In this guide, we'll explain the location of the fuses and relays in the BMW 3 Series E46 (1998 - 2006).
In this guide, we will try to figure out where the fuses and relays are located on BMW 3 series E46 generation cars (1998 – 2006).
Fuse Box in the Glove Compartment
The main fuse box is located in the glove compartment. You will see two white latches (left and right) that need to be turned to open the fuse box.
No special tool is needed to replace the fuses, however, in the center of the fuse box you will find special red forceps (tweezers). With their help, it becomes much easier to remove the fuse from the socket.
Next to the box you will also find a diagram of the location of all fuses.
| Fuse Number | Amperage | Protected Circuits |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | – | |
| F2 | – | |
| F3 | – | |
| F4 | – | |
| F5 | 5A | Horn relay |
| F6 | 5A | Vanity mirror lamps, convertible top control module |
| F7 | 5A | Convertible top actuation switch, navigation system control module, audio unit output amp lifier, digital multifunction display, telephone audio unit |
| F8 | 5A | Sequential mechanical gear box-M3 |
| F9 | 5A | Steering wheel controls-cruise control, brake pedal position (BPP)switch, multifunction control module, headlamp switch, clutch pedal position (CPP)switch |
| F10 | 5A | Instrument panel |
| F11 | 5A | SRS control module, electric seats, seat belt warning system |
| F12 | 7,5A | Multi switch assembly |
| F13 | 7,5A | Roll bar control module |
| F14 | 5A | Immobilizer control module, transmission shift hold switch |
| F15 | 5A | Rain sensor, rear screen wash/wipe system |
| F16 | – | |
| F17 | – | |
| F18 | – | |
| F19 | – | |
| F20 | – | |
| F21 | – | |
| F22 | 5A | Sequential mechanical gear box-M3 |
| F23 | 5A | Engine coolant pump motor- Diesel |
| F24 | 5A | Anti-dazzle interior mirror, parking aid control module |
| F25 | 5A | Electric door mirror, passenger’s side, wind screen washer jet temperature switch |
| F26 | 5A | Garage door opener |
| F27 | 10A | Reversing lamp/s relay, transmission gear position switch |
| F28 | 5A | AC control module, AC compressor clutch relay |
| F29 | 5A | Engine control module(ECM), ignition coil relay |
| F30 | 7,5A | Alternator, engine oil level sensor, data link connector (DLC)-16pin |
| F31 | 5A | Tyre pressure monitor control module |
| F32 | 5A | Headlamp switch, head lamp control module- LH(gas discharge headlamps),head lamp control module-RH(gas discharge headlamps) |
| F33 | 5A | Multi switch assembly, ABS control module – with ASC, steering position sensor |
| F34 | 5A | Instrument panel |
| F35 | 50A | Convertible top motor relay |
| F36 | 50A | Secondary air injection (AIR) pump relay |
| F37 | 50A | Engine coolant blower motor |
| F38 | 10A/15A | Fog lamps relay |
| F39 | 5A | Telephone, voice synthesizer |
| F40 | 5A | Transmission selector lamp, steering position sensor- DSC |
| F41 | 30A | Digital multifunction display, audio unit output amplifier, audio unit CD changer, audio unit, navigation system control module |
| F42 | 30A | Multi switch assembly |
| F43 | 5A | Instrument panel |
| F44 | 20A | Trailer socket |
| F45 | 20A | Rear screen wash/wipe system |
| F46 | 20A/30A | Convertible top control module, sunroof control module, convertible top compartment lid motor relay |
| F47 | 20A | Cigarette lighter-front, auxiliary power socket |
| F48 | 30A | Multifunction control module |
| F49 | 5A | Multifunction control module, audio unit output amplifier |
| F50 | 40A | AC/heater blower motor switch |
| F51 | 30A | Headlamp washer control module |
| F52 | 30A | Multifunction control module |
| F53 | 30A | ABS control module |
| F54 | 15A/20A | Fuel pump relay |
| F55 | 15A | Horn relay |
| F56 | 30a | ABS control module |
| F57 | 5A | Door mirror retract control module, door mirror control module, driver’s side, door mirror control module, passenger’s side |
| F58 | 7,5A | Tailgate window relay |
| F59 | 30A | Windscreen wiper motor relay |
| F60 | 25A | Multifunction control module |
| F61 | 30A | ABS control module – with DSC |
| F62 | 7,5A | Engine coolant heater regulator valve |
| F63 | 7,5A | AC compressor clutch relay |
| F64 | 20A | Auxiliary heater control module |
| F65 | 30A | Seat operating switch, driver’s side |
| F66 | – | |
| F67 | 5A | Immobilizer control module, anti-dazzle interior mirror, alarm system in car movement control module, alarm system gradient sensor, alarm system horn |
| F68 | 30A | Heated rear window relay |
| F69 | 5A | Tyre pressure monitor control module |
| F70 | 30A | Seat operating switch, passenger’s side |
| F71 | 10A/30A | Multifunction control module |
There are also four relays located behind the duffel box: the fuel pump relay, the backup relay, the fog lamp relay and the audio signal relay.
| Relay Number | Relay Assignment |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fuel pump relay |
| 2 | |
| 3 | Fog lamps relay |
| 4 | Horn relay |
A few more fuses are behind the glove compartment.
| Fuse Number | Amperage | Protected Circuits |
|---|---|---|
| F101 | 50A | Engine coolant blower motor |
| F102 | 80A | Engine control (EC)relay, engine control module(ECM), transmission control module(TCM), fuse boxes/relay plates- LH rear engine compartment(F5) |
| F103 | – | |
| F104 | 100A | Glow plug control module |
| F105 | 50A | Starter switch, datalink connector (DLC)-20pin |
| F106 | 50A | Starter switch, headlamp switch |
| F107 | 50A | Headlamp switch, trailer control module |
Fuse box in the Engine Compartment
Another fuse box is located in the engine compartment – in the rear of the engine compartment, near the wipers.
| Fuse Number | Amperage | Protected Circuits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Engine control module(ECM) | |
| 2 | Transmission control module(TCM) | |
| 3 | Windscreen wiper motor relay | |
| 4 | Engine control (EC) relay – petrol | |
| 5 | Engine control (EC) relay – Diesel | |
| 6 | Reversing lamp/s relay | |
| F1 | 30A | Ignition coils-320i with MS43/325i/330i |
| F2 | 30A | Engine control module (ECM), reversing lamp/s relay, transmission control module (TCM) – 316i/318i |
| F3 | 20A | Mass airflow (MAF) sensor, crankshaft position (CKP) sensor, reversing lamp/s relay, engine coolant thermostat, camshaft position (CMP) sensor 1, camshaft position (CMP) sensor 2-320i/325i/330i |
| F4 | 30A | Fuel pump relay, secondary air injection (AIR) pump relay, AC compressor clutch relay-316i/318i/330i |
| F5 | 30A | Ignitioncoilrelay-316i/318i/320i/323i/328i |
How do I check the relay?
The easiest way to check the relay is to replace it with a known working relay. Relays are usually checked in this way at service stations. However, it is not always possible to quickly get the right relay at home, so we recommend the following way to check the so-called working relays, which include, for example, relays for the main and fog lights:
- Remove the relay from the connector.
- First check with a probe whether voltage is present at pin 30 of the relay’s connector. To do this, connect the tester to the ground and touch pin 30 of the connector with the tester lead. If there is voltage, the tester LED will illuminate. If the LED does not illuminate, find and repair the break in the circuit between the positive terminal of the battery and pin 30 of the relay connector.
- Make a jumper from a piece of insulated wire by stripping the ends
- Using the jumper fabricated, connect pin 30 of the relay connector (where the battery voltage is permanently present) to pin 87.
- If the corresponding circuit closes when the jumper is installed (e.g. high beam comes on), then the corresponding relay is in good condition.
- If the circuit does not close (e.g. the high beam still does not come on), find and repair the break in the circuit between pin 87 of the relay connector and the corresponding consumer.
- If necessary, install a new relay
Original Fuse Code Numbers
| Amperage | Catalogue Number |
|---|---|
| 3 A | 61 13 1 394 461 |
| 5 A | 61 13 1 386 626 |
| 7,5 A | 61 13 1 370 987 |
| 10 A | 61 13 1 386 627 |
| 15 A | 61 13 1 372 626 |
| 20 A | 61 13 1 386 848 |
| 25 A | 61 13 1 372 627 |
| 30 A | 61 13 1 372 628 |
| 40 A | 61 14 6 953 473 |
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CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHERE IS THE ALTERNATOR FUSE LOCATED IN bmw x3.
ThankYou
F30