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Thread: DME Coolant temp sensor - testing and which one?

  1. #1
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    DME Coolant temp sensor - testing and which one?

    Hi all. I recently purchased a '90 735i and have been working my way through some possible causes of what I think is a rich running condition. I have come across conflicting information on which coolant temp sensor is the one that relays information to the DME and what the proper room temp resistance should be. I've found a few posts on this board and others that note that the blue sensor goes to the DME; however, looking at the Bentley manual (page 170-4) it depicts the black sensor, the one furthest from the engine head, as the DME sensor. I measured cold resistance of both, and the blue (closest to head) sensor came in at 2,540 ohms while the black one came measured at 7,260 ohms. I should note that I've pulled one Peake code FF0A - emission (lambda) control - but this was from the previous owner, so who knows how long it's been stored, and I have not driven the car much yet. Any help is greatly appreciated!

    ps - here's a picture of the car I had to share. Will post better ones later in a separate thread. I'm new to the E32 but have had an E34 M30 535i 5spd in the past.

    4325104992_IMG_0897[5005].JPG

  2. #2
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    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    I only can find some info in workshop manual, section 12-00/1 https://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/main/481en/index.htm
    and compare with here http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=11_4616
    and for the temp sensor here some data, the first one http://www.e32-schrauber.de/bmw/s-tempsensor.htm NTC 2.5 kohm at 20 degree C resistance value for NTC blue

    # 14 is 2.5 kohm https://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/...967-MFG14.aspx
    #12 OE 12621710535 this spec https://www.autoteiledirekt.de/hella-937826.html

    Gewindemaß: M14x1,5 ,Anschlussanzahl: 2 ,Temperaturbereich [°C]: 25, 80 ,Farbe: schwarz/black ,Sensorart: NTC-Sensor ,Nennspannung [V]: 12 ,Widerstand [Ohm]: 5000, 544

    #16 is only there when your car has EML
    Last edited by shogun; 04-24-2018 at 12:20 AM.
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  3. #3
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    '89 535i/5, '88 735i/5
    Quote Originally Posted by schnell944 View Post
    Hi all. I recently purchased a '90 735i and have been working my way through some possible causes of what I think is a rich running condition. I have come across conflicting information on which coolant temp sensor is the one that relays information to the DME and what the proper room temp resistance should be. I've found a few posts on this board and others that note that the blue sensor goes to the DME; however, looking at the Bentley manual (page 170-4) it depicts the black sensor, the one furthest from the engine head, as the DME sensor. I measured cold resistance of both, and the blue (closest to head) sensor came in at 2,540 ohms while the black one came measured at 7,260 ohms. I should note that I've pulled one Peake code FF0A - emission (lambda) control - but this was from the previous owner, so who knows how long it's been stored, and I have not driven the car much yet. Any help is greatly appreciated!

    ps - here's a picture of the car I had to share. Will post better ones later in a separate thread. I'm new to the E32 but have had an E34 M30 535i 5spd in the past.

    4325104992_IMG_0897[5005].JPG
    The one with the blue plug goes to the DME, the black one goes to the cluster.

    Sent from my LG-H870DS using Tapatalk

  4. #4
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    Thanks, shogun and cirrus. On is face, it seems like my cluster sensor is out of spec cold. It seemed to be operating properly though.I’ll check resistance for the DME sensor at full operating temp soon. Working my way down the list of things to check on this new-to-me E32. Thanks!

  5. #5
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    here is a good pic of the locations https://web.archive.org/web/20171024...ng_sensors.htm
    Last edited by shogun; 11-16-2023 at 08:06 PM.
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  6. #6
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    Thanks! Seems like Bentley got it mixed up in this case.

  7. #7
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    Not sure who is right, from what I could find in the net
    #12 12621710535 is M14 x 1,5, black ,
    #14 13621709967 is M12x1.5, blue, wrench size 19
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  8. #8
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    Thanks, shogun. Guess the best way to confirm will be to get it up to temp, turn the car off, then turn to ignition position two and disconnect each sensor one at at time and see if it affects the temp reading at the cluster gauge. Will report back when I have a chance to drive it.

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    1990 735I (E32) M30
    Is this M30 missing the cruise control cable or is it set up different than mine. Maybe this is the one with the EML that I've never seen before?
    Last edited by shogun; 04-26-2018 at 07:55 PM. Reason: Paul does not want hotlinking of his pics, removed
    1990 735I (Auto) E32 Feb 1990 to Present
    1996 Z3 Roadster (5 Speed) E36/7 Jan 1999 to Dec 1999
    1983 733I (5 Speed) E23 April 1983 to Feb 1990
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d4tHoHGaJo
    https://1drv.ms/v/s!Av20xCMMocSsyEpl...h_oOk?e=ekIcAT







  10. #10
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    730/5 M30 in Europe were sold w/o cruise control, was optional extra and the price was 375,80 €
    The 730/5 straight six had even in 1992 such extra prices for opitional extras
    automatic transmission 1.994,04 €
    alloy wheels 1.020,03 €
    aircon 3.130,64 €
    OBC IV, standard was a clock, 511,29 €
    electric front seats (standard was manual) 1.597,79 €
    http://www.7-forum.com/modelle/e32/s...usstattung.php
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    730/5 M30 in Europe were sold w/o cruise control, was optional extra and the price was 375,80 €
    The 730/5 straight six had even in 1992 such extra prices for opitional extras
    automatic transmission 1.994,04 €
    alloy wheels 1.020,03 €
    aircon 3.130,64 €
    OBC IV, standard was a clock, 511,29 €
    electric front seats (standard was manual) 1.597,79 €
    http://www.7-forum.com/modelle/e32/s...usstattung.php
    Interesting. My eye just went right to that throttle cable when I brought up your picture. I replaced both cables two years ago when the one for the cruise control snapped. I figured if that broke then I couldn't trust the one leading to the gas pedal so I bought them both. Even OEM they were pretty inexpensive. When you have this motor for almost three decades the slightest thing that's different just stands right out.
    1990 735I (Auto) E32 Feb 1990 to Present
    1996 Z3 Roadster (5 Speed) E36/7 Jan 1999 to Dec 1999
    1983 733I (5 Speed) E23 April 1983 to Feb 1990
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d4tHoHGaJo
    https://1drv.ms/v/s!Av20xCMMocSsyEpl...h_oOk?e=ekIcAT







  12. #12
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    I can confirm that the black sensor is for the cluster temp gauge after warming the car up and disconnecting it at ignition position two. Just got a decent multimeter to replace my $10 one, and it's showing 3.5k ohm on the blue DME sensor. I did not bring the car to full operating temp to test adjusted resistance for other reasons I'll explain in a separate thread.

  13. #13
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    sensor locations, ohms M60, corrected info, Bentley is wrong https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...hat-M60-engine
    M70 crankshaft position sensor, temperature sensors air and coolant M70 Motor. https://www.bmw-rudel.de/index.php/b...toren&catid=12
    location of cylinders
    sensors front of engine
    sensors rear of engine
    plugs in front of engine, CPS, donuts
    table NTC 2500 ohms sensors
    table NTC 5k ohms sensors
    injection valves
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  14. #14
    Join Date
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    Apollo Beach, Fl
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    '92 BMW 735i(W/383 GM)
    When I did my swap, I found that the temp sensor for the temp gauge was stamped with the brand name VDO

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