Fuse box diagram (fuse location), location and purpose of fuses and relays BMW 3-series E46 (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006) 316, 318, 320, 323, 325, 328, 330 and M3.
Checking and replacing fuses
The electrical circuits in the car are protected from short circuits by fuses. This greatly reduces the chance of damage due to electrical problems.
To check a fuse, look at the silver strip inside the fuse. If the strip is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure to replace the faulty fuse with a new one of the same size and rating.
Fuses of the same amperage may be temporarily taken from another fuse location if the fuse is blown. Replace the fuse as soon as possible.
Note
- Before replacing a fuse, make sure the key has been removed from the ignition and that all services are turned off and/or disconnected.
- When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to use only a fuse with the correct ampere rating. Using a fuse with a different rating than specified may result in a dangerous overload of the electrical system.
- If a properly rated fuse continues to blow, this indicates a problem in the circuit that needs to be corrected.
Cabin Fuse Box Diagram
You will find the fuses and information about their respective locations in the glove box behind the panel with two latches.
| No. | A | Protected components |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — |
| 2 | — | — |
| 3 | — | — |
| 4 | — | — |
| 5 | 5 | Horn relay |
| 6 | 5 | Driver side vanity mirror illumination |
| Passenger side vanity mirror light | ||
| Convertible soft top control unit | ||
| 7 | 5 | Radio control unit |
| AM/FM Antenna Booster (with Remote Central Locking) | ||
| On-board monitor control unit | ||
| Spatial sound switch | ||
| Interface | ||
| Navigation computer | ||
| GPS receiver | ||
| Transceiver/Charging Electronics | ||
| Button, folding soft top closed | ||
| Phone with basic interface | ||
| Voice input | ||
| Diversity | ||
| Extraction box | ||
| Telematics Control Unit (TCU-Everest) | ||
| Universal electronic module for charging and hands-free communication (ULF) | ||
| 8 | 5 | Sequential mechanical transmission |
| 9 | 5 | before 03.2001 (BMS46): |
| Common Module Control Unit | ||
| Light switching center control unit | ||
| Cruise control module | ||
| Brake light switch | ||
| Spiral spring | ||
| 03.1998-09.1999 (MS42 or DDE3.0): | ||
| Spiral spring | ||
| Common Module Control Unit | ||
| Brake light switch | ||
| Light switching center control unit | ||
| 09.1999-03.2001 (MS42, MS43, MSS54, DDE3.0, DDE4.0): | ||
| Spiral spring | ||
| Common Module Control Unit | ||
| Brake light switch | ||
| Light switching center control unit | ||
| Clutch switch | ||
| as of 03.2001: | ||
| Spiral spring | ||
| Common Module Control Unit | ||
| Brake light switch | ||
| Light switching center control unit | ||
| Clutch Switch Module | ||
| 10 | 5 | Instrument cluster control unit |
| 11 | 5 | Multiple Restraint System II: |
| Left side airbag sensor (satellite) | ||
| Right side airbag sensor (satellite) | ||
| Multiple Restraint System Control Unit | ||
| Hall sensor, driver seat belt buckle | ||
| Hall Effect Sensor, Passenger Seat Belt Buckle (USA) | ||
| Electronic seat control | ||
| Multiple Restraint System III/IV: | ||
| Multiple Restraint System Control Unit | ||
| Hall sensor, driver seat belt buckle | ||
| Electronic seat control | ||
| Hall Effect Sensor, Passenger Seat Belt Buckle (USA) | ||
| 12 | 7.5 | 03.1998-09.1999: Sunshade switch |
| since 09.1999: Switching center | ||
| 13 | 7.5 | since 03.2000: Rollover sensor |
| 14 | 5 | Electronic immobilizer control unit |
| Gear shift lock | ||
| 15 | 5 | Rain sensor |
| Intermittent wiper/washer control unit, rear (Touring) | ||
| 16 | — | — |
| 17 | — | — |
| 18 | — | — |
| 19 | — | — |
| 20 | — | — |
| 21 | — | — |
| 22 | 5 | S54: Sequential manual transmission. |
| M47/TU and M57/TU: Digital control unit for diesel electronics | ||
| 23 | 5 | Auxiliary water pump |
| 24 | 5 | Electrochromic interior rear view mirror |
| Parking Control Unit (PDC) | ||
| 25 | 5 | Outside mirror on the passenger side |
| Thermal switch, heated injectors | ||
| 26 | 5 | Garage door opener |
| 27 | 10 | Reverse Light Relay |
| Gearbox position switch (BMS46 with EGS 8.34) | ||
| Transmission Control Unit (BMS46 with GM5) | ||
| 28 | 5 | Heating and air conditioning control module |
| Heating Fan Relay | ||
| Relay, air conditioning compressor | ||
| Dual function air recirculation/rear window defroster switch | ||
| Temperature switch | ||
| Rear Window Defogger Relay (Convertible) | ||
| 29 | 5 | Digital Engine Electronics Control Unit (BMS46, MS42, MS43, MSS54) |
| Terminal 15 of the unloader relay (BMS46, ME9) | ||
| Digital control unit for diesel electronics (DDE3.0, DDE5) | ||
| Gearbox control unit (ME9 with automatic transmission) | ||
| 30 | 7.5 | Oil level sensor |
| Generator | ||
| Temperature relay (before 09.1998; MS42) | ||
| Gearbox control unit | ||
| Data channel connector | ||
| Diesel: | ||
| Oil level sensor | ||
| Data channel connector | ||
| Gearbox control unit (since 06.2000; DDE3.0) | ||
| 31 | 5 | 03.1998-09.1998: Mirror adjustment switch. |
| 09.1998-09.2001: Tire pressure monitoring system control unit. | ||
| as of 09.2001: | ||
| Mirror adjustment switch | ||
| Control unit, tire malfunction indicator (RPA) (4WD with DDS) | ||
| Tire pressure monitoring system control unit (without all-wheel drive with DDS) | ||
| 32 | 5 | without xenon headlights: Switching center control unit |
| Xenon headlights: | ||
| Light switching center control unit | ||
| Xenon headlight left | ||
| Xenon headlight right | ||
| Adaptive cornering light control unit (03.2003-09.2003; convertible and coupe) | ||
| Xenon headlights (as of 09.2003): | ||
| Light switching center control unit | ||
| Adaptive cornering light control unit (convertible) | ||
| 33 | 5 | 03.1998-09.1999: |
| ASC/DSC button | ||
| ABS/DSC unit (with DSC) | ||
| without all-wheel drive: | ||
| Switch Center | ||
| Steering wheel angle sensor (with DSC) | ||
| ABS/DSC unit | ||
| before 03.2001 (all-wheel drive): | ||
| Switch Center | ||
| Steering wheel angle sensor, DSC | ||
| ABS/DSC unit | ||
| since 03.2001 (all-wheel drive): shift center | ||
| 34 | 5 | Instrument cluster control unit |
| Fuel Pump Control (EKPS) (MS45 only) | ||
| 35 | 50 | all-wheel drive: ABS / DSC unit |
| Convertible: relay, convertible top drive | ||
| 36 | 50 | Secondary air pump relay |
| 37 | 50 | 03.1998-09.1998: Heating fan relay. |
| 09.1998-09.1999: | ||
| Fan switch (with IHS) | ||
| Supercharger output stage (with IHKA) | ||
| since 09.1999: Electric fan | ||
| 38 | 10 | Fog light relay |
| 39 | 5 | Transceiver/Charging Electronics |
| Motorola (03.1998-09.1999): Transceiver/Charging Electronics | ||
| Nokia: | ||
| Transceiver/Charging Electronics (before 09.1999) | ||
| Compensator | ||
| Telephone Basic Interface (as of 09.1999) | ||
| Voice Input (as of 09.1999) | ||
| Telephone support: | ||
| Transceiver/Charging Electronics | ||
| Compensator | ||
| JBIT: Basic Interface Phone | ||
| 10 | Siemens: | |
| Voice input | ||
| Phone with basic interface | ||
| Extraction box | ||
| Motorola (as of 06.2000): | ||
| Voice input | ||
| Compensator | ||
| Transceiver/Charging Electronics | ||
| Interface | ||
| Telematics control unit: | ||
| Voice input | ||
| Telematics Control Unit (TCU-Everest) | ||
| Extraction box | ||
| Air splitter (coupe, convertible from 2004_09) | ||
| ULF: | ||
| Compensator | ||
| Universal electronic module for charging and hands-free communication (ULF) | ||
| 40 | 5 | without all-wheel drive (before 09.2001): Gear engagement indicator |
| without all-wheel drive (as of 09.2001): | ||
| Steering wheel angle sensor, DSC | ||
| Gear Indicator (US only) | ||
| All-wheel drive: Steering wheel angle sensor, DSC | ||
| 41 | 30 | On-board monitor control unit |
| Power amplifier | ||
| Radio control unit | ||
| CD changer | ||
| Subwoofer box | ||
| Navigation computer | ||
| Video module control unit | ||
| Switch Center | ||
| 42 | 30 | Switch Center |
| 43 | 5 | Instrument cluster control unit |
| Data Link Connector (US only) | ||
| 44 | 20 | Trailer socket |
| 45 | 20 | Estate: Intermittent wiper/washer control unit, rear |
| 46 | 20 | Convertible soft top control unit |
| Hatch module control unit | ||
| Convertible Top Relay 1 | ||
| 47 | 15 | before 03.1999: Cigarette lighter, front |
| 20 | as of 03.1999: | |
| Cigarette lighter, front | ||
| Left storage compartment (except Touring) | ||
| Right side storage compartment (except Touring) | ||
| 12V socket | ||
| 48 | 30 | Common Module Control Unit |
| 49 | 5 | Common Module Control Unit |
| AM/FM Antenna Booster (with Remote Central Locking) | ||
| 50 | 25 | before 09.1999: Ignition switch. |
| 40 | as of 09.1999: | |
| Fan switch (with heater control) | ||
| Fan output stage (without heater control) | ||
| 51 | 30 | Headlamp Washer Module |
| 52 | 30 | Common Module Control Unit |
| 53 | 30 | ABS/ASC unit |
| 54 | 15 | Fuel pump relay 1 |
| 25 | DDE4.0: Fuel Pump Relay 1 | |
| 20 | DDE5.0: Fuel Pump Relay 1 | |
| MS45: Fuel Pump Control (EKPS) | ||
| 55 | 15 | Horn relay |
| 56 | 30 | ABS/ASC unit |
| 57 | 5 | Control unit for folding exterior mirrors |
| Driver side mirror memory control unit (before 03.2003) | ||
| Front passenger side mirror memory control unit (before 03.2003) | ||
| Driver’s side exterior mirror with memory (as of 03.2003) | ||
| Front passenger exterior mirror with memory (as of 03.2003) | ||
| Driver’s side mirror memory control unit (since 03.2003; coupe, convertible) | ||
| Front passenger side mirror memory control unit (as of 03.2003; coupe, convertible) | ||
| Driver’s door window lift motor with anti-pinch function (since 03.2003; compact, convertible with SPMFT) | ||
| Electric window lift motor for passenger door with anti-pinch function (since 03.2003; compact, convertible with SPMFT) | ||
| 58 | 7.5 | Station wagon: Rear window drive relay |
| as of 03.2003; (Coupe, Convertible): Adaptive cornering light control unit | ||
| 59 | 30 | Windscreen wiper relay |
| 60 | 25 | Common Module Control Unit |
| 61 | 30 | ABS/DSC unit |
| 62 | 7.5 | Water valves |
| 63 | 7.5 | Relay, air conditioning compressor |
| 64 | 20 | Autonomous Park Heating Control Unit |
| 5 | DDE5: Gearbox control unit | |
| 65 | 30 | 03.1998-09.1999: |
| Driver’s Seat Memory Control Unit | ||
| Driver’s lumbar support switch | ||
| as of 09.1999: | ||
| Driver’s seat adjustment switch | ||
| Driver’s lumbar support switch (convertible) | ||
| 66 | 5 | MS43 with SMG: Ignition Switch |
| 67 | 5 | Electronic immobilizer control unit |
| Electrochromic interior rear view mirror | ||
| Control unit, interior protection I | ||
| Control unit, interior protection II (convertible) | ||
| Tilt control | ||
| Anti-theft alarm sound signal | ||
| 68 | 30 | Rear Window Defogger Relay |
| 69 | 5 | Tire pressure monitoring system control unit |
| 70 | 30 | with SMF (sedan, wagon): front passenger seat adjustment switch |
| without SMF (sedan, wagon): passenger lumbar support switch | ||
| Compact, coupe: control unit, front passenger memory | ||
| Cabriolet: | ||
| Front Passenger Seat Memory Control Unit | ||
| Passenger lumbar support switch | ||
| 71 | 30 | 4-door: Common module control unit |
| 10 | 2-door: Common module control unit | |
| 72 | — | — |
| 73 | — | — |
Additional fuses behind the glove box
| No. | A | Protected components |
|---|---|---|
| 101 | 50 | 03.1998-09.1998: Electric fan. |
| 102 | 80 | MSS54: |
| Fuse Holder, Engine Electronics (Fuse #5 (30A)) | ||
| DME relay | ||
| Digital Engine Electronics Control Unit | ||
| SMG control unit | ||
| MS43: | ||
| Fuse Holder, Engine Electronics (Fuse #5 (30A)) | ||
| DME relay | ||
| Digital Engine Electronics Control Unit | ||
| Gearbox control unit | ||
| BMS46, MS42: terminal B+ | ||
| ME9: B+ potential distributor | ||
| 103 | — | — |
| 104 | 100 | Pre-heater relay |
| 105 | 50 | Ignition switch |
| Diagnostic plug | ||
| 106 | 50 | Ignition switch |
| Light switching center control unit | ||
| 107 | 50 | Trailer module |
| Light switching center control unit |
Relay behind the glove box
| No. | Relay |
|---|---|
| K2 | Horn relay |
| K4 | 03.1998-09.1998: IHS heating fan relay. |
| K19 | since 09.1998: Air conditioning compressor relay. |
| K47 | Fog light relay |
| K96 | Fuel pump relay 1 |
Rear fuse box
| No. | A | Protected components |
|---|---|---|
| 108 | 200 | Fuse: 35-71, 101-107 |
| 203 | 100 | DDE relay |
| Fuse box, engine electronics (fuse #4 (30A) — DDE4.0 or EGS Transmission control GM5) |
BMW 3-Series (E46) (1998-2006) fuses and relays. BMW 3-Series (E46) (1998-2006) fuses and relays fuse diagram.