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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, ~lternatorl
Charging system quick-check
Use a digital multimeter to measure voltage across the bat-
tery terminals with key off and then again with engine running.
Battery voltage should be about 12.6 volts with key off and be-
tween 13.5 and 14.5 volts with engine running.
NOTE-
The regulated voltage (engine running) should be between
13.2 and 14.5, depending on temperature andoperating con-
ditions.
If the voltage is higher than 14.8, the voltage regula-
tor or
mulitfunction controller is most likely faulty
Check for clean and tight battery cables. Check ground cable
running from negative
(-) battery terminal to chassis and
ground cable running from engine to chassis. Check alterna-
tor drive belt condition and tension.
Charging system, checking
CAUTIOI\C
* Do not disconnect the battery while the engine is running.
Damage to the alternator and/or engine electronic systems
may result.
Only use a digital multimeter when testing charging
system components.
--7
4 Turn ignition key on. Check that battery warning light comes
on.
NOTE-
If the warning light does not come on, repair bulb or wiring
faults before continuing to checlc the charging system.
/ Charge indicator
502820805
4 6-cylinder engines only, remove complete air filter housing:
Loosen
intake duct hose clamp (A) at throttle assembly.
Loosen clamp and remove idle control hose from intake
duct
(B) and disconnect idle speed control valve electrical
harness connector.
Disconnect electrical harness connector
(C) from mass air
flow sensor.
Remove air filter housing mounting screw
(D).
Disconnect vent tube (E).
Loosen air intake duct clamp (F).
Carefully lift air filter housing out of engine bay.

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- -
/Battery, Starter, Alternator -- - -. - --I
< Check for battery voltage at alternator terminal 30 (B+) (ar-
row):
Pull back rubber insulating cover at terminal 30 at rear of
alternator.
Connect voltmeter between terminal 30 and ground and
check for battery voltage.
If voltage is not present, check
wiring for faults.
NOTE-
On V-8 engines, access to the rear of the alternator is limited.
Check for battery voltage between the jump start post on the
left cylinder head and ground.
r Disconnect harness connector from alternator. Turn ianition
on and check for battery voltage between terminal
lgand
ground. If voltage is not present, check wiring and fuses for
faults.
Reconnect connector to alternator.
Locate the blue wire coming from terminal
61E of the alter-
nator connector. Carefully connect the positive
(+) test lead
to the wire using a piercing test lead end.
Turn ignition key on and check for voltage. Voltage should be
less than 1.5 VDC and charge indicator lamp should light.
- Making sure all test equipment and tools are clear, start en-
gine. Voltage should increase to
8.0 VDC or higher. The
charge indicator light should go out.
If voltage does not increase and system is not charging,
the fault is in alternator.
- If voltage does not increase, but system is charging, inter- - roaate svstem for faults usina an appropriate BMW scan - .. . tool and'reset fault memory.
- If a load tester is not available, a quick alternator output test
can be done by running engine at about 2000 rpm and turn-
- -
ing on electrical loads (fans, lights, rear window defroster, -
- and wipers). With all accessories on, battery voltage should
be above 12.6
V.

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Battery, Starter, ~lternatorl
Alternator, removing and installing
(6-cylinder engine)
A replacement alternator should have the same rating as the
original. Alternator manufacturer and ampere rating are nor-
mally marked on the alternator housing.
- Disconnect negative (-) battery cable.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the batteg read the battery discon-
nection cautions given
in 001 General Warnings and Cau-
I tions.
Remove complete air filter housing:
Loosen intake duct hose clamp
(A) at throttle assembly.
Loosen clamp and remove idle control hose from intake
duct
(B) and disconnect idle speed control valve electrical
harness connector.
Disconnect electrical harness connector
(C) from mass air
flow sensor.
* Remove air filter housing mounting screw (D),
Disconnect vent tube (E).
Loosen air intake duct clamp (F).
Carefully lifl air filter housing out of engine bay.
Remove alternator drive belt. See belt removal procedures in
020 Maintenance.
- Remove radiator cooling fan and fan shroud. See 170 Radi-
ator and Cooling System.
NOTE-
The radiator cooling fan nut (32 mm wrench) has left-hand
threads.
- Unbolt power steering fluid reservoir and bracket. Suspend to
one side without detaching fluid hoses.
- Disconnect alternator air cooling tube.
- Disconnect wiring from rear of alternator.
'4 Remove upper and lower mounting bolts (arrows) and lift
alternator.
If idler pulley for belt interferes, remove pulley cover and
retaining bolt to remove pulley. out

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121-16
Battery, Starter, Alternator
- installation is reverse of removal.
Tightening torques Belt tensloner to engine block
M8 (8.8 grade) 22
Nm (16 ft-ib)
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-ib)
Pulley to alternator 70
Nm (44 ft-lb)
Terminal 30
(B+) wire to alternator (M8) 13 Nm (10 ft-ib)
Alternator, removing and installing
(M62 engine, air cooled)
A replacement alternator should have the same rating as the
original. Alternator manufacturer and ampere rating are nor-
mally
marked on the alternator housing.
- Disconnect negative (-) battery cable.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery discon-
nection cautions
001 General Warnings and Cautions.
- Remove cooling fan and alternator drive belt. See 020 Main-
tenance.
- Pry out trim caps and remove fasteners from plastic cover on
left head. Lift off cover.
Disconnect positive
(+) lead from jump start post (arrow).
Raise car and support in a safe manner.
WARNING-
Make sure the car is stable and well supported at aN times.
Use a professional automotive lift
orjack stands designed for
the purpose.
A floorjack is not adequate support.

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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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130-6
Fuel Injection
Fuel supply to the injection system is provided by a high pres-
sure electric pump mounted inside the fuel tank. The pump is
powered via the fuel pump relay. If the relay is faulty, the fuel
pump will not run and the engine will not start.
NOTE-
* Fuel delivery volume and fuel pressure are critical to prop-
er operation. Fuel pressure direcfly influences fuel deliv-
ery
Fuel pump relay, fuel pressure and fuel volume tests are
given in 160 Fuel Tank and Fuel Pump.
Relieving system fuel pressure
The fuel system retains fuel pressure in the system when the
engine is off. To prevent fuel from spraying on a hot engine,
system fuel pressure should be relieved beforedisconnecting
fuel lines. One method is to tightly wrap
ashop towel around a
fuel line fitting and loosen or disconnect the fitting. Cleanli-
ness is essential when working with fuel components. Thor-
oughly clean the unions before disconnecting fuel lines.
When system faults are detected, a diagnostic trouble code
(DTC) is stored in the engine control module (ECM). The MIL
also iiluminates if an emissions-related fault is detected
When faults arise, or if the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is
illuminated, begin troubleshooting by connecting BMW ser-
vice tester
DISplus. MoDiC, GTI or equivalent scan tool. The
capabilities of OBD
II software has the potential to save hours
of diagnostic time and to help avoid incorrect component re-
placement and possible damage to system components.
CAUTION-
- The tests in this section may set fault codes (DTCs) in the
ECM and illuminate the
MIL. Affer all testing is completed,
access and clear DJC fault memory using an
OED I1 or
BMW compatible scan tool. See OBD On-Board Diag-
nostics.
0 Only use a digital multimeter for electrical tests.
. Relay positions can vary Be sure to confirm relay posi-
tion by identifying the wiring in the socket using the wir-
ing diagrams found in ELE Electrical Wiring
Diagrams.

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130-8
Fuel Injection
With ignition off, remove main relay (K6300) (arrow) in
E-box.
- With ignition on and relay installed, check for battery voltage
on terminal
2 (87).
4 Check for voltage at terminal 8 (30) on relay socket.
If battery voltage is present, relay has energized and is
functioning correctly.
Gmund from 6L (hot ~4th k~y key in Ern
2I '1
on position)
to
Fuel pump RdiWt Rd from Battery and other system components SOZI~O~~I~Y
If battery voltage is not present and all earlier tests are OK,
relay is faulty and should be replaced.
If
battery voltage is present continue testing.
If battery voltage is not present, check fuse 109 (80-amp
fusible link) under passenger seat carpet. See ELE Elec-
trical Wiring Diagrams.
- Reinstall relay and turn ignition on. Gain access to back side
of relay socket and check for ground on terminal
4 (85).
If ground is present continue testing.
If ground is not present, signal from ECM is missing. Check
NOTE-
If no faults are found during testing but power is not reaching
the
ECM or other components, check the fuses in the fuse
carrier
X8680 in the E-box.
wire
between ECM and relay.