1998 BMW 528i Air

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120-7
Ignition System
Spark plug electrode gap /Too small /TOO big
Table
b. Ignition secondary voltage diagnostics
Secondary
voltage low
Fuel air mixture
I I Too lean
Secondary
voltage high
Spark plug electrode
Worniburnt
4 The illustration shows normal scope trace of spark at idle.
1. Start of ignition voltage peak
2 Level of ignition voltage
3. Level of combustion voltage
4. Period of combustion
5. Combustion curve characteristics
6. Start of decay process
7. Termination oscillations
Spark plug electrode
temperature
Engine compression
Spark plug wires
4 Short combustion period (indicates large spark plug gap).
Too
high
Too
low
I"" 9, 10 I" to I!, r) i" 21 10 il bW,rn?7G
Too low
Too high
Faulty
4 Ignition spark at idle speed.
A - Normal ignition voltage peak (spark plug is good).
B - Low voltage peak is an indication of a closed plug gap.
C
- High voltage peak indicates an open plug gap.
< Long combustion period (indicates small spark plug gap).
~i,+i!,~,i~tiii~iit~~,t1!lc,',l~~4~l~,~,l,~+~{+',,l 1W W Sl ,@ 10 :o 9 20 21 10 0

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.-
ignition System
Disabling ignition system
The ignition system operates in a lethal voltage range and
should be disabled any time engine service or repair work is
being done that requires the ignition to be switched on.
The engine management system can be disabled by remov-
ing the DME main relay. The relay is located in the electronics
box (E-box) in the left rear of the engine
compartment, be.
neath the interior microfilter housing.
CAUTION- Relay locations may
vary. Use care when identifying relays.
See
610 Electrical Component Locations.
Checking for spark
CAUTION-
If
a spark test is done incorrecth damage to the Engine Con-
trol Module
(ECM) or the ignition coils may result.
NOTE-
Spark plug replacement is covered in 020 Maintenance.
Check~ng for spark is d~fflcult on englnes wlth d~str~butorless
ignition systems.
Try removing the spark plugs and inspecting for differences between them.
A poor-firing plug may be wet with fuel and/or ~. - ~
black and sooty, but not always. If a coil is not operating, the
engine management system will electrically disable the fuel
injector to that cylinder. The key is to look for differences be-
tween cylinders.
Ignition coil assembly, testing and
replacing
C4 UTION-
Use a digital multimeter for the following tests. I
- Remove plastic engine cover from top of valve cover by pry-
ing off bolt covers and removing cover mounting bolts.
- Raise car slowly while constantly checking position of jack
and car.
- Disconnect harness connector from coil. Connect multimeter
between terminal 15
(+) in connector and ground.
4 Terminal identification are typically molded into connector. In
photo, terminals are from left to right: 1,
4a, 15.

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Ignition System
- Turn ignition on and check for battery voltage,
If battery voltage is not present,
checlt wire between termi-
nal
15 and the unloader relay. See ELE Electrical Wiring
Diagrams.
- Turn ignition off.
Remove coil and inspect coil housing for hairline
cracks or
leaking casting material. Replace any
cracked or leaking coil.
NOTE-
A leaky coil may indicate a faulty Engine Control Module
(ECM). Check ECM before installing a new coil.
CAUTION-
Note location of coilground straps before coil removal; rein-
stall in the same location.
Use a multimeter to test:
Coil primary resistance at coil terminals.
Sparlt plug connector resistance.
* Compare results to specification in Table c. lgnition coil
resistance.
Table c. Ignition coil resistance
Coil secondary
resistance
Spark plug connector:
Bosch 1 .O I( ohm t 20%
1.8 ir ohm t 20%
Component
Co~l prlmary
resistance
- Replace ignition coil or sparlt plug connector if resistance
readings do not meet specifications.
4 Remove ignition coil to be tested.
Install
BMW special tool 12 7 030 (A) on coil to be tested.
Connect ground jumper between coil mounting point
(B)
and engine ground point (C).
Clip scope high pick-up lead (D) around ignition lead.
Start engine.
Compare scope pattern with diagrams in Oscilloscope
di-
agnostic diagrams.
NOTE-
When replacing ignition coils, ensure that the replacements
Terminal
1 (-) and 15 (+)
are
from the same manufacturer with the same partlcode
numbers. If individual coils with the correct specifications are
not available. all coils should be
re~laced.
Resistance
0.8 ohms

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I Ignition System
Camshaft position sensors
The camshaft position sensors are used by the englne man-
agement system for VANOS control, sequential fuel injection
and knock control.
Intake camshaft position sensor, replacing
(M52,M52 TU
and M54 engines)
- Make certain ignition has been turned off.
- Remove plastic cover from above fuel injectors by prying off
bolt covers and removing cover mounting bolts.
Remove complete air filter housing:
Disconnect electrical harness connector on mass air flow
sensor
(A).
Detach vacuum line at intake boot (B).
Loosen hose clamp at intake boot and detach air duct con-
nections
(C).
* Disconnect cold air duct tube (D).
Remove filter housing mounting screws (E).
- Disconnect harness connector from VANOS solenoid and
unscrew solenoid from VANOS control unit. Be prepared with
shop rags to catch oil released from VANOS unit.
Remove camshaft sensor (arrow) from
left front of cyl~nder
head, next to top of oil filter housing.
Disconnect camshaft sensor harness from under intake
manifold. Prior to removal, attach a stiff piece of wire to the
harness connector end to preserve proper routing of harness
for reinstallation.
Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Use new O-rings when installing sensor and solenoid.
Be sure wiring is rerouted in same orientation.
Use scan tool to read out and clear
ECM fault memory
Tightening torques
-
Intake camshaft sensor to cylinder head 10 Nrn (7 ft-lb)
VANOS solenoid to VANOS control unit 30 Nm (22 ft-lb)

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120-15
Ignition system1
Exhaust camshaft position sensor, replacing
(M52 TU and M54 engines)
- Make sure ignition has been turned off.
4 Working at front of engine on exhaust (right) side, detach ex-
haust camshaft position sensor electrical harness connector
(arrow) and remove sensor.
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Use a new O-ring when installing sensor.
- Use scan tool to read out and clear ECM fault memory.
Tightening torque
Exhaust camshaft sensor
to cylinder head 10 Nm (7 ft-lb)
Intake camshaft position sensor, replacing
(M62 and M62 TU engines)
- Make sure ignition has been turned off
4 Remove top engine cover by releasing quick release fasten-
ers (arrows) by pressing down.
4 Remove air filter housing and mass air flow sensor:
Disconnect mass air flow sensor and
intalte air tempera-
ture sensor electrical harnesses
(A and B).
Remove air filter housing mounting fastener (arrow).
Loosen hose clamps
(C and D).
Remove hose at idle air stabilizer.
Remove air filter housing with mass air flow sensor.
- Remove intalte hose from throttle body.

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121-1
121 Battery. Starter. Alternator
General ........................... .I2 1.2
Special tools ........................ .I2 1.2
Engine electrical system ............... .I2 1.2
Battery Safety Terminal ............... .I2 1.3
Warnings and cautions ................. 121 -4
Battery ............................ 121-5
Battery testing ...................... .I2 1.5
Hydrometer testing ................... .I2 1.5
Battery open-circuit voltage test ......... .I2 1.6
Battery load voltage test ................ 121 -6
Closed-circuit current measurement ..... .I2 1.7
Battery charging ...................... 121 -9
Battery safety terminal, replacing ......... 121-9
Alternator (generator) ............. .I2 1.10
Alternator. basic .................... .I2 1.11
Alternator with multi-function
control (MFR)
...................... .I2 1.11
Water-cooled alternator ............... 121 -12
Charging System Troubleshooting . 121-12
Charging system quick-check .......... 121-13
Charging system. checking ............ 121-13
Alternator. removing and installing
(6-cylinder engine)
.................. 121 -1 5
Alternator. removing and installing
(M62 engine. air cooled)
.............. 121-16
Alternator. removing and installing
(M62 TU engine. water cooled) ......... 121-1 8
Starter ........................... 121 -1 9
Starter troubleshooting ............... 121 -1 9
Starter. removing and installing
(6-cylinder engine)
.................. 121-20
Starter. removing and installing
(V-8 engine)
........................ 121 -21
Solenoid switch. removing and installing . . 121-23

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.-. .
Battery, Starter, Alternator
Warnings and cautions
WARNING -
Wear goggles, rubber gloves, and a rubber apron when
working around the battery or battery acid (electrolyte).
Battery acid contains sulfuric acid and can cause skin
irritation and burning.
If acid is spilled on your skin or
clothing, flush the area at once with large quantities of
water. If electrolyte gets into your eyes, flush them with
large quantities of clean water for several minutes and
call a physician.
Batteries that are being charged or are fully charged
give off explosive hydrogen gas. Keep sparks and open
flames away. Do not
smoke.
CA UTIOI\C
Only use a digital multimeter when testing automotive elec-
trical components.
. If a repair procedure specifies disconnecting the bat-
tery, follow the instruction for safety reasons.
Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery dis-
connection cautions in
001 General Cautions and
Warnings.
Models with MS43 engine management: Allow at least
3 minutes to elapse after turning ignition ley to OFFpo-
sition before disconnecting battery. This willallow sum-
cient tinie to complete the DMJL (fuel tank pressure)
test
* Disconnecting the battery cables may erase fault codes
stored in ECM memory.
Always disconnect the negative
(-) battery cable first
and reconnect it last. Cover the battery post with an in-
sulating material whenever the cable is removed.
Do not disconnect battery, alternator or starter wires
while the engine is running.
0 Never reverse the battery cables. Even a momentary
wrong connection can damage the alternator or other
electrical components.
Do not depend on the color of insulation to tell battery
positive and negative cables apart. Label cables before
removing.
The slide-tilt sunroof may fail to function properly
after
disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. Reinitial-
ize sunroof as described in 540 Sunroof.

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121-9
Battery, Starter, ~lternatorl
Battery charging
Discharged batteries can be recharged using a batterycharg-
er. Remove the battery from the trunk during charging.
Prolonged charging causes electrolyte evaporation to a level
that can damage the battery. It is best to use a low-current
charger
(6 amperes or less) to prevent battery damage
caused by overheating.
WARNING -
Hydrogen gas given off by the battery during charging is ex-
plosive. Do not smoke.
Keep open flames away from the top
ofthe batte~ and prevent electrical sparks by turning off the
battery charger before connecting or disconnecting it.
Battery electrolyte (sulfuric acid) can damage the car. If
electrolyte is spilled, clean the area with a solution
ofbak-
ing soda and water.
Always allow a frozen battery to thaw before attempting
to recharge it.
Always disconnect both battery cables and remove bat-
tery from vehicle during battery charging. Do not ex-
ceed
16.5 charging voltage at the battery
Battery safety terminal, replacing
If the battery safety terminal has been triggered, investigate
and correct the cause prior to replacement.
- Working in right side of luggage compartment, remove bat-
tery trim panel.
- Disconnect negative (-) battery terminal and cover with
insulator.
- Disconnect positive (+) cable from battery.
- Release positive (+) cable from cable brackets on luggage
compartment wall. Lay new repair cable parallel to positive
cable.
- Mark off length of new cable on old cable. Allow 10 cm
(2.5 in) of slack.
- Saw through old cable.
Do not use bolt cutters or similar tools to cut through cable.
A cable end that has been squashed
flat will not fit into the