1998 BMW M3 engine

120-2



IGNITION
SYSTEM

Fig
.1
.



Ignition
characteristic
map
.

Disabling
Ignition
System

WARNING
-

The
ignition
system
is
a
high-energy
system
operat-
ing
in
a
dangerous
voltage
range
that
couldprove
to
be
fatal
if
exposed
terminals
or
live
parts
are
con-
tacted
.
Use
extreme
caution
when
working
on
a
car
with
the
ignition
on
or
the
engine
running
.

The
ignition
system
operates
in
a
lethal
voltage
range
and
should
therefore
be
disabied
any
time
senrice
or
repair
work
is
being
doneon
the
engine
that
requires
the
ignition
to
be
switched
on
.

The
engine
management
system
can
be
disabled
byremov-
ingthe
main
relay
.
The
relay
is
located
in
the
power
distribution
box
in
the
left
rear
of
the
engine
compartment
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

0013134
Fig
.
2
.



Maínsystem
relay
(arrow)
in
power
distribution
box
(left
rear
of
engine
compartment)
.

GENERAL

WARNING
-

"
Do
not
touch
or
disconnect
any
of
the
high
ten-
sion
cables
at
the
cotls
orspark
plugs
while
the
engine
ts
running
orbeingcranked
by
the
starter
.
Fatalvoltages
are
present
.

"
Before
operating
the
starter
without
starting
the
engine
(for
example
when
making
a
compression
test)
always
disable
the
ignition
.

CAUTION-

"
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
bat-tery
disconnection
cautions
gtven
at
the
front
of
thts
manual
on
page
viti
.

"
Do
not
attempt
to
disable
the
ignition
by
either
re-
moving
the
cotl
from
the
spark
plugs
(6-cylinder
engines)
or
disconnecting
the
coll
wires
from
the
plugs
(4-cylinder
engines)
.

"
Connect
or
disconnect
ignition
system
wires,
multiple
connectors,
and
ignition
test
equipment
leads
only
while
the
ignitionis
off
.
Switch
multtm-
eter
functions
or
measurement
ranges
onty
with
the
test
probes
disconnected
.

"
Do
not
disconnect
the
battery
while
the
engine
ts
running
.

"
Many
of
the
tests
of
ignition
system
components
require
the
use
of
high-impedance
test
equip-
ment
to
prevent
damage
to
the
electrical
compo-
nents
.
A
high
impedance
digital
multimeter
should
be
used
for
all
voltage
and
resistance
tests
.
AnLED
test
light
shouldbe
used
in
place
of
an
incandescent-type
test
lamp
.

"In
general,
make
test
connections
only
as
speci-fied
by
BMW,
as
described
inthis
manual,
or
as
described
by
the
instrumenta
manufacturer
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTICS



IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE

Poor
driveability
may
have
a
variety
of
causes
.
The
fault



On
4-cylinder
engines,
an
ignition
coil
pack
is
mounted
to

may
lie
with
the
ignition
system,
the
fuel
system,
parts
of
the



the
passenger
side
strut
tower
in
the
engine
compartment
.

emission
control
system,
or
a
combination
of
the
three
.
Be-



The
coil
pack
integrates
4
individual
coils
.

cause
of
these
interrelated
functions
and
their
effects
oneach

other,
it
is
often
difficult
to
know
where
to
begin
looking
for



On
6-cylinder
engines,
an
ignition
coil
is
located
directly

problems
.



above
each
spark
plug
.

For
this
reason,
effective
troubleshooting
should
alwaysbe-

gin
with
an
interrogation
of
the
On-Board
Diagnostic
(OBD)

system
.
The
OBD
system
detects
certain
emissions-related

engine
management
malfunctions
.
When
faults
are
detected,

the
OBD
system
stores
a
Diagnostic
Trouble
Code
(DTC)
in

the
system
ECM
.
In
addition,
the
Check
Enginewarning
light

will
come
on
if
an
emissions-related
fault
is
detected
.

Two
generations
of
OBD
areusedon
the
cars
coveredby

this
manual
.
See
100
Engine-General
for
OBD
information
.

On-Board
Diagnostics

"
1992-1995
models
............
...
.
..
...



OBD
I

"
1996
and
later
models
.........
.......
..
OBD
II

NOTE-

"
On
carswith
OBD
ti,
specialized
OBD
11
scan
tool

equipment
mustbeused
to
access
DTCs,
either
using

the
BMW
special
tool
or
a
`generic"
OBD
11
scan
tool
.

"
The
OBD
11
fault
memory
(including
an
illuminated

Check
Engine
light)
can
only
be
reset
using
the
spe-

cial
scan
tool
.
Removing
the
connector
from
the
ECM

or
dísconnecting
the
battery
will
not
erase
the
fault

memory
.

Basic
Troubleshooting
Principies

An
engine
that
starts
and
runs
indicates
the
ignition
system

is
fundamentally
working-delivering
voltage
toat
least
some

of
the
sparkplugs
.
A
hard-starting
or
poor-running
engine,

however,
may
indicate
ignition
coil
problems,
cracked
or
dete-

riorated
spark
plug
wires
(4-cylinder
engines
only),
and
worn

or
fouled
spark
plugs
.

WARNING
-

Inefficient
combustion
(richair/fuel
mixture)
can

cause
the
catalytic
converter
to
overheat
and
plug
.

An
overheated
catalytic
converter
can
also
bea
tire

hazard
.

Checking
for
Spark

IGNITION
SYSTEM



120-
3

WARNING
-

If
a
spark
test
is
done
incorrectly,
damage
to
theen-
gine
control
module
(ECM)
or
the
ignitioncoil(s)
may
result
.

Checking
for
spark
is
difficult
onengines
with
distributorless

ignition
systems
.

Try
Rmovng
the
plugs
and
inspecting
for
differences
be-

tween
them
.
A
poor-firing
plug
may
be
wet
with
fuel
and/or

black
and
sooty,
butnot
always
.
If
a
coil
is
not
operating,
the

engine
management
system
will
electrically
disable
the
fuel
injectorto
that
cylinder
.
The
key
is
to
look
for
differences
be-

tween
cylinders
.

Ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing

(4-cylinder
engine)

1.
Disconnect
mainharness
connector
from
coils
:

"
On
M42
engine,
remove
plastic
covering
from
coils
and

disconnect
individual
harness
connectors
.

"
On
M44
engine,
disconnect
main
harness
connectorat

end
of
coil
pack
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

Fig
.
3
.



Ignition
coil
pack
for
M44
engine
(arrow)
.
Coil
harness
con-

nector
shown
at1
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE

120-
4



IGNITION
SYSTEM

2
.
Check
for
battery
voltage
o
cofs
.
If
voltage
is
not



Table
b
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance

present,
check
wire
between
terminal
15
and
ignition



(M42
Engine)
switch
.
See
Electrical
Wiring
Diagrams
.

"
On
M42
engine,
connect
digital
multimeter
between
ter-

minal
15(+)
in
each
harness
connector
and
ground
.
See

Fig
.
4
.

"
On
M44
engine,
connect
voltmeter
between
terminal
2

(15+)
in
connector
and
ground
.
Turn
ignition
on
and

check
for
voltage
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

3
.
Turn
ignition
off
.

0
4a15

Fig
.
4
.



Ignition
coil
harness
connector
terminal
identification
for
M42

engine
.

Fig
.
5
.



Ignition
coil
harness
connector
terminal
identification
for
M44
engine
.

CAUTION-

The
wiring
to
the
coil(via
the
ignition
switch
15+)
is
not
fuse
protected
.
Use
care
when
testing
thiscircuit
.

4
.
Use
a
digital
multimeter
totest
coil
primary
resistance
.

"
On
M42
engine,
use
Table
b
asa
guide
to
check
coil

resistance
.
Make
checks
at
each
harness
connector
.

"
On
M44
engine,
use
Table,c
as
a
guide
to
check
coil
primary
resistance
.

5
.
Inspect
coil
housing
for
hairline
cracks
or
leaking
cast-
ing
material
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
A
leaky
ignition
coil
may
indi-



11502

cate
a
faulty
ECM
(engine
control
module)
.
Check
the
ECM
before
installing
a
new
coil
.



Fig
.
6
.



Ignition
coil
harnessconnector
terminal
identification
for
6-
cylinder
engine
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE

11502

Terminals
Resistance
(refer
to
Fig
.
4
.)

Coil
primary



1
(-)
and
15
(+)



10
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
secondary



N
.A
.



N
.A
.

Table
c
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance

(M44
Engine)

Terminais
Resistance
(referto
Fig
.
5
.)

Coil
#1
primary



1
(-)
and
2
(+)



0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
#2
primary



6
(-)
and2
(+)



0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
#3
primary



7
(-)
and
2
(+)



0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
#4
primary



5
(-)
and2
(+)



0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
secondary



N
.A
.



N
.A
.

NOTE-

If
a
single
coilís
faulty
on
M44
engines,
the
complete
coil
pack
will
have
to
be
replaced
.

Ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing

(6-cylinder
engine)

CAUTION-

Use
a
digital
multimeter
for
the
following
tests
.

1.
Remove
plastic
enginecovers
from
top
of
engine
by

prying
off
nut
covers
and
removingcover
mounting

nuts
.
See
113
Cylinder
HeadRemoval
and
Installa-

tion
.

2
.
Disconnect
harnessconnectorfromcof
.
Connect
mul-
timeter
between
terminal
15
(+)
in
connector
and

ground
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

3
.
Turn
ignition
on
and
check
for
batteryvoltage
.

"
If
batteryvoltage
is
not
present,
check
wire
between

terminal
15
and
ignition
switch
.
See
Electrical
Wiring

Diagrams
.

"mozo

CAUTION
-

The
wiring
to
termina¡
15
(+)
of
the
coil(vía
the
ig-

nition
switch)
is
not
fuse
protected
.
Use
care
when
testíng
thiscircuit
.

4
.
Turn
ignition
off
.

5
.
Use
a
multimeter
to
test
coil
primary
resistanceat
coil

terminals
.
See
Table
d
.

Table
d
.
Ignition
Coil
Resistance

(6-cylinder
Engine)

Terminals
Resistance

(referto
Fig
.
4
.)

Coil
primary



1
1
(-)
and
15
(+)



X
0
.4-0
.8
ohms

Coil
secondary



l
N
.A
.



N
.A
.

6
.
Remove
coil
and
inspect
coil
housing
for
hairline
cracks

or
leaking
casting
material
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
A
leaky
ignition

coil
may
indícate
a
faulty
engine
control
module
(ECM)
.

Check
ECM
before
installing
a
new
coil
.

811004

Fig
.
7
.



Ignition
coil
being
removed
on
6-cylinder
engine
(M52
engine

shown)
.

CA
UTION-

"
Note
location
of
coil
ground
straps
before
coilre-

moval
;
reinstallin
the
same
location
.

"
When
replacing
ignition
coils,
ensure
that
the
re-

placement
coil(s)
are
from
the
same
manufactur-

er
containing
the
same
partlcode
numbers
.
If

individual
coils
with
the
correct
specifications
are
not
available,
all
coils
should
be
replaced
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM



120-
5

Crankshaft
Position/rpm
Sensor

If
the
engine
control
module
(ECM)
does
not
receive
a

crankshaft
position
signal
during
cranking,
the
engine
will
not

start
.

On
1992-1995(pre-OBD
II)
cars,
the
crankshaft
posi-
tion/rpm
sensor
is
mounted
on
the
front
engine
cover
and

reads
the
toothed
vibration
dampener
wheel
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

Fig
.
8
.



Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor
mounted
at
front
of
engine
on
1992-1995
cars
.
(arrow)
.

On
1996
and
latee
cars
(OBD
II
compliant),
the
crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor
is
mounted
in
the
left
rear
side
of
the
cyl-

inderblock
.
The
sensor
reads
a
toothed
wheel
mounted
to
the

end
of
the
crankshaft
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

Fig
.
9
.



Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor
toothed
wheel
mounted
to

rear
of
crankshaft
OBD
II
compliant
cars
.
The
sensor
is

mounted
in
the
left
rear
side
of
the
cylinder
block
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE

120-
6



IGNITION
SYSTEM

Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor,

testing
and
replacing
(front
mounted)

1
.
Disconnect
sensor
harness
connector
.

2
.
Using
a
digital
multimeter,
check
resistance
between
terminals
1
and
2
in
connector
.
See
Fig
.
10
.

n1
n2n3

Fig
.
10
.
Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensorconnector
.

Crankshaft
positionlrpm
sensor
specifications

"
Coil
resistance
(approx
.)
terminais
1
and
2
....
.
..
...
....
1280
±
10%
ohms

"
Air
gap
(sensor
distance
from
toothed
wheel)
..
.
.
........
.1
.0
±
0
.3
mm
(0
.04
±
0
.01
in
.)

3
.
If
the
resistance
is
not
correct,
the
sensor
is
faulty
and
should
be
replaced
.

NOTE
-

When
installing
the
new
sensor,
be
sure
thewiring
Is
rerouted
in
the
same
orientation
.
Secure
the
sensor
us-
ing
new
wire
ties
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor
to
mounting
bracket
.........
.
.
5
t
1
Nm
(62
t
9
in-lb)

Crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor,



4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Use
a
new
O-ring
replacing
(rear
mounted)



when
installing
sensor
.
Be
sure
wiring
is
rerouted
in
same
orientation
.
1
.
Disconnect
sensor
harness
connector
.

6502AGN56

2
.
Locatesensor
on
rear
left
sideof
cylinder
block
.
Re-
move
sensormounting
bolt
and
remove
sensorfrom
cylinder
block
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SERVICE

3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Use
a
new
O-ring

when
installing
sensor
.
Be
sure
wiring
is
rerouted
in
same
orientation
.
Secure
sensor
using
new
wire
ties
.

NOTE-

It
may
be
easier
to
remove
the
sensor
working
from
the
underside
of
the
vehicle
.

Camshaft
Position
(CMP)
Sensor

The
camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor
is
usedby
the
engine
management
system
for
sequential
fuel
injection
and
knock
control
.

Camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor,

replacing
(4-cylinder
engine)

1
.
Remove
CMP
sensorfromtop
timing
cover,
just
above
coolantthermostat
housing
.
See
Fig
.
11
.

Fig
.
11
.
Camshaft
position
sensor
mounting
bolt
(arrow)
.
M42
engine
shown
.

2
.
On
M42
engines
to
9/93
:
Disconnect
CMP
harness
plug
just
above
oil
filter
housing
.

3
.
On
M42
from9/93
and
all
M44
engines
:
Remove
upper
intake
manifold
as
described
in
113
Cylinder
Head
Re-
moval
and
Installation
.
Then
unplug
CMP
sensor
har-
ness
connector
below
manifold
.

Camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor,

replacing
(6-cylinder
engine)

1
.
Remove
plastic
cover
from
above
fuel
injectors
.

2
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
VANOS
solenoid

and
unscrew
solenoid
from
VANOS
control
unit
.
Re-



"
Clean
contactsurface
on
engine
block
before
fnstall

move
oil
supply
line
from
VANOS
control
unit
.
See
117



ing
knock
sensors
.

Camshaft
Timing
Chain
.

3
.
Remove
camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor
from
left
frontof

cylinder
head,
next
to
top
of
oil
filter
housing
.



"
Knock
sensor
to
cylinder
block
....
20
Nm
(15
ft
.
lbs
.)

4
.
Disconnect
CMP
sensor
harnessfrom
under
intake

manifold
.

5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Use
a
new
O-ring

when
installing
sensor
.
Be
sure
wiring
is
rerouted
in

same
orientation
.

Tightening
Torques

"
CMP
sensor
to
cylinder
head
....
.
.
..
5
Nm
(3
.5
ft-Ib)

"
VANOS
oil
supply
pipe
to

VANOS
control
unit
...........
.
..
32
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

"
VANOS
solenoid
to
VANOS

control
unit
...
.
.................
30
Nm
(22
ft-Ib)

Knock
sensors,
replacing

Knock
sensors
are
usedon
engines
with
Bosch
DME
M1
.7,

Bosch
DME
M3
.3
.1,
Bosch
DME
M5
.2,
and
Siemens
MS
41
.1

engine
management
systems
.
The
knocksensors
are
bolted
to
the
left
sideof
the
cylinder
block
and
monitor
the
combus-

tion
chamber
for
engine-damaging
knock
.
If
engine
knock
is

detected,
the
ignition
point
is
retarded
accordingly
via
the
en-

gine
control
module
.

CA
UTION-

"
Label
knock
sensorharness
connectors
before

disconnecting
them
.
The
connectors
must
not
be

interchanged
.
Engine
damage
may
result
if
the
sensors
are
monitoring
the
wrong
cytinders
.

"
Note
the
installed
angle
of
the
knock
sensoron
the

block
before
removing
it
.
Reinstall
the
sensor
in

the
same
position
.
Be
sure
to
usea
torque
wrench

when
tightening
the
sensormounting
bola

NOTE
-

"
On
M52
engines,
a
single
harness
connects
the
twosensors
to
the
main
harness
connector
.
The
shorter
cable
lead
fs
for
the
knock
sensor
for
cytinders
4,
5,
and
6
.

Tightening
Torque

IGNITION
SYSTEM



120-
7

0012730

Fig
.
12
.
Knock
sensor
mounting
bolt
on
front
left
side
of
cylinder

block
.

NOTE-

Knock
sensor
function
Is
monitoredby
the
On-Board
Diagnostic
system
.
If
a
knock
sensor
is
detected
to
be
faulty,
an
appropriatediagnostic
trouble
code
(DTC)
may
be
stored
in
memory
.
See
100
Engine-General
for
information
on
retrieving
DTCs
.

On
6-cylinder
engines,
the
knock
sensors
are
accessible
af-
ter
removing
the
intake
manifold
.
On
4-cylinder
engines,
the

upper
section
of
the
intake
manifold
should
be
removed
to
ac-

cess
the
sensors
.
See
Fig
.
12
.
NOTE-

Intakemanifold
removal
and
installation
procedures
are



"
Cylinder
no
.
1is
at
the
front
of
the
engine
.

covered
in
113
Cylinder
HeadRemoval
and
Installation
.

Ignition
Firing
Order

Ignition
Firing
Order

"
4-cylinder
engines
.....
..
...
.
..........
.1-3-4-2

"
6-cylinder
engines
...........
..
.
.
..
..
1-5-3-6-2-4

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SCHEMATICS

Fig
.
13
through
Fig
.
17
show
ignition
system
schematics

usedon
the
enginescoveredby
this
manual
.

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SCHEMATICS

120-8



IGNITION
SYSTEM

1



1
.0
GN



1
.0
Gl
.0
GN
I



Ign
coil



1
.0
GN
.

Tti



%ti



r,



_%ti
_



_
ice_
I



25



52
5524



51



54



56
I



Power
input



power
input

t



U



Engine
Control
Module
(Bosch
DME
Ml
.7)



II



Powerinput
Mainrelaycontrol
I
15
42



43



16442868
67



34
6
26



27
1
-----



__
V



_



--



_

~
8K



.35
BK
.35
13,1
1



.35
YE



1



.35
BK35
VE
.35

3



cyl
.1

1

11

E

S
2

1
.0
BR

2
.5
BR

Ign
.
coil
cyl
.
3



II

Ign
.
coil



Ign
.
coil
3



cyI
.
2



1
Y
_
Y
2



k
3



cyl
.
4

IGNITION
SYSTEM
SCHEMATICS

Battery
voltage
in
run
or
start
(
vía
ignition
switchterminal
15)



WIRING
COLOR
CODE
4
.0
GN

1
.0
BR'V
.

Camshaft
Knock
Sensor
Knock
Sensor



Position
(cyl
.1-2)
(cyl
.3-4)



Sensor

Fig
.
13
.
Bosch
DME
M1
.7
ignition
system
circuit
for
M42
engine
.

Ground
(RH
rearof
engine
compartment,
rear
of
shock
tower)

N[INS

Crankshaftlrpm
Position
Sensor

Battery
voltage
in
run
or
start
(vía
main
relay
terminal
87)

Ground
(RH
rearof
engine
compartment,
rearof
shock
tower)

5GN

BK
-
BLACK
BR
"
BROWN
RD
-
RED
YL-
YELLOW
GN
-
GREEN
BL
-
BLUE
VI
-
VIOLET
GY
-
GREY
WT
-
WHITE
PK
-
PINK

Warning
:
Lethal
voltagepresent

Battery
voltage
at
all
times
to
Main
relay
(terminal
85)

'Y
Y

---------------------

0013087

^1
.5WT
^1
.5RD
^1
.5YL
^1
.5BL
r



--__



____-



__-_



___-_



-___-_____--__--



-____-___



____-
i
26
g
5022
23



54



5

I



Power
input



power
input
I



Engine
Control
Module
(Bosch
DME
M5
.2)



I
I



grounds



I
P
owerinput



Main
relay
control



I
70
40



71



21



2078



34
55
626



27
----------------------
-
---------
-
--
-
------------
-
-----------
.,



v
1
1
.1



v
`
1
35BK



35BK

2
(



1Y



¡3



194

Knock
Sensor
Knock
Sensor
(cyl
.1-2)
(cyl
.3-4)

Frommain
relay
terminal
87
(battery
voltage
in
run
or
start

Battery
voltage
in
run
or
start
(
via
ignition
switch



Warnin
terminal
15)



Lethal
óltage



WIRING
present



COLOR
CODE
2
.5
GN



'

1
.0
YL



/
1
.0
BL



/
1
.0
RDNJT

.35
BK
/



/
.35
BK

Camshaft
Position
Sensor
-_

Fig
.
14
.
Bosch
DME
M5
.2
ignition
system
circuit
for
M44
engine
.

Ground
(RH
rear
of
engine
compartment,
rearof
shock
tower)

Crankshaftirpm
Position
Sensor

IGNITION
SYSTEM



120-9

Batteryvoltage



Battery
voltage
in
run
or
start



in
run
or
start
(via
main
relay



(
via
ignition
switch
terminal
87)



terminal
15)

BK
-
BLACX
BR
-
BROWN
RD
-
RED
YL
-
YELLOW
GN
-
GREEN
BL
-
BLUE
VI
-
VIOLET
GY
-
GREY
WT
-
WHITE
PK
-
PINK

Battery
voltage
at
all
times
to
Main
relay
(terminal
85)

Ground
(RH
rear
of
engine
compartment,
rearof
shock
tower)



0012721

lGNITION
SYSTEM
SCHEMATlCS