BMW 3-Series (E46) fuse box and relay Diagrams (1998–2006)

The BMW 3-Series (E46) is produced between 1998 and 2006 and is the fourth generation of the BMW 3-Series range. It succeeded the E36 and is replaced by the E90 in 2005. The E46 is available as a 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible, 5-door wagon, and a 3-door hatchback. The E46 is also the first 3-Series to be equipped with an electronic stability control system. The E46 also boasted a new design that is more aerodynamic than its predecessor, the E36.

The E46 is powered by a range of petrol and diesel engines ranging from 1.6L to 3.2L. The engines were mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The E46 also featured a wide range of safety features such as airbags, ABS, traction control, and stability control. The E46 is known for its outstanding handling and driving dynamics, which made it a popular choice among driving enthusiasts. In this article, we will take a closer look at the electrical components of the E46, including the fuse box and relay diagrams with locations.

Fuse Box and Relay Diagrams with Locations

The BMW E46 is equipped with a fuse box located in the glove compartment. The fuse box contains fuses that control various electrical components such as the central locking system, power windows, and fuel pump. The fuse box also contains relays that control functions such as the fuel pump relay, the horn relay, and the headlight relay. It is essential to know the location of these fuses and relays as they can help diagnose and fix electrical problems in the car.

The E46 also features a fuse box located in the engine compartment. This fuse box contains fuses that control various functions such as the engine cooling fan, the air conditioning system, and the ABS system. The fuse box in the engine compartment also contains relays that control functions such as the fuel pump relay and the DME (Digital Motor Electronics) relay. It is crucial to have an understanding of the location and function of these fuses and relays to diagnose and fix any electrical problems that may occur. Overall, understanding the electrical components of the BMW E46 can help ensure that the car runs smoothly and safely.

(1998–2006) BMW 3-Series (E46) fuse box and relay with Diagram

WARNING

Never replace a fuse with one that has a higher amperage rating.
A fuse with a too-high amperage could damage the electrical part and cause a fire.
On no account should fuses be repaired (e.g. patched up with tin foil or wire) as this may cause serious damage elsewhere in the electrical circuit or cause a fire.
If a fuse blows repeatedly, do not keep replacing it. Instead, have the cause for the repeated short circuit or overload tracked and fixed.

BMW 3-Series (E46) 1998–2006 fuse assignment

Passenger Compartment Fuse Box

No.	Amps	Assignment/Designation
1	–	–
2	–	–
3	–	–
4	–	–
5	5A	Horn relay
6	5A	Make-up mirror light, driver’s side Make-up mirror light, passenger’s side Convertible soft top control unit
7	5A	Radio control unit Aerial amplifier AM/FM (with remote control central locking) On-board monitor control unit Spatial sound switch Interface Navigation computer GPS receiver Transceiver/charging electronics Pushbutton, convertible soft top closed Basic interface telephone Voice input Diversity Eject box Telematics control unit (TCU-Everest) Universal electronic charging and hands-free module (ULF)
8	5A	Sequential mechanical gear
9	5A	up to 03.2001 (BMS46): General module control unit Light switching centre control unit Cruise control module Brake light switch Volute spring 03.1998-09.1999 (MS42 or DDE3.0): Volute spring General module control unit Brake light switch Light switching centre control unit 09.1999-03.2001 (MS42, MS43, MSS54, DDE3.0, DDE4.0): Volute spring General module control unit Brake light switch Light switching centre control unit Clutch switch as of 03.2001: Volute spring General module control unit Brake light switch Light switching centre control unit Clutch switch module
10	5A	Instrument cluster control unit
11	5A	Multiple Restraint System II: Sensor for LH side airbag (satellite) Sensor for RH side airbag (satellite) Multiple restraint system control unit Hall sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle Hall sensor, passenger’s seat belt buckle (USA) Electronic seat control Multiple Restraint System III/IV: Multiple restraint system control unit Hall sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle Electronic seat control Hall sensor, passenger’s seat belt buckle (USA)
12	7.5A	Electronic immobilizer control unit Gearshift lock
13	7.5A	as of 03.2000: Rollover sensor
14	5A	*S54:* Sequential mechanical gearbox M47/TU and M57/TU: Digital diesel electronics control unit
15	5A	Rain sensor Intermittent wipe/wash control unit, rear (Touring)
16	–	–
17	–	–
18	–	–
19	–	–
20	–	–
21	–	–
22	5A	*S54:* Sequential mechanical gear box M47/TU and M57/TU: Digital diesel electronics control unit
23	5A	Auxiliary water pump
24	5A	Electrochromic interior rear-view mirror Park distance control unit (PDC)
25	5A	Outside mirror, passenger’s side Thermal switch, heated spray nozzles
26	5A	Garage door opener
27	10A	Reversing light relay Gear position switch (BMS46 with EGS 8.34) Transmission control unit (BMS46 with GM5)
28	5A	Heating and A/C control module Heating blower relay Relay, A/C compressor Dual-function switch recirculated air/rear window defogger Temperature switch Rear window defogger relay (convertible)
29	5A	Digital motor electronics control unit (BMS46, MS42, MS43, MSS54) Unloader relay terminal 15 (BMS46, ME9) Digital diesel electronics control unit (DDE3.0, DDE5) Transmission control unit (ME9 with Automatic transmission)
30	7.5A	Oil level sensor Alternator Temperature switch (up to 09.1998; MS42) Transmission control unit Data link connector Diesel: Oil level sensor Data link connector Transmission control unit (as of 06.2000; DDE3.0)
31	5A	03.1998-09.1998: Mirror adjustment switch 09.1998-09.2001: Tyre pressure control system control unit as of 09.2001: Mirror adjustment switch Control unit, tyre defect indicator (RPA) (all-wheel drive with DDS) Tyre pressure control system control unit (without all-wheel drive with DDS)
32	5A	without Xenon lights: Light switching centre control unit Xenon lights: Light switching centre control uni Xenon headlight, left Xenon headlight, right Control unit for adaptive headlight (03.2003-09.2003; Convertible and Coupe) Xenon lights (as of 09.2003): Light switching centre control uni Control unit for adaptive headlight (Convertible)
33	5A	03.1998-09.1999: ASC/DSC button ABS/DSC unit (with DSC) without all-wheel: Switch center Steering angle sensor (with DSC) ABS/DSC unit *up to 03.2001 (all-wheel drive):* Switch center Steering angle sensor, DSC ABS/DSC unit as of 03.2001 (all-wheel drive): Switch center
34	5A	Instrument cluster control unit Fuel pump control (EKPS) (only MS45)
35	50A	*all-wheel drive:* ABS/DSC unit *Convertible:* Relay, convertible top drive
36	50A	Secondary air pump relay
37	50A	*03.1998-09.1998:* Heating blower relay *09.1998-09.1999:* Blower switch (with IHS) Blower output stage (with IHKA) as of 09.1999: Electric fan
38	10A	Fog light relay
39	5A	Transceiver/charging electronics *Motorola (03.1998-09.1999):* Transceiver/charging electronics Nokia: Transceiver/charging electronics (up to 09.1999) Compensator Basic interface telephone (as of 09.1999) Voice input (as of 09.1999) Telephone provision: Transceiver/charging electronics Compensator JBIT: Basic interface telephone
39	10A	*Siemens:* Voice input Basic interface telephone Eject box *Motorola (as of 06.2000):* Voice input Compensator Transceiver/charging electronics Interface Telematics Control Unit: Voice input Telematics control unit (TCU-Everest) Eject box Aerial splitter (Coupe, Convertible as from 2004_09) ULF: Compensator Universal electronic charging and hands-free module (ULF)
40	5A	without all-wheel (up to 09.2001): Gear indicator light without all-wheel (as of 09.2001): Steering angle sensor, DSC Gear indicator light (only USA) *all-wheel drive:* Steering angle sensor, DSC
41	30A	On-board monitor control unit Amplifier Radio control unit CD changer Subwoofer box Navigation computer Video module control unit Switch center
42	30A	Switch center
43	5A	Instrument cluster control unit Data link connector (only USA)
44	20A	Trailer socket
45	20A	Touring: Intermittent wipe/wash control unit, rear
46	20A	Convertible soft top control unit Sunroof module control unit Relay, convertible top 1
47	15A	up to 03.1999: Cigarette lighter, front
47	20A	as of 03.1999: Cigarette lighter, front Oddments compartment, left (except Touring) Oddments compartment, right (except Touring) 12 V socket
48	30A	General module control unit
49	5A	General module control unit Aerial amplifier AM/FM (with remote control central locking)
50	25A	up to 09.1999: Ignition switch
50	40A	as of 09.1999: Blower switch (with Heater control) Blower output stage (without Heater control)
51	30A	Headlight washer module
52	30A	General module control unit
53	30A	ABS/ASC unit
54	15A	Fuel pump relay 1
	25A	DDE4.0: Fuel pump relay 1
	20A	DDE5.0: Fuel pump relay 1 MS45: Fuel pump control (EKPS)
55	15A	Horn relay
56	30A	ABS/ASC unit
57	5A	Outside mirror fold-in control unit Mirror memory control unit, driver’s side (up to 03.2003) Mirror memory control unit, front passenger’s side (up to 03.2003) Driver’s side outside mirror with memory (as of 03.2003) Passenger’s side out-side mirror with memory (as of 03.2003) Mirror memory control unit, driver’s side (as of 03.2003; Coupe, Convertible) Mirror memory control unit, front passenger’s side (as of 03.2003; Coupe, Convertible) Power window motor, driver’s door with anti-trap protection function (as of 03.2003; Compact, Convertible with SPMFT) Power window motor, passenger’s door with anti-trap protection function (as of 03.2003; Compact, Convertible with SPMFT)
58	7.5A	Touring: Relay, rear window drive as of 03.2003; (Coupe, Convertible): Control unit for adaptive headlight
59	30A	Wiper relay
60	25A	General module control unit
61	30A	ABS/DSC unit
62	7.5A	Water valves
63	7.5A	Relay, A/C compressor
64	20A	Independent park heating control unit
64	5A	*DDE5:* Transmission control unit
65	30A	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	5A	*MS43 with SMG:* Ignition switch
67	5A	Electronic immobiliser control unit Electrochromic interior rear-view mirror Control unit, interior protection I Control unit, interior protection II (convertible) Tilt monitoring Horn for antitheft alarm system
68	30A	Rear window defogger relay
69	5A	Tyre pressure control system control unit
70	30A	*with SMF (Saloon, Touring):* Seat adjustment switch, front passenger’s seat without SMF (Saloon, Touring): Passenger’s lumbar support switch Compact, Coupe: Control unit, front passenger seat memory Convertible: Control unit, front passenger seat memory Passenger’s lumbar support switch
71	30A	4-door: General module control unit
71	10A	2-door: General module control unit
72	–	–
73	–	–

Passenger Compartment Fuse Box (Behind Glovebox)

No.	Amps	Assignment/Designation
101	50A	*03.1998-09.1998:* Electric fan
102	80A	MSS54: Fuse carrier, engine electronics (fuse No.5 (30A)) DME relay Digital motor electronics control unit SMG control unit MS43: Fuse carrier, engine electronics (fuse No.5 (30A)) DME relay Digital motor electronics control unit Transmission control unit *BMS46, MS42:* B+ terminal *ME9:* B+ potential distributor
103	–	–
104	100A	Preheater relay
105	50A	Ignition switch Diagnosis plug
106	50A	Ignition switch Light switching centre control unit
107	50A	Trailer module Light switching centre control unit

Rear Fuse box

No.	Amps	Assignment/Designation
108	200A	Fuse: 35-71, 101-107
203	100A	DDE relay Fuse carrier, engine electronics (fuse No.4 (30A) – DDE4.0 or EGS Transmission control GM5)