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
0013175
Fig
.
10
.
Remove
backrest
sidesection
by
lifting
out
(A)
and
up
(B)
.
1#=am
GENERAL
.
...
.
.
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
541-1
Visor
Latch
Plate
.....
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
...
.541-4
Visor
Latch
..
.
............
.
.
.
..........
541-4
MANUAL
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
.
.
.
.
...
.
..
541-1
Visor
Latch
Motor
...
.......
.
.
.
..
........
541-5
Visor
Latch
Plate
.
.
......
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
541-1
Convertible
top
and
frame,
replacing
........
541-5
VisorLatch
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
.
.....
.
.
.541-1
Convertible
top
drive
motor,
replacing
......
541-7
Convertible
Top
Lid
Release
Mechanism
.
.
.
.
541-2
Convertible
Top
Emergency
Operation
.....
.541-7
Convertible
top
and
frame,
replacing
....
.
.
.
541-2
Convertible
Top
Lid
.
.
.
.
...........
.
.....
541-9
POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
.
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
541-2
ROLLOVER
PROTECTION
SYSTEM
..
.
.
541-9
FrontLatching
Mechanism
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
.
541-4
GENERAL
The
convertible
top
comes
in
three
versions
:
a
manually
op-erated
top,
a
semi-automatic
power
top
and
a
fully
automatic
power
top
.
NOTE-
The
convertible
top
control
module
(CVM)
is
located
behind
the
left
rearside
trim
panel
.
For
the
location
of
other
convertible
top
electric
components
see610
Electrical
Component
Locations
.
The
rear
window
in
the
convertible
models
is
made
of
a
strong,
flexible
vínyl
which
is
available
separately
.
Replace-
ment
of
the
rear
window
is
not
covered
in
this
manual
.
The
left
and
right
visor
latch
plates
can
be
accessed
by
re-
moving
the
trim
and
moldings
around
the
sides
and
top
of
the
windshield
.
Each
latch
is
secured
to
thetop
of
the
windshield
usingthree
bolts
.
Latch
position
is
adjusted
as
follows
:
541
Convertible
Top
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
541-1
"
Loosen
bolts
"
Latch
top
"
Align
top
"
Retighten
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
BMW
has
designed
a
specialbattery
tray
for
the
convertible
which,
in
conjunction
with
the
mass
of
the
battery
in
the
lug-
gage
compartment,
serves
to
dampen
convertible
body
flex
ing
and
vibration
.
Fig
.
1.
Visor
latchplate
is
held
to
top
of
windshieldwith
three
bolts
(arrows)
.
CAUTION-
The
E36
convertible
requires
a
specialbattery
VisorLatch
which
is
designed
for
constant
vibration
.
A
battery
not
designed
forthis
will
fa¡¡
much
earlier
.
Check
for
ease
of
release
and
locking
of
convertible
top
front
latches
.
Height
of
a
latch
can
be
changed
by
using
the
adjusting
screw
.
To
change
latch
tension,
it
is
necessary
to
re-
MANUAL
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
move
the
trim
on
the
front
bow
of
thetop
.
The
ball-joint
pull-rod
length
can
then
be
adjusted
.
Lubricate
latch
if
necessary
.
See
Visor
Latch
Plate
Fig
.
2
.
MANUAL
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
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
.
KL
30
CONVERTIBLE
BATTERY
(ON
TOP
MOTOR)
UP
DOWN
S2
-I
(ON
TOP
MOTOR)
(IN
TOP
STORAGE
WELL)
S4
E36
AUTOMATIC
CONVERTIBLE
S5
(ON
TRUNK
LOCK)I
TOP
CONTROLMODULE
I
LH
SIDE
TOP
LATCH
DRIVE)
1
M-4
m
í
A
7--
Offi-
Íl
ít~~
ENSOR
H
ARD
T
OP
LOCK
SIGNAL
O
1~~11
:i
q
SIGNAL
TOP
MOTOR
POSITION
SIGNAL
Fig
.
5
.
Semi-automatic
and
fully
automatic
convertible
top
system
.
Main
ad-
ditional
components
in
fully
automatic
top
shown
inside
dashed
lines
.
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
541-3
TOP
LID
MOTOR
EM
TOP
n
~
ll
í
9
.1
-----------
II
II
FRONT
I
M
LATCH
I
1
MOTOR
'I
I
1I
L---------
J
X
POWER
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
Electrical
System-General
GENERAL
.
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
...
600-1
Voltage
and
Polarity
........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
600-1
Ming,
Fuses
and
Relays
............
.
.
.
.
600-1
Electrical
System
Safety
Precautions
...
.
.
.
.
600-1
Electrical
Test
Equipment
.....
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
.
600-2
WIRING
DIAGRAMS
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
........
600-2
Ming
Codes
and
Abbreviations
..
.
...
.
....
600-2
ELECTRICAL
TROUBLESHOOTING
..
.
..
600-3
Voltage
and
Voltage
Drops
..........
.
.
.
.
.
600-4
GENERAL
Electrical
System
Safety
Precautions
A
brief
description
of
the
principal
parts
of
the
electrical
sys-
tem
is
presented
here
.
Also
covered
here
are
basic
electrical
system
troubleshooting
tips
.
Voltage
and
Polarity
The
vehicle
electrical
system
is
a
12-volt
direct
current
(DC)
negative-ground
system
.
A
voltage
regulator
controls
system
voltage
at
approximately
the
12-volt
rating
of
the
battery
.
Al¡
circuits
are
grounded
by
direct
or
indirect
connection
to
the
negative
(-)
terminal
of
the
battery
.
A
number
of
ground
con-
nections
throughout
the
car
connect
the
wiring
harness
to
chassis
ground
.
These
circuits
are
completedby
the
battery
cable
or
ground
strap
between
the
body
and
the
battery
nega-
tive
(-)
terminal
.
Wiring,
Fuses
and
Relays
Nearly
all
parts
of
the
wiring
harnessconnect
to
compo-
nents
of
the
electrical
system
with
keyed,
push-on
connectors
that
lock
into
place
.
Notable
exceptions
arethe
heavy
battery
cables
and
the
starter
wiring
.
The
wiring
is
color-coded
for
cir-
cuitidentification
.
With
theexception
of
the
battery
charging
system,
most
electrical
power
is
routed
from
the
ignition
switch
or
the
bat-
tery
through
the
main
fuse/relay
panel,
located
in
¡he
left
rear
comer
of
the
engine
compartment
.
Fuses
are
color
coded
to
indicate
current
capacities
.
The
relays
and
control
units/modules
are
mounted
in
vari-
ous
places
throughout
the
vehicle
.
See610
Electrical
Com-
ponent
Locations
.
ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM-GENERAL
600-1
Voltage,
measuring
.
.
.
................
.
.
600-4
Voltage
drop,
testing
.
.
.....
.
.....
.
......
600-4
Continuity,
checking
..
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
600-5
Short
Circuits
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
600-5
Short
circuit,
testing
with
ohmmete'r
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
600-6
Short
circuit,
testing
with
voitmeter
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
600-6
TABLES
a
.
Terminal
and
Circuit
Numbers
..............
..
.600-3
Please
read
the
following
warnings
and
cautions
before
do-
ing
any
work
on
your
electrical
system
.
WARNING
-
"
The
cars
covered
by
this
manual
are
equipped
with
aSupplemental
Restraint
System
(SRS)
that
automatically
deploys
one
or
more
airbags
.
Each
airbag
unit
houses
an
explosive
powerful
charge
.
Any
work
involving
the
SRS
system
should
only
be
performed
byan
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
Making
repairs
without
the
proper
knowledge
and
special
test
equipment
may
cause
serious
per-
sonal
injury
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
"
The
ignition
system
of
the
car
operates
at
lethal
voltages
.
People
with
pacemakers
or
weak
hearts
should
not
expose
themselves
to
the
ignition
sys-
tem
.
Extra
caution
mustbe
taken
when
working
on
the
ignition
system
or
when
servicing
theen-
gine
while
it
is
runningor
the
key
is
on
.
See
120
Ignition
System
for
additional
ignition
system
warnings
and
cautions
.
"
Before
operating
the
starter
without
starting
the
engine
(as
when
making
a
compressfon
test),
dis-
able
the
ignition
system
as
described
in
120
Igni-
tion
System
.
"
Keep
hands,
clothing
and
other
objects
clear
of
the
electric
radiator
coollng
fan
when
working
on
a
warm
engine
.
The
fan
may
start
at
any
tíme,
even
when
the
ignition
is
switched
off
.
GENERAL