GENERAL
E36
cars
are
equipped
with
integrated
automatic
heating
and
air
conditioning
systems
.
Many
of
the
procedures
given
in
this
repair
group
require
that
the
A/C
refrigerant
charge
be
evacuated
using
specialized
equipment
.
See
A/C
System
Warningsand
Cautions
later
in
this
repair
group
.
HEATER
AND
CONTROLS
Blower
motor,
removing
and
installing
NOTE-
On
6-cylinder
cars,
the
plastic
top
enginecover
and
fuel
rail
covermustbe
removed
.
The
fuel
injectorhamess
re-
taining
screws
must
be
removed
and
the
harness
set
aside
.
The
engine
control
module
(ECM)
cover
must
be
removed,
the
control
unit
connectors
unplugged
and
the
harness
pulled
out
of
the
way
.
See
130
Fuel
Injection
.
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.
2
.
Open
hood
.
Unclip
engine
bulkhead
plenum
grille
at
base
of
windshíeld
and
remove
grille
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING
640-1
640
Heating
and
Air
Conditioning
GENERAL
.
...
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.
.
640-1
Heater
andA/C
air
distribution
motor,
replacing(rotary-knob)
.
.
...
.
.
.
.......
.
640-10
HEATER
AND
CONTROLS
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.640-1
Rear
Window
Defogger
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
640-10
Blower
motor,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-1
Rear
Window
Blower
(convertible
models)
.
.640-10
Blowermotor
resistor
pack,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-3
AIR
CONDITIONING
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-11
Heater
valve,
replacing
...........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-3
Heater
box,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-4
A/CSystem
Warnings
and
Cautions
.
.
.
.
.
.
:640-11
Heater
core,
replacing
.....
.
.
:
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-6
A/C
compressor,
replacing
.
.
::.
:
:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.640-12
Heater
core
temperature
sensor,
replacing
.
.
640-7
A/C
Compressor
Clutch
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-13
Heater
andA/C
Control
Head
.
.
....
.
.....
.
640-7
A/C
condenser,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-14
Heater
andA/C
control
head,
removing
A/C
receiver/drier,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-15
and
installing
(rotary-knob)
.
.
....
.
......
640-7
A/C
expansion
valve,
Heater
andA/C
control
head,
removing
removing
and
installing
...
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-16
and
installing
(digital-display)
.
.....
.
.....
640-8
A/C
evaporator,
removing
and
installing
.
.
..
640-17
Heater
andA/C
control
module,removing
A/C
evaporator
temperature
sensor,
and
installing
(rotary-knob)
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-8
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
..............
.
.
.
.
.
..
640-17
Heater
andA/C
control
module,removing
A/C
microfilter,
replacing
......
.
....
.
.
.
..
640-18
and
installing
(digital-display)
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
...
640-8
Sensor
fan
for
interior
temperature,
TABLES
replacing
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-9
a
.
Blower
Motor
Test
Values
.........
...
.
.
......
640-3
Heater
andA/C
AirDistribution
Motors
.
.
.
.
.
.
640-9
b
.
Heater
Core
Temperature
Sensor
Test
Values
...
.640-7
c
.
Evaporative
Temperature
Sensor
Test
Values
...
640-17
d
.
A/C
System
Fluid
Capacities
(total)
..
..........
640-18
0012527
Fig
.
1
.
Detach
grille
retaining
clips
(arrows)
and
pull
grille
upward
and
out
of
rubbergasket
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
viii
.
HEATER
AND
CONTROLS
9
.
Release
blower
motor
retaining
strap
andremove
blow-
er
motor
and
fans
fromcowl
opening
.
NOTE-
Twist
and
rotate
blowermotor
assembly
to
facilítate
re-
moval
from
opening
.
If
the
blower
motor
is
to
be
rein-stafled,
use
care
not
to
damage
fan
wheels
during
removal
.
ff
the
blower
motor
fs
to
be
replaced,
cut
offfan
wheels
at
center
to
aid
in
removal
.
10
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
When
installing
a
re-
placement
blower
motor,
instan
motor
into
cowlarea
before
installing
fan
wheels
.
Blower
motor
test
specifi-
cations
are
listed
in
Table
a
.
NOTE
-
On
replacementblowermotors
from
BMW,
thefan
wheels
come
unattached
to
aid
in
installation
.
Locatearrow
on
blower
motor
and
instan
fan
wheels
atthis
po-
sition
.
Be
sure
color
coolng
matches
.
Retain
fan
wheels
using
the
new
clips
.
See
an
authorized
BMW
parts
de-
partment
for
the
latest
parts
information
.
Table
a
.
Blower
Motor
Test
Values
Testingvoltage
13
VDC
Operating
voltage
9-15
VDC
Max
.
current
consumption
(approx
.)
12
amps
Maximum
speed
3,600-4,000rpm
Axialplay
(max
.
allowable)
1
.0
mm
(0
.04
in
.)
Blower
motor
resistor
pack,
replacing
The
blower
resistor
pack
is
clipped
into
the
upper
left
side
of
theheater
box
.
1
.
Remove
lower
left
dash
trim
panel
.
See513
Interior
Trim
.
2
.
Working
under
left
(driver's)
side
of
dash,
unclip
and
pulí
out
resistor
pack
from
sideof
heater
box
.
Remove
harness
connector
from
resistor
pack
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Heater
valve,
replacing
The
two-way
heater
valve
is
located
in
the
rear
of
the
engine
compartment
on
the
driver
side
.
The
solenoid
operated
valves
control
the
coolant
flow
through
the
dual-chamber
heater
core
.
1
.
Drain
engine
coolant
.
See
170
Radiator
and
Cooling
System
.
HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING
640-
3
uuiGO4I
Fig
.
7
.
Blower
fan
resistor
pack
(black
arrow)
and
resistor
pack
re-
ceptacle
(white
arrow)
below
left
sideof
dash
.
WARNING
-
Allow
the
cooling
system
to
cool
before
opening
ordraining
the
cooling
system
.
2
.
Disconnect
hoses
and
harness
connector
at
heater
valve
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
001[ó38b
Fig
.
S
.
Hoses
(A)
and
harnessconnector
(B)
at
heatervalve
.
3
.
Carefully
pull
heater
valve
out
of
rubber
mounting
and
pull
up
and
out
of
engine
compartment
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Use
new
hose
clamps
.
Inspect
hoses
and
replace
asnecessary
.
HEATER
AND
CONTROLS
640-6
HEATING
AND
AIRCONDITIONING
Heater
core,replacing
1.
Drain
engíne
coolant
.
See170
Radiator
and
Cooling
System
.
WARNING
-
Allow
the
cooling
system
to
cool
before
opening
or
drainíng
the
cooling
system
.
2
.
Remove
center
console
.
See
513
Interior
Trim
.
3
.
Remove
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
module
.
See
620
Instruments
.
4
.
Remove
lower
dash
panel
and
knee
bolster
on
driver
side
.
See
513
Interior
Trim
.
Fig
.
17
.
Wire
harness
retaining
clips
and
wire
ties
at
heater
box
cover
5
.
Working
under
driver
side
of
dash,
remove
coolant
(arrows)
.
flange
from
heater
core
.
See
Fig
.
16
.
0012651
Fig
.
16
.
Bolts
at
3-way
coolant
flange
under
driver's
side
of
dash
(ar-
rows)
.
NOTE-
Residual
coolant
in
heater
core
will
spill
.
Protect
thecarpet
.
6
.
Working
at
front
of
driveshaft
tunnel,
unclip
wire
har-
nesses
and
move
to
one
side
in
front
of
heater
box
.
See
Fig
.
17
.
7
.
Remove
heatercore
temperature
sensorsas
described
later
in
this
repair
group
.
8
.
Remove
front
heater
box
cover
.
See
Fig
.
18
.
9
.
On
right
side
of
heater
box,
unclip
heater
air
duct
actu-
ating
lever
.
Remove
cross-rod
(with
flaps)
from
frontof
heater
core
.
See
Fig
.
19
.
HEATER
AND
CONTROLS
0012662
Fig
.
18
.
Screws
retaining
front
heater
box
cover
(shown
removed)
to
heater
box
(arrows)
.
0012661
Fig
.
19
.
Pry
heater
flap
actuating
lever
in
direction
A
.
Pull
offair
flap
cross-rod
in
direction
B
.
To
access
the
rear
window
blower
relay,
remove
the
glove
compariment
.
See
Fig
.
32
.
Fig
.
32
.
Rear
window
blower
relay
located
in
frontof
glove
compart-
ment
(arrow)
.
AIR
CONDITIONING
Thissection
covers
removal
and
installation
of
air
condition-
ing
refrigerant
components
.
A/C
testing
and
diagnosis,
refrig-
erantdischarge,
evacuatíon
and
recharge
are
not
covered
here
.
The
subassemblies
and
lines
of
the
air
conditionerare
filled
with
either
refrigerant
R12
(1992
cars)
or
R-134a
(1993
and
later
cars)
.
The
major
components
of
the
A/Csystem
are
shown
in
Fig
.
33
.
A/CSystem
Warnings
and
Cautions
WARNING
-
"
Always
be
careful
that
refrigerant
does
not
come
in
contact
with
your
skin
.
Always
wearhand
andeye
protection
(gloves
and
goggles)
when
work-
ing
around
the
AIC
system
.
If
refrigerant
does
come
in
contact
with
your
skin
oreyes
:
-Do
not
rub
skin
oreyes
;
-Immediately
flush
skin
oreyes
withcool
water
for
15
minutes
;
-Rush
to
a
doctor
orhospital
;
-Do
not
attempt
to
treat
yourself
.
"
Work
in
a
wefl
ventilated
area
.
Avoid
breathing
re-
frigerant
vapors
.
Exposure
may
irrítate
eyes,
nose,
and
throat
.
Switch
on
exhaustlventilation
systems
when
working
on
the
refrigerant
system
.
"
Do
not
expose
any
component
of
the
AIC
system
to
high
temperatures
(Above
80°Cl176°F)or
open
flames
.
Excessive
heat
will
cause
a
pres-
sureincrease
whichcould
burst
the
system
.
HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING
640-
1
1
0013015
WARNING
-
"
Keep
refrigerant
away
from
open
llames
.
Poison-
ous
gas
will
be
produced
if
it
bums
.
Do
not
smoke
near
refrigerant
gases
for
the
same
reason
.
"
The
AICsystem
is
filled
with
refrigerant
gas
which
is
under
pressure
.
Pressurized
refrigerant
in
the
presenceof
oxygen
may
forma
combusti-
ble
mixture
.
Never
introduce
compressed
air
finto
any
refrigerant
container
(full
or
empty),
capped
off
AIC
component,
or
piece
of
service
equip-
ment
.
"
Refrígerant
gases
are
heavier
than
air,
displace
oxygen
and
may
cause
suffocation
in
areas
of
poor
círculation,
for
example
under
a
car
.
Switch
on
exhaustlventilation
systems
when
working
on
the
refrigerant
system
.
"
State
and
local
governments
may
have
additional
requirements
regarding
air
conditioning
servic-
ing
.
Alwayscomply
with
state
and
local
laws
.
"
Electric
welding
near
refrigerant
hoses
causes
R-134a
to
decompose
.
Discharge
system
before
welding
.
CA
UTION
-
-As
of
January
1,
1992,
any
person
who
services
a
motor
vehicle
air
conditioner
must,
by
law,
be
properly
trained
and
certified,
and
use
approved
refrigerant
recycling
equipment
.
Technicians
must
complete
an
EPA-approved
recycling
course
to
be
certified
.
"
It
is
recommended
that
al¡
system
refrigerant
AIC
refrigerant
be
left
to
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
or
other
qualified
AIC
service
facility
.
"
Do
not
top
off
a
partially
charged
refrigerant
sys-
tem
.
Dischargesystem,evacuate
and
then
re-
charge
system
.
"
R-134a
and
R-12
refrigerants
and
refrigerant
oils
and
system
components,
including
hoses
and
sealing
O-rings,
are
NOT
compatible
.
Compo-
nent
damage
andlor
system
contamination
will
result
.
"
The
mixture
of
refrigerant
oil
(PAG
oil)
and
refrig-
erant
R-134a
attacks
some
metals
and
alloys
(for
example,copper)
and
breaks
down
certain
hose
materials
.
Use
only
hoses
and
lines
that
are
iden-
tified
with
a
green
mark
(stripe)
or
the
lettering
R-
134a"
.
"
Immediately
plug
open
connections
on
AIC
com-
ponents
to
prevent
dirt
and
moisture
contamina-
tion
.
"
Do
not
steam
clean
condensers
or
evaporators
.
Use
only
cold
water
or
compressed
air
.
AIR
CONDITIONING
640-12
HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING
A/C
Compressor,
replacing
1
.
Followingmanufacturer's
instructions,
connectanap-
proved
refrigerant
recovery/recycling/recharging
unit
to
A/C
system
and
discharge
system
.
WARNING
-
Do
notdischarge%harge
the
AIC
system
without
proper
equipment
and
training
.
Damage
to
the
vehi-
cle
and
personal
injury
may
result
.
2
.
Remove
splash
shield
fromunder
engine
.
3
.
Mark
A/C
drive
belt
with
direction
ofrotation
.
Remove
A/C
belt
tensioner
trim
cap
.
See
Fig
.
34
.
0011988
Fig
.
34
.
To
access
tensioner
retaining
bolt,
remove
trim
cap
from
drive-belt
tensioner
.
Fig
.
33
.
A/
C
components
.
Arrows
indicatedirection
of
refrigerant
flow
.
AIR
CONDITIONING
4
.
On
4-cylinder
engines
:
Loosen
A/C
belt
tensioner
bolt
under
trim
cap,
then
remove
belt
from
A/C
compressor
.
See
Fig
.
35
.
~=1
A/C
compressor
A
0013019
Fig
.
35
.
4-cylinder
engines
:
Loosen
retaining
bolt
A
on
tensionerto
re-
lease
drive-belt
tension
.
To
increase
tension,
rotate
pulley
in
direction
of
arrow,
then
tighten
bolt
A
.
5
.
On
6-cylinder
engines
:
Release
tension
on
A/C
belt
by
turning
tensioner
pulley
clockwíse
(againstspring
ten-
sion)
.
See
Fig
.
36
.
NOTE
-
Detailed
instructions
for
drive-belt
removal
and
installa-tion
can
be
found
in
020
Maintenance
Program
.
640-14
HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING
7
Fig
.
39
.
A/
C
compressorand
clutch
components
.
8
00871208
1.
Clutch
plate
retaining
bolt
5
.
A/C
compressor
pulley
2
.
Clutch
plate
6
.
Clutch
retaining
circlip
3
.
Pulley
retaining
circlip
7
.
Clutch
(magnetic
winding)
4
.
Clutch
bearing
8
.
Compressor
00870082
Fig
.
40
.
A/
C
compressor
driveplate
canbe
held
stationary
with
strap
toolto
allow
removal
of
retaining
bolt
.
NOTE-
BMWs
are
equipped
with
compressors
from
various
manufacturers
.
Special
tools
may
be
required
tore-
move
driveplate
orpulley
.
AIR
CONDITIONING
Tightening
Torque
"
Compressor
clutch
bolt
to
compressor
shaft
.....
.
....
..
.
.
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)
A/C
condenser,
replacing
1
.
Following
manufacturer's
instructions,
connect
an
ap-
proved
refrigerant
recovery/recycling/recharging
unitto
A/Csystemand
discharge
system
.
WARNING
-
Do
not
dischargelcharge
the
AIC
system
without
proper
equipment
and
training
.
Damage
to
the
vehi-
cle
and
personal
injury
may
result
.
2
.
Remove
front
bumper
and
radiator
grilles
.
See510
Ex-
terior
Trim,
Bumpers
.
3
.
Remove
auxiliary
electric
radiator
fan
.
See
170
Cool-
ing
System
.
4
.
DetachA/C
lines
from
lower
right
corner
of
condenser
.
Plug
lines
immediately
.
See
Fig
.
41
.
Fig
.
41
.
A/
C
flange
bolts
at
condenser
(arrows)
.
5
.
Remove
condenser
mounting
bolts
from
frontradiator
support
.
See
Fig
.
42
.
6
.
Lift
up
condenser
to
disengage
from
lower
mounts
and
remove
from
below
.
7
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
CA
UTION-
"
Always
replace
O-rings
when
reconnecting
re-
frigerant
fines
.
"
When
installing
a
new
condenser
always
replace
receiverldrier
unit
.
640-16
HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING
A/C
expansion
valve,
removing
and
installing
Fig
.
45
.
Control
module
carrier
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.
1
.
Following
manufacturers
instructions,
connectanap-
proved
refrigerant
recovery/recycling/recharging
unit
to
A/C
system
and
discharge
system
.
WARNING
-
Do
not
discharge%harge
the
WC
system
without
properequipmentand
training
.
Damage
to
the
vehi-
cle
and
personal
injury
may
result
.
2
.
Remove
glove
compartment
and
glove
compartment
support
frame
.
See513
Interior
Trim
.
3
.
Remove
right
side
footwell
vents
.
4
.
Remove
right
side
control
module
carrier
screws
and
tilt
carrier
down
.
See
Fig
.
46
.
5
.
Remove
expansion
valve
cover
.
See
Fig
.
46
.
Fig
.
46
.
Four
screws
retain
expansion
valve
cover
(arrows)
.
AIR
CONDITIONING
0012666
0012663
6
.
Remove
A/C
refrigerant
line
fiange
bolt(s)
from
expan-
sion
valve
.
Plug
lines
immediately
.
See
Fig
.
47
.
NOTE
-
If
necessary,
remove
air
plenum
grille
fromrear
of
en-
gine
compartment
as
described
earlier
in
Blower
mo-
tor,
removing
and
installing
.
Remove
wiring
hamess
cover
screws
and
then
remove
right
side
plenum
screws
.
Reaching
finto
the
plenum
chamber,
remove
AIC
fine
flange
bolt
to
allow
expansion
valve
room
for
removal
.
Fig
.
47
.
Refrigerant
line
fiange
mounting
boltat
expansion
valve(arrow)
.
7
.
Remove
screws
from
top
of
expansion
valve
and
re-
move
expansion
valve
from
evaporator
.
See
Fig
.
48
.
Fig
.
48
.
Expansion
valve
mountingscrews
(A)
.
0011667
Rear
speaker,
removing
and
installing
Door
panel
speaker,
removing
and
installing
NOTE
-
Rear
speakers
in
convertible
models
are
installed
un-
der
the
rear
side
panels
.
For
rearside
panelremoval
procedure,
see
411Doors
.
1
.
Working
at
rear
parcel
shelf,
pry
speakercoverby
inner
edge
and
remove
.
See
Fig
.
12
.
0011632
Fig
.
12
.
Pry
up
inner
edge
of
speaker
cover
off
rear
parcel
shelf
.
2
.
Remove
mountingscrews
and
depress
speaker
retain-
ing
clip
.
See
Fig
.
13
.
Lower
speaker
into
trunk
.
Fig
.
13
.
Remove
screws
(A)
and
depress
clip
(B)
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
0011633
3
.
Disconnect
speaker
connector
andremove
speaker
from
box
.
RAM
650-5
1.
On
carswith
side-impact
airbags,
disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnecttog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
vi¡¡
.
2
.
Remove
inner
door
panel
.
See
411
Doors
.
WARNING
-
Some
1997
and
all
1998
model
year
cars
are
equipped
with
front
side-impact
airbags
in
the
front
doors
.
When
servicing
the
doors
with
front
side-im-
pact
airbags,
alwaysdisconnect
the
negative
()
battery
terminal
.
See
721Airbag
System
(SRS)
for
cautions
and
procedures
relating
to
theairbag
sys-
tem
.
3
.
On
back
of
door
panel,
remove
nut
on
top
of
speaker
retaining
bracket
and
remove
bracket
from
behind
speaker
.
See
Fig
.
14
.
Fig
.
14
.
Speaker
retaining
nut
(arrow)
.
4
.
Disconnect
speaker
connector
from
harness
connector
and
remove
loudspeaker
forwardthrough
door
panel
.
5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Install
side-impact
airbag
using
new
screws
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
RADIO
AND
SPEAKER
SERVICE