Table of Contents
The E38 is the third generation of the BMW 7 Series premium luxury sedans, produced by the German automaker from 1994 to 2001. Alongside traditional gasoline engines, this generation marked the first time in the company's history that diesel powertrains were introduced to their premium-class vehicles. This article provides a detailed overview of the power distribution and fuse box diagrams for the BMW E38 (7 Series; 3rd generation; encompassing the 725tds, 728i, 730d, 730i, 735i, 740d, 740i, and 750i models) across the 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 model years.
Below, you will find the physical locations and photographs of the power distribution boxes. Additionally, we have explicitly highlighted the specific fuse responsible for the cigarette lighter circuit.
Luggage Compartment
The rear power distribution box is located on the right side of the trunk, positioned above the battery and concealed beneath the interior trim panel.
General overview.
| Diagram | ||
|---|---|---|
| Models Up to 1997 | ||
|
||
| No. | Description | Amperage (A) |
| F49 | Auxiliary ventilation system | 15 |
| F50 | Auxiliary heater | 15 |
| F51 | Power sunroof | 20 |
| F52 | Cigarette lighter | 30 |
| F53 | Power rear seats | 20 |
| F54 | — | |
| F55 | Windshield wipers, power steering (Servotronic) | 7.5 |
| F56 | Anti-theft alarm system (DWA) | 15 |
| F57 | Fuel delivery module (fuel pump) | 15 |
| F58 | Anti-theft alarm system, central locking system | 5 |
| F59 | Rear window defroster | 30 |
| F60 | — | |
| F61 | HVAC blower motor (rear) | 20 |
| F62 | Electrochromic interior rearview mirror | 5 |
| F63 | Rear seat heating | 15 |
| F64 | Park Distance Control (PDC) | 5 |
| F65 | Electronic Damper Control (EDC) | 15 |
| F66 | Cigarette lighter | 5 |
| F67 | — | |
| F68 | HVAC blower motor (rear) | 5 |
| F69 | Navigation system, audio system | 30 |
| F70 | Telephone | 10 |
| 1 | Auxiliary heater relay | |
| 2 | Terminal 15 (main ignition) relay | |
| 3 | Fuel pump relay | |
| 4 | Rear window defroster relay | |
| 1998 and Later Models | ||
|
||
| No. | Description | Amperage (A) |
| 49 | Unassigned | |
| 50 | Auxiliary heating system | 15 |
| Park Distance Control (PDC) | ||
| 51 | Sunroof control module | 20 |
| 52 | Cigarette lighter (front and rear) | 30 |
| 53 | Power rear seat adjustment | 20 |
| 54 | Trailer tow connector | 20 |
| 55 | General Body Module (GM) | 7.5 |
| 56 | Anti-theft alarm system (DWA) | 7.5 |
| 57 | Fuel pump relay | 15 |
| 58 | Rear door lock switch | 5 |
| Vehicle tilt sensor | ||
| Electrochromic interior rearview mirror | ||
| Protection and switching module | ||
| 59 | Rear refrigerator / cooler box | 15 |
| 60 | Unassigned | 5 |
| 61 | Rear HVAC blower | 20 |
| Rear HVAC blower relay | ||
| 62 | Electrochromic interior rearview mirror | 5 |
| 63 | Rear seat heating switch | 15 |
| 64 | Park Distance Control (PDC) module | 5 |
| 65 | Switch center | 15 |
| Electronic Damper Control (EDC) | ||
| 66 | Cigarette lighter | 5 |
| 67 | Unassigned | |
| 68 | Rear HVAC blower | 5 |
| Rear HVAC blower relay | ||
| 69 | Multi-Information Display (MID) - rear | 30 |
| 70 | Voice control module | 10 |
| Charging system | ||
| Telephone | ||
| 71 | Intercom system (special equipment) | |
| 79 | Rear window defroster relay | 40 |
| R1 | Auxiliary heating system relay | |
| R2 | Fuel filler flap relay | |
| R3 | Terminal 15 (ignition) unloader relay | |
| R4a | Fuel delivery module relay (fuel pump) | |
| R4b | HVAC blower relay | |
| R5 | Rear window defroster relay | |
Passenger Compartment
The interior power distribution box is located behind the glove box assembly.
| Diagram | |
|---|---|
|
|
| No. | Description |
| R1 | Headlight washer control module |
| R2 | HVAC heater control valves |
| R3 | Trunk lid control module |
| R4 | Consumer cutoff relay |
| R5 | Windshield wiper de-icer |
| Heated washer nozzles | |
| R6 | HVAC blower motor relay |
| R7 | Auxiliary cooling fan relay (Stage 2) |
| R8 | Auxiliary cooling fan relay (Stage 1) |
| R9 | Auxiliary cooling fan relay (Stage 3) |
Engine Compartment
There are two power distribution boxes located in this area, designed to protect various engine and body electrical circuits.
Main Fuse Box
Located on the passenger side of the engine bay, near the bulkhead (firewall).
Access procedure.
| Diagram | ||
|---|---|---|
|
||
| No. | Description | Amperage (A) |
| 1 | — | |
| 2 | — | |
| 3 | Windshield wipers | 30 |
| 4 | Windshield washer pump, headlight washer pump | 30 |
| 5 | Dual-tone horn | 15 |
| 6 | Interior lighting, luggage compartment lighting, windshield washer | 20 |
| 7 | Air conditioning system | |
| 8 | Central locking system, power door mirrors | 30 |
| 9 | A/C condenser auxiliary fan motor | 20 |
| 10 | Traction control system (ASC/DSC) | 25 |
| 11 | Air conditioning system | 15 |
| 12 | Power steering column adjustment actuator | 15 |
| 13 | Power steering column adjustment actuator | |
| 14 | Rear head restraint control module | |
| (From 09/1998) Left lower A-pillar module | ||
| Right lower A-pillar module | ||
| 15 | Power driver's seat, power steering column adjustment | 30 |
| 16 | Power passenger seat | 30 |
| 17 | Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), traction control, fuel delivery module | 10 |
| 18 | Instrument cluster | 5 |
| 19 | — | 5 |
| 20 | HVAC blower motor, A/C condenser auxiliary fan motor, rear window defroster, windshield wiper de-icer | 5 |
| 21 | Universal garage door opener (HomeLink) | 5 |
| 22 | Engine Control Module (DME/DDE) | 10 |
| 23 | Light Control Module (LCM), instrument cluster | 5 |
| 24 | Engine Control Module (DME/DDE) | 5 |
| 25 | — | |
| 26 | Electronic Immobilizer (EWS), transmission gear selector illumination | 5 |
| 27 | Multi-Information Display (MID) | 5 |
| 28 | Windshield wipers, audio remote control system | 5 |
| 29 | Central locking system, power windows | 30 |
| 30 | Heated washer nozzles | 10 |
| 31 | Power door mirrors, central locking system, power windows | 30 |
| 32 | HVAC blower motor | 30 |
| 33 | Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | 25 |
| or | ||
| HVAC heater control valves | ||
| 34 | A/C condenser auxiliary fan motor | 40 |
| 35 | — | |
| 36 | Steering wheel heating | 10 |
| 37 | — | |
| 38 | A/C condenser auxiliary fan motor | 5 |
| 39 | Seat heating | 15 |
| 40 | Unassigned | 5 |
| or | ||
| OBD / Diagnostic connector | ||
| 41 | Dual-tone horn, instrument cluster, transmission gear selector illumination | 5 |
| 42 | Accessory power socket, illuminated vanity mirrors | 7.5 |
| 43 | Supplemental Restraint System (SRS / Airbag) | 5 |
| 44 | Electronic Immobilizer (EWS), Light Control Module (LCM), cruise control | 5 |
| 45 | Supplemental Restraint System (SRS / Airbag) | 5 |
| 46 | On-board computer (OBC), audio system, telephone | 5 |
| 47 | Multi-Information Display (MID), steering column adjustment mechanism | 5 |
| 48 | — | |
| 78 | Auxiliary cooling fan | 20 |
| 81 | Auxiliary cooling fan relay | 40 |
| F1 | OBD / Diagnostic connector | 30 |
| Digital Motor Electronics (DME) control module | ||
| DME relay | ||
| Transmission Control Module (TCM/EGS) | ||
| F2 | Digital Motor Electronics (DME) control module | 20 |
| Electronic Throttle Control (EML) | ||
| F3 | Pre-catalytic converter oxygen sensors (O2) | 20 |
| F4 | Digital Motor Electronics (DME) control module | 30 |
| Electronic Throttle Control (EML) | ||
| Transmission Control Module (TCM/EGS) | ||
| F5 | Ignition coils | 30 |
| R36 | Wiper relay 1 | |
| R37 | Wiper relay 2 | |
| R94 | Engine control relay | |
| R118 | Secondary air injection pump relay | |
| R2000 | Glow plug control module / relay | |
| R2003 | Digital Diesel Electronics (DDE) main relay | |
| R6303 | Oxygen sensor relay | |
| R6304 | Secondary air injection pump relay | |
| R6310 | Digital Motor Electronics (DME) relay | |
| R6320 | ||
| R6324 | Starter motor relay | |
| R2283 | Glow plug pre-heating relay | |
| R2317 | Digital Diesel Electronics (DDE) relay | |
| R2318 | ||
| R6300 | DDE relay | |
| R6326 | Terminal 15 (ignition) unloader relay | |
Auxiliary Relay Block
Located on the left side of the engine compartment.
| Diagram | |
|---|---|
|
|
| No. | Description |
| 1 | ABS hydraulic pump |
| 2 | Secondary air injection pump |
| 3 | A/C condenser auxiliary fan (fusible link) |
Very good