BMW 12138616153 Ignition Coil

Each spark plug is fed by its own coil, and the coils are mounted directly on top of the spark plugs, in the valve cover. Ensure the ignition is switched off. Remove the engine oil filler cap. Remove the in-cabin air filter and the heater/ventilation inlet air ducting from the rear of the engine compartment. Pry up the plastic caps, remove the retaining screws, and remove the plastic cover from above the injectors. Remove the plastic cover from the top of the cylinder head cover. To remove the cover, pry out the cover plates and unscrew the two securing nuts, then lift and pull the cover forwards. Manipulate the cover over the oil filler neck. Lift the securing clip, and disconnect the electrical connector from the relevant coil. If all the coils are to be removed disconnect all the connectors, then unscrew the nut securing the coil wiring ground lead to the stud on the front of the timing chain cover the wiring harness can then be unclipped from the camshaft cover and moved to one side. Unscrew the two coil securing bolts, noting the locations of any ground leads or brackets secured by the bolts. Note that the coil connectors are spring-loaded, so the top of the coil will lift as the bolts are unscrewed. Pull the coil from the valve cover and spark plug, and withdraw it from the engine. Installation is a reversal of removal, but ensure that any ground leads and brackets are in position as noted before removal.

To remove the engine cover, lift the front of the cover up and pull it forwards. Then, remove the cabin air filter cover and mounting fasteners. Slide the filter from the housing. Release the clips and remove the plastic covers on each side of the engine compartment. Unclip the hose from the left-hand cover. Depress the clips and pull the cable guide forwards from the cabin air filter lower housing. Release the clip and remove the bolt at each side, then slide the cabin air filter lower housing forwards and maneuver it up and out. Unscrew the oil filler cap, then remove the bolts and the plastic cover from the top of the engine. Pry up the right-hand edge of the plastic covers over the ignition coils and disconnect the coil electrical connectors. With the wiring plugs disconnected, pull the coils from the spark plugs. For models with strut tower supports, remove the plastic cap from the center of the cowl trim panel and remove the bolt in the center of the cowl. Remove the bolt at each outer end of the supports, hold the rubber grommet in place and slide the supports outwards. Unscrew the oil filler cap, then remove the bolts and the plastic cover from the top of the engine. Pry up the right-hand edge of the plastic covers over the ignition coils and disconnect the coil electrical connectors. With the wiring plugs disconnected, pull the coils from the spark plugs. Installation is the reverse of removal, ensuring that any ground wires or brackets are reinstalled as noted before removal.

To remove the engine cover, lift the front of the cover up and pull it forwards. Then, remove the cabin air filter cover and mounting fasteners. Slide the filter from the housing. Release the clips and remove the plastic covers on each side of the engine compartment. Unclip the hose from the left-hand cover. Depress the clips and pull the cable guide forwards from the cabin air filter lower housing. Release the clip and remove the bolt at each side, then slide the cabin air filter lower housing forwards and maneuver it up and out. Unscrew the oil filler cap, then remove the bolts and the plastic cover from the top of the engine. Pry up the right-hand edge of the plastic covers over the ignition coils and disconnect the coil electrical connectors. With the wiring plugs disconnected, pull the coils from the spark plugs. For models with strut tower supports, remove the plastic cap from the center of the cowl trim panel and remove the bolt in the center of the cowl. Remove the bolt at each outer end of the supports, hold the rubber grommet in place and slide the supports outwards. Unscrew the oil filler cap, then remove the bolts and the plastic cover from the top of the engine. Pry up the right-hand edge of the plastic covers over the ignition coils and disconnect the coil electrical connectors. With the wiring plugs disconnected, pull the coils from the spark plugs. Installation is the reverse of removal, ensuring that any ground wires or brackets are reinstalled as noted before removal.

Make sure the ignition is switched OFF. Remove the ignition coil cover. Unlock the ignition coil connector and pull the connector off the coil. Slide the rod-shaped ignition coil straight out of the spark plug hole. Be cautious to maintain cleanliness when servicing ignition coils. Fuel and oil residue can cause a breakdown in the electrical resistance of the silicone encased coil, resulting in ignition coil failure. Installation is the reverse of removal. Check for fault codes and reset ECM memory.

To remove the engine cover, lift the front of the cover up and pull it forwards. Then, remove the cabin air filter cover and mounting fasteners. Slide the filter from the housing. Release the clips and remove the plastic covers on each side of the engine compartment. Unclip the hose from the left-hand cover. Depress the clips and pull the cable guide forwards from the cabin air filter lower housing. Release the clip and remove the bolt at each side, then slide the cabin air filter lower housing forwards and maneuver it up and out. Unscrew the oil filler cap, then remove the bolts and the plastic cover from the top of the engine. Pry up the right-hand edge of the plastic covers over the ignition coils and disconnect the coil electrical connectors. With the wiring plugs disconnected, pull the coils from the spark plugs. For models with strut tower supports, remove the plastic cap from the center of the cowl trim panel and remove the bolt in the center of the cowl. Remove the bolt at each outer end of the supports, hold the rubber grommet in place and slide the supports outwards. Unscrew the oil filler cap, then remove the bolts and the plastic cover from the top of the engine. Pry up the right-hand edge of the plastic covers over the ignition coils and disconnect the coil electrical connectors. With the wiring plugs disconnected, pull the coils from the spark plugs. Installation is the reverse of removal, ensuring that any ground wires or brackets are reinstalled as noted before removal.

All engines use a distributorless ignition system with individual ignition coils (numbered) for each cylinder. There is no distributor cap or ignition rotor. Each coil is separately controlled and monitored by the ECM. When the ignition is switched ON, the ECM receives wake-up (KL 15w) via the bus network and a hardwire KL15 wake-up signal directly from the car access system (CAS) to energize the ECM main relay and other DME relays to supply power to the engine electronics fuse carrier and to the ignition coils. Maintain cleanliness when servicing ignition coils. Fuel and oil residue can cause a breakdown in the electrical resistance of the silicone encased coil, resulting in ignition coil failure. Ignition timing is electronically mapped and not adjustable. The ECM uses engine load, engine speed, coolant temperature, knock detection, and intake air temperature as the basic inputs for timing control. A three-dimensional map similar to the one shown is digitally stored in the ECM. The initial ignition point is determined by the crankshaft position sensor during cranking. Once the engine is running, the ECM adjusts ignition timing based on operating conditions.

In order to service or repair the engine, one way is to remove the DME main relay that is situated in the electronics box located at the right rear of the engine compartment. Care should be taken when identifying relays since their locations can differ. If you connect test equipment that supplies 12 volts on terminal 15(+) of ignition coil or spark plug coil wires are removed for disabling ignition, it may cause damage to ECM. The ignition system wires, multiple wire connectors and equipment leads should only be connected or disconnected with the ignition off. Never disconnect a battery while an engine is running and ensure that you read through precautions before removing battery cables. After turning OFF the ignition switch, it is recommended to wait for at least 1 minute before disconnecting ECM connector because there might be some kind of damage possible on control module if this timing isn't followed strictly. Electrical tests should be conducted by using digital multimeter while quick tests can be made by using LED test light. Aluminum fasteners must not replace steel bolts in order to prevent electrochemical corrosion of aluminum-magnesium alloyed components of an engine. Every time aluminum fasteners come loose, they must be thrown away and instructions regarding torque specifications including angle specification must also be followed during installation of aluminum fasteners. BMW X3 models have digital motor electronics (DME), also called Motronic ECM which controls fuel injection and ignition as one integrated unit on these engines.BMW X3 engines have individually controlled/monitored coils on them and therefore servicing them requires cleanliness so that ignitions coils do not fail.Accordingly, ECM uses different inputs such as coolant temperature; knock detection; engine load; intake air temperature; knock detection in adjusting its timing.Likewise crankshaft sensor detects crankshaft position and speed rotation while camshaft sensors respond to impulse wheels mounted on camshafts' ends for various functionalities such as cylinder recognition, spark timing, sequential fuel injection, VANOS (camshaft timing) and Valvetronic (variable valve) control. Knock sensors can retard ignition spark when knock is detected in the combustion chambers that may damage an engine; they are located at the left side of the cylinder block beneath an intake manifold, both should be replaced if a single fault occurs.

Make sure the vehicle's ignition is turned off and take out the ignition coil's lid. Pull up the connector by the tab of the sliding lock, unbolt the ignition coil, and then, pulling it upwards, remove it from the cylinder head. It is the opposite of removal procedure and it also involves checking of cables or wires that need connection to the ground. Last of all, read fault codes and clear and reset ECM.

A three-dimensional map is digitally stored in the ECM, and the initial ignition point is determined by the crankshaft sensor during cranking. The ECM continuously adjusts ignition timing based on operating conditions once the engine is running.

Unlock the ignition coil connector and pull it off the coil.

To replace the ignition coil on an N52 engine, start by ensuring the ignition is switched OFF. Then, remove the upper engine cover. Unlock the ignition coil connector and pull the connector off the coil. Slide the rod-shaped ignition coil straight out of the spark plug hole. Installation is the reverse of removal, and don't forget to check and clear fault codes from ECM memory.

Remove the ignition coils cover.