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Engine Controls - System/component Tests: Other BMW 7 series E38

Testing & Diagnostics 6 illustrations ~695 words

Ground, Power & Input/Output Circuits

Testing information is not available from manufacturer. See WIRING DIAGRAMS article to identify DME/Motronic control unit ground circuits, power circuits and input/output circuits. (Scheme 73) See DME ECU CONTROL UNIT LOCATION table.

Scheme 73

Scheme 73: Ground, Power & Input/Output Circuits
ApplicationLocation
3-SeriesBehind Cover On Right Rear Corner Of Firewall
All OthersInside Box On Right Rear Corner Of Engine Compartment, Behind Strut Tower

DME ECU CONTROL UNIT LOCATION

CRANKSHAFT (SPEED/POSITION PULSE) SENSOR

Crankshaft (speed/position pulse) sensor is located on front right side of engine, next to crankshaft pulley. See appropriate RESISTANCE SPECIFICATIONS table under SPECIFICATIONS.

ENGINE (COOLANT) TEMPERATURE SENSOR

See ENGINE (COOLANT) TEMPERATURE SENSOR LOCATION table. See appropriate RESISTANCE SPECIFICATIONS table under SPECIFICATIONS.

ApplicationLocation
4-CylinderOn Front Left Side Of Engine, Below Intake Manifold
6-CylinderOn Front Left Side Of Engine, Below Intake Manifold
V8On Front Of Engine, Near Idle Speed Control Motor

ENGINE (COOLANT) TEMPERATURE SENSOR LOCATION

INTAKE AIR TEMPERATURE SENSOR

Intake air temperature sensor is mounted in intake manifold near mass airflow meter assembly. See appropriate RESISTANCE SPECIFICATIONS table under SPECIFICATIONS.

RELAYS

For fuel pump relay, see FUEL DELIVERY under FUEL SYSTEM. For relay locations, see DME & FUEL PUMP RELAY LOCATION table.

ApplicationLocation
Z3
DME RelayUnder Left Side Of Instrument Panel, Next To Kick Panel
Fuel Pump RelayRight Rear Corner Of Engine Compartment, Next To DME ECU
3-Series (1)
DME & Fuel Pump RelaysLeft Rear Corner Of Engine Compartment, In Relay Box
5-Series & 7-Series
DME RelayRight Rear Corner Of Engine Compartment, Next To DME ECU
Fuel Pump RelayRight Side Of Trunk
8-Series
DME & Fuel Pump RelaysRight Rear Corner Of Engine Compartment, Next To DME ECU
(1) (Scheme 74)and (Scheme 75).

DME & FUEL PUMP RELAY LOCATION

Scheme 74

Scheme 74

Scheme 75

Scheme 75

FUEL DELIVERY

Note. For fuel system pressure testing, see BASIC TESTING article.

Fuel Pump Relay

Remove fuel pump relay. Apply battery voltage to relay terminals No. 30 and 86. (Scheme 76) Ground relay terminal No. 85. Voltage should now exist at relay terminal No. 87. Replace relay if it does not work as indicated.

Note. If relay does not work on vehicle, check battery feed, DME master (main) relay, DME/Motronic control unit and ground circuits going to fuel pump relay. See WIRING DIAGRAMS article in ENGINE PERFORMANCE. Only sockets No. 2, 4, 6 and 8 are used by relay.

Fuel Pressure Regulator

  1. Remove fuel pressure regulator. See «REMOVE/INSTALL & OVERHAUL»(ref-10054) article ENGINE PERFORMANCE section. Note code number and nominal pressure on fuel pressure regulator body. Install BMW Service Tester (133060) with connecting hose (133064) in fuel feed left line.
  2. Remove fuel pump relay. See «DME & FUEL PUMP RELAY LOCATION»(ref-10053-S25288169012000110700000) table. Connect jumper wire between relay base terminals No. 30 and 87. Read off fuel injection pressure on pressure gauge.
  3. If fuel pressure drops rapidly, seal return line (upper line) with Clamp (133010) and briefly operate fuel pump. If injection pressure in now stable, pressure regulator is defective. If injection pressure drops, check for leak in front of pressure regulator.

Fuel Pressure Check (Lack Of Power)

Run engine at idle and check fuel pressure. See FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. Disconnect vacuum hose from fuel pressure regulator, simulating wide open throttle. If fuel pressure does not increase 5.8-10.1 psi (.40-.71 kg/cm 2 ), replace vacuum hose and repeat test. If fuel pressure still does not increase, replace fuel pressure regulator.

Fuel Pressure Check (Hard Start)

  1. Run engine at idle then turn off. Note fuel pressure. Note fuel pressure again after 20-30 minutes. If fuel pressure decreases by greater than 7.2 psi (.5 kg/cm 2 ), turn engine on, wait for pressure to stabilize, then turn engine off and immediately clamp off intake line near pressure gauge with Clamp (133010). Note fuel pressure. Read fuel pressure again after 20-30 minutes.
  2. If fuel pressure drops by less than 7.2 psi (.5 kg/cm 2 ), check for fault in fuel supply lines, in-tank supply hose, or defective non-return valve in fuel pump. If fuel pressure again drops by more than 7.2 psi (.5 kg/cm 2 ), replace pressure regulator.

Fuel Volume

Disconnect fuel return line. Attach an extension hose. Place hose in Measuring Glass (133020). Remove fuel pump relay. Apply battery voltage to relay base terminals No. 30 and 87. (Scheme 76) Fuel volume should be about 2 qts. (2.0L) per minute.

Scheme 76

Scheme 76: Fuel Volume

Fuel Injector

Individual fuel injector resistance should be 15-17 ohms. Injector group resistance should be 7.5-8.5 ohms for 4-cylinder engine and V8 (each bank) and 5-6 ohms for 6-cylinder engine.

IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE

See IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE LOCATION table. Idle speed control valve is either a 2-pin or 3-pin type. (Scheme 77)and (Scheme 78). See appropriate RESISTANCE SPECIFICATIONS table under SPECIFICATIONS.

Scheme 77

Scheme 77: IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE

Scheme 78

Scheme 78
ApplicationLocation
All ModelsAt Left Front Of Engine, Near Dipstick

IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE LOCATION

IGNITION SYSTEM

Note. For basic ignition checks, see BASIC TESTING article.

Fuel Tank Vent (Evaporation) Control Solenoid

See FUEL EVAPORATION CONTROL SOLENOID LOCATION table. See appropriate RESISTANCE SPECIFICATIONS table under SPECIFICATIONS .

ApplicationLocation
Z3On Right Side Of Left Footwell
3-SeriesOn Left Side Of Engine Compartment
5-Series
6-CylinderLeft Rear Side Of Engine Compartment
V8Left Side Of Engine Compartment
7-SeriesLeft Side Of Engine Compartment
8-SeriesFront Of Engine

FUEL EVAPORATION CONTROL SOLENOID LOCATION