Digital Motor Electronics (DME)

Engine Management Systems












Manufactured for BMW by Bosch and Siemens, several different versions are used with expanded features and fault monitoring as the new systems are developed.

Bosch: Identified as Digital Motor Electronics (DME).
Versions: - M1.x
- M3.x
- M5.x
The "M" in the version ID is for "Motronic". This was a trade name for early DME systems.

Siemens: Identified as Motor Steuergerat (MS). This is German for Motor Control Module (MS).
Version: - MS 41.1

Functions of engine management systems include:
- Fuel Injection Control
- Ignition control
- Idle Control
- Evaporative Emission Control
- A/C Compressor Control

The control module monitors the systems peripheral components and activates a Check Engine lamp when a fault is related to an emission control function.


DME Control Module
Depending on the vehicle, the DME control module is located as follows:
- E34/E32/E31 /E38:
- Engine compartment, in the passenger side E-Box. (Example below is E32).







- E36:
- Engine compartment, in the control module compartment on the passenger side.







Control Module Identification












Proper DME control module identification is carried out in two methods:
- Control module ID label. This label contains control module information specific to the vehicle.
- DIS - DME Identification. The DIS displays the actual internal software and hardware version numbers. The DME version is also displayed. This is the preferred method of control module identification.

Proper control module ID is necessary for diagnostic procedures. If an incorrect control module has inadvertently been installed in the vehicle, system malfunction is certain.