Need help with location of the fuse boxs and overview of fuse positions for 528i?

I am wondering where I can find the fuse box on my 528i and if anyone could post an overview of where all the fuses are supposed to be located?

I don't have a service manual and need to find out if have blown fuses or not. (Also so that I can put fuses in the correct places).

Thank you for any help!

Originally Posted by Mr.Howie

I don't have a service manual

Is it in the PDF of your owners manual?

I don't have an owners manual either.

Originally Posted by bluebee

Is it in the PDF of your owners manual?

The fuse box is the trunk above the battery...

also inside the glove compartment

And the owners manual PDFs are in the VERY best of E39 Links.

... and under the carpet at the front of the right front seat.

You REALLY should break down and buy the E39 Bentley Service Manual, esp if you plan to do any electrical troubleshooting at all! This model is not simple!

Fuse diagrams. Post #1 & post #3

P.S. : The fuse diagrams are not in the owner's manual.

Originally Posted by doru

The fuse diagrams are not in the owner's manual.

That's good to know. Thanks.

To the OP. Sorry. I misspoke.

Look in the compartment at the top of the glovebox, where one of the fuse panels sits. There's a card that pulls out with a little thumb tab. That's the diagram of the fuses in that panel. For the trunk panel, pull back the battery cover on the right-hand side of the trunk. It has the diagram for the fuses in there. As for the one under the passenger side carpet in front of the seat, I'll have to check that one out myself.

Locations:

1. passenger Side E-Box (under cabin filter housing).

2. Glovebox

3. Under front Passenger Seat (under carpet).

4. Trunk.

Originally Posted by cn90

Locations

Hi Cam,
I always wondered where ALL the fuses & fusible links were located. Thanks.

I did a quick search and then created a bestlink with this info:
(Keywords used were "E39" "fusebox" "fuse box" "fusible link")

- Where to find E39 fuse boxes (1) (WDS) & how to find the front passenger seat undercarpet fuse panel (1)

Every time I look anything up, MORE QUESTIONS pop up:
Q1: Do we have high-current "fusible links" in other places in the E39?
Q2: Are any individual devices individually fused in the E39?

Thanks man! Do you have an overview of what the different fuses are for as well? With the number etc. For example I want to know which fuses are for the fog lights in the front.

Originally Posted by doru

Originally Posted by Mr.Howie

Thanks man! Do you have an overview of what the different fuses are for as well? With the number etc. For example I want to know which fuses are for the fog lights in the front.

Check post #8 in this thread. There's a link with what you need.

Thank you! very helpful!

Originally Posted by doru

Check post #8 in this thread. There's a link with what you need.

Originally Posted by Mr.Howie

Do you have an overview of what the different fuses are for as well? With the number etc. For example I want to know which fuses are for the fog lights in the front.

bobdmac had already answered this question in his reply above (see post #10) ...and the text from the owners manual also says were the index for the fuses are located (for sedan & Touring/wagon). Note the highlighted text in the pages attached from the owners manual (same ones that were posted above) and you'll see that it says that there is an index (glovebox & trunk) for the fuse locations etc.

BTW, all external lighting is controlled by the LCM (located in the passenger footwell on the external wall)...so you won't find individual fuses for any exterior lights (including the fog lights).

Originally Posted by bobdmac

Look in the compartment at the top of the glovebox, where one of the fuse panels sits. There's a card that pulls out with a little thumb tab. That's the diagram of the fuses in that panel.

For the trunk panel, pull back the battery cover on the right-hand side of the trunk. It has the diagram for the fuses in there. As for the one under the passenger side carpet in front of the seat, I'll have to check that one out myself.

Originally Posted by cn90

1. passenger Side E-Box (under cabin filter housing).
2. Glovebox
3. Under front Passenger Seat (under carpet).
4. Trunk.

I'm looking for all the fuses & what they do in order to debug for here:
- Warning: I charged my battery today & apparently killed my instrument cluster & MID

I see this information, as to where each fuse is, what size it is, and what it does is scattered about (with some pictures requiring logins on other web sites to view); so I'll try to assemble what I can find into this thread.

Note: It seems harder to find the ebox and the under-seat fuse descriptions than it is to find the glovebox and batterybox descriptions.

Location of the fuse boxes (as cn90 said):

1. Passenger side e-box (under the cabin filter housing).
2. Glovebox
3. Under front passenger seat (under carpet).
4. Trunk batterybox (above the battery)

Here is a 1998 540i fuse guide from bimmerforums:
- E39 Glove Compartment and Trunk Fuse Guide

1998 540i glove box fuse guide:


1998 540i trunk batterybox fuse guide:

E39 glovebox fusebox access (kindly supplied by QSilver7):


E39 trunk batterybox fusebox access (kindly supplied by QSilver7):

The under-passenger-seat under-carpet fuses are harder to find:
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > fuse diagram



As for accessing this under-seat-carpet fusebox:
- Roadfly Secondary Air Pump replacement

Originally Posted by cunnincc

To get to the fuse box under the passenger side carpet, first you have to remove the black trim along the door sill. The plastic clips hold it in. You can pry it up and it'll pop off. Then remove the small plastic trim in front of that (where the right front kick panel is). Then fold the carpet back. Have fun because the carpet is tough!! The fuses are located under ANOTHER foam material. If you open the pass door, and where it says "BMW" on the doorsill, the fuse is about 6" above the sill, and 6" in front of the "W" in the BMW.

And from this thread, we have additional details:
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > fuse diagram

After removing all the plastic trims as described above around the lower side of the door, the passenger seat has to be loosened (no need to remove it from the car) and tilted back in order to pull the carpet up. After the carpet is pulled up, then a foam has to be removed to expose the fuse box. The fuse box is covered by two plastic covers. Be careful though, the circuit is HOT, i.e. the 12V is alive even with no key in ignition. Luckily, there is no GND or metal around this area.

There are a row of 8 fuses as shown. The fuse for the secondary air pump is on the far left.

While we know the secondary air pump is there, we need a list of fuses located under the seat and in the ebox and their amperage and purpose.

Looking here:
- Need help with location of the fuse boxs and overview of fuse positions for 528i?
- Location of fuses 75 & 76

I find cn90's picture of the ebox fuses (for a vehicle with a manual transmission):

Originally Posted by cn90

That picture is BELOW the passenger side cabin Filter area.
- Open the hood.
- Remove the cabin Filter HOUSING on the passenger side.
Then you will see this.

Note: In a different thread, cn90 explains some of the fuse purposes:
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > Fuses under fresh air filter on E39

Originally Posted by cn90

I just took a pic of my car Fuse Box under Cabin Filter (it is a 1998 528i 5-speed so only one DME; 2nd slot next to DME is empty because no Automatic Trans Computer); one of your 30A Fuses controls the O2 sensor. You mentioned Fuse #2 from the Left (or counting from the FRONT to REAR).
Fuse #2 is probably the Fuse controlling the O2 sensor.

Here is an ebox from a 97 528i in this thread (with an automatic transmission):
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > Electrical Scare!!!!

Originally Posted by cn90

The main difference is:
- Yours is Automatic (there is an extra ECU for A.T.).
- My car is Manual Trans so that space is empty.

The proper way to test a relay is NOT by shaking it.
Use the Bosch testing procedures. Make sure you understand the concept between 4-prong relay and 5-prong relay (which by itself has 2 types, 2 x 87s or 87a and 87b):
http://www.bcae1.com/relays.htm

I find a clue about the ebox fuses digging some more, and seeing this EAC Tuning post in this thread:
- Fuses under fresh air filter on E39

Originally Posted by Mark@EAC

Those fuses are for the DME and EGS (engine and transmission) computers if I understand what you are describing correctly. I would have it checked out, a couple popped fuses is one thing but a fried control module can be very expensive.

WIP WIP WIP (not finished yet) ... until we have a description of every fuse in the car (including those in the ebox and in the underseat fusebox).

Looking at my trunk fusebox caused more questions than it answered!

Here is the sticker on the inside of the battery door:

Note: Yellow circles are the fuses in my 2002 BMW 525i:

And, here is a picture of what it's trying to represent:

Note: Yellow lines are the fuses in my 2002 BMW 525i:


Some questions that arise:
Q: What is the "on board monitor"?
Q: I don't have a CD changer in the trunk (I have the single-CD BMW Business CD player in the dash); so why the 30-amp fuse in position 56?
Q: I don't have a 'telephone' (but I do have the wiring); so why the 10 amp fuse in position 57?
Q: What are the purposes of the three relays above the fuse box?

Nice glovebox fuse description from here
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > No rear windows working & locks & trunk

Originally Posted by BV93013

My car is a 98 540i, so I am not sure if the fuse locations are the same.

Originally Posted by bluebee

Looking at my trunk fusebox caused more questions than it answered! ...

Some questions that arise:
Q: What is the "on board monitor"?
Q: I don't have a CD changer in the trunk (I have the single-CD BMW Business CD player in the dash); so why the 30-amp fuse in position 56?
Q: I don't have a 'telephone' (but I do have the wiring); so why the 10 amp fuse in position 57?
Q: What are the purposes of the three relays above the fuse box?
...

1. The onBoard monitor would be the 4:3 Nav screen or 16:? (wide) Nav screen (if so equipped).

2. If you have the "pre-wired for CD" button in your trunk...that would be the reason for for having the 30 amp fuse #56 already installed (just as you would have the wiring pre installed)...but you also have a radio installed...thus, it too, requires the 30 amp Fuse #56...so it will be installed for that component as well.

3 pre-wired buttons in my Touring can be seen along the LEFT side of the rear cargo side panel


the 2 pre=wired buttons are located on the left side of the trunk near the AUDIO component fold down door in this image of an e39 sedan below:

3. Again, if you have the phone's "pre-installed" button in the trunk...that is why you have fuse #57 installed as well as the "wiring" for the defunct/obsolete analog cell phone.

-

4. I'll pass on this one because if memory serves me right...I think you've found this information out already.

Thanks for answering the long-unanswered questions!

BTW, for those looking for the wiper relay, it's here:
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > wiper relay location 2000 5281A

For the record, yesterday QSilver7 posted a nice glovebox fuse finder diagram:
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > e39 still running with key out!




Likewise, cn90 did a great job of showing the fuses under the passenger seat over here:
- DIY: Troubleshooting S.A.S. and How to Replace the Famous Fuse # 107!



And JimLev kindly showed fuses F100 to F106 which are just above the battery positive terminal:
- Do I have the correct location for the E39 battery safety terminal explosive charge?



Similarly, SleekBMW kindly showed how to find Fuse #75 & Fuse #76 behind the glovebox:
- Auxiliary Fan write up

Originally Posted by SleekBMW

This is a pic of fuse 75 and 76 lookin lying down above into your glove compartment from the passenger side foot well. That panel needs to be pulled BACK towards the passenger side seat with SLIGHT pressure to the floor and should come out. THE AREA THAT 75 and 76 are in is circled. you will reach in there, and grab the fuse and push UP towards the sky and it will come out.

I looked at my 2002 525i glovebox today to find fuses #1 to #45:



IN ROOF PANEL OF GLOVEBOX:
1 = 30A, Windscreen wiper
2 = 30A, Headlight cleaning system, Windscreen washer system
3 = 15A, Horn
4 = 20A, Passenger comp/trunk lighting, Windscreen washer system
5 = 20A, Sliding tilt/roof
6 = 30A, Outside mirror adjustment, Central locking system, Window lift
7 = 30A, Cigarette lighter
8 = (empty)
9 = 15A, Air conditioner, Heated washer jets
10 = 30A, Passenger seat adjustment
11 = 7.5A, Servotronic
12 = 5A, Immobilizer
13 = 30A, Driver seat adjustment, Steering column adjustment
14 = 5A, Engine control
15 = 7.5A, Diagnosis plug, Engine control
16 = 5A, Light module
17 = 10A, ABS, Automatic stability control
18 = 5A, Instrument cluster
19 = 5A, (empty) Electronic damper control
20 = 7.5A, Air conditioner, Heated rear window, Heater, Tyre pressure control system
21 = 5A, Anti-glare inside mirror, Driver seat adjustment, Garage door opener
22 = 25A, Fuel pump
23 = 7.5A, (empty) Heater, Rear centre arm rest
24 = 5A, Instrument cluster, Shifting gate illumination, Tyre pressure control system
25 = 7.5A, Multi-information display, Radio
27 = 30A, Central locking system, Window lift
28 = 15A, (empty) Transmission control, diesel
29 = 30A, Central locking system, Outside mirror adjustment
29 = 30A, Window lift
30 = 25A, ABS
31 = 10A, ABS, Automatic stability control
31 = 10A, Fuel pump
32 = 25A, Active seat, Electric seat heating, Roller sun blind
34 = 10A, Heated steering wheel (empty)
35 = 5A, (empty) Rear A/C blower
36 = (empty)
37 = 5A, Immobilizer
38 = 5A, Horn, Shifting gate illumination
39 = 7.5A, Charging socket, Courtesy mirror illumination
40 = 5A, Airbag, Instrument cluster
41 = 5A, Brake light, Light module
42 = 5A, Airbag
43 = 5A, (Telephone), (On-board monitor), Radio, (Rear Washer) (Rear washer pump)
44 = 5A, Multi-function steering wheel, MID, Radio, (Telephone)
45 = 7.5A, Roller sun blind

IN TRUNK BATTERY COMPARTMENT:
46 = (empty)
47 = 20A, (empty) Additional heater, independent heater
48 = 5A, Anti-theft alarm system
49 = 30A, (empty) Air suspension
50 = 7.5A, (empty) Air suspension
51 = 30A, (empty) Rear cigarette lighter
52 = 30A, (empty) Cigarette lighter (AUS)
53 = 7.5A, Central locking system
54 = 25A, (empty) M5 Fuel pump
55 = 20A, (empty) Rear washer, Rear washer pump
56 = 30A, (On-board monitor), (CD changer), Radio, (Navigation system)
57 = 10A, (Telephone)
58 = 10A, (On-board monitor), (Telephone), Radio, (Navigation system)
59 = 20A, (empty) Trailer socket
60 = 50A, (empty) Elecronic damper control
61 = (empty)
62 = (empty)
63 = (empty)
64 = (empty)
65 = (empty)
66 = 40A, heated rear window

UNDER PASSENGER SIDE CABIN AIR FILTER:
? =
? =
? =
? =
? =

BEHIND GLOVEBOX (look from underneath):
? =
75 = 50A, Auxiliary fan
76 = 40A, Heater blower
? =

ABOVE BATTERY POSITIVE TERMINAL:
100
101
102
103
104
105
106

UNDER PASSENGER SEAT:
? =
107 = 50A, SAS airpump Special Fuse: BMW PN 6113836590
108 =
109 =
110 =
111 = ignition switch?
112 =
113 =
114 = ignition switch?
? =

Are these the seven fuse locations in the typical E39?

• F1 to F45 <= in the glovebox
• F46 to F66 <= above the battery
• F? to F? <= in the ebox under the passenger side cabin air filter housing (four fuses?)
• F75 to F76 <= behind the glovebox
• F77 to F99 <= ?
• F100 to F106 <= aft of the battery positive terminal
• F107 to F114 <= under passenger side front seat carpet

Given that rough estimate of the fuses, would someone kindly tell me where the fuse number and description is for these four? fuses in the ebox under the passenger cabin air filter housing?