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400-8
Body-General
Airbags
Front airbags, s~de a~rbags, pyrotechnic seat belt tensioners
and the Battery Safety Terminal (BST) are integrated into the
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and its variants.
NOTE-
The BMW SRS system is called Multiple Restra~nt System
(MRS). Over the years,
E39 cars were equipped with MRS,
MRS
11, MRS 111. Each version offers varied features and im-
provements over the previous system.
< As many as 8 airbags may be installed in E39 cars, depend-
ing on model and MRS version.
The front
airbags operate without sodium azide propellant,
widely considered an irritant when an
airbag is deployed.
Starting with
1999 models. "smart"front passenger and driver
airbags were installed. These are of the dual-threshold, dual
stage design, including a
sensorto help prevent the unneces-
sary deployment of the passenger side
airbag if the seat is un-
occupied.
MRS control Depend~ng on options chosen, one airbag may be installed in module each door of the sedan and Sport Wagon models, protecting
passengers against
s~de impacts.
Head Protection System (ITS)
airbags strelch diagonally
across the tops of the front doors.
Airbag deployment automatically triggers fuel shutoff, turns
on the hazard and interior lights, and unlocks the doors.
- -
WARNING -
Airbags are inflated by an explosive device. Handled im-
properly or without adequate safeguards,
airbag units can
be very dangerous. Special precautions must be observed
prior to any worlc at or near any of the airbags. See
721 Air-
bag System (SRS).
Always disconnect the battery and cover the negative
(-) battery terminal with an insulator before starting di-
agnostic, troubleshooting or service work on cars fitted
with SRS, and before doing any welding on the
car.
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400-9
Body-General
Battery safety terminal
(BST)
4 Starting with 1999 models (9198 production and later), a py-
rotechnic (explosive charge) device automatically discon-
nects the battery positive terminal during impacts. Key
features,
like power windows and door locks, remain opera-
tional.
Security
Electronic immobilization (EWS)
Ignition key transponder signal All
E39 vehicles incorporate an electronic immobilization sys-
tem known as EWS. This svstem uses a wireless comrnuni-
cation link between a transponder chip in the ignition key and
the ring antenna surrounding the ignition switch. The EWS
control module blocks the starting of the vehicle unless the
correct coded ignition key is used.
NOTE-
Electronic immobilization is sometimes referred to as the
driveaway protection system.
Antitheft alarm (DWA)
This is adealer-installed option for which the E39 vehicles are
factory-wired. When armed, the system monitors door
loci(
contacts and trunk and engine hood locks and sounds a siren
if it detects tampering.
E39 interiors have a unique character, with a combination
of
sporty features and innovativedesign. All body versions were
made in a wide choice of interior and exterior colors. New col-
ors with matching leather or leatherette upholstery were intro-
duced for each model year.
Driving
comfort is enhanced by power steering, tilt steering
wheel, height-adjustable front seats, and electrically adjust-
able and heated rear-view mirrors. Inside the car there are
reading lights at four seating positions.
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400-1 0
Body-General
Seats
4 Anatomically correct seats are constructed from polyure-
10 way seat adjustment thane foam
containing areas or "zones" of different firmness.
They offer good lateral support without constricting the occu-
pant.
The seats have a passive internal ventilation system: Cylin-
drical cavities within the cushions and backrests generate a
pumping effect as the ride motions cause occupant motion.
This
helps remove moisture and feeds fresh air into the seats.
Other features of the seating system:
The seat bases have steel springs for added support and
strength.
The seat control switches are along the outside edge of
the
seat.
Heated seats are an option in all models
In cars equipped with seat position memory, three different
seat confiaurations can be memorized by the seat control
module(s): Seat memory coordinates with outside mirror
memory. These functions are controlled by the seat mem-
ory
module(s).
* For security reasons, the release lever to fold the rear seat
backrest forward is installed in the trunk.
Sport Wagon models: Rear seat
baclts are split 60140, with
the center armrest on the left seat back.
The center armrest incorporates a non adjustable head-
rest. When folded down, the armrest opens out with
cup-
holders and a storage compartment. See 520 Seats for
more details.
instruments and controls
Everything in the interior passengercompartment essential to
the driver is logically grouped and easy to reach. All instru-
ments and controls have been arranged ergonomically and
are fully integrated into the overall design of the vehicle.
Tilt-telescopic steering wheel has
30 mm (1.2 in) of vertical
and longitudinal adjustment.
Multifunction steering wheel contains two
ltey pads con-
taining controls for the sound system, telephone and
cruise control.
Padded dashboard houses the instrument cluster and the
ventilation and heating system.
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41 2 Trunk Lid. Tailgate
........................... General
......................... Trunk Lid
Trunlc lid. removing and installing ........
Trunk lid. adjusting ...................
Trunk lid support strut.
removing and installing
................
Tailgate (Sport Wagon Models) .....
Tailgate. emergency release ...........
Tailgate and window strut diagram .......
Window strut removal diagram .......... 412-8
Rear window gas strut.
removing and installing
................ 412-9
Tailgate gas strut. removing and installing
............... 412-10
Tailgate. removing and installing
........ 412-1 1
Rear window. removing and installing
.... 412-12
Rear window and tailgate. alignment
..... 412-13
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41 2-21
Trunk Lid, ~ailaatel
Rear window, adjusting
NOTE- Three versions of rear window are used on
Sport Wagon
models.
Tailgate must be correctly adjusted before rear window ad-
justments are made.
- . . . . . .. .. 4 With tailgate closeo ano rear window open, oosen ninge fas-
teners (arrows) to allow ninge to move.
- LoosL'n fasteners n lower section of ock to al ow movement.
- Care& ly c ose rear window:
Ad.~st gap dmensions and poston of rear window relative
to Oody panel. See Tailgate alignment specifications. .
FA-UTION- I
On transition area between rooflailgate, tailgate must not ex-
tend above height of roof
othe~lise wind noise will be creat-
ed.
- If necessary, adjust height of rear window frame by inserting
spacers between the hinge and the frame.
- Carefully open rear window, taking care not to alter adjust-
ment.
Tighten left and right rear window fasteners.
Close rear window and check adjustment, repeat step if
necessary. See Tailgate alignment specifications.
Rear window locking pin, adjusting
NOTE-- Several versions of rear window
locldng pin are used on
Sport Wagon models.
1999 528i model is shown. Other
models are similar.
For rear window adjustment specifications,
seeTailgate
alignment specifications.
Loosen lower assembly fasteners (arrows)
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51 2-2
I Door Windows 1
This repair group covers door glass, window regulator and
power window motor repair information.
CA U JIO&
All E39 models are equipped with side-impact airbags in the
front doors. Some models are also equipped with
airbags in
the rear doors. Be sure to read the
airbag warnings and cau-
tions in 721
Airbag System (SRS).
Electric window switch replacement is covered in 612
Switches.
The windshield, rear window, fixed rear doorglass, and cargo
compartment glass (Sport Wagon only) are bonded using
special adhesives and tools. It is recommended that bonded
glass replacement be done by an authorized
BMW service fa-
cility or an automotive glass installer.
Special tools
Some window repair operations require special tools.
Power windows
- Power window features in E39 models include:
Control of the front and rear door window motors is carried
out directly by the General Module (GM
Ill).
One-touch operation in both directions on all four windows.
Cable type window regulator used for all door windows.
. Anti-trap protection provided by pressure sensitive finger
guard.
Right front and each rear door has a single window switch
located in door handle trim.
Rear door window switches can be deactivated by press-
ing child lock-out switch in the driver's window switch block.
Convenience closinglopening of the windows from driver's
loci( cylinder or convenience opening only from remote un-
lociting feature (FZV) remote key.
Window (FZV) operation can be owner customized with
Car Memory function. See 515 Central Locking and Anti-
Theft.
After ignition is switched off, electric windows can be oper-
ated until a door is opened or until
I6 minutes has elapsed.
The GM
IiI bases window motor end position on current
draw (load). There is a maximum window motor run time of
6 seconds. The motor is then switched off even if the end
position load sensor fails.
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Door windows1
Window motor limit stop function
If repeated window activation (upldown cycles) exceeds one
minute, the
GM Ill deactivates the internal relays and disre-
gards any further
upldown requests. The GM Ill provides mo-
tor activation after a short duration but not for the full one
minute monitoring cycle.
The
GM Ill monitors the number of times a window motor is
activated. It counts each cycle and stores the number in
memory. Afler the stop function limit is reached and the win-
dow motor is deactivated, the
GM Ill slowly reverses the
stored count of activation until the stored number equals
0,
thus allowing the window motor to cool down.
WARNING-
* Always wear hand and eye protection when working with
brolen glass.
If a window is brolen, all of the glass bits should be
vacuumed out of the door cavity. Use a blunt
so-ewdi-iv-
er to clean out any remaining glass pieces from the
window guide rails.
When servicing the door windows, the harness con-
nector to the window regulator should always be dis-
connected to prevent pinching fingers in the moving
window mechanism.
Sedan and Sport Wagon doors are similar. Use the following
procedures for window service on these models.
WARNING-
E39 cars are iitted with side-impact airbags in the front
doors. Some are equipped with
airbags in the rear doors
as well. When
servicing the door windows on cars with
side-impact airbags, always disconnect the negative
(-)
battery cable. See 721 Airbag System (SRS) for cau-
tions and procedures relating to the
airbag system.
* Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery dis-
connection cautionsgiven
001 General Warnings and
Cautions.
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51 5-25
Central Lockina and ~nti-~heftl
1
Tilt sensor operation:
1. DWA armed, vehicle level. Tilt sensor sends HlGH sig-
nal to General Module (GM).
2. DWA armed, vehicle tilted. The fluid moves in sensor,
changing resistance value.
HlGH signal changes to
LOW signal. GM activates alarm.
If the vehicle is jacked up or lifted in any way, the angle of the
liquid changes, producing a change in the resistance value.
The sensor signals the GM to activate the DWA alarm. The
sensor resets at the new angle.
This allows the DWA system
to remain armed and to reactivate the alarm if tlie vehicle is
moved again
Locking the vehicle twice within a few seconds will deactivate
the tilt alarm sensor while arming tlie remainder of the sys-
tem. This allows the vehicle to be transported in an armed
state without activating tlie alarm.
Interior protection
The interior motion sensor is mounted in the center of the
headliner panel. Due to the design of the vehicle interior, the
sensor must be installed in the correct direction to ensure
proper operation of the system.
lnterior sensor FIS (1997 - 1999 models)
4 When the alarm system is armed, the FIS sensor emits elec-
tromagnetic waves at
a frequency of 2.45 GHz. As long as
nothing is moving in the vehicle, the waves are reflected
baclc
to the sensor at the same frequency. If a foreign object enters
the vehicle, the frequency of the reflected signal changes.
The sensor detects the changed frequency and triggers the
alarm.
Every time the DWA system is armed, the sensor adapts to
whatever objects might be stationary in the interior. This al-
lows pacltages or objects to be left inside tlie car without ef-
fecting the operation of the system. The sensitivity of the
sensor is set so that the moving object must be at least as
large as a bumble bee. This prevents a false alarm from oc-
curring if a small insect is caught in the vehicle.
FIS is switched off when the vehicle is locked two times within
ten seconds. The DWA LED will flash one time for confirma-
tion. This allows the sensor to be switched off to avoid false
alarms when the windows are left open for venting.