2001 BMW 525i electronic

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.-
ignition System
Disabling ignition system
The ignition system operates in a lethal voltage range and
should be disabled any time engine service or repair work is
being done that requires the ignition to be switched on.
The engine management system can be disabled by remov-
ing the DME main relay. The relay is located in the electronics
box (E-box) in the left rear of the engine
compartment, be.
neath the interior microfilter housing.
CAUTION- Relay locations may
vary. Use care when identifying relays.
See
610 Electrical Component Locations.
Checking for spark
CAUTION-
If
a spark test is done incorrecth damage to the Engine Con-
trol Module
(ECM) or the ignition coils may result.
NOTE-
Spark plug replacement is covered in 020 Maintenance.
Check~ng for spark is d~fflcult on englnes wlth d~str~butorless
ignition systems.
Try removing the spark plugs and inspecting for differences between them.
A poor-firing plug may be wet with fuel and/or ~. - ~
black and sooty, but not always. If a coil is not operating, the
engine management system will electrically disable the fuel
injector to that cylinder. The key is to look for differences be-
tween cylinders.
Ignition coil assembly, testing and
replacing
C4 UTION-
Use a digital multimeter for the following tests. I
- Remove plastic engine cover from top of valve cover by pry-
ing off bolt covers and removing cover mounting bolts.
- Raise car slowly while constantly checking position of jack
and car.
- Disconnect harness connector from coil. Connect multimeter
between terminal 15
(+) in connector and ground.
4 Terminal identification are typically molded into connector. In
photo, terminals are from left to right: 1,
4a, 15.

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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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Fuel Injection
Warnings and cautions
For personal safety, as well as the protection of sensitive
electronic components, adhere to the warnings and cautions
on the following pages.
WARNING-
Gasoline is highly flammable and its vapors are explosive.
Do not smoke or work on a car near heaters or other fire
hazards when diagnosing and repairing fuel system prob-
lems. Have a fire extinguisher available in case of an emer-
gency
Renew fuel system hoses, clamps and O-rings any
time they are removed.
When working on an open fuel system, wear suitable
hand protection, as prolonged contact
with fuel can
cause illnesses and skin disorders.
* The ignition system produces high voltages that can be
fatal. Avoid contact with exposed terminals. Use ex-
treme caution when
working on a car with the ignition
switched on or the engine running.
CAUTION-
- Disconnecting the battery may erase fault code($ storedin
memory Check for fault codes prior to disconnecting the
battery cables. Read the battery disconnection cautions in
001 General Warnings and Cautions.
a Connect and disconnect the DME system wiring and
1 test equipment leads only when the ignition is switched
off.
Wait at least 1 minute after turning off the ignition be-
fore removing the engine control module (ECM) con-
nector. If the connector is removed before this time,
residualpower in the system relay may damage the
control module.
Fuel system cleaners and other chemical additives oth-
er than those specifically recommended by BMW may
damage the catalytic converter, the oxygen sensor or
other fuel supply components.
* Do not connect any test equipment that delivers a 12-
volt power supply to terminal 15 (+) of the ignition coil.
The current flow may damage the ECM. In general,
connect test equipment only as specified by BMW or
the equipment maker.
Only use a digital
multirneter for electrical tests. Only
use an LED test light for
quiclc tests.

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Fuel Injection 1
Working in right rear of engine compartment:
Release interior ventilation filter cover latch
(A) and re-
move cover.
Release plastic locking tab
(6).
Rotate duct inward (arrow) to unlock from bulk head and
remove duct.
Release spring
lock (C) to remove lower iilter housing.
Slide filter housing away from inner fender to remove.
- Remove electrical box (E-box) cover fasteners and remove
cover.
NOTE-
OBD I1 fault memory (including an illuminated MIL) can
only be reset using an electronic scan tool. Removing the
connector from the ECM or disconnecting the battery will
not erase the fault
memory.
The BMW-dedicated 20-pin diagnostic linlc connector
(DLC) is in the right rear of the engine compartment.
The 16-pin OBD
I1 diagnostic connector (arrow) is located
inside the car on the lower left dash panel.
ECM relay, testing
Fuses lor ECM In E-bbx 502130488
4 The engine control module (ECM) relay is energized via the
ECM and supplies battery positive
(B+) power to many of the
engine management components and subsystems.
If this re-
lay is faulty, the engine will not start.
Relay positions can vary. Be sure to confirm relay position by
identifying the wiring in the socket using the wiring diagrams
in
ELE Electrical Wiring Diagrams.
NOTE-
The ECM relay is also referred to as the DME main relay.

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Fuel Injection I
Mass air flow (MAF) sensor,
checking and replacing
4 The hot film mass air flow (MAF) sensor (arrow) sends a
varying voltage (approx.
0.5 - 4.5 vdc) to the ECM represent-
ing the measured intake air. The air mass input signal is pro-
duced electronically by the
MAFsensorusing a heated metal
film in the air flow stream.
The ECM relay provides the operating voltage to the MAF
sensor. As air flows through the MAF sensor, the film is
-
cooled. To maintain the film at a constant temperature, addi-
tional heating current is necessary. It is this additional current
that is the basis for the input signal.
If there is no output signal from the MAF sensor, the ECM op-
erates the engine using throttle position and engine rpm in-
puts. A faulty MAF sensor illuminates the MIL.
A faulty MAF sensor can produce the following problems:
Difficult to restart when engine is hot.
Engine starts then stalls.
Engine starts and runs only with accelerator pedal de-
pressed.
Disconnect electrical harness connector from MAF sensor
(arrow).
- Turn ignition on and check for voltage and ground at connec-
tor.
There should be ground at pin
1 and battery voltage at pin
3.
If any faults are found, check for wiring breaks between
MAF sensor and ECM and between MAF sensor and ECM
relay.
NOTE-
Visually inspect the sensor for damage, missing or blocked
screens. The screens affect air flow calibration. Also inspect
the sealing O-rings where the sensor inserts into the air
filter
housing and intake boot. Ensure the pin connections are
clean and tight.
4 Connect a BMW-compatible scan tool or an OBD II generic
scan tool. Check air mass signal (load signal) with the engine
at idle. Raise idle speed and check that load signal changes
with rpm.
CA UTIOI\C
Be sure ignition is OFFbefore disconnecting or reconnecting r
1 DME svstem components. 1

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Fuel injectors, checking and replacing
The fuel injectors are electronically controlled solenoid valves
that provide precisely metered and atomized fuel into the en-
gine intake ports.
The injectors receive voltage from the ECM relay. The ECM
controls the opening by activating the ground circuit
forthe in-
jector valve solenoids. The ECM varies the duration (in milli-
seconds) of "opening" time to regulate the
airlfuel ratio.
For a quick
check of the injectors, run the engine and touch
each injector with a screwdriver or stethoscope. You should
feel a vibration or hear a buzzing
Remove fuel injection harness from injectors by unclipping
locking clip at each injector. Lift harness off injectors.
CA U JIOG
Be sure ignition is OFF before disconnecting or reconnecting
DME system components.
Use a multimeter to test injector coil resistance between in-
jector terminals.
l~uel injector coil resistance 16R at 20" C (68" F)
Disconnect negative
(-) battery cable
CAUTIOG
Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery discon-
nection cautionsgiven
in 001 General Warnings and Cau-
tions.
4 Remove plastic trim plugs (arrows) and fasteners, then re.
move cover from above fuel injectors.
- Disconnect vacuum line from fuel pressure regulator.
- Remove wiring harness duct mounting fasteners.

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Fuel Injection I
- As an alternative, harness connector housing can be sepa-
rated so that electrical
checlts can be made from backof con-
nector.
4 If replacing ECM, disconnect control module harness con-
nector (arrow) by releasing fastener and pivoting connector
up and
off ECM.
CAUTION-
Be sure ignition is OFF before disconnecting or reconnecting
DME system components.
- Remove ECM from retaining brackets and lift off holder.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
- Before attempting to start engine, use BMW service tester
DISplus, MoDiC, GTI or equivalent:
- Code replacement ECM with application information (i.e.
engine code, transmission type, etc.).
Align ECM to EWS (electronic immobilizer).
Siemens MS 41.1 ECM pin assignments
ECM pin assignments are given in Table b. For engine man-
agement system schematics, see ELE Electrical Wiring
Di-
agrams.
CAUTION-
a Always wait at least one minute after turning off the ignition
before removing the connector from the
ECM. If the con-
nector is removed before this time, residual power
in the
system relay may damage the
ECM.
Always connect or disconnect the control module con-
nector and meter probes with the ignition
off
When malting checks at the ECM itself, a breakout box
should be used to allow tests to be made with the connector
attached to the ECM. This also prevents damage to the small
terminals in the connector. As an alternative, the harness
connector housing can be separated so that electrical checlts
can be made from the back of the connector.
Table b. Siemens MS
41.1 ECM pin assignments
Pin
1
2
3
4
Signal
output
output
output
qround Componenfffunction
Ignition coil control, cyl. 2
Ignition coil control, cyl. 4
ignition coil control, cyl. 6
Ground Notes
Primary signal,
ignition
coil 2
Primary signal, ignition coil 4
Primary signal, ignition coil 6
Ground