Starter — removal and installation (BMW 3 Series E46)

Engine M43TU

Removal

1. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery (see paragraph 4).

2. Apply the parking brake, lift the front of the vehicle and place it on reliable supports. Remove the engine guard from under the engine.

3. To improve access, release the fuel hoses from their fasteners under the starter and disconnect them. Be prepared for fuel to spill out of the hoses.

4. Disconnect the wires from the starter (Fig. 10.4).



5. Remove the starter mounting bolts.

6. Pull the starter forward and down. Be careful not to damage the fuel lines.

Installation

7. Installation is performed in the reverse order. Tighten the starter mounting bolts to the required torque.

Engine N42

Removal

8. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery (see paragraph 4).

9. Remove the intake manifold as shown in chapter 4A.

10. Unscrew the nuts and disconnect the wires from the starter (fig. 10.10).



11. Remove the two bolts and remove the starter from the engine (fig. 10.11)

Installation

12. Installation is performed in the reverse order. Tighten the starter mounting bolts to the required torque.

Engine M52TU

Removal

13. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery (see paragraph 4).

14. Disconnect the air flow sensor wiring, disconnect the vacuum hose from the air cleaner and remove the air cleaner (see chapter 4A).

15. On the throttle body, pull the accelerator cable housing out of the bracket. Disconnect the cable end from the throttle sector.

16. Loosen the clamps and disconnect the hoses from the throttle body and from the idle air control valve.

17. Apply the parking brake, lift the front of the vehicle and place it on reliable supports. Remove the crankcase guard from under the engine.

18. To improve access, release the fuel hose from its fasteners and under the starter and disconnect them. Be prepared for fuel to spill out of the hoses.

19. Loosen the nuts and disconnect the wires from the rear of the starter.

20. Remove the starter mounting bolts.

21. Pull the starter forward and down. Be careful not to damage the fuel lines.

Installation

22. Installation is performed in the reverse order. Tighten the starter mounting bolts to the required torque.

Engine M54

Removal

23. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery (see paragraph 4). There are two ways to remove the starter. First, remove the intake manifold as shown in chapter 4A, then follow the steps from step 33. Second: remove the starter from under the engine as described below.

24. Apply the parking brake, lift the front of the vehicle and place it on reliable supports. Remove the engine guard from under the engine.

25. On coupe models produced since November 1999 and on all models since December 2000, remove the eight bolts and cross member from under the transmission.

Note: Driving with the power steering removed may result in an accident.

26. To remove the starter, you need to lower the gearbox by about 5 cm. First, remove the air duct for the ventilation and heating system in the rear of the engine compartment as follows.

• a) Remove the cabin filter cover by turning its latches 90° counterclockwise. Pull the filter out of the housing.
• b) Unfasten the four fasteners of the box for laying the wires and remove the sleeves with wires from the box (see fig. 10.26,a)
• c) Remove the four screws and pull the cabin filter housing forward.
• d) In the left rear corner of the engine compartment, pull off the seal, turn the two fasteners counterclockwise and move the trim panel forward slightly.
• d) Unscrew the two screws and remove the air duct (see Fig. 10.26,b).

27. Remove the exhaust system (see chapter 4A).



28. Remove the gear shift lever (or selector, depending on the model) cable.

29. Disconnect the front propeller shaft from the gearbox (see chapter 8) and tie the shaft somewhere on the side.

30. Support the gearbox from below with a jack dolly and remove the crossbar from under the transmission. Lower the gearbox by about 5 cm.

31. Disconnect the hoses from the vacuum receiver under the starter. Mark the hoses in advance to avoid difficulties during assembly. Unscrew the mounting bolt and remove the receiver.

32. To improve access, disconnect the electrical connector from the crankshaft position sensor.

33. Mark the starter wires, unscrew the terminal nuts and disconnect from the starter wire (fig. 10.33).



34. Remove the starter mounting bolts.

35. Pull the starter forward, then down.

Installation

36. Installation is carried out in the reverse order, taking into account the following notes.

• a) Tighten nuts and bolts to the specified torque, if specified.
• b) When installing the lower cross member, replace the bolts with new ones.