1998 BMW M3 Headlight assembly

400-2
BODY-GENERAL

4-door
Sedan

Coupe

-
saas3
.7""

351
/



37
.3
O



I
x
`-193



267

o
oa

'3281
model
"M3
model

Convertible

BODYASSEMBLY

55
ass
.e
iss
""
-
66
.9
-

Fig
.
2
.



E36
body
dimensíons
.

BODY
ASSEMBLY

29
.4

29
4

The
BMW
3
Series
chassis
is
a
unibodydesign
constructed
ofhigh
strength
steel
.
Attaching
parts,
suchas
the
front
fend-
ers,
rear
quarter
panels,
doors,
trunk
lid
and
hood
are
also
constructed
of
steel
.

706
.31108
.7"



I
38
.5
174
.5

174
.5

O



oo

196
.3/106
.7'
"



35_5



1.
.
55
.9,566
".

106
.3/196
.7""



i.
358
-1745-

55
9/56
3'/56
6"
-
J

0013099

Windows
bonded
flush
to
the
body
and
the
guided
flow
of
cooling
air
into
the
engine
compartment
provide
a
good
coeffi-
cient
of
drag(CD)
.
TheE36
cars
have
a
CD
of
approximately
0
.30for
the
sedan
and
coupe
models,
and
0
.35
for
the
con-
vertible
models
:

The
exterior
panels
are
corrosion-resistant
zinc
coated

steel
.
The
front
fenders
are
bolted
on
and
easily
replaceabie
.
The
body
styles
of
E36
cars
coveredby
this
manual
arethe



See410
Fenders,
Engine
Hood
.
4-door
sedan,
2-door
coupe
and
convertible
.
Body
dimen-
sions
vary
slightly
betweenmodels
.
See
Fig
.
2
.



The
front
and
rear
bumpers
use
an
aluminum
framework
with
an
overlaid
high-impact,
deformable
plastic
cover
.
This
Exterior
and
Aerodynamics



bumper
system
keeps
damage
to
a
minimum
in
head-on
colli-
sions
of
up
to
10
m
.p
.h
.
(15
km/h)
.
See
510
Exterior
Trim,
TheE36
can
be
immediatelyrecognized
asa
typical
BMW
.



Bumpers
.
With
its
traditionalstyling
features,
suchas
the
BMW
kidney
grille,
circular
headlights
behind
a
glass
cover
(for
reasons
of
streamliníng),
and
the
"kick"
in
the
rearmost
roof
pillar
(C-pil-
lar)
.

BMW
emblem,
removing
and
installing

The
procedure
given
below
applies
to
both
front
and
rear

emblems
.

1
.
Wrap
and
of
a
screwdriver
with
tape
.

CAUTION-

Protect
hood
paint
by
coveringarea
aroundem-

blem
with
tape
.

2
.
Carefully
pryout
emblem
.
See
Fig
.
15
.

UVI1'¿.

Fig
.
15
.
BMW
emblem
being
removed
.
Pry
up
emblem
carefully
on
ei-

ther
side
(arrows)
.
Note
tape
on
screwdriver
tips
.

3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

"
Replace
plastic
inserts
in
body
if
damaged
.

"
If
emblem
fits
loosely
intoinserts,
use
a
small
amount

of
bodymoldingtape
or
adhesiva
on
rear
of
emblem

before
installing
.

Body
side
molding,
replacing

To
remove
body
side
moldings,
carefully
pry
the
moldings

straight
off
.
See
Fig
.
16
.

Installation
is
the
reverse
of
removal
.
Replace
any
clips
or

clip
covering
boots
damaged
during
removal
.

Radiator
grille,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Remove
plastic
front
radiator
shroud
or
air
duct,
as

needed

2
.
Lightly
tap
center
of
grilla
toward
radiator
andremove

from
panel
opening
.
Chrome
ring
pulís
out
from
front
.

See
Fig
.
17
.

3
.
To
replace,
snap
grille
andchrome
piece
together
.

Push
assembly
into
front
panel,
pressing
at
top
and

bottom
until
it
snaps
into
place
.

EXTERIOR
TRIM,
BUMPERS



510-7

Fig
.
16
.
Body
sida
molding
retainingclips
(arrows)
.

-



0013048

Fig
.
17
.
Radiator
grille
being
tapped
inward
.
Right
side
front
panel
top

retaining
screw
is
shown
at
A
.

Front
panel,
removing
and
installing

The
front
panel
is
shown
in
Fig
.
18
.

1
.
Remove
front
bumper
as
described
earlier
.

2
.
Remove
headlights
.
See
630
Exterior
Lighting
.

3
.
Remove
radiator
grille
as
described
earlier
.

4
.
With
engine
hood
open,
remove
front
panel
retaining

screws
at
left
and
right
sides
of
radiator
.
See
Fig
.
19
.

EXTERIOR
TRIM

Tablea
.
E36
Component
Locations

Component



Model
Year



Location



Refer
to
Engine
Compartment
Light
Switch



1993-1996



Over
right
headlight
assembly



Fig
.
7
.

Engine
Control
Module
(ECM)



1992-1998



Right
rear
enginecompartment,
behind
bulkhead
panel



Fig
.
7
.

Engine
Control
Module
(System)



1992-1998



I
Power
distribution
box



Fig
.
2
.
Relay
Engine
Coolant
Leve¡
Sensor



1
1992-1998



1
Left
front
of
enginecompartment,
radiator
coolant
reservoir

Engine
Coolant
Temperature



1992-1998



I
Left
front
of
engine
under
intake
manifold



I



Fig
.
19
.
Sensor



Fig
.
20
.

Evaporative
Emission
Valve



1992-1998



Left
side
strut
Power
area

Evaporator
Temperature
Sensor



1992-1998



Left
side
of
heater
box

EWS
II
Control
Module



1/1995
-
1998



Behind
glove
compartment



Fig
.
8
.
Fig
.
9
.

EWS
II
Ring
Antenna



1
1/1995
-
1998
1
At
ignition
cylinder

EWS
II
Transmitter
Module



1/1995
-
1998



Right
side
of
steering
column
in
auxiliaryrelay
panel



Fig
.
3
.

Exhaust
Gas
Flap
Valve



1996-1998



Left
rear
muffler
area

Flasher
Relay



1992-1998



Power
distribution
box



Fig
.
2
.

Foglight
Relay



1



1992-1998



1
Power
distribution
box



1



Fig
.
2
.

Fresh
Air
FlapActuator



1



1992



1
Right
side
of
heater
box

Fresh
Air
FlapActuator



1
1993-1995



1
Below
right
side
heater
box

Fresh
Air
FlapActuator



1
1996-1998



Below
left
side
heater
box

Fuel
Injectors



1992
-
1998



Top
left
side
of
engine

Fuel
Leve¡
Sensor,
Left



1
1992-1998



/
Under
left
side
of
rear
seat
infuel
tank

Fuel
Leve¡
Sensor,
Right



1



1992-1998



1
Under
right
side
of
rear
seat
in
fuel
tank



1



Fig
.
28
.

Fuel
Pump



1



1992-1998



1



Under
right
side
of
rear
seat
in
fuel
tank



1



Fig
.
28
.

Fuel
Pump
Relay



1



1992-1998



1
Power
distribution
box



1



Fig
.
2
.

Fuel
Pump/Start
Identification
Relay



1994
-
1996



Power
distribution
box

Fuel
Tank
Pressure
Sensor



1
1997-1998



1
Right
rear
wheel
well
behind
trim
liner

ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS



610-13

Fuse
andRelay



x(Power



11992-1998



I
Left
side
of
engine
compartment



I



Fig
.
2
.
Distribution
Box



Fig
.
7
Fig
.
10
.

Gas
Filler
LockMotor



1992-1998



Right
side
of
luggage
compartment

Gear
Position/Neutral
Safety
Switch



1992-1998



Next
to
gear
shift
lever
in
center
console



Fig
.
29
.
(Automatic
Transmission
Range
Switch)

Glove
Compartment
Lock
Motor



1994-1998



Behind
glove
compartment

Grounds

G
100



1995-1998



Front
of
left
front
fender
(headlights)



Fig
.
22
.

G
101



1992-1998



Front
of
right
front
fender

Continued

COMPONENT
LOCATIONS

612
Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories

GENERAL
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
......
.612-1



Headlight
switch,
replacing



..
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
612-5

Foglight
switch,
replacing
....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
612-5
INTERIOR
SWITCHES
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
612-1



Hazard
warning
switch,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.612-5
Turn
signal
switch
and
wiper
switch,



Powerwindow
switch,
replacing
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
612-5
replacing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.....
.
....
.
.
.
.
612-1



Outside
mirrorswitch,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.612-6
Ignition
Switch
Assembly
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
....
.
...
612-3

Ignition
electrical
switch,
replacing
.
...
.
....
612-3



INTERIOR
LIGHTS
.
.
................
.
..
612-6

Ignition
lock
cylinder,
replacing
.
.
.
.
.....
.
..
612-4



Dome
light,
rear
map
lights,
trunk
light,

Headlight
and
Foglight
Switch
Assembly
.
.
.
.
612-5



replacing
bulbs
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.612-7

GENERAL



Turn
signal
switch
and
wiper
switch,

replacing
Thissection
covers
replacement
of
interior
switches
and
accessories
.



The
procedures
for
removing
the
turn
signal
stalk
switch
and
the
wiper
system
stalk
switchare
similar
.
When
working
on
electrical
switches,
always
disconnect
the
negative
(-)
cable
from
the
battery
and
insulate
the
cable
end
to
prevent
accidental
re-connection
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
viii
.

WARNING
-

The
cars
covered
by
this
manual
are
equipped
with
a
Supplemental
Restraint
System
(SRS)
that
auto-'
matically
deploys
one
or
more
airbags
.
Each
airbag
unit
houses
an
explosive
powerful
charge
.
Any
work
involving
the
SRS
system
should
only
be
per-
formed
byan
authorized
BMW
dealer
.
Making
re-
pairs
without
the
proper
knowledge
and
special
test
equipment
may
cause
serious
personal
injury
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)

3
.
With
front
wheels
pointed
straight
ahead,
remove
steer-
"
Testing
and
replacement
information
for
the
oil
ores-



¡ng
wheel
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.
sure
switch
is
covered
in
119
Lubrication
System
.

NOTE-

"
Wirfng
diagramscan
be
found
in
Electrical
Wiring
Diagrams
.

"
Fuse,
relay
and
electrical
component
locations
can
be
found
in
610
Electrical
Component
Locations
.

"
Replacement
information
for
thetransmission
gear
position/neutral
safety
switch
is
covered
in
250
Gear-
shift
Unkage
.

INTERIOR
SWITCHES

NOTE
-

To
preventmarring
interior
trim,
wrap
the
tips
of
screw-
drivers
and
pliers
with
tape
beforeprying
out
switches
or
electrical
accessories
.

SWITCHES
AND
ELECTRICAL
ACCESSORIES



612-1

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover
terminal
with
insulating
material
.

2
.
Remove
airbag
unit
from
steering
wheel
.
See
721
Air-
bag
System
(SRS)
.
Store
airbag
unit
in
a
safe
placew¡th
pad
facing
up
.

NOTE
-

To
helo
with
reassembly,
mark
steering
wheel
and
col-
umn
before
disassembly
.

4
.
Remove
trim
panel
from
lower
left
side
of
instrument
panel
.
See513
Interior
Trim
.

INTERIOR
SWITCHES

612-4



SWITCHES
AND
ELECTRICAL
ACCESSORIES

Fig
.
6
.



Ignition
switch
set
screws
(arrows)
.

Ignition
lock
cylinder,
replacing

NOTE-

On
cars
with
EWS
11(production
date
1/95
and
later),
the
ring
antenna
surrounding
the
ignition
switch
must
be
removed
.
See
515
Central
Locking
and
Anti-theft
.

1
.
Insert
master
key
finto
lock
cylinder
and
turn
60°
to
"ra-
dio"
position
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

Fig
.
7
.



Turn
ignition
switch
60°
to
"radio"
position
(arrow)
.

2
.
Insert
a
thin
piece
of
stiff
wire
into
opening
in
lock
cylin-
der
and
pull
lockcylinder
out
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

NOTE-

On
early
cars
(up
to
production
date
1ol95),
turn
lock
cylinder
back
12°
to
release
.

INTERIOR
SWITCHES

0012555
0011807
0011808

Fig
.
8
.



With
ignition
key
in
"radio"position,
insert
stiff
wire
into
lock
opening
to
release
cylinder
.

Headlight
and
Foglight
Switch
Assembly

The
headlight
and
foglight
switches
are
retained
in
the
left

dashboard
insert
.
This
alsocontains
the
driver's
side
face
lev-

e¡
air
vents
.
To
service
either
switch,
remove
insert
byremov-
ing
a
single
screw
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

NOTE-

Access
to
electrical
hamess
connectors
behind
dash
insert
may
be
easier
if
lower
left
dash
trim
and
driverside
knee
bolsterare
removed
.
See
513
Interior
Trim
.

Fig
.
9
.



Remove
retaíning
screw
to
pull
out
left
dash
insert
(arrow)
.

FRONT
LIGHTING
.
...........
.
....
.
.
.
.
630-1

Headlight
buib,
replacing
............
.
.
.
.
630-1
Headlight
assembly,

removing
and
installing
.......
.
....
.
.
.
.
630-2

Foglight
assembly,
removing
and
installing
..
630-3

Front
turn
signal
assembly,
removing
and
installing
.....
.
.
.
........
630-4

GENERAL

The
headlight
and
foglight
assemblies
usehalogen
bulbs
.
To
ensure
the
longevity
of
halogen
bulbs,
the
bulb
glass
should
not
be
handied
.
Dirt
and
skin
oíls
may
cause
a
bulbto
fail
prematurely
.
If
necessarywipe
bulb
using
a
clean
cloth

dampened
with
rubbing
alcohol
.

NOTE-

Use
only
original
equipment
replacement
bulbs
.
Non-
original
equipment
bulbs
may
cause
false
failure
read-
ings
on
the
check
control
display
(where
applicable)
.

WARNING
-

INhenworking
on
electrical
systems,
remove
the
fuse
protecting
the
circuit
under
repair
.
See
610
Electrical
Component
Locations
.

FRONT
LIGHTING

Headlight
bulb,
replacing

1
.
Open
engine
hood
.

2
.
Working
in
back
of
headlight
assembly,grasp
rear
of

bulbsocket
(harnessconnector)
and
turn
counterclock-

wise
90°
.
Pull
bulb
out
of
headlight
assembly
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

3
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
bulb
.

CA
UTION-

Do
not
touch
halogen
bubs
with
yourbare
hands
.
If
necessary
wipe
bulb
using
a
clean
cloth
damp-

ened
with
rubbing
alcohol
.

630
Exterior
Lighting

EXTERIOR
LIGHTING



630-1

GENERAL
.
.
.
.
...
.
................
.
.
.
.
630-1



Side
Marker
Lights
.......
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
..
630-4

REAR
LIGHTING
.
......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
..
630-4

Taillight
Bulbs
..........
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
630-4

Taillight
assembly,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
630-5

CenterBrake
Light
.......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
630-5

Center
brake
light
housing,
replacing

(4-door
and
coupe
models)
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.
.630-5

License
plate
light,
removingand
installing



.
.630-6

0012567

Fig
.1.



Torelease
bulbfrom
headlight
assembly,
rotate
socket
coun-
terclockwise
to
disengage
retaining
tabs
(arrows)
.
Right
side
bulb
is
shown
in
unlocked
position
.
Note
that
bottom
tab
A
is
wider
than
other
two
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Align
tabs
on
bulb

base
to
cutouts
on
rear
of
lens
assembly
.
Secure
bulb

by
rotating
clockwise
90°
.

Bulb
Applications

"
Low
beam
headlight
bulb
...
.
..
..
.........
H9006

"
High
beam
headlight
bulb
..
.
..
..
.........
H9005

FRONT
LIGHTING

630-2



EXTERIOR
LIGHTING

Headlight
assembly,

removing
and
installing

CAUTION-

Followingheadlight
assembly
work
headlight

beam
aim
must
be
adjusted
using
special
equip-
ment
.

1
.
Left
side
:
Remove
air
filter
housing,
air
intake
duct,
and

air
mass
meter
.
See
100
Engine-General
.

2
.
Disconnect
harness
connectors
from
headlight
bulbs
.

3
.
Remove
front
turn
signal
.
See
Front
turn
signal
as-

sembly,
removingand
installing
later
in
this
repair

group
.

4
.
Remove
radiator
cover
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

5
.
Using
a
wrench,
brace
adjusting
nut
at
top
center
of
headlight
.
Remove
three
screws
at
top
of
assembly
.

See
Fig
.
3
.

Fig
.
3
.



Brace
headlightadjustingnut
as
shown
and
remove
top
screws
(arrows)
.

FRONT
LIGHTING

0012568
0012569

6
.
Remove
two
screwson
bottom
of
assembly
.
See
Fig
.

4
.

0012567a

Fig
.
4
.



Headlight
bottom
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.
Screws
mount
in
threaded
expanding
rivets
which
act
as
headlightheight

adjusters
.

7
.
Remove
headlight
assembly
from
front
.

8
.
On
installation,
tighten
lower
screws
first
while
holding

expanding
rivets
with
a
wrench
.
There
should
be
a
2
.5

mm
gap
between
bottom
oflens
and
front
panel
.
Use

adjusting
nut
to
raise
or
lower
headlight
unit
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

0012681

Fig
.
5
.



Measure
gap
A
(2.5
mm)
between
bottom
of
headlight
as-
sembly
and
front
panel
.

9
.
Clearance
between
hood
and
headlight
cover
should
be
1
.5
mm
.
Adjust
by
turning
upper
headlight
adjustinq
nuts,
then
tighten
down
center
screw
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

4

Foglight
assembly,

removing
and
installing

1
.
Foglight
lens
release
catch
2
.
Foglight
lensrear
protective
cap
3
.
Foglight
bulb
4
.
Foglight
lens

Fig
.
7
.



Foglight
assembly
(removed)
.

0012682

Fig
.
6
.



Measure
gap
B
(1.5
mm)
between
front
of
hood
and
headlight
cover
.
Note
horizontal
headlightadjusting
nut
(1)
and
retaining
screw
(2)
.

The
following
procedure
covers
foglight
lens
and
foglight

buib
replacement
.
Foglight
components
are
shown
in
Fig
.
7
.

0012683

EXTERIOR
LIGHTING



630-
3

1
.
Insert
a
screwdriver
in
upper
air
duct
inlet
of
front
lower
valence
and
disengage
foglight
lens
catch
mechanism
.
Swing
light
outward
and
gently
disengage
hinged
end
.
See
Fig
.
8
.

Fig
.
8
.



Insert
screwdriver
in
upper
air
duct
inlet
.
uu¡¿biu

2
.
Remove
rear
protection
capand
disengage
steel
wire
foglight
bulb
clamp
.

3
.
Remove
bulb
from
rear
of
foglight
assembly
.
Discon-
nect
electrical
harness
from
foglight
bulb
.

CAUTION
-

Do
not
touch
halogen
bulbs
with
yourbare
hands
.
If
necessary
wipe
buib
using
a
clean
cloth
damp-ened
withrubbing
alcohol
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Check
electrical
con-nector
for
corrosion
.
Spray
with
contact
cleaner,
if
nec-
essary
.

Bulb
Application
(USA
Models)
:

"
Foglight
bulb



......
...
..
...
..........
Hl
(55w)

FRONT
LIGHTING