1999 BMW 540i Electrical System

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120-1 6
Ignition System
Remove camshaft sensor (arrow) from front of right cylinder
head.
Disconnect camshaft sensor harness from cable duct above
right cylinder head.
Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
Use new O-ring when installing sensor.
Be sure wiring is rerouted in same orientation.
Use scan tool to read out and clear ECM fault memory.
Tightening torque Intake camshaft sensor to timing chain 5 Nm
(3.5 ft-lb)
cover
Knock sensors
Knock sensors, replacing (M52, M52 TU and M54
engines)
The knock sensors are bolted to the left side of the cylinder
block under the intake manifold.
- Remove intalte manifold as described in 113 Cylinder Head
Removal and Installation.
D~sconnect knock sensor electrical harness connector (A) on
left side of engine cylinder block.
Remove knock sensor
mount~ng bolts (arrows) on side of
cyllnder block. Remove sensors.
Note the installed angle of the
lnocl~ sensor on the bloc/( be-
fore removing it. Reinstall the sensor
in the same position. Be
sure to use a torque wrench when tightening the sensor
mounting bolt.
< Clean lknock sensor contact surface on engine bloclc and
sensor (arrows) before installing
ltnock sensor.
Tightening torque
Knock sensor to head 20 Nm (15 ft-lb)
- Use scan tool to read out and clear ECM fault memory.
Knock sensors, replacing
(M62 and M62 TU engines)
The
knock sensors are bolted to the side of the cylinder block
under the
intake manifold.

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121-1
121 Battery. Starter. Alternator
General ........................... .I2 1.2
Special tools ........................ .I2 1.2
Engine electrical system ............... .I2 1.2
Battery Safety Terminal ............... .I2 1.3
Warnings and cautions ................. 121 -4
Battery ............................ 121-5
Battery testing ...................... .I2 1.5
Hydrometer testing ................... .I2 1.5
Battery open-circuit voltage test ......... .I2 1.6
Battery load voltage test ................ 121 -6
Closed-circuit current measurement ..... .I2 1.7
Battery charging ...................... 121 -9
Battery safety terminal, replacing ......... 121-9
Alternator (generator) ............. .I2 1.10
Alternator. basic .................... .I2 1.11
Alternator with multi-function
control (MFR)
...................... .I2 1.11
Water-cooled alternator ............... 121 -12
Charging System Troubleshooting . 121-12
Charging system quick-check .......... 121-13
Charging system. checking ............ 121-13
Alternator. removing and installing
(6-cylinder engine)
.................. 121 -1 5
Alternator. removing and installing
(M62 engine. air cooled)
.............. 121-16
Alternator. removing and installing
(M62 TU engine. water cooled) ......... 121-1 8
Starter ........................... 121 -1 9
Starter troubleshooting ............... 121 -1 9
Starter. removing and installing
(6-cylinder engine)
.................. 121-20
Starter. removing and installing
(V-8 engine)
........................ 121 -21
Solenoid switch. removing and installing . . 121-23

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- -
Battery, Starter, Alternator
This section covers the battery, alternator, starter and associ-
ated components of the electrical system.
Troubleshooting information
forthese components isfound in
Table a. Battery, alternator and starter troubleshooting.
For additional electrical troubleshooting information, see
600 Electrical System-General.
Special tools
4 Automotive digital multimeter
CAUTION-
Only use a digital multirneter when testing automotive electri- I) cal components.
4 Closed-circuit current measurement adaptor
(Tool No.
BMW 61 2 300)
Engine electrical system
The alternator and starter are wired directly to the battery. To
prevent accidental shorts that might blow a fuse or damage
wires and electrical components, always disconnect the
negative
(-) battery cable before working on the electrical
system.
Various versions of alternators, voltage regulators, starters,
and batteries are used in
E39 cars. Replace components ac-
cording to the original equipment specification.

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Battery, Starter, ~lternatorl
@ TO fuse & relay panel Battery Safety Terminal
A Battery Safety Terminal (BST) controlled by the Multiple
Restraint System (MRS) control unit was introduced for mod-
el year 1998
vehicles. The system will disconnect electrical
power to the engine compartment
in the event of a significant
impact. The MRS system fires an encapsulated pyrotechnic
device
in the positive (+) battery terminal that disconnects
power to the engine compartment, but maintains power to
the exterior lights and interior of the vehicle.
point
002125~1
Table a. Battery, alternator and starter troubleshooting
1-
/Starter motor or solenoid faulty. l~est starter.
Symptom
Engine does not crank
Engine cranks slowly or
not at all, solenoid
clicits
when starter is operated.
I I
Battery will not stay IShort circuit draining battery. l~est for excessive current drain with everything
Probable cause
Fault
in immobilizer system (EWS)
-Clean Battery cables loose, dirty or corroded.
Battery discharged.
Battery to body ground cable in trunk
loose,
dirty or corroded
Poor connection at starter motor terminal
30.
Corrective action
Try another ignition key. If problem persists, contact
your authorized BMW dealer.
or replace cables. See 020
~aintenance.
Charge battery and test. Replace if necessary.
inspect ground cable. Clean, tighten or replace if
necessary.
Checlc connections, test for voltage at starter. Test for
voltage at neutral safety or clutch
interloclc switch.
charged more than a few
days.
I~atter~ faulty. /Test battery and replace if necessary.
Short driving trips and high electrical drain
on
charging system does not allow battery to
recharge.
. I
I Battery cables loose, dirty or corroded. Iclean or replace cables. See 020 Maintenance.
Evaluate driving
style. Where possible, reduce
electrical
consumption when malting short trips.
Drive
belt@) loose, worn or damaged.
IAlternator or voltage regulator faulty. /Test alternator and voltage regulator.
Inspect
or replace ribbed
belt@). See 020
Maintenance.

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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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121-11
Battery, Starter, ~lternatorl
Alternator 1997 - 98 5281 1997 540i
/-- -----,
I'
-----------
F15 / 7.5A/ :
&.. .... , 30 1 Xi0015
Battery
Hol in run 61 E (D+) Alternator
and stsrt
lBL
(Generator)
1 .--------,charge , . I , indicator I xGoli i
I <"9,7,a,T
Alternator, basic
On 1997-1 998 6-cylinderand 1997 V-8 models, the charging
system indicator light is supplied voltage
(+) to one side of the
light bulb, and the other side of the bulb is connected to the
voltage regulator.
With the engine off and the key in the run position, voltage
from the ignition switch flows through the regulator to ground,
completing the circuit and illuminating the charge indicator
bulb.
When the vehicle is started and the alternator begins to pro-
duce voltage, the output of the diode trio increases and the
light is turned off.
Alternator with multi-function control
(MFR)
Alternator with multi-function control
(MFR)
The multi-function controlled alternator is used on:
* 1999-2002 6-cylinder models
* 1998-2002 V-8 models
4 On cars with multi-function control alternator, the charge in-
dicator lamp is activated by means of an electronic switch in-
tegrated in the alternator controller. This switch receives its
voltage supply from terminal
15 on the 3-pin connector at the
rear of the alternator. The controller measures internally the
voltage difference between terminal 30 and terminal
15 and
signals the DME ECM to turn the charge indicator lamp on.
The controller features integrated fault detection. The battery
charge indicator lamp will come on in the event of:
* Failure of belt drive
No charge due to an
electrical/electronic fault
Interruption in excitation circuit
Over-voltage due to a defective controller output stage Fault or break in charge line
No charge due to alternator fault

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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.