Cooling Fans - Repair (e46) BMW M3 E46

DESCRIPTION & OPERATION

An electric fan is mounted on the fan cowl and acts by drawing air through the radiator. The speed is variably regulated by the ECM. See WIRING DIAGRAMS .

SYSTEM TESTS

Note. Testing information is not available from manufacturer.

Note. Numbers in text refer to numbers in figures.

Removal & Installation

Pry out expansion rivets and remove intake hood (1). (Scheme 1) Remove complete front bumper. See FRONT BUMPER (M3), FRONT BUMPER (2-DOOR), FRONT BUMPER (4-DOOR UP TO 9/01) or FRONT BUMPER (4-DOOR FROM 10/01). Disconnect cooling fan electrical connector (1). (Scheme 2) Lever out expansion rivets (1) and remove fan cowl (2). (Scheme 3) Remove screws (1). Remove cooling fan (2). (Scheme 4) To install, reverse removal procedure.

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1. Remove left and right screws (1) and expansion rivets (2). (Scheme 5) On right side, remove screw (1) for washer reservoir. (Scheme 6) On left side, remove screw (1) and lever out wheel arch trim (2). (Scheme 7) Lever out cap (1). Unlock and disconnect electrical connections (2) and (3). Remove cover (4). (Scheme 8) On right side, remove screws (1) and cover (2). (Scheme 9)
2. Remove left and right impact absorber bolts (1). (Scheme 10) Pull back bumper on left side a little. Disconnect electrical connector (1) on left side. (Scheme 11) Remove hose (1). After disconnecting hoses, seal off pump outlet and hoses. (Scheme 12) Pull back bumper on right side a little. Detach filler hose (1) from washer fluid reservoir (2). Remove bumper. (Scheme 13)
3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Replace faulty "O" ring. (Scheme 13) If necessary, replace faulty expansion rivet. Bumper height is adjusted by turning hexagon socket head screw (1) on impact absorber (2). (Scheme 14) Gap ("A") should be uniform along the full length between bumper and aperture in body. Gap "A" =.15-.23" (4-6 mm). (Scheme 15) Tighten impact absorber bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/bmw/m3/e46-1999-2006/remont/cooling-fan/#cooling-fans-repair-e46__torque-specifications).

FRONT BUMPER (2-DOOR EXCEPT M3)

Note. Numbers in text refer to numbers in figures.

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1. Remove fog light trim by snapping out catches (1) on grille (2) toward bottom and pull out toward front a little. Lever out catch (3) with angled screwdriver and detach trim completely toward front. (Scheme 16) Remove left and right screws (1). (Scheme 17) Remove left and right side wheel arch trim screws (1) and trim (2). (Scheme 18) Remove left and right impact absorber bolts (1). (Scheme 19) Pull bumper back a little. Disconnect left and right electrical connectors (1) for horn. On models with fog lights, disconnect left and right electrical connections (2). On all models, remove bumper (3). (Scheme 20)
2. To install, reverse removal procedure. Bumper height is adjusted by turning hexagon socket head screw (1) on impact absorber (2). (Scheme 14) Gap ("A") should be uniform along the full length between bumper and aperture in body. Gap "A" =.15-.23" (4-6 mm). (Scheme 15) Tighten impact absorber bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/bmw/m3/e46-1999-2006/remont/cooling-fan/#cooling-fans-repair-e46__torque-specifications). Ensure catches (1) on trim (2) are not damaged. (Scheme 21)

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Scheme 23

1. Remove left and right screws (1). (Scheme 17) Remove left and right screws (1) and lift out side wheel arch finishers (2). (Scheme 18) Remove left and right impact absorber bolts (1). (Scheme 22)
2. Pull out bumper slightly and disconnect left and right electrical connector (1) for horn. On models with fog lights, disconnect left and right electrical connector (2). On all models, remove bumper. (Scheme 23)
3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Bumper height is adjusted by turning hexagon socket head screw (1) on impact absorber (2). (Scheme 14) Gap ("A") should be uniform along the full length between bumper and aperture in body. Gap "A" =.15-.23" (4-6 mm). (Scheme 15) Tighten impact absorber bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/bmw/m3/e46-1999-2006/remont/cooling-fan/#cooling-fans-repair-e46__torque-specifications).

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1. Remove screws (1) under left and right sides of vehicle. Lever out clips (2). (Scheme 24) Remove impact absorber bolts (1). (Scheme 22) Lever out wheel arch liner (1) on left and right with Fishbone (00 9 321), pulling bumper (2) forward slightly. (Scheme 25) Firmly pull off bumper on both sides toward front by gripping edge of wheel arch (1). Do not pull at sides. (Scheme 26) CAUTION: Do not pull bumper too far as there is a risk of damage to the electrical fittings (connecting cable, air horn, fog lights).
2. Disconnect electrical connections (1) of air horn on left and right. (Scheme 23) On models with fog lights, disconnect left and right fog light electrical connections (2). Remove bumper (3) toward front.
3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure retaining lugs are not damaged. (Scheme 27) Bumper height is adjusted by turning hexagon socket head screw (1) on impact absorber (2). (Scheme 14) Gap ("A") should be uniform along the full length between bumper and aperture in body. Gap "A" =.15-.23" (4-6 mm). (Scheme 15) After sliding in bumper, clip panel into place sideways if necessary (by pressing gently on edge of wheel arch to center of car). Note alignment to turn signal light housing. Tighten impact absorber bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/bmw/m3/e46-1999-2006/remont/cooling-fan/#cooling-fans-repair-e46__torque-specifications).

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

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See also:
• WIRING DIAGRAMS
• FRONT BUMPER (2-DOOR)
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS