120-10
IGNITION
SYSTEM
Ground
(rear
of
engine
compartment,
rear
of
passenger
side
shock
tower)
.!
BK
Camshaft
Position
Sensor
IGNITION
SYSTEM
SCHEMATICS
Batteryvoltage
in
run
or
start
(
via
ignition
switch
terminal
15)
---------------------------------------------------------
55
S5154
i
power
input
Power
input
1
DME
Control
Module(Bosch
DME
M3
.1)
Ground
-
(RHrear
of
enginecompartment,
rearof
passenger
side
shock
tower)
Fig
.
15
.
Bosch
DME
M3
.1
usedon1992
M50
engines(without
VANOS)
.
.EBK
Crankshaftlrpm
Position
Sensor
5GN
1.0
RD
Ground
(RH
rearof
enginecompartment,
rear
of
passenger
side
shock
tower)
WIRING
COLOR
CODE
BK
-
BLACK
BR
-
BROWN
RD
-
RED
YL
-
YELLOWGN
-
GREEN
BL
-
BLUE
VI-
VIOLET
GY
"
GREY
WT
"
WHITE
PK
-
PINK
Batteryvoltage
in
run
or
start
(
via
main
relay
Battery
voltage
terminal
87)
in
run
or
start
(via
ignition
switch
terminal
15)
11508
1
grounds
Main
rela
control
P
ower
Input
Y
I
-
34
---"--
6
26
27
1
Battery
voltage
at
all
times
to
Main
relay
(terminal
85)
120-12
IGNITION
SYSTEM
Warning
.
Lethal
voltagepresent
Battery
voltage
in
run
or
start
(via
ignitíon
switch
terminal
15)
I
t
IGNITION
SYSTEM
SCHEMATICS
Battery
voltage
in
run
or
start
(
via
ignition
switchterminal
15)
WIRING
COLOR
CODE
Knock
Sensor
Knock
Sensor
Crankshaftlrpm
Camshaft
(cyl
.
1-3)
(cyl
.
4-6)
Position
Sensor
Position
-
-
Sensor
-
Fig
.
17
.
Siemens
MS
41
.1
ignition
systemusedon1996
and
later
6-cylinder
engines
.
1.0
BR
PQ
1
.08~1
.0BKIRD
/1
.0BK/YL
'10BK/BL
'1
.03KIGN
10BKNI
4
1D
BK
-
BLACK
BR
-
BROWN
RD
-
RED
YL
-
YELLOW
GN
-
GREEN
BL
-
BLUE
VI-
VIOLET
GY
-
GREY
WT
-
WHITE
PK
-
PINK
Batteryvoltage
in
run
or
start
(via
main
relay
terminal
87)
!1
rl
1.0
B~
^
1.0
BK/RD
^
1.0
BKIYL
^
1
.0
BK/BL
n
1.0
BK/GN
n
1
.0
BKIVI
%~
r
-------
--------------_____________----_______-_-____
49
29
1
30
2
31
3
8754
1
power
input
Power
input
I
1
Engine
Control
Module
(Siemens
MS
41
.1)
1
1
grounds
1
n
1
Powerinput
Mainrelaycontrol
1
1-
57
___
58
_
59
_
__
63
_
38
83
48
40
64
43
65
41
28
32
34
4
26
73
1
-
-----------
-
_-----
-
------
_
------
-
------
-
---
-
.5Y1-
.5BKY.5GNY.5BRY
Y
.35BKY
1
Y
Y
.35BKY/Y35YY
75
.18R/
.5YL-1
1'
.
Batteryvoltage
at
all
times
to
Main
relay
(terminal
85)
Ground
v
(RH
rear
of
engine
Z
compartment,
rear
=
of
shock
tower)
Ground
(RH
rear
of
enginecompartment,
rearof
shock
tower)
0012731
121-
4
BATTERY,
STARTER,
ALTERNATOR
BatteryOpen-Circuit
Voltage
Test
Battery
Charging
Before
making
the
test,
load
the
battery
with
15
amperes
for
Discharged
batteries
can
be
recharged
using
a
battery
one
minute
with
a
batteryload-tester
or
turn
on
the
headlights
charger
.
The
battery
should
be
removed
from
the
luggage
for
about
one
minute
without
the
engine
running
.Then
discon-
compartment
during
charging
.
nect
the
battery
negative
(-)
cable
and
connect
a
digital
volt-
meter
acrossthe
battery
terminals
.
Open-circuit
voltage
Prolonged
charging
causes
electrolyte
evaporation
to
a
lev
levels
are
given
in
Table
c
.
el
that
can
damage
the
battery
.
Itis
bestto
use
a
low-current
charger
(6
amperes
or
less)
to
prevent
battery
damage
If
the
open-circuit
voltage
ís
OK
butthe
battery
still
lacks
caused
by
overheating
.
power
for
starting,
make
a
load
voltage
test
.
If
the
open-circuit
voltage
is
below
12
.4
volts,
recharge
the
battery
and
retest
.
WARNING
-
Hydrogen
gas
given
off
by
the
battery
duringcharg-
Table
c
.
Open-Circuit
Voltage
and
Battery
Charge
ing
is
explosive
.
Do
not
smoke
.
Keep
open
llames
away
from
the
top
of
the
battery,
and
prevent
elec
Open-circuit
voltage
State
of
charge
trical
sparks
by
turning
offthe
battery
charger
be-
12
.6
V
or
more
Fully
charged
fore
connecting
or
disconnecting
it
.
12
.4
V
1
75%
charged
12
.2
V
50%
charged
CAUTION-
12
.0
V
25%
charged
"
Battery
electrolyte
(sulfuric
acid)
can
damage
the
car
.
If
electrolyte
isspilled,
clean
the
area
11
.7
V
or
less
Fully
discharged
with
a
solution
of
baking
soda
and
water
.
Battery
Load
Voltage
Test
A
battery
load
tester
is
required
for
a
load
voltage
test
.
The
-
Always
disconnect
both
battery
cables
and
re-
test
is
made
by
applying
a
high
resistive
load
to
the
battery
ter-
move
battery
from
vehicle
during
battery
charg-
ing
.
Do
not
exceed
16
.5volts
at
the
battery
.
minals
and
then
measuring
battery
voltage
.
The
battery
should
be
fully
charged
for
the
most
accurate
results
.
The
battery
ca-
bles
mustbe
disconnected
before
making
the
test
.
If
the
volt-
ALTERNATOR
$ERVICE
age
is
below
that
listed
in
Table
d,
the
battery
should
be
replaced
.
WARNING
-
Always
wear
protective
goggles
and
clothing
when
performing
aload
test
.
Table
d
.
Battery
Load
Test-Minimum
Voltage
(apply
200
amp
load
for
15
seconds)
Ambient
temperature
Voltage
80°F
(27°C)
9
.6
V
60°F
(16°C)
9
.5
V
40°F
(4°C)
9
.3
V
20°F
(-7°C)
8
.9
V
0°F
(-18°C)
8
.5
V
ALTERNATOR
SERVICE
"
Always
allow
a
frozen
battery
to
thaw
before
at-
tempting
to
recharge
it
.
Before
checking
the
alternator
and
regulator,
make
sure
the
battery
is
fully
charged
and
capable
of
holding
acharge
.
Check
that
the
battery
terminals
are
clean
and
tight
and
the
al-
ternator
drive
belt
is
properly
tensioned
and
not
severely
worn
.
Charging
system,
checking
CAUTION-
Do
not
disconnect
the
battery
while
the
engine
is
running,
.
Damage
to
the
alternator
andlorengine
electronic
systems
may
result
.
1.
Turn
ignition
key
on
.
Check
that
the
chargewarning
lamp
comes
on
.
NOTE-
If
the
warning
light
does
not
come
on,
repair
any
wiring
or
bulb
faults
before
continuing
to
check
the
charging
system
.
2
.
Remove
cooling
duct
or
terminal
cover
from
rear
of
al-
2
.
Remove
air
cleaner
upper
section
with
mass
air
flow
ternator
.
sensor
.
3
.
Check
for
battery
voltage
between
ground
and
terminal
3
.
Remove
terminal
cover
from
rear
of
alternator
.
Discon
B+
at
back
of
alternator
.
Then
turn
ignition
on
and
nect
wiring
.
check
for
battery
voltage
between
terminal
D+
and
ground
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
lf
voltage
is
not
present
at
either
4
.
Remove
drive
belt
from
alternator
pulley
.
See
020
point,
check
wiring
for
faults
.
Maintenance
program
.
001
¡987
Fig
.
3
.
Terminal
B+
is
supplied
battery
voltage
directly
from
the
bat-
tery
.
Terminal
D+
is
supplied
battery
voltage
via
the
charge
warning
bulb
when
thekey
is
on
or
the
engine
is
running
.
4
.
lf
no
faults
are
foundup
to
thispoint,test
alternator
out-
put
using
a
load
tester
.
5
.
If
a
load
tester
is
not
available,
a
crude
output
test
can
be
done
by
running
engine
at
about
2000
rpmand
turn-
ing
on
electrical
loads
(fans,
lights
and
rear
window
de-
froster,
wipers)
.
With
al¡
accessories
on,
battery
voltage
should
be
above
12
.0
VDC
.
A
replacement
alternator
should
have
the
same
rating
as
the
original
.
Alternator
manufacturer
and
ampere
rating
are
normally
marked
on
the
alternator
housing
.
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
battery
cable
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
vi¡¡
.
BATTERY,
STARTER,
ALTERNATOR
121-
5
6
.
Remove
upper
and
lower
mounting
bolts
and
lift
out
al-
ternator
.
See
Fig
.
4
.
NOTE
-
If
reusing
drive
belt,
mark
direction
of
rotation
on
belt
before
removing
.
5
.
On
M44
engine
with
hydraulic
belt
tensioner
:
Remove
tensioner
idler
pulley
(upper
roller)
from
alternator
bracket
.
Fig
.
4
.
Alternator
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.
O
u
J
S
v~~
U
I
1
i
n
-12
.22
Alternator,
removing
and
installing
7
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Install
drive
belt
as
(4-cylinder
engine)
described
in
020
Maintenance
Program
.
Tightening
Torques
"
D+
vire
to
alternator
(M6
nut)
.
...
.
.
.
7
Nm
(53
in-lb)
"
B+
wire
to
alternator
(M8
nut)
..
.
.
.
.
.
13
Nm
(10
ft-Ib)
"
Pulley
to
alternator
(M16
nut)
...
..
..
60
Nm
(44
ft-Ib)
ALTERNATOR
SERVICE
121-
6
BATTERY
STARTER,
ALTERNATOR
Alternator,
removing
and
installing
(6-cylinder
engine)
A
replacement
alternator
should
have
the
same
rating
as
the
original
.
Alternator
manufacturer
and
ampere
rating
are
normally
marked
on
the
alternator
housing
.
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
battery
cable
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
viii
.
2
.
Remove
alternator
cooling
duct
and
air
filter
housing
assembly
from
car
.
Disconnect
wiring
from
rear
of
alter-
nator
.
3
.
Remove
radiator
cooling
fan
and
fan
shroud
.
See
170
Radiator
and
Cooling
System
.
4
.
Remove
alternator
drive
belt
from
alternator
pulley
.
On
engines
with
hydraulic
belt
tensioner,
remove
tensioner
idler
pulley
(upper
roller)
from
alternator
bracket
.
See
Fig
.
5
.
ALTERNATOR
SERVICE
Fig
.
5
.
Pry
off
cover
from
tensioner
and
then
lever
tensioner
clock-
wise
to
release
belt
tension
.
Remove
upper
roller
(A)
once
belt
ís
removed
.
NOTE-
If
reusing
drive
belt,
mark
direction
of
rotation
on
belt
before
removing
.
5
.
Remove
upper
and
lower
mounting
bolts
and
lift
out
al-
ternator
.
6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Note
locating
notches
on
tensioner
idler
pulley
(upper
roller)
alternator
brack-
et
when
installing
pulley
.
Tightening
Torques
"
D+
wire
to
alternator
(M6
nut)
.......
7
Nm
(53
in-lb)
"
B+
wireto
alternator
(M8
nut)
.......
13
Nm
(10
ft-Ib)
"
Pulley
to
alternator
(M16
nut)
.......
60
Nm
(44
ft-Ib)
Voltage
regulator,
removing
and
installing
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.
NOTE-
2
.
Remove
alternator
as
described
earlier
.
The
radiator
cooling
fan
nut
(32
mm
wrench)has
left-
hand
threads
.
3
.
Remove
cooling
duct
from
rear
of
alternator
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
Alternator
.
.g-
p~
J
-..
.
Fig
.
6
.
Alternator
assemblyand
related
parts
.
Cooling
duct
0012524
4
.
Remove
voltage
regulator
mounting
screws
and
re-
move
regulator
from
alternator
.
5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Clean
brush
contact
surfaces
in
alternator
and
check
brush
length
asde-
scribed
later
.
Alternator
brushes,
STARTER
SERVICE
inspecting
and
replacing
Regulator
brushesarenot
available
as
replacement
parts
from
BMW
.
Replacement
brushes
may
be
available
from
af-
termarket
sources,
however
.
1
.
Remove
voltage
regulator
as
described
above
.
2
.
Clean
brush
contact
sürfaces
and
measure
brush
pro-trusion
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
Check
for
battery
voltage
at
terminal
50
of
the
starter
motor
Fig
.
7
.
Regulator
brush
protrusion
(A)
.
with
the
key
in
the
start
position
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
If
voltage
is
not
present,
check
the
wiring
between
the
ignition
switch
and
the
starter
terminal
.
If
voltage
is
present
and
no
other
visible
wir
Voltage
Regulator
ing
faults
can
be
found,
the
problem
is
most
likely
interna¡in
"
Brush
protrusion
(minimum)
.......
.
..
5
mm
(
1
/4
in
.)
the
starter
motor
.
3
.
To
replace
brushes,
carefully
and
as
quickly
as
possi-
ble,
unsolder
brush
lead
from
brush
holder
termina¡,
withdrawing
brush
from
holder
at
same
time
.
4
.
Remove
any
traces
of
solder
frombrush
holder
termi-
nal
using
solder
wick
.
5
.
Fit
spring
into
brush
holder
and
inserí
new
brush
.
6
.
Guide
brush
lead
into
terminal
and
solder
into
place
.
Check
for
free
movement
of
brushes
when
solder
cools
.
7
.
Check
brush
slip
rings
in
alternator
for
wear
.
Lightly
clean
slip
rings
using
fine
abrasive
cloth
.
BATTERY,
STARTER,
ALTERNATOR
121-
7
Starter
Troubleshooting
If
the
starter
tucos
the
engine
slowlyor
fails
to
operate
when
the
ignition
isin
the
start
position,
check
the
battery
first
.
In-
spect
the
starter
wires,
terminals,
and
ground
connections
for
good
contact
.
In
particular,
make
sure
the
ground
connections
between
the
battery,
the
body
and
the
engine
are
completely
clean
and
tight
.
If
no
faults
can
be
found,
the
starter
may
be
faulty
and
should
be
replaced
.
NOTE
-
"
Starting
in1194,
a
factory-installed
drive-away
protec-
tion
system,
alsoreferred
to
as
EWS
or
EWS
11,
was
used
on
all
E36
cars
.
This
system
prevenís
operation
of
the
starter
when
the
system
is
engaged
.
See
515
Central
Locking
and
Anti-theft
.
"
On
cars
with
automatic
transmission,
a
starter
relay
and
a
neutral
safetyswitchare
used
to
present
theen-
ginefrom
starting
in
gear
positions
other
than
park
or
neutral
.
ff
voltage
is
not
present
atterminal
50
with
the
key
in
the
startposition,
check
these
components
To
make
the
most
accurate
check
of
the
battery
cables
and
starterwiring,
make
a
voltage
drop
test
on
the
cables
and
wir-
ing
as
described
in
600
Electrical
System-General
.
Terminal
30
'
\
/
Terminal
30h
0012518
8
.
Reinstall
regulator
and
alternator
.
Fig
.
8
.
Typical
starterwiring
terminal
identification
.
Large
wireat
ter-
minal
30
is
direct
battery
voltage
.
Smaller
wire
at
terminal
50
operates
starter
solenoid
via
ignition
switch
.
STARTER
SERVICE
121-
8
BATTERY,
STARTER,
ALTERNATOR
1f
the
solenoid
audibly
cliicks
but
the
motor
does
not
turn,
Starter,
removing
and
installing
switch
on
the
lights
andtum
the
key
to
the
start
position
.
lf
the
(6-cylinder
engine
with
lights
go
out
while
attempting
to
start,
the
battery
cable
may
be
manual
transmission)
loose
or
the
starter
may
have
a
short
circuit
.
If
the
lights
stay
on,the
solenoid
is
most
likely
atfault
.
The
starter
on
a
6-cylinder
car
with
manual
transmission
is
Starter,
removing
and
installing
(4-cylinder
engine)
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
battery
cable
.
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.
2
.
Remove
guide
tube
for
oil
dipstick
.
3
.
Raise
vehicle
.
WARNING
-
Make
sure
the
car
ís
stable
and
wefl
supported
at
all
times
.
Use
a
professional
automotive
lift
or
jack
stands
designed
forthe
purpose
.
A
floor
jack
is
not
adequate
support
.
4
.
Disconnect
wiring
from
starter
.
5
.
Remove
top
and
bottom
starter
bolts
.
Bottom
bolt
must
be
removed
from
below
car
.
Remove
starter
support
bracket,
if
applicable
.
removed
from
below
.
2
.
Raise
vehicle
.
3
.
Remove
reinforcing
cross
bracefromunder
transmís-
sion,
if
applicable
.
4
.
Remove
cover
from
fuel
filter
and
fuel
lines
on
left
side
underneath
car,
if
applicable
.
Detach
fuel
lines
and
har-
ness
connectors
from
retainingbrackets,
as
necessary
5
.
Disconnect
wiring
from
starter
.
6
.
Loosen
andremove
bolts
and
nuts
fastening
starter
to
transmission
bell
housing
and/or
engine
block
.
Remove
starter
supportbracket
.
7
.
Remove
starter
from
below
.
8
.
Check
starter
pinion
gear
and
flywheel
teeth
for
dam-
age
.
9
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
6
.
Pull
starter
downward
and
turn
until
solenoid
is
at
top,
Tightening
Torques
then
remove
from
car
.
"
Re¡
nforcing
cross
brace
to
chassis
(M10)
..
...............
42
Nm
(31
ft-Ib)
7
.
>Check
starter
pinion
gear
and
flywheel
teeth
for
dam-
"
Starter
to
engine
block
(M10
bolt)
...
50
Nm
(37
ft-Ib)
age
.
"
Support
bracket
to
starter
(M5
nut)
...
5
Nm
(44
in-lb)
"
Support
bracket
8
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
to
engine
block
(M10
bolt)
.........
47
Nm
(35
ft-Ib)
"
Wire
to
terminal
50
(M6
nut)
.........
6
Nm
(53
ín-Ib)
"
Wire
to
terminal
30
(M8
nut)
.........
12
Nm
(9
ft-lb)
Tightening
Torques
"
Starter
to
engine
block
(M10
bolt)
...
50
Nm
(37
ft-lb)
Wire
to
terminal
50
(M6
nut)
........
6
Nm
(53
in-lb)
"
Wire
toterminal
30
(M8
nut)
...
,
..:.
12
Nm
(9
ft-Ib)
STARTER
SERVICE
Starter,
removing
and
installing
(6-cylinder
engine
with
automatic
transmission)
The
starter
on
a
6-cylinder
car
with
automatic
transmission
ís
removed
from
above
.
It
is
necessary
to
remove
the
íntake
manifold
and
disconnect
a
number
of
electrical
harness
con-
nectors
.
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
battery
cable
.
2
.
Remove
air
plenum
from
rear
of
engine
compartment
.
See640
Heating
and
Air
Conditioning
.
3
.
Remove
top
enginecovers
.
See
Fig
.
9
.
Fig
.
9
.
Remove
top
engine
cover
by
prying
out
plugs
and
removing
nuts
(A)
.
Make
sure
rubber
insulators
(B)
on
either
sideof
large
cover
do
not
fall
off
during
cover
removal
.
4
.
Remove
ignition
coil
harness
connectors
.
Remove
ground
connection
at
front
of
cylinder
head
.
5
.
Remove
two
retaining
bolts
and
lift
off
fuel
injector
har-
ness
connector
strip
.
Carefully
fold
away
all
harnesses
toward
right
side
of
engine
compartment
and
place
at
base
of
windshield
.
See
Fig
.
10
.
6
.
Remove
intake
manifold
.
See
113
Cylinder
Head
Re-
moval
and
Installation
.
7
.
Disconnect
wiring
from
starter
.
BATTERY,
STARTER,
ALTERNATOR
121-
9
Fig
.
10
.
Fuel
injection
harness
(A)
and
ignition
coíl
harness
connectors
(B)
being
lifted
off
engine
to
be
placed
at
base
ofwindshield
.
M50
engine
shown
.
Other
6-cylinder
engines
are
similar
.
8
.
Loosen
and
remove
bolts
and
nuts
fastening
starter
to
transmission
bell
housing
and/or
engine
block
.
Remove
starter
support
bracket
.
Fig
.
11
.
Starter
wiring
terminals
and
support
bracket(arrow)
.
Intake
manifold
has
been
removed
.
STARTER
SERVICE