Picture & amperage & description of every single fuse & relay in the BMW E39

bluebee · Mar 1, 2013

Picture & amperage & description of every single fuse & relay in the BMW E39

EDIT: Added excellent fuse descriptions from Steve530 from post #4 on 3/3/2012.
EDIT: Added cross-references to specific fuse-related posts by QSilver7, RDL, cn90, & JimLev 3/13/2013.
EDIT: Added a nice closeup of EF1 to EF5 by tobesscooby 4/6/2013.
EDIT: Added better descriptions for F107 to F114 by rdl on 4/8/2013 (and added fuse amperages for the unknown fuses, again, as per rdl).

Let's see if we can list, describe, locate, and show a photo of every fuse and relay in the BMW E39, so that we all benefit.
Below, (from this quest to locate a parasite), is as far as I've been able to get detailing every single fuse in my 2002 525i.

(Note that F1 to F5 exist in two different locations, just to confuse you, so I'll refer to the ebox ones as EF1 to EF5, and the glovebox ones as F1-F5).

There are SIX fuse box locations in my 2002 BMW 525i E39 (here is a 1997 540i fuse location chart):

EF1 to EF5 <= at the back of the ebox under the passenger side cabin air filter housing (5 fuse spots)
F1 to F45 <= in the glove compartment top panel (45 fuse spots)
F46 to F66 <= directly above the battery (21 fuse spots)
F67 to F74 <= don't exist
F75 to F76 <= behind the glove compartment (2 fuse spots)
F77 to F99 <= don't exist
F100 to F106 <= above the battery positive terminal (7 fuse spots)
F107 to F114 <= under passenger side front seat carpet (8 fuse spots

IN THE White E-BOX UNDER PASSENGER SIDE CABIN AIR FILTER:

EF1 = 30A, MAF, Cam sensor #1, DME, T-Stat, Evap emission valve (some say it's 30A - DME, Injectors, SMG Hydraulic unit)
EF2 = 30A, Fuel injectors, Both Vanos solenoids, Cam sensor #2, SAS pump electrical valve (some say it's 30A - DME, Idle control valve, Fuel tank ventilation valve, Fuel pump)
EF3 = 20A, Cam sensors, MAF, Crank Sensor, Heated O2 sensors (some say it's 30A, others say 25A - E-box fan, Transmission RPM sensor, CPS, MAF sensor, Fuel pump relay, SAP relay, A/C Compressor relay, Fuel tank leakage diagnostic module, SMG selector lever)
EF4 = 30A, DME (some say it's 30A - Oxygen sensors and oxygen sensor heater circuits)
EF5 = 30A, Unloader relay, power to coils (some say it's 30A - Fuel injector relay)
IMPORTANT: The five EF fuses are NOT labeled! Only the values are labeled, but they are symmetric!
It turns out (later in this thread) that EF1 is the left-most fuse (left being defined by being able to read the MOTOR-SICHERUNGEN (aka "engine security measures") printing on the fuse cover itself).
Note: There is a black or white cap enshrouding the five ebox fuses EF1 to EF5, which needs to be removed as explained by RDL in this thread.

Photo below courtesy of JimLev shows the white cap still in place enshrouding the five ebox fuses:

---
IN THE ROOF PANEL OF THE GLOVEBOX:
F1 = 30A, Windscreen wiper
F2 = 30A, Headlight cleaning system, Windscreen washer system
F3 = 15A, Horn
F4 = 20A, Passenger comp/trunk lighting, Windscreen washer system
F5 = 20A, Sliding tilt/roof
F6 = 30A, Outside mirror adjustment, Central locking system, Window lift (rdl says fuse F6 supplies the passenger door module power only for both windows and locking motor, no other door; F6 enters the door via connector X256 pin 26.)
F7 = 30A, Cigarette lighter
F8 = 25A, ABS/ASC Control Module (Note: F8 was empty in my 2002 525i)
F9 = 15A, Air conditioner, Heated washer jets [JimLev says it handles the heated washer jets and the Check Control Module panel]
F10 = 30A, Passenger seat adjustment
F11 = 7.5A, Servotronic
F12 = 5A, Immobilizer
F13 = 30A, Driver seat adjustment, Steering column adjustment [JimLev says F13 goes to all of the motors in the drivers seat and the two steering column adjuster motors in a left hand drive gas engine E39 built after 9/'99] [cn90 shows an F13 trick here][cn90 says to prevent seat twist, pull this fuse]
F14 = 5A, Engine control
F15 = 7.5A, Diagnosis plug, Engine control (JimLev adds: Oil level sensor, Data connector under the hood next to the ABS module (no data conn after ~6/2000), Alternator, Temp switch in DME box for cooling fan in bottom of DME box, Range switch for automatic tranny)
F16 = 5A, Light module
F17 = 10A, ABS, Automatic stability control
F18 = 5A, Instrument cluster
F19 = 5A, (empty) Electronic damper control [QSilver7 says F19 is in-between the ignition switch and an unloader relay terminal 15]
F20 = 7.5A, Air conditioner, Heated rear window, Heater, Tyre pressure control system [JimLev says F20 and F105 power relay K201, which itself gets power from F75]
F21 = 5A, Anti-glare inside mirror, Driver seat adjustment, Garage door opener [JimLev says F21 also powers the current cutoff relay, garage door opener, rear view mirror, park distance control module, and the cig lighter relay]
F22 = 25A, Fuel pump
F23 = 7.5A, (empty in my 2002 525i) Heater, Rear centre arm rest
F24 = 5A, Instrument cluster, Shifting gate illumination, Tyre pressure control system
F25 = 7.5A, Multi-information display, Radio
F26 = 5A, Wiper Relay I & Wiper Relay II (Note: F26 was empty in my 2002 525i)
F27 = 30A, Central locking system, Window lift
F28 = 15A, (empty in my 2002 525i) Transmission control, diesel
F29 = 30A, Central locking system, Outside mirror adjustment, Window lift
F30 = 25A, ABS
F31 = 10A, ABS, Automatic stability control, Fuel pump
F32 = 25A, Active seat, Electric seat heating, Roller sun blind
F33 = Open (empty in my 2002 525i)
F34 = 10A, Heated steering wheel (empty)
F35 = 5A,(empty in my 2002 525i) Rear A/C blower
F36 = Open (empty in my 2002 525i)
F37 = 5A, Immobilizer
F38 = 5A, Horn, Shifting gate illumination
F39 = 7.5A, Charging socket, Courtesy mirror illumination [professorman says it's also for the glovebox flashlight charger]
F40 = 5A, Airbag, Instrument cluster
F41 = 5A, Brake light, Light module
F42 = 5A, Airbag
F43 = 5A, (Telephone), (On-board monitor), Radio, (Rear Washer) (Rear washer pump)
F44 = 5A, Multi-function steering wheel, MID, Radio, (Telephone)
F45 = 7.5A, Roller sun blind

IN TRUNK BATTERY COMPARTMENT:
F46 = 15A, Blower relay/Parked Car ventilation/Receiever, parked car ventilation (Note: F46 was empty in my 2002 525i)
F47 = 20A,(empty in my 2002 525i) Additional heater, independent heater
F48 = 5A, Anti-theft alarm system
F49 = 30A, (empty in my 2002 525i) Air suspension
F50 = 7.5A, (empty in my 2002 525i) Air suspension
F51 = 30A, (empty in my 2002 525i) Rear cigarette lighter
F52 = 30A, (empty in my 2002 525i) Cigarette lighter (AUS)
F53 = 7.5A, Central locking system [fuel door solenoid issue, which disables the central locking system] [JimLev adds Rear lid motor relay K70, Central locking & fuel door relay K121, Window motor relay K90, Diversity amp or antenna amp]
F54 = 25A, (empty) M5 Fuel pump
F55 = 20A, (empty) Rear washer, Rear washer pump
F56 = 30A, (On-board monitor), (CD changer), Radio, (Navigation system) [Black540eye adds On-board Monitor, Radio, Video Module, CD Changer, Amplifier, GPS Control Module, GPS Receiver]
F57 = 10A, (Telephone)
F58 = 10A, (On-board monitor), (Telephone), Radio, (Navigation system)
F59 = 20A, (empty) Trailer socket
F60 = 50A, (empty) Elecronic damper control
F61 = 5A,Park distance control module/ Seat heater switch, left rear/ Seat heater switch. right rear (empty in my 2002 525i)
F62 = Open (empty in my 2002 525i)
F63 = 7.5A, Radio relay/ Loud alarm relay/ Transparency relay/ Alarm control unit (empty in my 2002 525i)
F64 = 30A, On-board monitor/ Radio CD changer/ Amplifier/ GPS receiver (empty in my 2002 525i)
F65 = 10A, Transceiver (empty in my 2002 525i)
F66 = 40A, heated rear window

THESE DO NOT EXIST:
F67 = (does not exist in the E39)
F68 = (does not exist in the E39)
F69 = (does not exist in the E39)
F70 = (does not exist in the E39)
F71 = (does not exist in the E39)
F72 = (does not exist in the E39)
F73 = (does not exist in the E39)
F74 = (does not exist in the E39)

BEHIND GLOVEBOX (look from underneath):
F75 = 50A, Auxiliary fan (red) [QSilver7 says the aux fan is the electric fan in front of the radiator which also goes on when the AC is initiated.][bluebee removal hint]
F76 = 40A, Heater blower (yellow) [cn90 says it should have 12V when HVAC is turned on][QSilver7 says the heater blower controls the air velocity for the cabin/interior HVAC system.]

Neither of these huge fuses is easy to remove or put back (due to the cramped location), but luckily the yellow one is the one aft, which is easier than the red to remove.

THESE DO NOT EXIST:
F77 = (does not exist in the E39)
F78 = (does not exist in the E39)
F79 = (does not exist in the E39)
F80 = (does not exist in the E39)
F81 = (does not exist in the E39)
F82 = (does not exist in the E39)
F83 = (does not exist in the E39)
F84 = (does not exist in the E39)
F85 = (does not exist in the E39)
F86 = (does not exist in the E39)
F87 = (does not exist in the E39)
F88 = (does not exist in the E39)
F89 = (does not exist in the E39)
F90 = (does not exist in the E39)
F91 = (does not exist in the E39)
F92 = (does not exist in the E39)
F93 = (does not exist in the E39)
F94 = (does not exist in the E39)
F95 = (does not exist in the E39)
F96 = (does not exist in the E39)
F97 = (does not exist in the E39)
F98 = (does not exist in the E39)
F99 = (does not exist in the E39)

ABOVE BATTERY POSITIVE TERMINAL:
F100 = 200A, Fuse panel 4, F107-F114
F101 = 80A, Power supply for fuses F46-F50 and F66
F102 = 80A, Power supply for fuses F51-F55 [wiring diagram here]
F103 = 50A, Open
F104 = 50A, Unloader relay terminal 15
F105 = 100A [JimLev says F20 and F105 power relay K201, which itself gets power from F75] (rdl says his F105 is 100A)
F106 = 100A, F75, Engine cooling fan relay stage 3

UNDER PASSENGER SEAT: (see more details in this thread & this thread)
F107 = 50A, SAS airpump Special Fuse: BMW PN 6113836590 (rdl says it's the secondary air relay fuse)
F108 = 50A, [QSilver7 says this is for the ABS/DSC control unit] (rdl says it's the "motor relay") (rdl clarifies that the F108 "motor relay" fuse supplies ASC or DSC) (rdl says his F108 is 50A)
F109 = 80A, [QSilver7 says this is for the DME (motor electronics)] (rdl says it fuses the Ebox EF1 and the DME relay in the ebox) (rdl says his F109 is 80A)
F110 = 80A, Power supply F1-F12 and F22-F26 (rdl says this fuses about 17 fuses, up to F45) found in the glovebox)
F111 = 50A, Data link connector/ Ignition switch (rdl confirms this is the ignition switch fuse)
F112 = 80A, Light control module (rdl confirms this is the LCM fuse)
F113 = 80A, Power supply F13 and F27-F30/ Light Module (rdl says it fuses the LCM and several fuses in glovebox plus in some cars a "closed-circuit current cutout relay" which then feeds a fuse in glovebox)
F114 = 50A, Data link connector/ Ignition switch (rdl confirms this is for the ignition switch and diagnostic plug)

In addition, there is a 10A fuse on the back of the Radio/MID as per cn90 over here:

bluebee · Mar 1, 2013

I'll start putting the relays here so this post #2 is a work in progress (WIP).

There are (up to) 41 relays? in 3? relay locations in the BMW E39:

Passenger side engine bay ebox <== ABS, wipers, fuel injectors, DME, AUX, SAP
Behind the glove box <== fuel pump (after & including 2001), blower motor,
Battery compartment in trunk <== fuel pump (before 2001), unloader, defogger, central locking, fuel door lock actuator?

Let's list all the relays we can:

K? = aux fan relay (1)
K4 = interior heater blower motor relay (1)
K5 = does not exist
K6 = headlight cleaning relay (1)
K? = starter motor relay (1) (2)
K13 = rear window defogger relay
K36 = first wiper relay (1) (2)
K37 = second wiper relay (1)
K96 = fuel pump relay (1) (2) <== location changed in 2001
K? = wiper relay (1)
K? = unloader relay (1)
K? = ABS control module relay
K6304 = secondary air pump relay (1) (2)
K? = fuel injector relay
K? = DME relay
K? = fuel door lock actuator (2)
K? = ?

Let's annotate the pictures (in the end, we should clean this section up to have only a few pictures with all the relays labeled).
WIP: Right now it's a mess as I gather up the relevant photos.

...

five.two.five · Mar 1, 2013

Bluebee, very nicely done. Thank you for your great contribution.

Steve530 · Mar 2, 2013

From the Bentley manual:

F8 = 25A, ABS/ASC Control Module
F26 = 5A, Wiper Relay I/Wiper Relay II
F33 = Open
F36 = Open
F46 = 15A, Blower relay/Parked Car ventilation/Receiever, parked car ventilation
F61 = 5A,Park distance control module/ Seat heater switch, left rear/ Seat heater switch. right rear
F62 = Open
F63 = 7.5A, Radio relay/ Loud alarm relay/ Transparency relay/ Alarm control unit
F64 = 30A, On-board monitor/ Radio CD changer/ Amplifier/ GPS receiver
F65 = 10A, Transceiver
F100 = 200A, Fuse panel 4, F107-F114
F101 = 80A, Power supply for fuses F46-F50 and F66
F102 = 80A, Power supply for fuses F51-F55
F103 = 50A, Open
F104 = 50A, Unloader relay terminal 15
F106 = 100A, F75, Engine cooling fan relay stage 3
F110 = 80A, Power supply F1-F12 and F22-F26
F111 = 50A, Data link connector/ Ignition switch
F112 = 80A, Light control module
F113 = 80A, Power supply F13 and F27-F30/ Light Module
F114 = 50A, Data link connector/ Ignition switch

siddly · Mar 19, 2013

I just love this forum, you guys are great. keep up the good work!

bluebee · Apr 9, 2013

To the next person who opens up the ebox, would you kindly look at the wire colors going into one end of the five-set fuse block?

That way, we can determine which of those five is EF1, versus EF5.

bluebee · May 2, 2013

I was looking in the bestlinks to help this guy find switched power today:
- > E39 (1997 - 2003) > where would you guys pull switched ignition power for an indash n7 install?

... when I spied this nice picture of the additional ebox fuses, added for a cooling fan, so I include them below, so it's all in the same spot for others to benefit from easily:

See also:
- Where to find an E39 wiring diagram specific to your model (1) (2) (3) (4) & understanding European wiring diagrams (pdf) & where to find all E39 fuse boxes (1) (2) & adding new fuses & wiring in the engine bay (1) & all about the BMW Glovebox Flashlight Cigarette Lighter Power Adapter (1) (2) (3) & how to install a Valentine or Escort radar detector (1) (2)

MJB9 · Nov 23, 2014

HEy Bluebee,

I see my engine bay fuse compartment looks a lot like yours. I see others on here are a lot different, even though same e39. Anyway, I noticed someone before I bought it was definitely in there. and made a mess. There are two relays that should be mounted, but are hanging free (broken plastic). There is also some sort of metal sensor on bottom right that you and I have but others don't. Almost like a water level sensor, or temp sensor (it's metal). My back right water proof rubber gasket by firewall that holds all the wires, wasn't even in right (hanging out), my EF1, etc. fuse section cover is missing, there are two wires oddly taped together (not sure if anything at all but will open up), and there is a cut or broken wire (yellow with blue stripe), that I cannot see anywhere where it would go. I was in there looking to see if anything would be a sign of my ABS issues, or intermittent check brake linings message (which brakes are new, and sensors changed several times, and reset a million times to no avail). Also, one screw holding cover to compartment pulled out the other end, and another one was completely broken off. Jeez.

Anyway, FYI posting for others to see what my fuse box looks like and also to ask if others have those two wires taped together, and more importantly, of others have a mysterious wire missing. I have had NO work done to my car in there since I bought it 2.5 years ago. My ABS and brake sensors both failed many many months apart from one another, and both worked for months after I bought the car. So any broken wires were already there.

Any feedback appreciated.

DomS · May 2, 2013

This is incredible. Thank you so much for this amazing contribution.

540 M-Sport · May 2, 2013

Interesting and could be very helpful in the future, thanks!

I will say that I have NEVER replaced a single fuse or relay in my entire car ...it is now 12 years old (2001 540). First car to say that about. Even my Honda required a relay replacement or two after several years of use.

bluebee · May 3, 2013

540 M-Sport said:
I have NEVER replaced a single fuse or relay in my entire car ...

Good point.
Neither have I ever had a blown fuse or relay.

bluebee · May 23, 2013

For the related record, there was a good discussion of how to remove a stuck ebox cover over here today:
- Fuse box under cabin filter in engine compartment

See also:
- Request clarification of what is inside the ebox under the passenger cabin air filter

tapfumam · Jul 31, 2013

How do you open that cap , i am having a hard time and am afraid i dont want to break the cap off it unclips but just wont come off

bluebee · Aug 14, 2013

tapfumam said:
How do you open that cap , i am having a hard time and am afraid i dont want to break the cap off it unclips but just wont come off

I still haven't gotten mine open (it wasn't worth breaking anything); but most people say you just need to use some force in the back where it sticks.

Regarding fuses, apparently the specific word "flashlight" fuse wasn't listed in this thread yet, because it showed up as a "charging socket"; but, it appears to be fuse $39, so, I added the description below for keyword searches to find the "BMW flashlight fuse".
> E39 (1997 - 2003) > DIY: Hard wire 'switched' cigarette lighter /power socket, keeping the flashlight

professorman said:
any idea, which fuse is the flashlight?

F39 = 7.5A, flashlight charging socket, courtesy mirror illumination

Burning2nd · Aug 15, 2013

why isnt this a sticky?

this is definitely .. top 10 of your post blue
This can help so many nuggets out

as far as post 13 goes... right above..

the negative and postive is only a matter of switching the leads...

If the red and black were switched around... you would get the opposite reading with same number FYI
why because its a two pole DC reading
In this particular pic Brown is ground and purple with black tracer is hot.. as the picture shows.. you will get that reading in a Positive format
BUT!!
if you were to switch the red and black leads of that fluk meter.. you will get the same reading in negative... Which isnt a problem... Just letting you know that, that read is the same

12 Volt DC

bluebee · Sep 10, 2013

codytheoutlaw said:
The 540 has 4 relays in the ECU box: blue, light green, beige, and orange.

It seems the ebox is vastly different, with respect to relays, depending on the year, model, and transmission of the E39.

For example, here's a picture of the 99 540i ebox, from this thread:
> E39 (1997 - 2003) > Another ABS problem thread. (I have searched)

Do we know the purpose of those four relays in the older 540i?
Here's just a guess - but I don't have a 540i to check against:

blue = K? = ?
light green = K6300 ? = DME Relay ?
beige = K94 ? = wiper motor relay ?
orange = K6304 ? = Secondary Air Pump Relay ?

EDIT:
By way of comparison, from this thread, we see JimLev's 2000 540i 6 speed ebox:

Yet, this is from a 97 528 ebox:

And this is from JimLev's thread, for a 97 automatic:

And this is cn90's 1998 528i 5-speed:

Here is apparently a BMW E39 523 1998 (must be 528i) from here:

And ...

bluebee · Sep 25, 2013

It seems many of us have a problem getting the passenger side ebox cover off, and then the little fusebox cover off ... as shown in this thread today:

Punisher9113 said:
This is a brief question on how to remove the cover on the fuse box in the ebox of an E39 2003 525i.

I suspect that fuse 4 may be blown due to the fact that all 4 O2 sensor heater codes came up at the same time even after replacing the O2 sensors.
I believe its fuse 4 of the DME fuses as that fuse governs the circuit connecting the DME and the O2 sensors.

Does anybody know how to remove the cover to pull out the fuses and take a look?

edjack said:
Remove the right side cabin filter assembly. Remove the bolts holding the e-box cover on. It may be a little difficult to pop open, since there is a gasket on the lid.

When replacing the lid, smear a little anti-seize on the bolt threads.

Punisher9113 said:
Hey Ed I got that far but the little box that holds the DME fuses has yet again bested me. Do you know how to get that one open?

bluebee said:
Typing /ebox F3 in the VERY best of E39 Links nets this, which the OP has already surmounted:
- How to open the BMW E39 white e-box under the passenger side cabin air filter ebox (1)

Now that the ebox cover is off, the next trick is to get the fuse cover off:

And, once that cover is off, it would be nice if the OP can clarify exactly which fuse is which, based on this thread:
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > Picture & amperage & description of every single fuse & relay in the BMW E39

194449 · Sep 27, 2013

You remove the fuse holder cover by sticking a comparably sized flat-head screwdriver tip into that small slot on one corner and pushing with that and with your fingers to slide the cover toward the other end, in the direction of the firewall. Some people might prefer to do this with the holder still clipped into place in the e-box bracket.

On my car, the fuse holder is fully populated but the fuse closest to the slotted corner is apparently a spare because there are no connectors underneath for it to plug into.

Going on memory here but once the cover is off, the upper part of the fuse holder lifts out with the fuses. They fall out fairly easily after that.

bluebee · Sep 27, 2013

pleiades said:
You remove the fuse holder cover by sticking a comparably sized flat-head screwdriver tip into that small slot on one corner

Since I never managed to get my ebox cover off (I was just curious so I didn't try after it resisted), I have never seen (nor noticed in the pictures) that little slot you're mentioning; but I clearly see it in the picture above - so - this is good information for this reference thread.

pleiades said:
the fuse closest to the slotted corner is apparently a spare

That's interesting because, at least on my bimmer, all five slots are spoken for:

EF1 = 30A, MAF, Cam sensor #1, DME, T-Stat, Evap emission valve (some say it's 30A - DME, Injectors, SMG Hydraulic unit)
EF2 = 30A, Fuel injectors, Both Vanos solenoids, Cam sensor #2, SAS pump electrical valve (some say it's 30A - DME, Idle control valve, Fuel tank ventilation valve, Fuel pump)
EF3 = 20A, Cam sensors, MAF, Crank Sensor, Heated O2 sensors (some say it's 30A, others say 25A - E-box fan, Transmission RPM sensor, CPS, MAF sensor, Fuel pump relay, SAP relay, A/C Compressor relay, Fuel tank leakage diagnostic module, SMG selector lever)
EF4 = 30A, DME (some say it's 30A - Oxygen sensors and oxygen sensor heater circuits)
EF5 = 30A, Unloader relay, power to coils (some say it's 30A - Fuel injector relay)

Given the symmetry, my question has always been which end is EF1?

bluebee · Nov 16, 2013

BTW, I would suspect, assuming left-to-right convention, that the fuse numbers are the following (but I'm just guessing):

Oxide_325i · Feb 24, 2014

Sticky This Bish Plz

bluebee · Feb 28, 2014

It would be nice to find a video of removal of the passenger side ebox cover and the clips over the DME fuses (and which DME fuse is number 1).

See also this information about fuses posted today, for the cluster:

Drawdy said:
I went in and played with fuse 18, didn't do much. But fuse 24! Now that was the ticket. Fuse 24 was pulled, unfroze the gauges and reset them all back to zero. Replaced the fuse and the cluster began working again!!! Now I just need to get the pixels fixed and it'll be as good as new. I think I got some free miles in there though since it was stuck at 156280 for over a day, working now though.
I should mention that nothing was blown, just pulled and replaced the fuse and that seemed to fix it.

Also, this thread today has the fuse descriptions, in German:
> E39 (1997 - 2003) > Frustrating rear ABS problem [fixed, new module]

Bovario · Mar 1, 2014

DME Fuses

ASSUMING THE FUSE DESIGNATION BELOW TO BE TRUE, Reply # 22 IN THIS THREAD IS ALSO TRUE

IN THE White E-BOX UNDER PASSENGER SIDE CABIN AIR FILTER:
EF1 = 30A, MAF, Cam sensor #1, DME, T-Stat, Evap emission valve (some say it's 30A - DME, Injectors, SMG Hydraulic unit)
EF2 = 30A, Fuel injectors, Both Vanos solenoids, Cam sensor #2, SAS pump electrical valve (some say it's 30A - DME, Idle control valve, Fuel tank ventilation valve, Fuel pump)
EF3 = 20A, Cam sensors, MAF, Crank Sensor, Heated O2 sensors (some say it's 30A, others say 25A - E-box fan, Transmission RPM sensor, CPS, MAF sensor, Fuel pump relay, SAP relay, A/C Compressor relay, Fuel tank leakage diagnostic module, SMG selector lever)
EF4 = 30A, DME (some say it's 30A - Oxygen sensors and oxygen sensor heater circuits)
EF5 = 30A, Unloader relay, power to coils (some say it's 30A - Fuel injector relay)

I have a 2003 540i manual which threw "engine fail safe prog" message. After shutting it off, car would not restart. Luckily for me, I experienced the same thing as the guy in that thread…. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1001823-ENGINE-FAILSAFE-PROG-please-help I also got in touch with my indie who advised that the temp switch to replace is mounted on the thermostat housing. Based on the above referenced thread I finally managed to get to that fuse tray by the DME *NB. After undoing the four screws, there are two clips to the back right holding the E-box cover in place. I found it easier to remove the tray by raising the clip(facing the firewall) and lifting the tray out. After finally getting the lid off the tray I found the fuse closest to the clip to be blown (MY BASIS FOR AGREEING WITH THE LABELING IN REPLY # 22). The temp gauge was pegged to the right and car would turn over but not start prior to changing this fuse which convinces me that it controls power to the coil packs as indicated in reply #22…...all my fuses in that box are 30A by the way. _sl_ _sl_

bluebee · Mar 2, 2014

Bovario said:
ASSUMING THE FUSE DESIGNATION BELOW TO BE TRUE, Reply # 22 IN THIS THREAD IS ALSO TRUE

Thank you for that analysis. I'll assume, going forward, that EF1 is to the left, and that EF5 is to the right.

I do know we can confirm by color of wires also, but, I myself have never figured out how to get the ebox cover off. Actually, I tried only once, and all I had wanted to do was snap a picture, so, I didn't try all that hard once it was clear that there was a trick of some sort necessary.

Bovario said:
After undoing the four screws, there are two clips to the back right holding the E-box cover in place. I found it easier to remove the tray by raising the clip(facing the firewall) and lifting the tray out.

Thanks for providing the hint for getting that furstugenah cover off!

cpcampbell · Mar 1, 2014

ABS/ASC Problem

I was wondering if I could get some help here. I have a 1997 BMW 528i automatic. My Speedometer, MPG, and odometer do not work. Also, I have no warning light from the ASC/ABS on my dash. So here is what I've done:
Replaced both rear wheel speed sensors (initially missing)
Checked all speed sensors-good
Checked the Dashboard to see if the lights were working or painted to hide the ASC problem light; it checked out good.
Checked for Power at pins 1, 19, and 51 on the ASC Control Box behind the Glove Box; no power at pin 19.
Checked for operation for both ABS relays in the Engine Relay box under the passenger side air box; the outermost relay works, the inner relay checked out satisfactory but doesn't get signal to energize.
I traced the lead that goes to pin 19 and found it gets power from the upside down relay just inboard of the two pink ABS relays; that relay does not get a signal to energize even with the engine running.
To be clear, when I talk about a relay getting a signal to energize, what I mean is that I know the Yellow/Green wire, for the relay coil, to have power, and the other wire connects through ground via a contact somewhere.
What I am trying to figure out is why the black, upside down, innermost relay is not energizing. I've tried to trace the Black/Grey wire, to no avail, to understand why. I do not have access to the wiring schematic, otherwise I would have licked this long ago. If you could help, please let me know.
Thank you

cpcampbell · Mar 3, 2014

Could anyone help me to get the BMW WDS working. When I go to the page, IE gives me a bar saying Internet Explorer block this website from installing an ActiveX Control. After I click the Install button it asks Do you want to allow this program from an unknown publisher to make changes to this computer, then I click Yes. Then it gives me Windows has blocked this program because it can't verify the publisher. Could anyone let me know what I must do to get WDS working?

cpcampbell · Mar 3, 2014

ABS/ASC won't turn on

OK, so here are pictures that I am using to diagnose the problem. I believe that my ABS/ASC Module is not coming on. It is getting power to pins 1 and 51, as it should. However, it is not getting a B+ reference voltage to pin 19; I believe this is a signal the ABS/ASC Module uses to know when the car is on and/or the engine is running. Pin 19 connects to a red/blue striper wire which I have traced to a solder connection in a wire bundle located in the control box under the passenger side cabin filter. The main lead to this red/blue striper is connected to the relay (see picture) that is to the right of the two pink relays (for the ABS); it is upside down so you see only the wires going to it. (I believe the relay is connected to a filter that regulates for a clean voltage signal.) What I am not getting is a signal to energize that relay, thus give my ABS/ASC Control Module the signal to turn on.

The relay control wire is Black/Grey Striper, and I can not trace it down to find it's source, nor access BMW Planet WDS to look it up. Any ideas?

Also, sorry I posted the wrong schematic. Also, not to insult your knowledge, but according to the last picture, A is for output and E is for input. To be honest, I don't know if what I'm doing is easter egging, but I just hope I'm on the right track.

bluebee · Apr 19, 2014

For reference, there is some troubleshooing for relays over in this thread today:
> 5 Series > E39 (1997 - 2003) > Lights but won't crank

Ermagerd said:
Looks like the starter relay is in behind the glove compartment.

AZBimmerCpl · Apr 19, 2014

FYI, this thread rocks!

pudl · Apr 23, 2014

Complete the thread with naming of relays in the touring's rear. One of the small black ones is the central-locking relay. What is the other one?

JDeGraff89 · Apr 24, 2014

Thank you so much Blue! I now know that my fuel pump relay is in the trunk and not. In my Ebox. In the Ebox is injector relay. Which I may also replace. They're the same relay anyway. Light green 5 prong right? Or 4 prong.. I forgot ill look it up in the morning.

Picture & amperage & description of every single fuse & relay in the BMW E39

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