1998 BMW M3 automatic

WARNING

Your
common
sense,
good
judge-

ment,
and
general
alertness
are
cru-

cial
to
safe
and
successful
service

work
.
Before
attempting
any
work
on

your
BMW,
read
the
warnings
and

cautions
on
page
vi¡
and
the
copyright
page
at
the
front
of
the
manual
.
Review
these
warnings
and
cautions
each
time
youprepare
to
work
on
your
BMW
.
Please
also
read
any
warnings
and
cautions
that
accom-

pany
the
procedures
in
the
manual
.

A

ABS
(anti-lock
brakes)

See
Brakes
Accelerator
and
throttle
linkage
See
Maintenance
program
Air
conditioning
general
information
640-1
air
distribution
motor,
replacing
(rotary

knob)
640-10
air
distribution
motors
640-9

blower
motor,
removing/installing

640-1blower
motor
resistor
pack,
replacing
640-3
compressor,
replacing
640-12
compressor
clutch
640-13
condenser,
replacing
640-14
control
head
640-7
removing/installing
(digital
-display)

640-8
removing/installing
(rotary
knob)

640-7
control
module
removing/installing
(digital-display)
640-8
removing/installing
(rotary
knob)
640-8
evaporator,
removinglinstalling

640-17
evaporator
temperature
sensor,

replacing
640-17

expansion
valve,
removing/installing

640-16
microfilter,
replacing
640-18
receiverldrier,
replacing
640-15
sensor
fan
forinterior
temperature,

replacing
640-9
warnings
and
cautions
640-11

Air
distribution
(flap)
motor

See
Air
conditioning
See
also
Heating
Air
filter
See
Maintenanceprogram

Airbag
system
(SRS)
general
information
721-1

contact
ring,
replacing
721-3

driver
side
airbag,removing/installing

721-5
front
crash
sensor,
replacing
721-4

front
side-impact
airbag,
removing/
installing
721-7

front
side-impact
airbag
crash
sensor,

removing/installing
721-5

passenger
side
airbag,
removing/

installing
721-6
sensors
and
electronics
721-1

SRS
warning
light
and
fault
display

721-2
systems
721-1
ZAE
control
module,
replacing
721-5

Alarm
system
See
Central
locking
and
anti-theft

Alternator
See
Battery,
starter,
alternator

Anti-freeze
(Engine
coolant)

See
Maintenance
program

Anti-theft
See
Central
lockíng
and
anti-theft

AST
(Al¡
season
traction)
300-4

ATF
(Automatic
transmission
fluid)

See
Automatic
transmission

Automatic
transmission

See
alsoTransmission-general
general
information
240-1

ATF,draining
and
filling
240-2

ATF
leve¡,
checking
240-1
transmission
removaland
ínstallation

240-4
transmission,
removinglinstalling
240-4
transmission
service
240-1

Auxiliary
fan
See
Cooling
system
Axle
joint
See
Maintenance
program

B

Back-up
light
switch
See
Manual
transmission
Balljoint
See
Front
suspension
Battery
See
Battery,
starter,
alternator

Battery,
starter,
alternator
See
also
Maintenance
program
general
information
121-1

alternator,
removing/installing
(4-
cylinder
engine)
121-5
alternator,
removinglinstalling
(6-
cylinder
engine)
121-6
alternator
brushes,
inspecting/
replacing
121-7
alternator
service
121-4
batterycharging
121-4
battery
load
voltage
test
121-4

batteryopen-circuit
voltage
test
121-4

battery
service
121-3

INDEX
1

Battery,
starter,
alternator
(cont
.)
battery
testing
121-3
charging
system
quick
check121-2
charging
system
troubleshooting
121-
2
hydrometer
testing
121-3
solenoid
switch,
removinglinstalling
121-10
starter
service
121-7
starter
troubleshooting
121-7
starter,
removing/installing(4-cylinder
engine)
121-8
starter,
removing/installing(6-cylinder

engine
with
automatic
transmission)

121-9
starter,
removing/installing
(6-cylinder
engine
with
manual
transmission)
121-8
static
current
draw,
checking
121-2
voltage
regulator,
removing/installing
121-6
Bearing,
wheel
See
Front
suspension
or
Rear

suspension
Blowermotor
See
Air
conditioning
See
also
Heatíng
BMW
emblem
See
Exterior
trim,
bumpers
Body-general
general
information
400-1

body
assembly
400-1
central
body
electronics
400-4
convertible
models
400-2
coupe
models
400-2
electronic
immobilizatíon
system
400-
4
exterior
and
aerodynamics
400-2

heating
afhdair
conditioning
400-5

instruments
and
controls
400-4
interior
equipment
400-3
seats
and
seatbelts
400-3
Body
side
molding
See
Exterior
trim,
bumpers

Brake
fluid
See
Maintenance
program

Brakes
general
information
340-1
antilock
brake
system
(ABS)
340-11
inspection
340-12
wheelspeed
sensors,
replacing

340-12
bleeding
brakes
340-3
brake
booster,
removinglinstalling
340-8
brake
caliper,
removing/installing

340-6
brake
pads,
calipers,
and
rotors
340-3

brake
pads,
replacing
340-4
brake
rotor,
removing/installing
340-7
master
cylinder,
removing/installing

340-7
parking
brake
340-10
adjusting
340-10
.
cable,
replacing
340-11
shoes,
removinglinstalling
340-11

WARNING

Your
common
sense,
good
judge-
ment,
and
general
alertness
are
cru-
cial
tosafe
and
successful
service
work
.
Before
attempting
any
work
on
your
BMW,
read
the
warnings
and
cautions
on
page
vi¡
and
the
copyright

page
at
the
frontof
the
manual
.
Review
these
warnings
and
cautions
each
time
you
prepare
to
work
on
your
BMW
.
Please
also
read
any
warnings
and
cautions
that
accom-
pany
the
procedures
in
the
manual
.

Fuel
pressure
regulator
See
Fuel
injection
Fue]
pump
general
information
160-1
electrical
tests
160-7
power
consumption,
testing
160-7
delivery
tests160-8
delivery
volume,
testing
g
160-9
electrical
circuit,
checking
160-7
fuse
and
relay
160-6
level
sender
See
pump/fuel
leve¡
sender
operating
fuel
pump
for
tests
160-6
pump/fuel
level
sender
(left
side),
removing/installing
160-6
pump/fuel
leve¡
sender
(right
side),
removing/installing
160-5
relieving
fuel
pressure
and
connecting
fue¡
pressure
gauge
160-8
Fueltank
and
lines
general
information
160-1
draining
160-2
evaporative
control
system
160-4
leve¡
senders,
testing
160-5
removing/installing
160-3
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-yourself
owner
general
information
010-1
advice
for
the
beginner
010-4
cleanliness
010-4
electrical
testing
010-6
gaskets
and
seals
010-5
non-reusable
fasteners
010-5
planning
ahead
010-4
tightening
fasteners
010-5
wire
repairs
010-6
buying
parts
010-6
genuine
BMW
parts
010-6
information
you
need
to
know
010-7
non-returnable
parts
010-7
emergencies
010-11brake
fluid
leve¡
010-13
car
will
not
start
010-11
changinga
tire
010-11
check
enginewarning
light
010-13
dim
Iights
010-13
jump
starting
car
010-12
low
o]I
pressure
010-13
overheating
010-12

Emergencies
(cont
.)
spare
parts
kit
010-14
towing
010-13
gettingstarted
010-2
lifting
thecar
010-3
raising
car
safely
010-3
safety
010-2
working
under
car
safely
010-4
how
to
use
this
manual
010-2
warnings,
cautions
and
notes
010-2
service
010-7
tools
010-7
basic
tool
requirements010-8
BMW
specialtools
010-11
feeler
gauges
010-10
jack
stands
010-9
oil
change
equipment
010-9
torque
wrench
010-10
volt-ohm
meter
(VOM)
or
Multi-
meter010-10
Fuses
See
Electrical
component
locations

G

Gaskets
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Gearshift
See
Gearshift
linkage
Gearshift
linkagegeneral
information
250-1
automatic
shiftlock,
checking
function
250-5
automatic
transmission
gearshift
250-
3
gear
position/neutral
safety
switch,
replacing
(automatic
transmission)
250-4
gearshift
lever,
installing
(manual
transmission)
250-2
gearshift
lever,
removing
(manual
transmission)
250-1
gearshift
mechanism,
adjusting
(automatictransmission)
250-3
manual
transmission
gearshift
250-1
shift
interlock,
checking
function
(automatic
transmission)
250-6Glass
See
Door
windows
Glove
compartment
See
Interior
trim
Grille
See
Exterior
trim,
bumpers
Guibo
(flex
disc)
See
Driveshaft

Handle,
door
See
Doors
Hardtop
See
Body-general
Headlight
See
Exterior
lighting
Headlight
switch
See
Switches
and
electrical
accessoriesHeater
box
See
Heating
Heater
core

See
Heating
Heater
valve
See
Heating
Heating
general
information
640-1
air
distribution
motors
640-9
air
distribution
motor,
replacing
(rotary
knob)
640-10
blower
motor,
removing/installing
640-1blower
motor
resistor
pack,
replacing
640-3
control
head
640-7
removing/installing
(digital-display)
640-8
removing/installing
(rotary
knob)
640-7
control
module
removing/installing
(digital-display)
640-8
removing/installing
(rotary
knob)
640-8
heater
box,
removing640-4
heater
core,
replacing
640-6
heater
core
temperature
sensor,
replacing
640-7
heater
valve,
replacing
640-3
rear
window
blower
(convertible
models)
640-10
reas
window
defogger
640-10sensor
fan
forinterior
temperature,
replacing
640-9warnings
and
cautions
640-11
Hood
See
Fenders,
engine
hood

Idle
speed
See
Maintenance
program
Idle
speed
control
valve
See
Fuel
injection
Ignition
switch
See
Switches
and
electrical
accessories

INDEX
5

6
INDEX

Ignition
system
general
information
120-1basictroubleshooting
principies
120-3camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor
120-
6

camshaft
positíon
(CMP)
sensor,
replacing
(4-cylinder
engine)
120-6camshaft
position
(CMP)
sensor,
replacing
(6-cylinder
engines)
120-7
checking
for
spark
120-3
crankshaftposition/rpm
sensor
120-5
crankshaft
position/rpm
sensor,
testing/replacing
(front
mounted
sensor)
120-6
crankshaft
positíon/rpm
sensor,
testing
(rear
mounted
sensor)
120-6
disabling
ignition
system120-2
ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing
(4-
cylinder
engines)
120-3
ignition
coil,
testing
and
replacing
(6-
cylinder
engines)
120-4
ignítion
firing
order
120-7
ignition
system
diagnostics
120-3
ignition
system
schematics
120-7
ignition
system
service
120-3knock
sensors,
replacing
120-7warnings
and
cautions
120-2
Inspectíon
I
and
Inspection
II
See
Maintenanceprogram
Instrumentpanel
See
interior
trim
Instruments
general
information
620-1
instrument
cluster,
removinglinstalling
620-1
instrument
cluster,
self-testing
620-1
instrument
cluster
bulbs,
replacing
620-2
multi-information
display
(MID),
620-4
multi-information
display
(MID),
removing/installing
620-4
odometer
coding
plug,
replacing
620-
2
vehicle
speed
sensor,
replacing
620-3
Intake
manifold
4-cylinder
engíne,
removing
113-3
6-cylinder
engine,
removing
113-11
See
alsoCylinder
head
removal
and
installation
Intake
air
temperaturesensor
See
Fuel
injection
Interior
trim
general
information
513-1
center
console,
removing/installing
513-1
dashboard,
removing/installing
513-3
glove
compartment,
removing/
installing
513-2
lower
left
dash
panel,
removing/
installing
513-2

J

Jump
startíng
010-12

K

Knock
sensor
See
Ignition
system
L

Leather
upholstery
See
Maíntenance
program
Leve¡
sender
See
Fuel
pump
Lubrication
system
general
information
119-1
oil
pan,
removing/installing
(4-cylinder
engines)
119-2
oil
pan,
removing/installing
(6-cylinder
engine,
1992models)119-4
oil
pan
119-2
oil
pan,
removing/installing
(6-cylinder
engine,
1993
and
later
models)
119-6
oil
pressure,
checking
119-1
oil
pressure
warningsystem,
testing
119-2
oil
pump
119-8
oil
pump,
removing/installing
(4-cylinder
engine)
119-8
oil
pump,
removing/installing
(6-cylinder
engine)
119-9
troubleshooting
119-1

M

Maíntenance
program
general
information
020-2
accelerator
and
throttle
linkage
020-13
air
filter,
replacing
020-11
automatic
transmission
fluid
020-8
automatic
transmission
service
020-18
battery,
checking
and
cleaning
020-12
battery,
replacing
020-12
BMW
service
indicator
020-2
body
and
hinges,
lubricating
020-19
brake
fluid
020-9
brake
fluid,
replacing
020-17
brake
pad/rotor
wear,
checking
020-17
brake
system,
inspecting
020-17
clutch
fluid,
checking
020-19
cooling
system
service
020-14
drive
axle
joint
boots,
inspecting
020-19
engine
coolant
(anti-freeze)
020-9
engine
drive
belts
020-13
engine
oil,
checking
leve¡
020-9

Maintenance
program
(cont
.)
engine
oil
and
filter,
changing020-9engine
oil
service
020-9
exhaust
system,
inspecting
020-18
exterior
washing020-20
final
drive
gear
oil
020-9
final
drive
oil
level,
checking
020-18
front
suspension
and
steering

linkages,
inspecting
020-18
fuel
filter,
replacing
020-16
fuel
tank
and
fuel
lines,
inspecting
020-19
¡dle
speed
020-12
inspection
I
and
inspection
11
020-2
interior
care020-20
leather
upholstery
and
trim
020-20
maintenance
tables
020-3
manual
transmission
fluid,
checking
and
filling
020-18manual
transmission
fluid
020-8
manual
transmission
service
020-18oxygensensors
020-15
parking
brake,
checking
020-17
polishing
020-20
poly-ribbed
belt,
replacing
020-13
power
steering
fluid
020-9
power
steering
fluid,
checking
leve¡
020-14
rear
suspension,
inspecting
020-18
resetting
service
indicator
020-3
seat
belts
020-20
spark
plugs,
replacing
020-11
special
cleaning
020-20
tires,
checking
inflation
pressure
020-17
tires,
rotating
020-17
v-belt,
replacing
020-13
washing
chassis
020-20waxing020-20
windshield
wiperblade
maintenance
020-19
wheels,
aligníng
020-17
Manual
transmission
See
also
Maintenance
program
See
also
Transmission-general
general
information
230-1
back-up
light
switch,
replacing
230-2
inputshaft
sea¡,
replacing
(transmission
installed)
230-5
output
shaftsea¡,
replacing
(transmission
installed)
230-4
selector
shaft
sea¡,
replacing
(transmission
installed)
230-3
transmission
fluid,
replacing
230-2
transmission
fluidlevel,
checking
230-2
transmission
fluid
service
230-1
transmission
removal
and
installation
230-5
transmission,
removing/installing
230-
6
transmission
service
230-2
Mass
air
flow
sensor
See
Fuel
Injection

N

WARNING

Your
common
sense,
good
judge-
ment,
and
general
alertness
are
cru-
cial
to
safe
and
successful
service
work
.
Before
attempting
any
workonyour
BMW,
read
the
warnings
and
cautions
on
page
vi¡
and
the
copyright
page
at
the
front
of
the
manual
.
Review
these
warningsand
cautions
each
time
you
prepare
to
work
on
your
BMW
.
Please
also
read
any
warnings
and
cautions
that
accom-
pany
the
procedures
in
the
manual
.

Master
cylinder
See
Brakes
See
also
Clutch
Mechanical
troubleshooting
See
Engine-general
Microfilter
See
Air
conditioning
Mirror
See
Exterior
trim,
bumpers
Muffler

See
Exhaustsystem
Multi-information
display
(MID)
See
Instruments

Neutral
safetyswitch
See
Gearshift
linkage

O

Oil,
changing
See
Maintenance
program
Oil
panSee
Lubrication
system
Oil
pressure
See
Lubrication
system
Oil
pump
See
Lubrication
systemOn-board
diagnostics
(OBD)
See
Engine-general
See
alsoFuel
injection
See
also
Ignition
system
On-board
trip
computer
See
Multi-information
display
620-4
Oxygen
sensor
See
Engine-general
See
alsoFuel
injection
See
also
Maintenance
program

P

Parking
brake
See
Brakes
See
also
Maintenance
program
Parts
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Poly-ribbed
belt
See
Maintenance
program
Power
steering
See
Steering
and
wheel
alignment
Power
steering
(luid
See
Maintenance
program

R

Radiator
See
Cooling
system
Radio
general
information
650-1audio
system
650-1
radio
connector
650-6
removing/installing
650-2speakersdoor
panel
speaker,
removing/
installing
650-5
left
footwell
speaker,
removing/
installing
650-3
rear
speaker,
removing/installing
650-5
right
footwell
speaker,
removing/
installing
650-4Rearsuspension
See
also
Maintenance
program
general
information
330-1
coil
spring,
removing/installing
330-4
CV
boot,
replacing
330-8
drive
axle,
removing/installing
330-6
drive
axles
330-6
final
drive
carrier
330-12
final
drive
carrier,
removing/installing
330-12
lower
control
arm,
removing/installing
330-12
rear
shock
absorber,
removing/
installing
330-3
rear
suspension
arms
330-9
ride
heíght
330-1
shock
absorbers
and
springs
330-2
trailing
arm,
removing/installing
330-10
trailing
arm
bushing,
replacing
330-11upper
control
arm,
removing/installing
330-12
rear
wheel
bearing,
replacing
330-5

rear
wheel
bearings
330-4
Rear
view
mirror
See
Exterior
trim,
bumpers
Receiver/drivr
See
Air
conditioning
Relays
See
Electrical
component
locations

INDEX
7

Ride
height
See
Front
suspension
or
Rearsuspension
Ring
antenna
See
Central
locking
and
anti-theft
Roof
See
Convertible
top
See
also
Sunroof
Roundel
See
Exterior
trim,
bumpers

S

Seat
belts
general
information
720-1
automatic
front
seat
belt
lock
tensioners
720-2
center
rear
lap-belt,
removing/
installing
720-5
front
seat
beltreel,
removing/installing
720-3
mechanical
spring
tensioner,
disarming
720-2
rear
seat
belt,
removing/installing
(fixed
seat
back
models)
720-4
rear
seat
belt,
removing/installing
(fold-down
seat
back
models)
720-5Seats
general
information
520-1
front
seats520-1
manual
front
seat
assembly
520-3
power
front
seat
assembly
520-4
removing/installing
520-1
rear
seats
520-5
rear
seat
cushion
and
backrest,
removing/installing
(fixed
seat
backmodels)
520-5
rear
seat
cushion
and
backrest,
removing/installing
(fold-down
seat
back
models)520-5
rear
seat
backrest
side
section,
removing/installing
(fold-down
seat
back
models)520-6
Shiftinterlock
See
Gearshift
linkage
Shiftlever
See
Gearshift
linkage
Shíftlock
See
Gearshift
linkage
Shock
absorber
See
Front
suspension
See
also
Rear
suspension
Side-impact
airbag
See
Airbag
system
(SRS)
Slave
cylinder
See
Clutch
Service
indicator
See
Maintenanceprogram
Solenoid
See
Battery,
starter,
alternator
Spark
See
Ignition
system
Spark
plugs
See
Maintenance
program

8
INDEX

Speakers
See
Radio
SRS
(Supplemental
restraint
system)
See
Airbag
system
(SRS)
Starter
See
Battery,
starter,
alternator
Steering
and
wheel
alignment
general
information
320-1
caster
and
camber
320-5
front
toe-in
and
toe
difference
angle
320-6
outer
tie
rod
end,
replacing
320-4
power
steering
pump,
removing/
installing
320-2
power
steering
system
320-2
power
steering
system,
bleeding/filling
320-3
rear
toe-in
320-6
steering
gear320-3
steering
gear
rack,
removing/installing
320-3
steering
wheel
320-1
steering
wheel,
removing/installing
320-1
tie
rod,
replacing
320-5
wheel
alignment
320-5
wheel
alignment
specifications
320-6
Steering
gear
See
steering
and
wheel
alignment
Strut
See
Front
suspension
Subframe
See
Front
suspension
Sunroof
general
information
540-1
motor,
removing/installing
540-3
panel,
adjusting
540-2
panel,
emergency
closing
540-2
Suspension,
front
See
Front
suspension
Suspension,
rear
See
Rear
suspension
Suspension,
steering
and
brakes
general
information
300-1
al¡
season
traction
(AST)
300-4
antilock
brake
system
(ABS)
300-2
brakes
300-2
front
suspension
300-1
integrated
systems
300-2
M3
suspension
and
brakes
300-7
steering
300-2
rear
suspension
300-2suspension
and
steering
troubleshooting
300-7
tires
and
wheels300-2

T

Switches
and
electrical
accessories
general
information
612-1
dome
light,
rear
map
lights,
trunk
light,
replacing
bulbs
612-7
hazard
warning
switch,
replacing
612-5
headlight
switch,
replacing
612-5
foglight
switch,
replacing
612-5
ignition
electrical
switch,
replacing
612-3
ignition
lock
cylinder,
replacing
612-4
ignition
switch
assembly
612-3
outside
mirror
switch,
replacing
612-6
power
window
switch,
replacing
612-5
turn
signal
switch
and
wiper
switch,
removing/installing
612-1
wiper
switch
See
turn
signal
and
wiper
switch

Taillight
See
Exterior
lighting
Thermostat
See
Cooling
system
Throttleposition
sensor
(TPS)
See
Fuel
injection
Throw-out
bearing
See
ClutchTierod
See
Steering
and
wheel
alignment
Tires
See
Suspension,
steering
and
brakes-general
See
also
Maintenance
program
Timing
chain
See
Camshaft
timing
chain
Toe-in

See
Steering
and
wheel
alignment
Tools
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Torque
convector
See
Automatic
transmission
Towing
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Traction
control
See
also
Suspension,
steering
and
brakes-general
Trailing
arm
See
Rear
suspension
Transmission-general
See
also
Automatic
transmission
See
also
Manual
transmission
general
information
200-1
automatic
transmission
200-1
manual
transmission
200-1
transmission
ID
codes
200-2
Transmission
fluid
See
Maintenance
program
See
also
Automatic
transmission
Transmission
input
shaft
See
Manual
transmission
Transmission
output
shaft
See
Manual
transmission

Trim,
interior
See
Interior
trim
Trunk
lid
general
information
412-1
trunk
lid,
412-1
trunk
lid,
aligning
412-1
trunk
lid,
removing/installing
412-1
trunk
lid
support
strut,
removing/
installing
412-2

U

Upholstery
See
Maintenance
program
U-joints
See
Driveshaft

V

V-belt
See
Maintenance
program
Vacuum
booster
See
Brakes
Vacuum
leaks
See
Engine-general
Valveguides
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valve
seals
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valveseats
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valves
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
Valvetrain
See
Cylinder
head
and
valvetrain
VANOS
(variable
valve
timing)
See
Camshaft
timing
chaín
See
also
Engine-general
Vehicle
identification
number
(VIN)
See
Fundamentals
for
the
do-it-
yourself
owner
Vehicle
speed
sensor
See
Instruments
Ventilation
See
Air
conditioning
See
also
Heating

Voltage
regulator
See
Battery,
starter,
alternator
Voltage
tests
See
Electrical
system-general

W

Warnings
vi¡
Washer
fluid
pump
See
Wipers
and
washers
Washers
See
Wipers
and
washers
Water
pump
See
Cooling
system
Waxing
See
Maintenance
program