BMW E46, a standout model in the United States during its production years from 1998 to 2006, is renowned for its dynamic performance and refined styling.
Technical Specifications:
The BMW E46 offered a comprehensive set of technical specifications that left an indelible mark. It was available with a range of engine options, including potent inline-six and efficient four-cylinder engines, providing a diverse selection for performance enthusiasts and fuel-conscious drivers alike. The vehicle’s exceptional handling, precise steering, and rear-wheel-drive setup delivered a sporty and engaging driving experience. The interior was characterized by high-quality materials and advanced technology, offering a luxurious and comfortable cabin. The E46 came in various body styles, including sedan, coupe, convertible, and wagon, catering to a wide array of preferences.
Common Issues:
While the BMW E46 was celebrated for its driving dynamics and upscale features, it wasn’t without its common issues, which included:
- Cooling System Failures: The E46 was susceptible to cooling system problems, including issues with the radiator, water pump, and thermostat.
- Electrical Gremlins: Some models faced electrical issues, such as problems with the window regulators, door locks, and dashboard warning lights.
- Suspension Component Wear: Over time, suspension components like control arm bushings and shock absorbers may wear out, affecting ride quality.
- Subframe Cracks: Certain models had subframe cracking issues, primarily in high-performance variants, necessitating structural repairs.
Fuse and Relay Diagram:
This article goes beyond just describing the BMW E46 and its common issues. We are pleased to offer a comprehensive fuse and relay diagram specifically designed for the BMW E46 1998-2006. This diagram is invaluable for troubleshooting electrical problems, ensuring the vehicle’s electrical systems are functioning correctly, and simplifying maintenance. It serves as an essential tool for owners, mechanics, and enthusiasts, facilitating the resolution of electrical issues efficiently.
In summary, the BMW E46 1998-2006 represents an era of driving excellence and luxury in the American automotive landscape. With its technical specifications, insights into common issues, and the inclusion of a comprehensive fuse and relay diagram, this article aims to provide a comprehensive perspective for owners and enthusiasts of this iconic vehicle, underscoring its significance in the U.S. automotive market.
Locations
Diagram
Designation
| 1 | A / C compressor electromagnetic clutch relay – behind the dash, right |
| 2 | Air conditioner electronic control unit |
| 3 | Sunlight sensor (air conditioning system) |
| 4 | Antenna Signal Booster – Rear Pillar |
| 5 | Aerial amplifier – Luggage compartment LH – Convertible |
| 6 | Antenna signal amplifier – under the rear spoiler – station wagon |
| 7 | Side impact sensor – from the driver’s side, under the seat (under the mat) |
| 8 | Side impact sensor – on the passenger side, under the seat (under the mat) |
| 9 | Vehicle tilt sensor (anti-theft system) – right side of the luggage compartment |
| 10 | Anti-theft alarm horn – intake system resonator |
| 11 | Anti-theft control unit (with volume control) – ceiling panel |
| 12 | Anti-theft system switch, bonnet – engine compartment, right rear part – in the mounting block |
| 13 | Audio Output Amplifier – Behind Rear Left Trim Panel – Convertible |
| 14 | Audio Output Amplifier – Luggage Compartment Left |
| 15 | Additional heater control unit |
| 16 | Battery – engine compartment, rear right side – 4 cyl. engines |
| 17 | Accumulator battery – the right side of the luggage compartment -6cyl. engines / Diesel |
| 18 | Tailgate / Tailgate Opener Switch – Lower LH Protection Panel |
| 19 | Convertible roof cover motor relay – behind dashboard, right |
| 20 | Folding roof control unit – behind the rear left trim panel |
| 21 | Convertible Roof Actuator Relay – Luggage Compartment LH |
| 22 | Diagnostic connector (DLC) |
| 23 | Diagnostic connector (DLC) – behind the dashboard, near the steering column (05/00 ^) |
| 24 | Rearview mirror control unit, driver’s side |
| 25 | Rearview mirror control unit, passenger side |
| 26 | Control unit for folding mirrors – behind the glove compartment |
| 27 | Fuse / relay box, engine compartment – in mounting block |
| 28 | Fuse / relay box, instrument panel 1 – in glove compartment |
| 29 | Fuse / relay box, instrument panel 2-behind glove compartment |
| 30 | Fuse / relay box, instrument panel 3 behind glove compartment |
| 31 | Headlight washer control unit – behind the dashboard, right |
| 32 | Heated Rear Window Relay – Luggage Compartment Right, Front |
| 33 | Heated Rear Window Relay 1 – Behind Right Rear Trim Panel – Convertible |
| 34 | Heated Rear Window Relay 2 – Behind Rear Right Trim Panel – Convertible |
| 35 | Heater Fan Relay – Behind Center Console |
| 36 | Beep 1 |
| 37 | Beep 2 |
| 38 | Electronic immobilizer control unit – near the steering column |
| 39 | Immobilizer ring antenna – near the ignition switch |
| 40 | Instrument cluster control unit – behind the dash |
| 41 | Lighting control unit – functions: Alarm relay, light switch, indicator relay, instrument cluster illumination rheostat |
| 42 | Multifunction switch assembly |
| 43 | Multifunctional control unit – behind the glove compartment – functions: Anti-theft system, rearview mirror with auto-dimming, audio system, central locking, power windows, warning lamps, interior lighting lamps, electronic control unit SRS, rear dimensions, sequential manual transmission, wiper / washer windshield |
| 44 | Navigation control unit – luggage compartment left |
| 45 | Navigation aerial – behind the instrument cluster |
| 46 | Parking system control unit – right side of luggage compartment |
| 47 | Parking Assist Buzzer – Front Left Legroom |
| 48 | Rain sensor |
| 49 | Additional fuses – luggage compartment – on the suspension cup |
| 50 | Power seat control unit – under the seat, driver’s side |
| 51 | Power Seat Control Unit – Underseat, Passenger Side |
| 52 | Exhaust air pump relay – behind the right side of the dashboard |
| 53 | Control unit for electric sunroof-roof panel |
| 54 | SRS control unit – under the carpet |
| 55 | Body height sensor (front), front right wheel arch corrector |
| 56 | Body height sensor (rear), corrected rfar – rear right wheel arch |
| 57 | Phone interface control unit – under center console, rear |
| 58 | Trailer control unit – right side of luggage compartment |
| 59 | Transmission electronic control unit – engine compartment – in the mounting block |
| 60 | Tire pressure monitor control unit – behind the glove compartment |
| 61 | Vehicle speed sensor – right rear wheel speed sensor |
| 62 | Windshield washer nozzle temperature sensor – under the bottom (front) |
Passenger Compartment Fuse Panel
It is located in the glove box (glove compartment) in front of the front passenger. Unscrew the corresponding screws to access.
Below you should find documentation with an accurate description of the location of your fuses. Something like this:
Assignment
| 1 | – |
| 2 | – |
| 3 | – |
| 4 | – |
| 5 | (5A) Horn relay |
| 6 | (5A) Vanity mirror lamps, convertible roof control module |
| 7 | (5A) Convertible roof switch, navigation control unit, audio output amplifier, multifunction display, telephone, audio system |
| 8 | (5A) Sequential manual gearbox – M3 |
| 9 | (5A) Steering wheel controls – cruise control, brake light switch (brake pedal position sensor), multifunction control module, light switch, clutch pedal position sensor |
| 10 | (5A) Instrument panel |
| 11 | (5A) SRS electronic control module, power seat, seat belt warning system security |
| 12 | (7.5A) Multifunction switch assembly |
| 13 | (7.5A) Roll arc control module |
| 14 | (5A) Immobilizer control module, automatic transmission shift lock switch |
| 15 | Rain sensor, rear window wiper / washer |
| 16 | – |
| 17 | – |
| 18 | – |
| 19 | – |
| 20 | – |
| 21 | – |
| 22 | (5A) Sequential manual gearbox – M3 |
| 23 | (5A) Coolant pump motor – Diesel |
| 24 | (5A) Auto dimming interior rearview mirror, parking aid control module |
| 25 | (5A) Power door mirror (passenger side), temperature switch (heated windscreen washer nozzles) |
| 26 | (5A) Garage door remote control system |
| 27 | (10A) Reverse lamp (s) relay, gearshift sensor |
| 28 | (5A) A / C control module, A / C compressor electromagnetic clutch relay |
| 29 | (5A) ECM, ignition coil relay |
| 30 | (7.5A) Alternator, engine oil level sensor, diagnostic connector -16-pin |
| 31 | (5A) Tire pressure monitor control module |
| 32 | (5A) Light switch, headlamp control unit – left (xenon headlights), headlamp control unit – right (xenon headlights) |
| 33 | (5A) Multifunction switch, ABS-with ASC electronic control unit, steering wheel position sensor |
| 34 | (5A) Instrument panel |
| 35 | (50A) Retractable roof motor relay |
| 36 | (50A) Exhaust air pump relay |
| 37 | (50A) Cooling fan motor |
| 38 | (10A / 15A) Fog lamp relay |
| 39 | (5A) Telephone, voice synthesizer |
| 40 | (5A) Selector lever lamp, steering wheel position sensor – DSC |
| 41 | (30A) Multifunction display, audio output amplifier, CD changer, audio system, navigation system control unit |
| 42 | (30A) Multifunction switch assembly |
| 43 | (5A) Instrument cluster |
| 44 | (20A) Trailer electrical connector |
| 45 | (20A) Rear window wiper / washer |
| 46 | (20A / 30A) Convertible roof control unit, sunroof control unit, convertible roof compartment lid motor relay |
| 47 | (20A) BMW 3 e46 cigarette lighter fuse – front, bodywork connector |
| 48 | (30A) Multifunction control module |
| 49 | (5A) Multifunction control module, audio output amplifier |
| 50 | (40A) A / C / heater blower motor switch |
| 51 | (30A) Headlamp washer control module |
| 52 | (30A) Multifunction control module |
| 53 | (30A) ABS control module |
| 54 | (15A / 20A) Fuel pump relay |
| 55 | (15A) Horn relay |
| 56 | (30A) ABS control module |
| 57 | (5A) Control unit for folding mirrors, door mirror control unit (driver’s side), door mirror control unit (passenger side) |
| 58 | (7.5A) Rear door actuator relay |
| 59 | (30A) Windshield wiper motor relay |
| 60 | (25A) Multifunction control module |
| 61 | (30A) Electronic control unit DBS-DSC system |
| 62 | (7.5A) Heater coolant regulator valve |
| 63 | (7.5A) A / C compressor electromagnetic clutch relay |
| 64 | (20A) Auxiliary heater control unit |
| 65 | (30A) Driver’s seat adjustment switch block |
| 66 | – |
| 67 | (5A) Electronic immobilizer control unit, interior rearview mirror with auto-dimming, anti-theft control unit (with volume control), vehicle tilt sensor (anti-theft system), anti-theft alarm horn |
| 68 | (30A) Heated rear window relay |
| 69 | (5A) Tire pressure monitor control module |
| 70 | (30A) Passenger seat adjustment switch block |
| 71 | (10A / 30A) Multifunction control module |
The fuse number 47, 20A, is responsible for the cigarette lighter.
The following relays are also located behind the glove box:
1 – fuel pump relay, 2 – backup, 3 – fog lamp relay, 4 – horn relay.
Engine Compartment Fuse Box
Circuits protected
| 101 | 50 | 03.1998-09.1998: Electric fan |
| 102 | 80 | MSS54: Fuse carrier, engine electronics (fuse No.5 (30A)) DME relay Digital motor electronics control unit SMG control unit MS43: Fuse carrier, engine electronics (fuse No.5 (30A)) DME relay Digital motor electronics control unit Transmission control unit BMS46, MS42: B+ terminal ME9: B+ potential distributor |
| 103 | – | Not used |
| 104 | 100 | Preheater relay |
| 105 | 50 | Ignition switch Diagnosis plug |
| 106 | 50 | Ignition switch Light switching centre control unit |
| 107 | 50 | Trailer module Light switching centre control unit |
This box is located in the rear of the engine compartment, near the wipers.
Diagram
Designation
| 1 | Electronic engine control unit |
| 2 | Electronic gearbox control unit |
| 3 | Windshield wiper motor relay |
| 4 | Engine management system relay – petrol |
| 5 | Engine Control Relay – Diesel |
| 6 | Reversing light relay |
| F1 | (30A) Ignition coils – 320iс MS43 / 325i / 330i |
| F2 | (30A) Electronic engine control unit, reverse lamp (s) relay, gearbox electronic control unit – 316i / 318i |
| F3 | (20A) Mass air flow sensor, crankshaft position sensor, reverse lamp (s) relay, coolant thermostat, camshaft position sensor 1, camshaft position sensor 2 – 320i / 325i / 330i |
| F4 | (30A) Fuel pump relay, exhaust air pump relay, A / C compressor clutch relay – 316i / 318i / 330i |
| F5 | (30A) Ignition coil relay – 316i / 318i / 320i / 323i / 328i |
Additional relays can be installed outside these boxes
