1999 BMW 540i E39

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--
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Technical contact inlormation I
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Errata information
We will evaluate submissions and post appropriate editorial
changes online as text errata or tech discussion. Appropriate
errata will be incorporated with the
boolc text in future printings.
Read errata information for this book before beginning work on
your vehicle. See the following web address tor additional
information:
http://unw.BentleyPublishers.com/errata/
WARNING-important safety notice
Do not use this manual unless vou are familiar with basic automotive reoair orocedures and safe
workshoo oracfices. This manual illustrates
the workshop procedures requked formoslservice work. It is not a subsiituti for full and up-to-date information from thevehiclemanufaciurer
or for proper training as an automotive technician. Note that it is not possible for us to anticipate all of the ways or conditions under which
vehicles may be serviced or to provide cautions as to all of the possible hazards that may result.
The vehicle manufacturer will continue to issue service information updates and parls retrofits
after the editorial closing of this manual. Some
of lhese updates and retrofits will apply lo procedures and specifications in this manual. We regret that we cannot supply updates to
purchasers of this manual.
We have endeavored to ensure the accuracy
of the information in this manual. Please note, however, that considering the vast quantity and
the complexity of the service information involved, we cannot warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this
manual.
FOR
THESE REASONS, NEITHER THE PUBLISHER NOR THE AUTHOR MAICES ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, THATTHE INFORMATION IN THIS BOOK IS FREE OF ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. AND WE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILTTY AN0 OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, EVEN IFTHE PUBLISHER OR AUTHOR HAVE BEEN ADVISED OFA PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND EVEN IF A PARTICULAR
1 PURPOSE IS INDICATED IN THE MANUAL. THE PUBLISHER AND AUTHOR ALSO DISCLAIM ALL LlABlLrrY FOR DIRECT. INDIRECT. INCIDENTAL OR 1 I CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM ANY USE OFTHE EXAMPLES, INSTRUCTIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION INTHIS BOOK. IN NO EVENT 1
I Your common sense and oood iudoment are crucial to safe and successful service work. Read orocedures throuoh before startino them. I . -- - -~ ~ ---~. - ~ ~~ Think about whether the condition of your car, &r level of mechanical skill, or your level of reading compreh&sion might resill in or
contribute in some way to an occurrence which might cause you injuly, damage your car, or result in an unsafe repair. If you have doubts
for these or other reasons about your ability to pelform safe repair work on your car, have the work done at an authorized BMW dealer or
other qualified shop.
Part numbers listed in this manual are for identification purposes only, not for ordering. Always check wilh your authorized BMW dealer to
verify part numbers and availability before beginning service work lhat may require new
park.
Before anempting any work on your BMW, read the 001 General Warnings and Cautions, and any WARNING or CAUTION that
accompanies a procedure in the service manual. Review the WARNINGS and CAUTIONS each time you prepare to work on your BMW.
I Spec a too s req.1 red to perlorm cena n service operations arc oenl fed n the manLa an0 arc recomrnenoeo lor JSC Jse ol loo s olner than those recommended In lh s serv ce manual may be oelnmcnlal lo lrlc car's sale open1 on as rvec as lne salely 01 lne person servcng I the car. I
Copies of this manual may be purchased from most automotive accessories and parts dealers specializing in BMW automobiles, from
selected booksellers, or directly from the publisher.
This manual was published by Robert Bentley,
Inc., Publishers. BMW has not reviewed and does not vouch for the accuracy of the
technical specifications and procedures described in this manuai.
Libratv of Conaress Cataloaino-in-Publication Data " " -
BMW 5 Series (E39) : service manual : 523. 528i, 530i. 540i, sedan, sport wagon, 1997,
1998, 1999,2000,2001,2002
~Acludes index.
ISBN 0-8376-0317-X (obi<) ,, , 1. BMW 5 series automobiles--Maintenance and repair--Handbooks manuals, etc. 1.
Robert Bentley, Inc.
TL215.8258623 2003 629.28'722--dc23 2003052231
Bentley Stock No. 8502
Editorial closing 08/03
090807 10987654
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Cover photos of car exteriors by Jonathan Richard for
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Manufactured in the United States of America

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002 Vehicie identification and
VlN Decoder
Vehicle identification Number (VIN), decoding
Some of the information in this manual applies only to cars of a parlicuiar model year or range
of vears. For
examole. 1999 refers to the 1999 model vear but does not necessarilv malch the
caiendsr year in which the car was manufactured or sold. To be sure of the model year of a
particular car,
checic the Vehicle ldentification Number (VIN) on the car.
The VIN is a unique sequence of 17 characters assigned by BMW lo identify each individual
car. When decoded, the VIN tells the country and year of manufacture; make, model and serial
number: assembly
plant and some equipment specifications.
The BMW VIN is on a plate mounted on top of the dashboard, on the driver's side where the
number can be seen through the windshield, The 10th character is the model year code. The
letters
I. 0, Q and U are not used for model year designation. Examples: X for 1999, Y for 2000,
1 for 2001,2 for 2002, etc. The table below explains some of the codes in the VIN for 1997
through 2002 BMW
E39 5 Series BMWs covered by this manual.
Sample
VIN: ~~Iz~o~w~B~w~ 13 8 9 1 lposition 1 2 3 zi 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12-17
VIN
position Description Decoding information
1-3 Countrv of WBA B
I J 1 znan~+q ;BT BMW Molorsporl. Gmon, ~;nch Gerrn;!n,
Linc 525 (2UU1 - 2003) 528 (2000-2003. 530; 540 i
5
1
Manual belts with dual airbags Manual belts with advanced airbaos
Series
Body
type
i engine lype . ..
D 5251 (2001 - 2002), 528i (1997 - 2000) E MS. 530i, 540i (1997 - 1998) J 5251 Wagon
M 528i (1999 - 2000) N 5401 Sedan (1999 - 2003) 540i wagon (2001)
P 528i wagon (1999 - 2000) R 540i waaon 12002 - 20031
6,4 Aulomatic 5,3 Manual
Vehicle type 3.4.7 Passenger vehicle
Checlr digit
Model year Restraint
system
1 0 Manual belts
3 Manual belts wilh driver
& passenger airbags 4
Manual belts with advanced passenger B driver airbags
0 - 9 or X, calculated by NHTSA
V 1997 W 1RRR
Assembly plant A, F, K Munich, Germany
B, C, D, G Dingolfing. Germany E, J. P Reqensburq. Germany .
Serial number
Sequential produclion number lor specific vehicle

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01 0-1 2
1 General
Information you need to know
Model
When ordering parts it is important that you know the correct
model designation for your car. Models covered in this E39
manual are the
525i,5281,530i, 540i in Sedan and Station
Wagon body styles.
Model year
This is not necessarily the same as date of manufacture or
date of sale.
A 1999 model may have been manufactured in
late 1998, and perhaps not sold until early 2000. It is still a
1999 model. Model years covered by this manual are 1997 to
2002.
Date of manufacture
This information is necessary when ordering replacement
parts or determining if any of the warranty recalls are applica-
ble to your car. The label on the driver's door below the door
latch will specify the month and year that the car was built.
Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN)
This is a combination of letters and numbers that identify the
particular car. The VIN appears on the state registration doc-
ument, and on the car itself. One location is on the right front
strut tower in the engine compartment (arrow), another in the
lower left corner of the windshield.
Engine code
5 Series car covered in this manual are powered by
6 and 8 - cylinderengines. For information on engine codes and en- -. -
gine applications, see 100 Engine-General. -
Transmission code
The transmission type with its identifying code may be
impor- :
tant when buying clutch parts, seals, gaskets, and other .- transmission-related parts. For information on transmission
codes and applications, see 200 Transmission-General.

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1 Maintenance
NOTE-
Castrol supplies the mineral and synthetic oil recommend-
ed by
BMW
BMW High Performance synthetic oil may be used in all
E39 models, regardless of year.
The use of engine oil additives is not recommended when
using BMW High
Performance synthetic engine oil.
* BMW is constantly upgrading recommendedmaintenance
procedures and requirements. The information contained
here is as accurate as possible at the time ofpublication. If
there is any doubt about what procedures apply to a spe-
cific
model or model year, or what intervals should be fol-
lowed, remember that an authorized BMW dealer has the
latest information on factory-recommended maintenance.
CAUTIOIG
In the case of cars that accumulate very low mileage per
yea/; BMW recommends that the engine oil should be
changed once
a year at a minimum, regardless of whether
mineral or synthetic based oil is used.
In the interest of engine longevity, use half
tlie recom-
mended engine oil change interval.
Engine oil, checking level
4 Engine oil level is checked with a dipstick (arrow) in the
engine block (6-cylinder oil dipstick shown,
V-8 dipstick is
similar).
- Check oil level with car on level surface, after engine has
been stopped for at least a few minutes.
- Check level by pulling out dipstick and wiping it clean
Reinsert it all the way and withdraw it again.

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020-1 6
Maintenance
loose, hose is damaged, or connection is dirty or corroded.
Dried coolant has achalky appearance. Hoses should be firm
and springy. Replace any hose that is cracked, has become
soft and limp, or has been contaminated by oil.
4 As a preventive measure, replacement of the cooling system
hoses every four years is recommended. The illustration
shows examples of damage to coolant hoses. Any of these
conditions is cause for replacement (illustration courtesy of
/ Abrasion Damaged Hose Heat Damaged Hose 1 Gates Rubber Company, I~c.).
Engine drive belt, replacing
Drive belts and pulleys transfer power from the engine crank-
shaft to various accessories.
E39 models use two polyribbed
(serpentine) belts:
The outer belt turns the
NC compressor.
0 The inner, longer belt turns the alternator (generator), cool-
ant pump and power steering pump.
Inspect drive belts with the engine off. If the belt shows signs
of wear, cracking, glazing, or missing sections, it should be
replaced
immediately. To reduce the chance of belt failure
while driving, replacement of the belts every four years is
recommended.
WARNING -
Observe care when replacing belts. Personal injury could
result if a tensioner springs back into position uncontrolled.
CA UTIOI\C
Mark drive belt rotation direction if removing and reusing an
old belt.
NOTE-
When belts are replaced with new ones, store the old set in
the trunk for emergency use.
All models, use
BMW special tools 11 5 030 and 11 5 040 to
loosen and remove cooling fan and clutch from coolant
pump.
NOTE-
32 mm cooling fan nut has left-hand threads
If necessary, remove fan cowl from radiator.

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Maintenance
continue to operate as designed. Extending the replacement
interval may void the emission control warranty coverage.
See
180 Exhaust System for information on replacing the
oxygen sensors.
Tightening torque
Oxvoen sensor to exhaust
manifold 50 Nrn (37 ft-lb)
NOTE-
A special soclet for replacing the oxygen sensor is available
from most automotive parts stores. The soclet has
a groove
cut down one side to allow the sensor to be installed without
damaging the wire harness.
Power steering fluid, checking level
The power steering system is permanently filled and does not
have a drain. Routinely adding ATF is not required unless the
system is leaking.
4 To check power steering fluid level in fluid reservoir:
Park car on level ground with engine off.
Level is correct
if it is between MlN and MAX marks on
dipstick.
If level is below
MlN mark, add fluid to reservoir to bring
level up.
* Hand-tighten reservoir cap.
Power steering fluid
Dexron
1iiO ATF or equivalent
Spark plugs
E39 models through model year 1998 were equipped with
spark plugs with two electrodes. These are gapped to
0.7 mm
(0.028 in) by the manufacturer and are not adjustable.
Starting with 1999 models, long life spark plugs with
3 or four
electrodes were used. These can be retroactively fitted to
earlier
models. The recommended spark plug replacement
interval
forthese is 100,000 miles.The electrode gap in these
spark plugs is not adjustable.
Spark plug applications
M52 Bosch FBLDCR
M52 TU, M54 Bosch FGR7DQP or NGK BKRBEQUP
M62 to 7/97 Bosch F7LDCR or NGK BKR6EK
M62 from 7/97 Bosch F9LDCR
M62 TU Bosch FGR7DQP or NGK BKRGEQUP

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020-21
Maintenance
Spark plugs, replacing
E39 engines use a coil-over-spark plug configuration, with
one ignition coil above each spark plug. Sparks plugs should
be removed only after the engine has cooled.
Remove engine
cover(s) over ignition coils:
Remove acoustic cover over fuel injectors
I intake
manifold.
6-cylinder engine: Remove oil filler cap.
Remove plastic trim covers (arrows).
Remove cover hold-down bolts. Remove coil
cover(s)
6-cylinder engine: Temporarily reinstall oil filler cap to
keep out contaminants.
Remove ignition coil grounding harnesses (arrows). 6-cylin-
der coils shown,
V-8 engine is similar.
< Remove ignition coils:
Pull up on spring clips to disconnect ignition coil harness
connectors.
Remove coil mounting bolts. Pull coils up and off spark
plugs.
- Remove spark plugs.

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Maintenance
- To remove battery corrosion:
Disconnect battery cables. Disconnect negative (-)cable
first.
* Remove battery from trunk
Clean terminal posts and cable clamps with a wire brush.
Clean main chassis ground terminal next to battery.
Corrosion can be washed away with a
baking soda and
water solution that will neutralize acid.
Reinstall battery and reconnect cable clamps, positive
(+)
cable first.
Lightly coat outside of terminals, hold down screws, and
clamps with petroleum jelly, grease, or a commercial
battery terminal corrosion inhibitor.
WARNING
-
Battery acid is extremely dangerous. Take care to keep it
from contacting eyes, skin, or clothing. Wear eye protection.
Extinguish all
smolihg materials and do not work near any
oaen flames.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the batteg read the battery discon-
nection cautions given in
001 General Cautions and
Warnings.
NOTE-
The original equipment battery in E39 models is mainte-
nance free. The original electrolyte will normally last the
entire service life of the battery under moderate climate con-
ditions.
Battery electrolyte should be maintained at the correct level
just above the battery plates and theirseparators. The correct
level is approximately
5 mm ('14 in.) above the top of battery
plates or to the top of the indicator
marks (if applicable). The
battery plates and the indicator marks can be seen once the
fillercaps are removed.
if theelectrolyte level is low, replenish
it by adding distilled water only.
4 The original equipment BMW battery is equipped with a
built-in hydrometer "magic eye"
(arrow). Battery condition is
determined by the color of the eye:
Green: Adequate charge
* Black: Inadequate charge, recharge
Yellow: Defective battery, replace
Batteries are rated by ampere hours (Ah), the number of
hours a specific current drain can be sustained before com-
plete discharge, or by cold cranking amps (CCA), the number
of amps available to crank the engine in cold weather
condi-