Electric Cooling Fan - Repair (e36) — BMW M3 E36 (1992-1999)

DESCRIPTION & OPERATION

Cooling fan is controlled by Digital Motor Electronics (DME) control unit, and is located in front of radiator. See WIRING DIAGRAMS .

SYSTEM TESTS

Note. Testing information is not available from manufacturer.

Note. The following procedure and figures refer to E36 models. The E36/7 models (M Coupe, M Roadster and Z3) are similar. Numbers in text refer to numbers in figures.

Scheme 1

Scheme 1: Removal & Installation

Scheme 2

Scheme 3

Scheme 4

Scheme 5

Scheme 6

Scheme 7

Remove cover from top of radiator. (Scheme 1) Remove underbody protection from front of vehicle. (Scheme 2) See «UNDERBODY PROTECTION (EXCEPT M COUPE & M ROADSTER)»(/bmw/m3/e36-1992-1999/remont/cooling-fan/#electric-cooling-fan-repair-e36__underbody-protection-except-m-coupe) or «UNDERBODY PROTECTION (M COUPE & M ROADSTER)»(/bmw/m3/e36-1992-1999/remont/cooling-fan/#electric-cooling-fan-repair-e36__underbody-protection-m-coupe-m).
On version 1, remove screws (1, 2, 3) from fan carrier. (Scheme 3) Disconnect electrical connector. (Scheme 4) Remove fan bracket and fan from retaining shoe. (Scheme 5) Lift out fan and bracket.
On version 2, remove front bumper. See «FRONT BUMPER (EXCEPT M COUPE, M ROADSTER & Z3)»(/bmw/m3/e36-1992-1999/remont/cooling-fan/#electric-cooling-fan-repair-e36__front-bumper-except-m-coupe-m) or «FRONT BUMPER (M COUPE, M ROADSTER & Z3)»(/bmw/m3/e36-1992-1999/remont/cooling-fan/#electric-cooling-fan-repair-e36__front-bumper-m-coupe-m-roadster). Disconnect electrical connector. (Scheme 6) Remove bolts from fan carrier. Remove fan carrier from underneath vehicle. (Scheme 7) To install, reverse removal procedure.

FRONT BUMPER (EXCEPT M COUPE, M ROADSTER & Z3)

Note. Numbers in text refer to numbers in figures.

Scheme 8

Scheme 8: Removal & Installation

Scheme 9

Scheme 10

Scheme 11

Scheme 12

Scheme 13

Scheme 14

Scheme 15

Scheme 16

Unclip left rubber guard. (Scheme 8) Pull off rubbing strip toward front and unfasten nuts. (Scheme 9) Unclip towing eye cover and remove nuts. (Scheme 10) Remove screws and remove left and right covers. (Scheme 11) On vehicles with foglights, remove electrical connector from foglights. On vehicles with external temperature display, remove external temperature sensor from left brake air duct. (Scheme 12) On vehicles with heated spray nozzles (outside heated mirrors), unclip temperature switch from right brake air duct. (Scheme 13) Remove bolts in left and right wheel housing. (Scheme 14)
On all vehicles except M3 with sequential M-transmission (SMG), pull bumper forward to remove. On M3 with sequential M-transmission, pull bumper forward slightly. Remove bolts (1) and expanding rivet (2). (Scheme 15) Remove water container off bumper and allow it to hang on hoses. Pull bumper forward to remove.
To install, reverse removal procedure. If bumper bracket is defective, remove screws and replace bumper bracket. (Scheme 16) Apply adhesive tape to rubber guard prior to installation.

FRONT BUMPER (M COUPE, M ROADSTER & Z3)

Note. Numbers in text refer to numbers in figures.

Removal & Installation

On M Coupe and M Roadster, remove front underbody protection. See «UNDERBODY PROTECTION (M COUPE & M ROADSTER)»(/bmw/m3/e36-1992-1999/remont/cooling-fan/#electric-cooling-fan-repair-e36__underbody-protection-m-coupe-m). On all models, remove left and right hexagon bolts (1) and Torx screws (2). (Scheme 17) Note that mounting screw (2) for impact absorber is a Torx T50 screw. On vehicles without fog lights and/or headlight cleaning system, pull bumper forward to remove. On vehicles with foglights, disconnect foglight left and right electrical connections (1), if necessary. On vehicles with headlight cleaning system, unfasten hose clip (2) and seal hose firmly, if necessary. (Scheme 18) Pull bumper forward to remove.
To install, reverse removal procedure. On M Coupe and M Roadster, pull hose (1) off bracket (2) if necessary. (Scheme 19) This is because engagement of groove (3) is not possible in installed state. Engage hose (1) in air guide (2), if necessary. (Scheme 20) Push hose (1) onto bracket (2), if necessary. (Scheme 21)
On all models, adjust bumper. (Scheme 22) Loosen nut (1) from wheel arch and adjust bracket (2). (Scheme 23) NOTE: Bracket adjustment is possible with bumper installed.
To adjust bumper, loosen left and right hexagon bolts (1). Loosen left and right screws (2). (Scheme 17) Install Special Tool (51 1 130) to standard extension (1) with reversible handle (2) and insert through bore (3) in bumper (4) of shock absorber (5). (Scheme 25) Height of bumper (in front area) is now adjusted by turning socket head cap screw (1) in shock absorber (2). (Scheme 26) NOTE: Adjustment is only possible when bumper is fitted using Special Tool (51 1 130).

Scheme 17

Scheme 18

Scheme 19

Scheme 20

Scheme 21

Scheme 22

Scheme 23

Scheme 24

Scheme 25

Scheme 26

UNDERBODY PROTECTION (EXCEPT M COUPE & M ROADSTER)

Note. Numbers in text refer to numbers in figures.

Remove screws and remove underbody protection. (Scheme 27) On M3 with S50 engine, lift out expansion rivets. (Scheme 28) Remove screws on left and right covers. Remove covers. (Scheme 29) On all vehicles, remove air temperature sensor (1) from left brake air duct. Remove left and right screws (2) and remove underbody protection. (Scheme 30)
To install, reverse removal procedure. When installing underbody protection, ensure air duct for oil cooler is correctly positioned (inserted between radiator and oil cooler).

Scheme 27

Scheme 28

Scheme 29

Scheme 30

UNDERBODY PROTECTION (M COUPE & M ROADSTER)

Note. Numbers in text refer to numbers in figures.

Remove screws (1, 2) and remove underbody protection (3). To install, reverse removal procedure. First tighten screws (1), then center underbody protection (3) and tighten screws (2).

Note. Use care when tightening screws.