1999 BMW 540i Speed

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
General ........................... .34 0.2
Special Tools
....................... .34 0.2
E39 brake system
.................... .34 0.4
Electronic braking and stability control
.... .34 0.4
Troubleshooting
..................... .34 0.5
Warnings and cautions
................ .34 0.7
Bleeding Brakes ................... .34 0.8
Brakes, bleeding
..................... .34 0.9
Brake Pads, Calipers and Rotors ... .34 0.1 1
Braking system components .......... .34 0.11
Brake pads,
checking and replacing ..... .34 0.12
Brake rotors, removing and installing
.... .34 0.15
Master Cylinder .................. .34 0.16
Master cylinder, removing and installing
. .34 0.17
Brake Booster .................... .349 0.1
Brake booster check valve
............ .34 0.19
Brake booster, removing and installing
.. .34 0.20
Parking Brake .................... .34 0.22
Parking brake components
............ .34 0.22
Parking
brake, adjusting .............. .34 0.22
Parking bralte shoes, removing
and installing
....................... .34 0.23
Parking
brake cable, replacing ......... .34 0.24
ABS Component Replacement ..... 340-26
Wheel speed sensor. replacing
......... 340-26
ABS impulse wheel
.................. 340-27
DSC lateral acceleration or
rotational rate (yaw) sensor. replacing
... 340-27
DSC steering angle sensor.
removing and installing
............... 340-28
DSC precharge pump.
removing and installing (1998 models)
... 340-29
DSC pressure sensor
(1 999 - 2002 models) ................ 340-30
ABS /traction electronic control
module
(1 997 -1 998 models) .......... 340-31
ABS
/ DSC control module
(1 999
- 2002 models) ................ 340-31
ABS
/ traction control hydraulic unit.
removing and installing
............... 340-31

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
E39 brake system
BMW E39 models are equipped with vacuum power-assisted
four-wheel disc brakes with an integral
Antilock Brake System
(ABS). Single-piston calipers act on vented front and rear ro-
tors. A brake pad wear sensor for each axle indicates when
brake pads need replacement. The dual drum-type parking
brake system is integrated with the rear brake rotors.
Electronic braking and stability control
E39 models were introduced with Automatic Stability Control,
a computer controlled traction control system that uses the
AB5 system in conjunction with engine management controls
to control wheel spin during take-off and maintain vehicle sta-
bility while braking.
Added in the
1998 model year was Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC). This system implements wheel speed modulation
throughout all stages of driving. For example, DSC is able to
reduce understeer by applying differing amounts of braking
force to each wheel, or it can override the engine manage-
ment system during hard cornering.
A summary of distinguishing characteristics of the various
systems is shown in the table
E39 electronic braking and
stability control systems.
For ABS, ASC and DSC system and component descriptions,
see
300 Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General.
WARNING-
A car with electronic stability control is still subject to normal
physical laws. Avoid excessive speeds for the road conditions
encountered.
E39 electronic braking and stability control systems
Year (model)
manuf. up to 911998
(528i, 540i)
manuf. from 911999
(540i optional)*
From
911 999
(ail models) System
Automatic Stability Control (ASC) Identifiers
Electronic control module next to glove compartment
Hydraulic unit in right rear of engine compartment
No precharge pump
Dynamic Stability Control
(Bosch DSC
Ill v. 5.3)
Dynamic
Stabil~ty Control
(Bosch DSC
Ill v. 5.7) Electronic
control module next to glove compartment
Hydraulic unit in right rear of engine compartment
Precharge pump in left front of engine compartment, below steering
fluid reservoir
Separate rotational rate (yaw) and lateral acceleration sensors
Control
modulelhydraulic unit in right rear of engine compartment
No precharge pump
Combined rotational rate (yaw) and lateral acceleration sensors

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
Brakes
Troubleshooting
Brake performance is mainly affected by three things:
Q Level and condition of brake fluid
Ability of bralte system to create and maintain pressure
Condition of friction components
Air in bralte fluid will
make the brake pedal feel spongy during
braking
orwill increase the bralte pedal force required to stop.
Fluid contaminated by moisture or dirt can corrode the sys-
tem. lnspect the brake fluid inside the reservoir. If it is dirty or
murky, or is more then two years old, replace fluid.
To
check the function of the master cylinder hold the bralte
pedal down hard with the engine running. If the pedal slowly
falls to the floor, either the master cylinder is leaking internal-
ly, or fluid is leaking externally.
lnspect the rotors for glazing, discoloration and scoring.
Steering wheel vibration while braking at speed is often
caused by warped rotors, but can also be caused by worn
suspension components.
When troubleshooting, keep in mind that tire inflation, wear
and temperature can all have an affect on braking. See
300
Suspension, Steering and Brakes-General for additional
suspension and brake system troubleshooting.
The table Brake system troubleshooting lists symptoms of
brake problems, probable causes, and suggested corrective
actions. Unless noted otherwise, relevant repairs are de-
scribed later in this repair group.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
1 Brakes
ABS COMPONENT REPLACEMENT
CA UTIOW-
If the tires on the car are of different makes, the ABS/trac-
tion controlsystem may overreact. Only fit tires of the same
make and treadpattern.
In adverse conditions, such as trying to rock the car out
of deep snow or other soft surface, or when snow
chains are fitted, it is advisable to switch off traction
control and allow
tlie car driveline to operate conven-
tionally.
All E39 vehicles are equipped with
Antilock Braking System
(ABS). Early production models featured ABS with Automatic
Stability Control (ABS
I ASC). Later models came equipped
with ABS and Dynamic Stability Control (ABS
/ DSC). This
manual will refer to these systems as ABS. ASC or DSC will
be specified when necessary.
For ABS system and component descriptions, see
300 Sus-
pension, Steering and Brakes-General.
Wheel speed sensor, replacing
- Raise applicable end of car.
Make sure that the car is firmly supported on
jack stands de-
signed for the purpose. Place
jack stands beneath structural
chassis points. Do not place jack stands under suspension
< Front sensor: Unscrew mounting bolts (arrows) at steering
knuckle.
4 Rear sensor: Unscrew mounting bolt (arrows) in rear wheel
bearing carrier.
NOTE-
ABS wheelspeed sensor application may vary depending on
traction control system installed.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
4 Disconnect and remove speed sensor electrical harness (ar-
row) from retaining mounts. (Lefl front wheel shown).
- During installation, apply thin coat of StaburagsBNBU 12/K
or equivalent grease to speed sensor and housing.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
Tightening torque
ABS wheel speed sensor to steering knuckle or 8 Nm (6 It-lb)
rear wheel bearing carrier
ABS impulse wheel
The front and rear impulse wheels are integral with the inner
wheel bearing seal and not available as separate part. See
310 Front Suspension or 330 Rear Suspension for wheel
bearing replacement procedures.
DSC lateral acceleration or rotational rate
(yaw) sensor, replacing
DSC system on 1998 cars (Bosch DSC Ill v. 5.3): Lateral ac-
celeration sensor and rotational rate (yaw) sensor are sepa-
rate units, both mounted underneath or in front of driver's
seat.
DSC system on 1999 and later cars (Bosch DSC
Ill v. 5.7):
Lateral acceleration sensor and rotational rate (yaw) sensor
are combined into one unit, located under driver's seat.
- Remove driver's seat. See 520 Seats.
- Lateral acceleration sensor (1 998 models): Remove lower
lefl door pillar trim (driver's
kick panel) to access sensor. Pull
up carpet as necessary to reach sensor harness connector
or fasteners.
4 Rotational rate (yaw) sensor (1998 models): Remove plastic
trim at door sill to access sensor (arrow). Pull up carpet and
move insulation forward as necessary to reach sensor har-
ness connector or fasteners.
- Combined lateral acceleration / rotational rate (yaw) sensor
(1 999 and later models): Remove plastic trim at door sill to
access sensor. Pull up carpet and move insulation forward as
necessary to reach sensor harness connector or fasteners.
- Disconnect electrical harness connector at sensor.
- Combined sensor (1 999 and later models): Remove sensor
bracket mounting screws.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
Body shell
Exterior and aerodynamics
Crash behavlor -frontal impact
-side impact
Body
-rear impact Structural body components -rigidity
-rollover -strength -vibrations -acoustics
Bumpers compartment lid -bendable Seets,.steerlng system .dents -vibrations bars -vibration patterns
Fenders -aerodvnamic
With its traditional styling features, such as the ltidney grille.
circular headlights behind a glass cover (for reasons of
streamlining), and the
"kiclt" in the rear most roof pillar (C-pil-
lar), the E39 can be immediately recognized as a BMW.
The BMW 5 Series chassis is a unibody design constructed of
high strength steel. Attaching parts, such as the front fenders,
rear quarter panels, doors,
trunk lid and hood are also con-
structed of
steel.
Computer aided design (CAD) techniques have been used in
refining the
E39 body to reduce vehicle weight while retaining
strength and increasing torsional rigidity. For good handling
purposes, the more rigid the structure the more precisely the
suspension can operate.
Wind resistance
Windows bonded flush to the body and the guided flow of
cooling air into the engine compartment provide the
carwith a
good coefficient of drag (Cd).
E39 cars have been designed
for balanced aerodynamics but not necessarily an extremely
low Cd. See table below.
Windshield wipers are designed for effectiveness at speeds
up to and beyond 200
ltph (124 mph).
Coefficient of aerodynamic drag (Cd)
6-cylinder sedan 0.30
V-8 sedan 0.31
6-cylinder Sport Wagon 0.31
V-8 Sport Wagon 0.33
Fenders
The exterior panels are corrosion-resistant zinc coated (gal-
vanized) steel. The front fenders are bolted on. For front fend-
er replacement information, see
410 Fenders, Engine
Hood.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
400-4
I Bodv-General
Bumpers
The front and rear bumpers are clad in high quality
deform-
able plastic and, at solid barrier impact speeds of 4 kph (2.5
mph), provide protection with virtually no damage to the
bumper
orthe vehicle. In addition to hydraulic dampeners.
which absorb the initial impact energy, these bumpers are
backed by compressible tubes. These deform in a controlled
manner at impact speeds greaterthan that
forwhich bumpers
and hydraulic dampeners are designed. This helps avoid ex-
pensive damage to the body at impact speeds up to 14 kph (9
mph).
The E39 Sport Wagon was introduced to the US market in
911 998 (model year 1999). It shares many components with
the E39 sedan and is identical to it from the B-pillar forward.
US
marltet 5 Series Sport Wagons are available in two vari-
ants:
6-cylinder
(5251, 528i) powered by the 2.8 liter M52 TU en-
gine (1 999) or the 2.5 liter M54 engine (2000 and later)
* V-8 (540i) powered by the 4.4 liter M62 TU engine
The wheelbase of the Sport Wagon is the same as the sedan.
Howeverthe body is 30
mm (1.2 in) longer and 10 mm (0.4 in)
higher.
The Sport Wagon rear suspension was redesigned to elimi-
nates the upper rear spring strut mounting on the E39 sedan.
The use of separate coil springs and
shoclc absorbers results
in a flat, wide floor in the cargo area. See
300 Suspension,
Steering and Brakes-General.
The self-leveling air spring suspension system (electronic
height control or EHC) is standard on Sport Wagon V-8 mod-
els and optional on 6-cylinder models.
Sport Wagon cargo capacities are shown below.
Sport Wagon load capacities
Cargo capacity
Rear seat up 909 liters (32.1 cu ft)
Rear seat folded down I809 liters (63.9 cu ft)
Load limit
Cargo compartment
460 Kg (1014 lb)
Roof
I00 Kg (220 lb)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
Central Locking and Anti-Theft
DWA alarm
The DWA alarm system is
armedldisarmed when thevehicle
is locked / unlocked from either the door or trunk.
Convenience closing
I opening
The windows and sun roof can be closed or opened by hold-
ing the key in the
loclc I unlock position.
Crash sensor
The crash sensor is located in the left front
kick panel. It func-
tions by unlocking all doors in the event of an accident.
NOTE-
Continuous and repeated locliing / unlocking may cause
timedarrest of
the locliing system. When activated, the timed
arrest lasts for two minutes. The timed arrest does not affect
the crash sensor
unlocliing the doors in case of an accident.
Door locks
The driver's door lock location is the only point outside of the
vehicle where the ltey can mechanically control all of the cen-
tral locking system functions.
4 Door key positions for electrical / manual loclting and
unlocking are:
1. Manual unlock
2. Unlock, DWA disarmed, convenience open
(hold until activated)
3. Neutral position
4. Lock, DWA armed, convenience closing
(hold until activated)
5. Manual lock
The door lock actuators are sealed. self contained units with
no replaceable parts. The
actuators use Hall effect sensors in
place of pin contacts and microswitches to provide DOOR
OPEN
I DOOR CLOSED status signal. Each door lock button
only affects the actuator it controls. There is no effect on the
other doors.
An automatic locking feature activates door locks when a
road speed signal of 4 mph is detected via the K-Bus. The fac-
tory default coding for this feature is OFF, but can be coded
ON for individual users with the Key Memoryfunction. See
Car Memory
1 Key Memory later in this section.