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Battery, Starter, ~iternatorl
The battery is mounted in the right side of the luggage com-
partment, concealed behind a trim panel. Battery capacity is
determined by the amount of current needed to start the vehi-
cle and by the amount of current consumed by the electrical
system. This will vary from model to model.
BMW batteries are rated by
amperelhours (Ah) and cold
cranking amps (CCA) rating, which are listed on the battery.
The Ah rating is determined by the average amount of cur-
rent the battery can deliver over time without dropping below
a specified voltage. The CCA is determined by the battery's
ability to deliver starting current at
On F (-18" C) without drop-
ping below a specified voltage. Always replace the battery
with one having the same or higher ratings.
Battery testing
Battery testing determines the state of battery charge. On
conventional or low-maintenance batteries. the most com-
mon method of testing the battery is that
ofchecking the spe-
cific gravity of the electrolyte using a hydrometer. Before
testing the battery, check that the cables are tight and free of
- corrosion.
Hydrometer testing
Before hydrometertesting, load the battery with 15 amperes
for one minute. If the battery is installed in the vehicle, this can
be done by turning on the headlights without the engine run-
ning. The state of battery charge based on specific gravity
values are given in Table
b. Specific gravity of battery elec-
trolyte at
27" C (80°F).
The hydrometer indicates the specific gravity of the electro-
lyte. The more dense the concentration of sulfuric acid in the
electrolyte, the higher the state of charge
NOTE-
Electrolyte temperature affects hydrometer reading. Checlc
the electrolyte temperature with a thermometer. Add 0.004 to
the hydrometerreading
forevery 6°C (10°F) that the electro-
lyte is above 27°C
(80°F). Subtract 0.004 from the reading
forevery 6°C (10°F) that the electrolyte is below27"C
(80°F).
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.
Battery, Starter, Alternator
Table b. Specific gravity of battery electrolyte at 27°C (80°F)
Specific gravity State of charge
1.265 Fully charged
1.225 75% charged
1.190 50% charged
1.155 25% charged
1.120 Fully discharged
if the specific gravity is at
orabove 1.225, butthe battery lacks
Dower for
startinq, determine the battew's service condition
with a load volta& test. if the average specific gravity of the
six cells is below 1.225, remove the battery from the luggage
compartment and recharge.
Battery open-circuit voltage test
Before testing, load battery with 15 amperes for one minute
with battery load-tester or turn on headlights for about one
minute without engine running. Connect digital voltmeter
across battery terminals. Open-circuit voltage levels are giv-
en in Table
c. Open-circuit voltage and battery charge.
If open-circuit voltage is
OK but battery still lacks power for
starting, perform a load voltage test.
If open-circuit voltage is
below 12.4 volts, recharge battery
and retest.
Table c. Open-circuit voltage and battery charge
Open-circuit voltage State of charge
12.6 V or more
12.4 V
12.2v
12.0 v
Fully charged
75% charged
50% charged
25% charged
11.7Vorless Fully discharged
Battery load voltage test
A battery load tester is required for a load voltage test. The
test is made by applying a high resistive load to the battery
terminals and then measuring battery voltage. The battery
should be
fully charged forthe most accurate results. The bat-
tery cables must be disconnected before
malting the test. Re-
place the battery if the voltage is below that listed in Table d.
Battery load test
- minimum voltage.
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Battery, Starter, Alternator
Water-cooled alternator
The water-cooled alternator, used on 1999 and later M62 TU
engines, is a sealed unit housed inside the engine block wa-
ter jacket. It is cooled via the engine cooling system. It is a
"brushless" sealed unit that cannot be serviced. Maintaining
consistent alternator temperatures increases the life span of
the alternator, and elimination of the alternator cooling fan re-
duces alternator noise
significantly.
The M62 TU water-cooled alternator incorporates load start
reduction. This function is intended to shorten the duration of
engine starting, particularly at low ambienttemperatures. The
current load is limited to
20 amps during starting in order to re-
duce alternator braking torque on the engine. Following the
current limiting phase, full power output is then progressively
reached.
Charging system diagnostics requires special test equip-
ment. If the test equipment is not available, charging system
fault diagnosis can be performed by an authorized
BMW
dealer or other qualified repair shop. See Table a. Battery,
alternator and starter troubleshooting for general electri-
cal component troubleshooting.
Before checking the alternator, make sure the battery is fully
charged and capable of holding a charge. Check that the bat-
tery terminals are clean and tight and the alternator drive belt
is properly tensioned and not severely worn.
NOTE-
Some model require up to 15 second to reacli full alternator
output.
CA UTIOG
If the charge indicator light in the instrument cluster remains
on, the charge warning circuit in the instrument cluster may
be faulty. Check that the ground lead is securely
affached to
the grounding stud on the cylinder head
(A). Replacing the
instrument cluster before repairing the ground lead will both
damage the instrument cluster and cause the failure to
reoccur.
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Battery, Starter, Alternator
- Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Replace alternator rubber sealing O-ring.
* Fill and bleed cooling system as described in 170 Radiator
and Cooling System.
Tightening torques
Fan clutch to coolant pump
with
BMW special tool 11 5 040 30 Nm (22 ft-lb)
without
BMW special tool 11 5 040 40 Nm (29 ft-lb)
Terminal 30 (Bc) wire to alternator (ME) 13 Nm (10 ft-lb)
STARTER
Starter troubleshooting
Typical starter wiring terminal identification is shown. Large
wire at terminal
30 (not shown in photo) is direct battery volt-
age. Smaller wire at terminal
50 operates starter solenoid via
ignition switch.
If starter turns engine slowly when ignition is in start position:
Check battery state of charge.
Inspect starter wires, terminals, and ground
connectlons
for good contact. In particular, make sure ground connec-
tions between battery, body and
englne are completely
clean and tight.
If no faults are found, starter may be faulty and should be
replaced.
- If starter fails to operate, check EWS (drive-away protection
system). Try another ignition key.
If no faults can be found,
have the EWS system checked using
BMW scan tool equip-
ment.
Checkclutch pedal operated
starter lock-out switch or gear
position switch (automatic).
NOTE-
* A factory-installed drive-away protection system, also re-
ferred to as
EWS, is used on E39 cars. This system pre-
vents operation of the starter if a specially coded ignition
key is not used.
On cars with automatic transmission, the transmission
gear position switch signals
EWS to prevent the engine
from starting in gear positions other than PARK or NEU-
TRAL.
On cars with manual transmissions, a starter immobiliza-
tion switch
at the clutch pedal is used to prevent the starter
from operating unless the clutch pedal is pushed fully to
the floor.
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.-- -
/ Fuel Tank and Fuel Pump - .. -. -- 1
Fuel pump fuse and relay
Troubleshooting of any fuel pump fault should begin with
checking the fuel pump fuse and the fuel pump relay. The
DME main relay should also be checked. The fuel pump relay
is located behind right side luggage compartment interior
panel.
I Fuel pump relay
BLU =blue ERN = blo$,m GRN =groan GRY = grsy ORG =orange PNI< =pink RED =red VIO =violel WHT = wlilte
rk-; I I 1 ECM
I I I 31 8 ,._--___.I
NOTE-
Special tools are required for some of the tests described
here.
4 Fuel pump circu~t is fuse-protected.
0 6-cylinder models with Siemens DME MS41 .I, MS42, V-8
models with Bosch DME M5.2, M5.2.1 englne manage-
ment: Fuse
F54,15A (luggage compartment fuse panel)
6-cylinder models with Siemens DME MS43 engine man-
agement: Fuse
F22,25A (glove compartment fuse panel)
V-8 models with Bosch DME M7.2: Fuse F54,25A (lug-
gage compartment fuse panel)
- Fuse 31 in glove compartment fuse panel supplies power to
coil side of fuel pump relay. Engine control module (ECM)
supplies switched ground to relay. During starting, fuel pump
runs as long as ignition switch is in START position and con-
tinues to run once engine starts. If electrical system fault in-
terrupts power to fuel pump, engine will not run.
. .
Operating fuel pump for tests
- To operate fuel pump for testing purposes without having to
run engine, bypass fuel pump relay to power pump directly.
< To run fuel pump, open luggage compartment and release
right side trim panel.
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Fuel Tank and Fuel Pump
- To reinstall:
Use new sealing ring at tank collar.
* Align tab of sending unit with matching recess in opening
of tank.
Be sure that fuel line connections point in same direction
as they came out.
Reconnect harness connector and hose.
Fill tank and check for leaks by running engine.
Install access cover and its mounting fasteners.
CAUTIOI\C
After finishing repairs but before starting engine, be sure
there is at least
5 liters (1.5 gallons) of fuel in the tank. The
NOTE-
It is common practice to replace the fuel filter when the fuel
pump
unit is replaced. See 020 Maintenance.
Tightening torque
Tank collar locking ring to tank 35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
Fuel level sender (left side),
removing and installing
The procedure for removing and replacing the left side fuel
level sender is
simllar to that used for the r~ght side. There is
no fuel pump on the left side.
- Remove rear seat lower cushion by lifting off catches at front.
- Expose left side access cover:
- Peel forward lip of carpet.
Release rubber grommet from center of access cover
insulation.
Peel back insulation at
perforations to expose fuel tank
access cover.
Remove cover to expose electrical harness connector.
WARNING-
Fuel may be spilled. Do not smoke or work near heaters or
other fire hazards.
When disconnecting fuel hose, wrap shop rag around
end of hose to prevent spray of fuel under pressure.
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/ ~uel Tank and Fuel Pump
4 Remove tank sending unit:
Disconnect electrical harness connector.
Disconnect hose (arrow).
- Unscrew threaded collar from fuel level sender.
NOTE-
BMW special spanner 16 1 020 should be used to remove
and install the threaded collar. Damage to the collar may
result if the special tool is not used.
Slowly withdraw assembly from tank, allowing fuel to drain
off. If necessary, push level sender arm toward sending
unit to facilitate removal.
CA UTIOW-
Do not bend fuel level sender arm.
4 Once level sensor unit has been lifted partially out of tank,
disconnect tank siphon hose by pressing tabs (arrows).
- Installation is reverse of removal
Attach tank siphon hose to sender unit firmly.
Use new sealing ring at tank collar.
. Be sure that fuel sender float points in same direction as
during removal.
- Reconnect harness connector.
Fill tank and
check for leaks by running engine.
CAUTION-
After finishing repairs but before starting engine, be sure
there is at least
5 liters (1.5gallons) of fuel in tan/(. The fuel
pump will be damaged if run without fuel.
Tightening
torque
Tank collar loclting rlng to tanlt 35 Nm (26 lb-ft) -
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7 .- A Fuel Tank and Fuel Pump
Siphon pump, removing and installing
The fuel compensating siphon pump equalizes fuel level
between the two fuel tank lobes.
- Drain fuel tank as described later,
WARNING -
Fuel may be spilled. Do not smoke or work near heaters or
other fire hazards.
- Remove left and right fuel level sensors and fuel pump as
described earlier.
4 Once left side level sensor unit has been lifted partially out
of tank, disconnect tank siphon hose by pressing tabs
(arrows).
- The tank lobe siphon pump is held to baffle in bottom of right
tank lobe. Release retainer and lift out pump.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
Attach siphon pump to right side baffle.
Attach tank siphon hose to left sender unit firmly.
Use new sealing ring at tank collars
Be sure that fuel sender floats point in same direction as
during removal.
Reconnect harness connectors.
. Before starting engine, fill fuel tank with at least 5 liters
(1.5 gallons) of fuel.
Check for
leaks by running engine.
Afler finishing repairs but before starting engine, be sure