The BMW E36 is the third generation of the German automaker's 3 Series passenger cars, produced from 1990 to 2000. This generation received an aerodynamic body design and was initially presented as a four-door sedan, in contrast to the primarily two-door second generation. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the power distribution box diagrams for the BMW E36 3 Series (3rd Gen) covering the 1990 through 2000 model years.
Here you will find the locations and diagrams of the power distribution boxes. The fuses protecting the "Cigarette Lighter" and "Fuel Pump" circuits are highlighted in bold.
Electronic Component Locations
General layout of electronic components within the vehicle.
1. Antenna signal amplifier;
2. Climate control module (IHKA);
3. Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) diagnostic module;
4. Anti-theft system (EWS/DWS) control module;
5. Vehicle tilt sensor (anti-theft system) up to 1996;
6. Vehicle tilt sensor (anti-theft system) from 1996 onwards;
7, 8. Audio amplifier;
9. Check control module;
10. Front left brake pad wear sensor;
11. Rear right brake pad wear sensor;
12. Central locking control module;
13. Convertible top control module;
14. Sunroof drive motor;
15. Cruise control actuator;
16. Cruise control module;
17. Diagnostic connector (4-cylinder models);
18. Diagnostic connector (6-cylinder models);
19. Power window control module;
20. Engine Control Module (DME);
21. Fuel pump (in-tank);
22. Front power distribution box;
23, 24, 25. Interior relay blocks (1/2/3);
26. Glow plug relay;
27. HVAC blower motor;
28. Electronic immobilizer (EWS) control module;
29. Inertia fuel shutoff switch;
30. General module (ZKE);
31. Ambient air temperature sensor (OBC);
32. Ambient air temperature sensor (A/C);
33. Park Distance Control (PDC) module up to 1996;
34. Park Distance Control (PDC) module from 1996 onwards;
35. Power steering control module;
36. Rollover protection actuator;
37. Rollover protection actuator;
38. Power seat control module;
39. Sunroof control module;
40. Accelerator pedal position sensor;
41. Transmission Control Module (TCM);
42. On-Board Computer (OBC);
43. VANOS control module;
44. Vehicle speed sensor;
45. Wiper control module;
46. Wiper motor.
Passenger Compartment Layout
There are three relay blocks located beneath the dashboard.
Relay Block 1
Schematic.
| Pre-1996 Models | |
|
|
| Relay | Function |
| 1 | Power window / sunroof relay |
| 2 | Crash control module |
| 3 | Blower motor relay |
| 4 | Headlight washer relay |
| 5 | Wiper/washer control module |
| 6 | Rear power window relay (2-door models) |
| Post-1996 Models | |
|
|
| Relay | Function |
| 1 | Power windows / sunroof |
| 2 | Control module |
| 3 | Blower motor relay |
| 7 | Fuse 48 (40A), A/C - 316i/318i |
Relay Block 2
Schematic.
| Pre-1996 Models | |
|
|
| Relay | Function |
| 1 | Fuse 47 (15A) - Anti-theft system |
| 2 | Starter relay |
| 3 | Wiper motor relay 2 |
| 4 | Wiper motor relay 1 |
| 5 | Starter relay |
| Post-1996 Models | |
|
|
| Relay | Function |
| 1 | Fuse 47 (15A) - Anti-theft system |
| 2 | Heated seats relay |
| 5 | Power window relay |
Relay Block 3
Schematic.
|
|
| Relay | Function |
| 1 | Front/rear parking light relay 1 |
| 2 | Door lock heater control relay |
| 3 | HVAC ventilation relay |
| 4 | Anti-theft relay (EWS/DWS) |
| 6 | Front/rear parking light relay 2 |
Engine Compartment Layout
The front power distribution box is located on the right side of the engine compartment, beneath a plastic cover.
Accessing the distribution box.
General view of the BMW E36 front power distribution box.
| Schematic | ||
|---|---|---|
|
||
| Relay | Function | |
| K2 | Horn relay | |
| K4 | Blower motor relay | |
| K10 | ABS overvoltage protection relay | |
| K13 | Rear window defogger relay | |
| K16 | Turn signal / hazard flasher relay | |
| K19 | A/C compressor clutch relay | |
| K21 | Auxiliary cooling fan relay (Stage 1) | |
| K22 | Auxiliary cooling fan relay (Stage 2) | |
| K46 | High beam headlight relay | |
| K47 | Fog light relay | |
| K48 | Low beam headlight relay | |
| K75 | ABS pump motor relay | |
| K6300 | Motronic Engine Control Module (DME) main relay | |
| K6301 | Fuel pump relay | |
| K6303 | Oxygen sensor (O2) heater relay | |
| Fuse | Protected Circuit | Rating (A) |
| 1 | Sunroof | 30 |
| 2 | Trailer wiring module | 15 |
| 3 | Windshield washer / headlight washer | 30 |
| 4 | Heated seats | 15 |
| 5 | Power seats | 30 |
| 6 | Rear window defogger | 20 |
| 7 | Ignition switch heater, central locking, anti-theft system, convertible top drive | 5 |
| 8 | Horn | 15 |
| 9 | Audio system | 20 |
| 10 | ABS/ASC control module, active suspension | 30 |
| 11 | Low beam headlight (Left) | 7.5 |
| 12 | Low beam headlight (Right) | 7.5 |
| 13 | Rear power windows (2-door models) | 5 |
| 14 | Power windows | 30 |
| 15 | Front fog lights, instrument cluster | 7.5 |
| 16 | Engine Control Module (DME), A/C system | 5 |
| 17 | Rear fog lights | 7.5 |
| 18 | Fuel pump | 15 |
| 19 | Rear power windows (4-door models/convertibles) | 15/30 |
| 20 | HVAC system | 10 |
| 21 | ABS/ASC control module, active suspension | 5 |
| 22 | Fog lights | 5 |
| 23 | Heated seats, instrument cluster, clock, OBC, turn signals, ABS, engine compartment light, HVAC, rear window defogger, fog lights, headlight relay | 5 |
| 24 | Heated washer nozzles, power mirrors, Park Distance Control (PDC) | 15 |
| 25 | Light switch (Headlights/fog lights) | 5 |
| 26 | Reverse lights, transmission selector, oxygen sensor, diagnostic connector, fuel filter heater | 10 |
| 27 | ABS / ASC, instrument cluster, OBC | 5 |
| 28 | Engine Control Module (DME), ASC module, cruise control module | 5 |
| 29 | High beam headlight (Left) | 7.5 |
| 30 | High beam headlight (Right) | 7.5 |
| 31 | Instrument cluster, clock, OBC, anti-theft system, central locking, A/C system | 15 |
| 32 | Cigarette lighter | 30 |
| 33 | Front/rear parking lights (Left), engine compartment light, interior lighting, charging receptacle, anti-theft system, telephone, door lock heater | 10 |
| 34 | Turn signals / hazard flashers, shock sensor, anti-theft system | 30 |
| 35 | Central locking, convertible top drive | 25 |
| 36 | Wiper/washer control module | 30 |
| 37 | Front/rear parking lights (Right) | 10 |
| 38 | ABS module | 30 |
| 39 | A/C compressor clutch relay | 7.5 |
| 40 | Power seats | 30 |
| 41 | A/C condenser fan motor | 30 |
| 42 | SRS, rollover protection system | 7.5 |
| 43 | Interior lighting, anti-theft system, central locking, telephone, convertible top drive | 5 |
| 44 | Wiper/washer control module, glove box light, audio system, anti-theft system | 15 |
| 45 | OBC, check control module | 7.5 |
| 46 | Instrument cluster, brake lights, cruise control | 7.5 |
