612-2
SWITCHES
AND
ELECTRICAL
ACCESSORIES
5
.
Remove
lower
steering
column
cover
from
steering
col-
umn
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
uu12543
Fig
.
1
.
Lower
steering
column
cover
retaining
screw
(arrow)
.
6
.
Remove
stalk
switch
holder
retaining
screw
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
Fig
.
2
.
Stalk
switch
holder
retaining
screw
(arrow)
.
0012555
7
.
Depress
retaining
tabs
to
release
stalk
switchholder
.
Push
stalk
switchholder
downwards
and
off
steering
column
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
8
.
Depress
catches
on
stalk
switch
and
release
switch
from
columna
See
Fig
.
4
.
9
.
Cut
wíre
ties
retaining
harness
to
steering
column
.
Dis-
connect
switch
electrical
connector
located
at
bottom
of
steeringshaft
.
10
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:
"
Place
turn
signal
indicator
in
center
position
before
in-
stalling
.
"
Ensure
that
self
cancelling
cams
on
turn
signal
switch
are
not
damaged
during
installation
.
INTERIOR
SWITCHES
WARNING
-
Once
theairbag
unit
is
installed
and
all
other
ser-
vice
procedures
havebeen
completed,
start
theen-
gine
and
check
that
the
SRS
warning
light
goes
out
.
If
the
warning
light
stays
on,
the
SRS
system
will
not
function
as
designed
.
Have
the
system
diagnosed
and
repaired
by
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
0012545
Fig
.
3
.
Depress
retaining
tabs
(arrows)
and
push
holder
down-
wards
.
0012556
Fig
.
4
.
Depress
upper
and
lower
catches
simultaneously
and
unplug
harnessconnector
.
Tightening
Torques
"
Steering
wheel
to
steering
column
spindle
(Bolt)
...
.
.
.
..
.....
63
Nm
(46
ft-lb)
Ignition
Switch
ASsembly
3
.
Remove
screw
retaining
lower
steering
column
cover
and
remove
cover
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
1
.
,
The
components
of
the
ignition
switch
assembly
are
shown
in
Fig
.
5
.
The
ignitionelectrical
switch
and
the
ignition
lock
cyl-
inder
can
be
removed
with
the
ignition
switch
assembly
at-
tached
to
the
steering
column
.
ignition
electrical
switch,
replacing
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover
terminal
with
insulating
material
.
CAUTION
-
Prior
to
disconnecting
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
vi¡¡
.
2
.
Remove
trim
panel
from
lower
left
side
of
instrument
panel
.
See
513
Interior
Trim
.
F~
"
Fig
.
5
.
Ignition
switch
assembly
.
SWITCHES
AND
ELECTRICAL
ACCESSORIES
612-3
4
.
Clean
away
colored
sealer
from
ignition
switch
set
screws
and
remove
slotted
set
screwson
both
sides
of
switch
.
See
Fig
.
6
.
5
.
Release
tabs
andremove
switch
after
separating
elec-
trical
harness
connector
.
6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:
3
EWS
II
ring
antenna
(Jan
.
1995
and
later
models)
"
Before
mating
ignition
electrical
switch
toignitionlock,
check
that
switch
isin
correct
position
relativetoigni-
tion
lock
.
"
Seal
set
screws
using
paint
or
lacquer
.
0012241
INTERIOR
SWITCHES
INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
....
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
..
620-1
Instrument
cluster,
seif-testing
.
.
.......
.
..
620-1
Instrument
cluster,
removing
and
installing
...
620-1
Instrument
cluster
bulbs,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
620-2
GENERAL
This
repair
group
covers
removal
and
installation
of
the
in-
strument
cluster
and
the
Multi-information
Display
(MID)
mod-
ule
.
Bulb
replacement
information
for
these
units
is
also
included
here
.
NOTE
-
A
quick
check
of
the
temperature
gauge
and
its
electri-
cal
circuitis
given
in
170
Radiator
and
Cooling
Sys-
tem
.
Use
this
procedure
to
diagnosea
faulty
temperature
gauge
INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
When
servicing
the
instrument
cluster,
always
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
cable
from
the
battery
and
insulate
the
cable
end
to
prevent
accidental
re-connection
.
Instrument
cluster,
seif-testing
Severa¡
different
versions
of
the
basic
instrument
cluster
havebeen
fitted
in
E36
cars
.
It
is
possibleto
perform
an
instru-
ment
cluster
test
and
display
system
test
information
.
Some
of
the
information
displayed
by
the
instrument
cluster
during
seif-testing
is
used
for
interna¡
BMW
organizationpur-
poses,
suchasmatching
the
correct
instrument
cluster
com-
ponents
during
parts
replacement
.
Other
functions
test
the
various
instrument
modules
.
Self-test
is
also
used
to
recode
the
instrument
cluster
after
removal
.
In
later
production
vehicles
(1996
and
later)
the
test
results
canbe
downioaded,
via
the
diagnostic
plug,
byan
authorized
BMW
dealertechnician
.
1
.
Turn
ignition
to
"radio"position
.
2
.
Press
and
hold
reset
button
on
trip-odometer
untiltrip-
odometer
display
shows
numerical
codes
.
620
Instruments
4
.
Turn
off
ignition
.
Instrument
cluster,
removing
and
installing
INSTRUMENTS
620-1
GENERAL
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
.
....
620-1
Odometer
coding
plug,
replacing
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
620-2
Vehicle
speed
sender,
replacing
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
620-3
MULTI-INFORMATION
DISPLAY
(MID)
.
.
.
620-4
Multi-Information
Display,
removing
and
installing
..
.
....
.
.........
620-4
3
.
With
each
subsequent
press
of
the
button,
a
different
function
is
tested
.
Some
functions
will
activate
need1e
gauges
.
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover
terminal
with
insulating
material
.
CAUTION-
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
vi¡¡
.
2
.
Remove
airbag
unit
from
steering
wheel
.
See
721
Air-
bag
System
(SRS)
.
Store
unit
in
a
safe
place
.
WARNING
-
The
airbag
is
an
explosive
devfce
and
should
be
treated
with
extreme
caution
.
Improper
handling
of
the
airbag
could
cause
serious
injury
or
death
.
Store
the
airbag
with
the
horn
pad
facing
up
.
If
stored
facing
down,
accidental
deployment
couldpropel
it
vfolently
into
the
air,
causing
injury
.
3
.
With
front
wheels
pointed
straight
ahead,
remove
steer-
ing
wheel
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.
4
.
Remove
instrument
cluster
retaining
screws
.
See
Fig
.
1
.
5
.
Place
a
towel
over
steering
column
.
Carefully
tilt
top
of
cluster
out
of
dash
panel
.
Unlock
and
disconnect
har-
ness
connectors
from
back
of
cluster
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
620-2
INSTRUMENTS
Fig
.1.
Instrument
cluster
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.
INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
0012562
Fig
.
3
.
Turnbulb
base
45°
in
direction
shown
(arrow)
.
l
v
w
r
v
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
)7
18
19
20
y
21
1
.
Temperature
warning
12
.
Brake
fluid
warning
oo13n6
2
.
Right
turn
signal
13
.
Brake
pad
wear
warning
3
.
Instrument
lighting
14
.ABS
warning
Fig
.
2
.
Instrument
cluster
connector
locking
lever
(arrow)
.
4
.
Oil
pressure
warning
15
.
Seat
belt
warning5
.
Highbeam
16
.ASTwarning
6
.
Battery
charging
lamp
17
.Check
control
6
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:
7
.
Left
turn
signal
18
.Check
engine
"
Instrument
cluster
harness
connector
locking
levers
8
.
Low
fuel
warning
19
.
LCD
lighting
must
be
in
up
position
before
installing
connector
.
9
.
Airbag
warning
20
.
Rear
foglight
(not
used)
10
.
Catalytic
converter
warning
21
.
Front
foglights
"
Install
airbag
to
steering
wheel
as
described
in
721
11
.
Emergency
brake
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.
0012563
"
Reconnect
negative
(-)
cable
to
battery
last,
once
al¡
Fig
.
4
.
Bulb
designation
chart
.
harness
connectors
have
been
reconnected
.
"
Recode
cluster
as
described
in
Instrument
cluster,
CAUTION-
seif-testing
.
Note
wattage
of
bulb
.
Excessive
wattage
could
melt
cluster
housing
.
Replace
defective
bulbs
with
Instrument
cluster
bulbs,
replacing
reptacementbulbs
of
the
same
wattage
.
1
.
Remove
instrument
cluster
as
described
above
.
Odometer
coding
plug,
replacing
2
.
Remove
faulty
bulb
by
turning
bulb
base
45°
inits
mount
and
remove
from
housing
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
The
coding
plug
maintains
a
record
of
thevehicle
mileage
.
The
back
of
the
instrument
cluster
and
its
bulb
locations
are
1
.
Record
vehicle
mileage
.
shown
in
Fig
.
4
.
2
.
Remove
instrument
cluster
as
described
earlier
.
10
.
Pul¡
heater
core
up
and
backward,
away
from
heater
box
.
If
necessary,
remove
left
and
right
reinforcing
bracket
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
20
.
CAUTION-
Replace
coolant
flange
O-rings
and
tighten
fas-
teners
to
specified
torques
.
Tightening
Torques
1
.
Remove
center
console
.
See
513
Interior
trim
.
0012660
Fig
.
20
.
PA
heater
core
upand
towardback
of
car
.
Lower
mounting
bolts
for
steering
column
brace
and
glove
compartment
sup-
port
frame
may
have
to
be
removed
(arrows)
.
11
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Fill
and
bleed
cooling
system
.
See
170
Radiator
and
Cooling
System
.
"
Coolant
flange
to
heater
core
.
..
....
3
Nm
(27
in-lb)
Heater
andA/C
Control
Head
Heatercore
temperature
sensor,
replacing
The
automatic
heating
and
air
conditioning
systemuses
severa¡
sensors
to
control
interior
air
temperature
.
Use
the
fol-
lowing
procedure
and
the
data
in
Table
b
to
pinpoint
problems
with
theheater
core
sensors
.
2
.
Remove
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
module
.
See
6201nstruments
.
HEATING
AND
AIR
CONDITIONING
640-7
0012648
Fig
.
21
.
Remove
heatercore
temperaturesensors
in
direction
shown
(arrow)
.
Table
b
.
Heater
CoreTemperatureSensor
Test
Values
Test
temperature
Resistance
4°F
(-20°C)
84
.39
-
109
.61
k
ohms
14
°
F
(-10°C)
48
.58
-
62
.09
k
ohms
32°F
(0°C)
28
.89
-
36
.40
k
ohms
68°F
(20°C)
11
.13
-
13
.83
k
ohms
140°F
(60°C)
2
.19
-
2
.78
k
ohms
212°F
(100°C)
0
.58
-
0
.77
k
ohms
Two
types
of
heater
and
aír
conditioning
control
heads
viere
installed
in
E36
cars
.
Early
models
have
control
heads
with
four
rotary
knobs
and
a
separate
control
module
.
A
flexible
shaft,
clipped
to
the
right
sideof
the
control
head,
controls
the
heater
flaps
.
Later
model
E36
cars,
starting
in
approximately
mid-1995,
have
digital
display
control
heads
with
buttons
.
The
A/C
con-
trol
module
is
integrated
with
the
digital
control
head
.
Heater
and
A/C
control
head,
removing
and
installing
(rotary-knob)
3
.
Pul¡
temperature
sensors
from
heater
box
and
discon-
1
.
Remove
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
module
from
nect
harness
connectors
.
See
Fig
.
21
.
center
of
dash
.
See
620
Instruments
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
2
.
Pul¡
off
outer
rotary
knobs
from
A/C
control
head
.
Re-
move
two
screwsonknob
bezels
.
Remove
control
pan-
el
face
plate
by
prying
it
off
control
head
gently
.
See
Fig
.
22
.
3
.
Carefully
push
control
head
back
into
dash
and
down-
ward
through
MID
opening
.
See
Fig
.
23
.
HEATER
AND
CONTROLS
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
Airbag
Systems
.......
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
....
.
.
.
.
721-1
AIRBAG
SENSORS
AND
ELECTRONICS
721-2
SRS
Warning
Light
and
Fault
Display
.
.
.
.
.
..
721-2
Airbagcontact
ring,
replacing
........
.
.
.
.
.
721-3
Airbag
crash
sensor,replacing
..
.
....
.
...
.
721-4
ZAE
control
module,
replacing
.
.
.
.........
721-5
GENERAL
This
repair
group
covers
only
removal
and
installation
of
air-
bag
components
.
Airbag
system
repair
and
fault
diagnosis
is
not
covered
here
.
Diagnostics,
component
testing,
and
airbag
system
repair
should
be
carried
out
by
trained
BMW
service
technicians
.
NOTE-
Special
test
equipment
is
required
to
retrieve
SRS
fault
codes,
diagnose
system
faults,
and
resetltum
off
the
SRS
indicator
light
.
The
SRS
indicator
light
will
remain
on
until
any
problem
has
been
corrected
and
the
fault
memory
has
been
cleared
.
When
servicing
cars
equipped
with
SRS,
the
precautions
on
this
page
mustbeobserved
to
prevent
personal
injury
.
Airbag
Systems
The
airbag
system
installed
on
E36
cars
through
the
1993
model
year
consisted
of
a
single
airbag
in
the
steering
wheel
.
This
systemcan
be
identified
by
the
orange
crash
sensors
lo-
cated
on
the
front
wheel
wells
and
the
absence
of
a
passenger
side
airbag
.
The
ZAE
airbag
system,
starting
in
model
year
1994
(pro-
duction
date9/93
and
later),
provides
both
a
driver
side
and
a
passenger
sideairbag
.
On
ZAE
vehicles,
the
crash
sensorsare
integrated
into
the
airbag
control
module,
located
under
thecenter
of
the
rear
seat
.
The
ZAE
control
module
triggers
deployment
of
the
airbags
When
it
sensos
the
vehicle
deceler-
ating
at
a
rate
equivalent
to
a
head-on
collisionof
at
least
13
mph
(18
km/h)
.
In
some
1997
4-door
models
and
all
1998
models,
side-impact
airbags
were
installed
in
the
front
doors
.
The
airbag
units
are
mounted
behindthe
door
trim
panels
.
Caution
mustbeused
when
working
on
vehicle
systems
in
the
proximity
of
air
bags,
such
as
the
steering
column,
the
dashboard,
or
the
doors
.
AIRBAG
SYSTEM
(SRS)
721-1
GENERAL
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
......
.
.
.
.
721-1
Front
side-impact
airbag
crash
sensor,
removing
and
installing
....
.
.....
.
.....
.
721-5
AIRBAGS
..............
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
721-5
Driver
side
airbag,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
721-5
Passenger
side
airbag,
removing
and
installing
..............
.
.
.721-6
Front
side-impact
airbag,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
.721-7
WARNING
-
"
Airbag(s)
are
inflated
byan
explosive
device
.
Handled
improperly
or
without
adequate
safe-
guards,
the
System
can
be
very
dangerous
.
Spe-
cial
precautions
must
be
observed
prior
to
any
work
ator
near
the
driverside
airbag,
the
passen-
ger
side
airbag
(where
applicable)
or
the
side-im-
pact
airbags
(where
applicable)
.
"
The
airbag
is
a
vehicle
safety
system
.
Serious
in-
jury
may
result
if
System
service
is
attempted
by
persons
unfamiliar
with
the
BMW
SRS
and
its
ap-
proved
service
procedures
.
BMW
advises
that
all
inspection
and
service
be
performed
by
an
autho-
rized
BMW
dealer
.
"
Always
disconnect
the
battery
and
cover
the
neg-
ative
()
battery
terminal
with
an
insulator
before
startingdiagnostic,
troubleshooting
or
service
worknot
associated
with
SRS,
and
before
doing
any
welding
on
the
car
.
"
If
an
airbag
has
been
activated
due
to
an
acci-dent,
BMW
specifies
that
SRS
components
be
replaced
.
For
more
information
on
post-collision
SRS
service,
see
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
"
Do
not
allow
the
airbag
unit
to
come
in
contact
with
cleaning
solutions
orgrease
.
Never
subject
an
airbag
unit
to
temperatures
aboye
212°F
(100°C)
.
When
reconnecting
the
battery,
no
per-
son
should
be
inside
the
vehicle
.
"
Always
place
an
airbag
unitthat
has
been
re-
moved
from
its
packaging
with
the
padded
sidefacing
upward
.
Do
not
leave
an
airbag
unlt
unat-
tended
.
"
!f
the
airbag
unit
or
airbag
control
modulehas
been
dropped
froma
height
of
!
1
2
meter
(1
Y2
ft.)
ormore,
theairbag
unit
should
not
be
installed
.
Aírbag
system
components
are
shown
in
Fig
.
1.
GENERAL
721-2
AIRBAG
SYSTEM
(SRS)
Fig
.
1
.
Airbag
system
components
.
AIRBAG
SENSORSAND
ELECTRONICS
CA
UTION-
"
If
an
airbag
is
activated,
the
following
compo-
nents
must
be
replaced
:
Airbag
with
contact
ring
;
-Pyrotechnic
seat
belt
tensioners
(if
fitted)
;
-SRS
Control
module
;
-Impact
sensors
;
All
airbags
which
did
not
deploy
.
"
Consult
your
BMW
dealer
for
parts
and
service
information
.
TheE36
airbag
system
consists
of
the
following
compo-
nents
:
crash
sensors
(in
earlycars,
through
1993),
an
elec-
tronic
control/monitoring
module
(with
integrated
crash
sensor
in
ZAE
systems),
an
indicator
light
in
the
instrument
panel,
and
inflatable
airbags
equipped
with
gas
generators
in
the
steering
wheel
and
in
the
passenger
side
of
the
instrument
panel
(ZAE
systems)
.
Some
1997
and
al¡
1998
carsalso
have
side-impact
airbags
in
the
front
doors
.
AIRBAG
SENSORS
AND
ELECTRONICS
1.
Crash
sensors
(through
1993)
wheel
2
.
SRS
control
module
in
front
of
5
.
Side-impact
airbags
(1997/98)
glove
compartment
(through
6
.
ZAE
control
module
under
rear
1993)
seat
(from
1994)
3
.
Passenger
side
airbag
unit
in
7
.
Side-impact
airbag
crash
sensors
dashboard
(ZAE
system)
in
door
silis
(1997/98)
4
.
Driver
side
airbag
unitin
steering
8
.
Knee
bolsters
In
addition
to
the
airbags,
the
vehicles
are
equipped
wíth
knee
bolsters
for
extra
protection
.
SRS
Warning
Light
and
Fault
Display
The
airbag
system
utilizes
a
self-diagnostic
control
module
to
detect
and
store
system
faults
.
If
a
fault
is
detected,
the
SRS
indicator
in
the
instrument
cluster
comes
on
and
stays
on
.
When
the
ignition
key
is
tumed
on,
the
indicator
light
will
illu-
minate
for
approximately
4-6
seconds
.
The
illuminated
light
indicates
the
self-testof
the
electronic
control/monitoring
module,
the
ignítors
and
crash-sensorcircuits,
and
the
system
wiring
.
The
airbag
system
should
be
inspected
byan
autho-
rized
BMW
dealer
if
the
indicator
light
does
not
come
on,
ifit
does
not
go
out
in
approximately
4-6
seconds
after
switching
onthe
ignition,
or
if
the
light
comes
on
during
driving
.
If
the
system
has
detected
a
fault,
the
light
will
come
on
and
stay
on
.
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover
negative
terminal
with
insulating
material
.
CA
UTION-
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.
2
.
Remove
driver
sideairbag
from
steering
wheel
.
See
Driver
side
airbag,
removing
and
installing
in
this
repair
group
.
3
.
With
wheels
facing
straight
ahead
and
steering
wheel
centered,
remove
steering
wheel
.
See320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.
4
.
Remove
contact
ring
cover
(flat
plastic
ring
containing
warning
text)
from
steering
wheel,
íf
applicable
.
5
.
Disconnect
ground
wire,
if
applicable
6
.
Lift
out
plastic
lock
from
steering
wheel,
if
applicable
.
See
Fig
.
2
.
0011903
Fig
.
2
.
Airbag
contact
ring
lock(arrow)
.
Pry
out
lock
and
remove
spríng
from
behind
lock
.
Some
airbag
steering
wheels
are
not
equipped
with
contact
ring
lock
.
WARNING
-
"
The
contact
ring
lock
holds
the
contact
ring
in
the
centered
position
.
Once
the
lock
is
removed,
the
contact
ring
is
free
to
rotate
.
Do
not
allow
the
con-
tact
ring
to
rotate
once
the
lock
is
removed
.
"
If
the
contact
ring
is
accidentally
rotated
outof
center,
turn
the
ring
either
fully
clockwise
orcoun-
terclockwise,
then
turn
in
the
opposite
direction
3
complete
revolutions
until
the
alignment
arrow
canbe
seen
through
the
lock
opening
.
AIRBAG
SYSTEM
(SRS)
721-
3
Airbagcontact
ring,
replacing
7
.
Remove
mounting
nutsor
screws
from
contact
ring
.
See
Fig
.
3
.
Disconnect
wire
lead(s)
andremove
contact
The
airbag
contact
ring
is
mounted
to
the
rear
of
the
steer-
ring
from
rear
of
steering
wheel
.
ing
wheel
and
is
made
up
of
a
wireribbon
that
cofs
and
un-
coils
as
the
steering
wheel
is
tumed
.
The
contact
ring
assures
continuous
electrical
contact
to
the
driver
side
airbag
unit
.
Fig
.
3
.
Airbag
contact
ring
mounting
fasteners(arrows)
.
8
.
Installation
is
reverse
ofremoval,noting
the
following
:
"
Coat
horn
slip
ring
(electrical
contact
ring)
with
CRC
®
copper
paste
before
installing
steering
wheel
.
"
Press
on
lower
lock
until
it
ís
fully
engaged
.
"
When
installing
contact
ringlock,
make
sure
lock
spring
engages
pins
on
lock
and
lock
cover
.
"
Special
instructions
apply
when
installing
airbag
equipped
steering
wheel
.
See320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.
Early
cars
(through
1993)
:
"
Route
wiring
lead
for
horn
through
squareopening
in
steering
wheel
.
"
When
installing
a
new
contact
ring
from
BMW,
remove
locking
screw
after
installing
the
contact
ringto
steer-
ing
wheel
.
See
Fig
.
4
.
"
Lock
contact
ring
mounting
fasteners
in
place
using
lacquer
paint
or
varnish
.
0011904
Fig
.
4
.
Airbag
contact
ring
locking
screw
(arrow),
as
installed
on
new
replacement
part
from
BMW
(early
production
cars)
.
AIRBAG
SENSORS
AND
ELECTRONICS