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Battery, Starter, ~lternatorl
WARNING-
Always wear protective goggles and clothing when perform-
ing a load test.
Table
d. Battery load test - minimum voltage
Ambient temperature Voltage*
27
" C (80" F) 9.6 V
-I 8' C (0"
F) 8.5 V
* Measure
after applying a 200 amp load for 15 seconds.
Closed-circuit current measurement
If the vehicle battery is discharged for an unknown reason,
perform a closed-circuit current measurement as the first test.
For diagnostic purposes, it is important to not disconnect the
battery. Disconnecting the battery may reset a faulty control
unit, preventing proper diagnosis.
The following test is generally completed overnight using a
multimeterwith a closed circuitcurrent measurement adaptor
with a recording function
- Check that battery voltage is 12 volts or higher. If lower,
recharge battery.
- Switch off electrical consumers (interior lights, telephone,
aftermarket equipment, or others).
- Open luggage compartment and remove battery trim panel.
Use screwdriver to lock latch on trunk lid or hatch, simulating
closed luggage compartment. Close other doors.
- Open driver's door, then close it, simulating driver entering
vehicle.
- Switch ignition to RUN position for at least five seconds, then
turn ignition to OFF position. This simulates driving vehicle.
- Open and close driver's door, simulating driver leaving
vehicle.
- Lock car and arm alarm.
- Wait at least 16 minutes for consumer cut-off.

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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.

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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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I Battery, Starter, Alternator
- Check for battery voltage at terminal 50 of starter motor with
key in start position. If voltage is not present, check wiring be-
tween ignition switch and starter terminal. Check the EWS
system and other inputs that disrupt terminal
56 to the start-
er. See ELE Electrical
Wiring Diagrams. If voltage is
present and no other visible wiring faults can be found, prob-
lem is most likely in starter motor.
Starter, removing and installing
(6-cylinder engine)
The starter is removed from below. Access to starter bolts is
difficult. Be sure to have the proper tools on hand before pro-
ceeding.
NOTE-
Access to the starter wiring is very limited. Forbetteraccess,
it may be necessary to remove the intake manifold.
- Disconnect negative (-) battery cable.
CAUTIOI\C
Prior to disconnecting the battern read the baltery discon-
nection cautions
in OOlGeneral Cautions and Warnings.
Remove complete air filter hous~ng:
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.
Disconnect throttle cable.
Raise vehicle and support safely.
WARNING-
Make sure the car is stable and well supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive
lift orjack stands designed for
the purpose. A
floorjaclc is not adequate support
- Working underneath car, remove engine splash shield
- Disconnect fuel lines and harness connectors from retaining
brackets, as necessary.

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Fuel Injection
M5.2 system features
The Bosch M5.2 system used on 1997 540i models uses an
88-pin control unit. The
M5.2 system has the following func-
tions and capabilities:
Fully sequential cylinder-individual fuel injection.
Integrated adaptive knock control.
Oxygen sensor fuel mixture control.
0 Self-diagnosis and emergency operation characteristics.
CAN-Bus link.
0 OED II functions (misfire detection, catalytic converter
monitoring, oxygen sensor monitor, and fuel tank ventila-
tion system).
Electronic vehicle immobilization via EWS.
One-touch starter function.
Control of characteristic map thermostat.
M5.2.1 system features
The Bosch M5.2.1 system is used on 1998 540i models. The
M5.2.1 control module utilizes the SKE (standard shell con-
struction housing) with 5 connectors and a combined total of
134 pins.
The M5.2.1 systefn has
tile following functions or capabilities:
Separate power supply relay for ignition coils. Leak diagnosis pump (LDP) control and feedback
rnonitor-
ing for evaporative system leak testing.
Fuel evaporative system providing ORVR (on-board refuel-
ing vapor recovery) compliancy.
Batterylalternator charge logic (idle speed varied with the
battery state of charge).
CAN-Bus communications with the instrument cluster
EWS
Ill "rolling code" ISN interface.
More sensitive ignition
knock sensors.
Pulse width modulated (P-W-M) Heating and
AIC (IHKA)
status signal.
Running loss (312-way) solenoid valve.

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130-59
Fuel Injection
:-- -i. Evaporative emissions
1.
control diagram (M5.2.1)
i 1
i I @ 1. ECM r.=.:-:, 2. Purge valve
3. Leak detection pump (LDP)
4. Liquid vapor separator
5. Purge canister
6. Filter
Bosch M5.2 ECM pin assignments
(M62 up to 911997)
Tabled. Bosch M5.2 ECM pin assignments
I' 1- 1. . . -
4 1 output / Cyl. 4 fuel injection valve I Cyl. 4 fuel injection valve (cycled ground)
Pin
1
2
3
i I
I
7 / output I Cyl. 6 fuel injection valve I Cyl. 6 fuel injection valve (cycled ground)
Type
output
output
output
I I ,
8 1 output I Malfunction indicator light (MIL) (USA only) I lliumlnated for exhaust gas related diagnostic trouble code
5
Component/function
Oxygen sensor heater signal
Idle speed control -closing winding
Cvl. 1 fuel iniection valve Note
DME heated oxygen sensor
1 splice
idle speed control valve (cycled ground)
Cvl. 1 fuel iniection valve lcvcled around)
6 1 ground I Fuel injection valve ground 1 Ground
output
9
Not
used
Not used
11
12
13
Cyl. 5 fuel injection valve
10 1 input I Electronic immobilizer (EWS) / Electronic immobilizer (EWS) control unit
input
Heated oxygen sensor signal Cyl.
5 fuel injection
valve (cycled ground)
output
input
input
16
Start signal Starter relay
NC compressor signal
Terminal
50 signal
Knock sensor signal
17 1 ground I Hot film mass air flow (MAF) sensor ground I Hot film mass air flow (MAF) sensor ground
output Heating and
A/C control module
Ignition switch
Knock sensor
Intake air temperature intake air temperature sensor (voltage value)