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120-3
Ignition System
Warnings and cautions
The ignition system produces dangerous high voltage. In ad-
dition the sensitive electronic components can be damaged
if
proper precautions are not adhered to.
WARNING-
* Do not touch or disconnect any cables from the coils while
the engine is running or being
cranked by the starter.
The ignition system produces high voltages that can be
fatal. Avoid contact with exposed terminals. Use ex-
treme caution when working on a car with the ignition
switched on or the engine running.
- Connect and disconnect tlie DME system wiring and
test equipment leads only when the ignition is
OFF:
Before operating the starter without starting the engine
(for example when
making a compression test) always
disable the ignition.
CA
U TIOW-
Do not attempt to disable the ignition by removing the coils
from the spark plugs.
Connect or disconnect ignition system wires, multiple
wire connectors, and ignition test equipment leads only
while the ignition is
off Switch multimeter functions or
measurement ranges only with the test probes discon-
nected.
* Do not disconnect the battery while the engine is run-
ning.
A high impedance digital multimeter should be used for
all voltage and resistance tests. An LED test light
should be used in place of an incandescent-type test
lamp.
In general, make test connections only as specified by
BMW as described in this manual, or as described by
the instrument manufacturer.
Engine management
BMW €39 engines use an advanced engine management
system known as Digital Motor Electronics (DME). DME in-
corporates on-board diagnostics, fuel injection, ignition and
other engine control functions. DME variants are listed in
Table a. Engine management systems.
Second generation On-Board Diagnostics
(OED II) is incor-
porated into the engine management systems used on the
cars covered by this manual. Use a BMW-specific electronic
scan tool, or a "Generic"
OED II scan tool to access Diagnos-
tic Trouble Codes (DTCs). DTCs can help pinpoint ignition
ine management problems.

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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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130-72
Fuel Injection
I Oxygen sensors, replacing
4 Four Bosch oxygen sensors (2 precatalytic converter sen-
sors and
2 post-catalytic converter sensors) provide a vary-
ing voltage signal
[0.2 vdc (max. lean) to 0.8 vdc (max. rich)]
to the ME
7.2 ECM representing oxygen content in the ex-
haust gas.
WARNING-
Exhaust manifolds and pipes can be hot enough to cause se-
rious burns. Wear suitable heavy gloves and other appropri-
ate protection.
- Using a special oxygen sensor socltet, remove the threaded
sensors from the exhaust system.
- If not already applied, coat the new oxygen sensor threads
with an anti-seize compound before installation. Do not get
compound on the sensor tip.
Tightening torque
Oxygen sensor to exhaust system
50 Nm (37 ft-lb)
Fuel injectors, removing and installing
The ME 7.2 system uses ball seat type fuel injectors. This de-
sign
prov:des precise seal'ng when the iniector is closed
therebv eiminalinq raw HC (unb~rned fue ) formalion in tne
intake.-~he fuel inkctors areswitched on and off by the ECM
at the ground side.
- Remove plastic cover from above fuel rail. See100 Engine
Removal and Installation.
- Disconnected battery negative (-) cable.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the battea read the battery discon-
nection cautions given at the front of this manual. See 001
General Warnings and Cautions.
- Remove both ignition coil covers.
Disconnect ignition coil connectors.
Remove left and right ignition coil ground wires,
4 Remove fuel injector loom boxes.
Loosen mounting fasteners
(A).
Disconnect electrical plugs (B and D).

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170-8
I Radiator and Cooling System
Common cooling system faults can be grouped into one of 4
categories:
Cooling system
lealts
Poor coolant circulation
Radiator cooling fan faults
Electrical/electronic faults
Cooling system inspection
- Check that coolant pump drive belt tensioner is functioning
properly and that belt tension is correct. Belt tensioner sys-
tems for the different models are shown in
020 Maintenance.
- Check condition of coolant pump drive belt.
- Checlc coolant hoses for cracks or softness. Checlc clamps
for looseness. Check coolant level and check for evidence of
coolant
lealts from engine.
- Check that radiator fins are not blocked with dirt or debris.
Clean radiator using low-pressure water or compressed air.
Blow outward, from engine side out.
- To check coolant pump:
Remove mechanical cooling fan. See Mechanical
(vis.
cous clutch) cooling fan, removing and installing.
Remove drive belt from coolant pump pulley. See
020
Maintenance.
Firmly grasp opposite sides of pulley and check for play in
all directions.
Spin pulley and check that shaft runs smoothly without
play.
NOTE-
The coolant provides lubrication for the pump shaft, so an oc-
casional drop of coolant
lealing from the pump is acceptable.
If coolant drips steadily from the vent hole, replace the pump.
- At normal engine operating temperature, cooling system is
pressurized. This raises boiling point of coolant.
Leaks may
prevent system from becoming pressurized. If visual evi-
dence is inconclusive, pressure test cooling system as de-
scribed later to help pinpoint hard-to-find leaks.
- If cooling system is full of coolant and holds pressure:
- Use an appropriate scan tool to interrogate engine control
module (ECM) for radiator fan or DME control circuit faults.
Checlc for loose or worn drive belt.
0 Test for failed thermostat or coolant pump impeller. Some
pumps may be fitted with plastic impellers.

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Radiator and Cooling systeml
Tightening torques
Block drain plug to block 25 Nm
(18
it-lb)
Coolant hose clamp (32 - 48 2.
5 Nm (22 in-lb)
mm hose diameter)
Radiator drain plug to radiator
2-3Nm(l8-27in-lb)
Thermostat housing to cylinder
head 10 Nm (89 in-lb)
I Coolant thermostat housing assmbly- - I
Thermostat, removing and installing
(M52 TU or M54 engine)
4 The electric map-controlled thermostat is part of the thermo-
stat housing at the front of the cylinder head.
1. Bolts (M6)
2 Bolt (ME)
3. Housing with thermostat
4. Gasket
- If a faulty thermostat is suspected, use appropriate scan tool
to interrogate
ECM for stored fault codes.
- Drain radiator and engine block. See Coolant, draining and
filling (6-cylinder models).
CAUTION-
Allow cooling system to cool before opening or draining the
system.
- Remove cooling fan and fan shroud. See Mechanical (vis-
cous clutch) cooling fan, removing and installing.
- Disconnect electrical harness connector from thermostat
housina.
4 Lever out retaining clips (arrows) and pull hose fittings off
thermostat housing.
- Unbolt and remove thermostat housing from front of engine.
Loosen nut at top of engine lifting eye to facilitate removal.
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Keep sealing faces free of oil.
* Use new sealing gasket.
When reinstalling hose to thermostat housing, install clip
on hose end fitting, then push hose onto housing until it
clicks into place.
Fill system with coolant. See Coolant, draining and fill-
ing (6-cylinder models).

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Anach pressure brake bleeder to fluid reservoir and pump
bleeder a few times to pressurize hydraulic fluid system.
CAUTION-
* Do not exceed 2 bar (29 psi) pressure at the fluid resenfoil
when bleeding or flushing the hydraulic system.
Brake fluid is poisonous, highly corrosive and danger-
ous to the environment. Wear safety glasses and
rub-
bergloves when working with brake fluid. Do not siphon
brale fluid with your mouth. Immediately clean away
any fluid spilled on painted surfaces and wash with wa-
ter, as brale fluid will remove paint.
Always use new brake fluid from a fresh, unopened
container.
Brake fluid will absorb moisture from the air.
This can lead to corrosion problems in the clutch and
brake hydraulic systems, ;nd will also lower the brake
fluid boiling point. Dispose of brale fluid properly.
- Raise and safely support vehicle.
WARNING-
Make sure the car is stable and well supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive lift orjackstands designed for
the purpose. A floor
iack is not adequate support.
- If necessary, remove transmission splash shield.
Hydraulic system, bleeding
Worlting underneath transmission, connect a hose from
clutch slave cylinder bleeder valve
(arrow) to a container.
Open bleeder valve and allow bralte fluid to expel until
clean fluid comes out, free of air bubbles.
Close bleeder valve and disconnect pressure bleeding
equipment from fluid reservoir.
Slowly operate clutch pedal about
10 times. Fill reservoir
with clean fluid as necessary.
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230-1 8
Manual Transmission
- Unbolt clutch slave cylinder from side of transmission. Do not
disconnect fluid hose. Suspend slave cylinder from chassis
using stiff wire.
CA UTIOG
Unbolt clutch slave cylinder slowly to prevent air being
drawn into hydraulic system.
. Do not operate clutch pedal with slave cylinder re-
moved from transmission.
4 Put BMW special tool 11 7 370 or appropriate sized spacer
between engine oil sump and front axle support. Lower trans-
mission until engine is supported on spacer.
0 V-8 vehicle: Turn front wheels to prevent strain from being
placed on center tie rod.
All vehicles: Tilting the engine to lower the transmission
can lead to damage to various components due to lack
of clearance at rear of engine. Lower transmission
slowly
- Support front of engine with floor jack.
4 Disconnect shift rod from selector shaft coupling
- Disconnect shift console from top of transmission. See 250
Gearshift Linkage.
6-cylinder: Remove transrnisslon mounting Torx-head bolts
(arrows). Note length and locatlon of bolts.
Remove
transrnlssion by pulling backward untll transmls-
sion Input shaft clears clutch d~sc spl~nes, then pull down-
wards. Lower
transmlsslon jack to remove transrnlsslon. -
- - -
-

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Automatic Transmission
4 Remove transmission cooler line clamp mounting nut (ar-
row) from transmission bell housing. Disconnect cooler lines
from transmission.
- Disconnect both transmission cooler fluid lines from trans-
mission.
CAUTION-
Place a pan under transmission fluid lines to catch dripping
fluid.
4 Remove access plug in cover plate below engine oil pan
(V-8 models) or left side of bellhousing (6-cylinder models).
Remove torque converter bolts. Turn
cranltshaft to access
bolts.
V-8 models: Place BMW special tool 23 3 030 between
engine oil pan and front
subframe (arrows).
- 6-cylinder models: Place BMW special tool 11 7 370
between engine oil pan and front subframe.
- Support transmission with transmission jack.
4 Remove transmission crossmember bolts A, B and C and re-
move transmission support crossmember
(V-8 model shown,
6-cylinder models are similar).
- Remove bellhousing-to-engine mounting bolts.
- Use appropriate selection of BMW special tools 24 4 130 to
hold torque converter in place during transmission removal.
CAUTION-
Do not allow the torque converter to fall off the transmission
input shaft
- Remove transmlsslon by pull~ng back and down. Lower jack
to allow transmiss~on to clear vehicle.
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