1998 BMW 540i Start

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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
- 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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120-1 2
ignition System
Crankshaftspeedsensor
Crankshaft speed sensor, replacing (M52, M52 TU and
M54 engines)
4 Crankshaft speed sensor for 6-cylinder engine is mounted in
the left rear side of the cylinder block below the starter (ar-
row). The sensor reads a toothed pulse wheel mounted to
the end of the crankshaft.
- if the Engine Control Module (ECM) does not receive a signal
from the crankshaft speed sensor during cranking, the en-
gine will not start.
- If the OBD II svstem misfire detection ~rotocol detects a cat- - - ~~
alysr oarnagin; faLlt oJe to a ma I-nclion in crandshafi speeo
sensor components. Ine Check Engine
lignr (Malfuncrion In-
dicator Light or MIL) will be illuminated.
NOTE-
If the crankshaft speed sensor pulse wheel is damaged, the
engine will have to be disassembled down to the crankshaft
to
reolace the wheel.
- Make certain ignition has been turned off.
- Raise car and support in a safe manner.
WARNING -
Make sure the car is stable and well supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive lift orjacltstands designed for
the ouroose.
A floor iaclc is not adequate support.
- Remove under engine splash guard
4 Working underneath starter:
Cut off wire tie securing crankshaft speed sensor harness
connector (arrow) to sensor.
* Disconnect harness connector.
4 Remove sensor mounting fastener (arrow) and remove sen-
sor from cylinder block.
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Use a new O-ring when installing sensor.
Be sure wiring is routed in same orientation.
Secure sensor using new wire ties.
Use scan tool to read out and clear ECM fault memory.

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ignition System
Crankshaft speed sensor, replacing (M62 and M62TU
engines)
The crankshaft speed sensor reads a toothed pulse wheel
mounted on the flywheel.
If the Engine Control Module(ECM)
does not receive an impulse signal from the crankshaft speed
sensor during
cranking, the engine will not start. If the OBD II
system misfire detection protocol detects a catalyst damag-
ing fault due to a malfunction in the crankshaft speed sensor
components, the Check Engine light (Malfunction
Indicator
Light or MIL) will be Illuminated.
4 The crankshaft speed sensor (arrow) is mounted in the right
lower side of the bell housing.
- Remove speed sensor by disconnecting electrical harness
connector and unbolting sensor from bell housing. Do not
discard shims, if present.
- Installation is the reverse of removal. Clean mounting surface
before installing new sensor, and install shims, if present.
< If the flywheel was replaced, the speed sensor must be
checked for correct installation depth.
* Crank engine in direction of rotation using crankshaft bolt
until a full pulse tooth is centered in the opening for the re-
moved speed sensor.
Measure depth ro top of tooth from speed sensor p~lse
generator mounting s~rface on transmission.
4 Measure length of pulse generator from mounting surface to
end (A).
- Subtract length of pulse generator (A) from distance to pulse
tooth from mounting area on transmission. This measure-
ment is the gap between the pulse sensor and flywheel. Use
shims available from BMW to increase gap as needed to
reach specification.
Pulse sensor
gap
End of sensor to flywheel teeth 0.55 + 0.2 rnrn
(0.0217 t 0.008 in)

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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
This section covers the battery, alternator, starter and associ-
ated components of the electrical system.
Troubleshooting information
forthese components isfound in
Table a. Battery, alternator and starter troubleshooting.
For additional electrical troubleshooting information, see
600 Electrical System-General.
Special tools
4 Automotive digital multimeter
CAUTION-
Only use a digital multirneter when testing automotive electri- I) cal components.
4 Closed-circuit current measurement adaptor
(Tool No.
BMW 61 2 300)
Engine electrical system
The alternator and starter are wired directly to the battery. To
prevent accidental shorts that might blow a fuse or damage
wires and electrical components, always disconnect the
negative
(-) battery cable before working on the electrical
system.
Various versions of alternators, voltage regulators, starters,
and batteries are used in
E39 cars. Replace components ac-
cording to the original equipment specification.

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Battery, Starter, ~lternatorl
@ TO fuse & relay panel Battery Safety Terminal
A Battery Safety Terminal (BST) controlled by the Multiple
Restraint System (MRS) control unit was introduced for mod-
el year 1998
vehicles. The system will disconnect electrical
power to the engine compartment
in the event of a significant
impact. The MRS system fires an encapsulated pyrotechnic
device
in the positive (+) battery terminal that disconnects
power to the engine compartment, but maintains power to
the exterior lights and interior of the vehicle.
point
002125~1
Table a. Battery, alternator and starter troubleshooting
1-
/Starter motor or solenoid faulty. l~est starter.
Symptom
Engine does not crank
Engine cranks slowly or
not at all, solenoid
clicits
when starter is operated.
I I
Battery will not stay IShort circuit draining battery. l~est for excessive current drain with everything
Probable cause
Fault
in immobilizer system (EWS)
-Clean Battery cables loose, dirty or corroded.
Battery discharged.
Battery to body ground cable in trunk
loose,
dirty or corroded
Poor connection at starter motor terminal
30.
Corrective action
Try another ignition key. If problem persists, contact
your authorized BMW dealer.
or replace cables. See 020
~aintenance.
Charge battery and test. Replace if necessary.
inspect ground cable. Clean, tighten or replace if
necessary.
Checlc connections, test for voltage at starter. Test for
voltage at neutral safety or clutch
interloclc switch.
charged more than a few
days.
I~atter~ faulty. /Test battery and replace if necessary.
Short driving trips and high electrical drain
on
charging system does not allow battery to
recharge.
. I
I Battery cables loose, dirty or corroded. Iclean or replace cables. See 020 Maintenance.
Evaluate driving
style. Where possible, reduce
electrical
consumption when malting short trips.
Drive
belt@) loose, worn or damaged.
IAlternator or voltage regulator faulty. /Test alternator and voltage regulator.
Inspect
or replace ribbed
belt@). See 020
Maintenance.

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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.