Replacement of Microfilter - E36

Original Text by Jerry Skene, jskene@coherent.com

Additional information from Jimmy Shrake, jim@austin.apple.com and Ron Stygar, RonStygar@aol.com

Photos and update by Michael Thompson, m_thompson@ids.net

Changing the microfilter is not a difficult task and should take about 45 minutes. The filter is mounted vertically, on the front of the center console, right below the center of the bottom of the windshield. Just follow the instructions below.

Notes:

Apparently there are three styles of glove boxes on the E36 cars. On some models you may not have to remove the kick panel. It also may not be possible (or necessary) to remove the two air vents and screws behind. On 1995 and newer models there is a 10 mm bolt behind the glove box light.

If you can't get the electrical distribution block out according the instructions, remove the three 8mm bolts holding the assembly and move the whole assembly out of the way.

Remove Passenger Kick Panel

To remove the passenger kick panel, remove the two phillips head screws at the left and right corners of the rear edge of the panel (the edge closest to the rear of the car), just below the bottom of the glovebox door. Now slide the panel towards the rear of the car (towards you), out of its retaining clip on the firewall. This is easier to do if you first push the air vent protruding through this panel up so it clears the panel, and bend the curved left side of the panel away from the right front edge of the center console cover, so it won't catch as you pull the panel out.

Remove the Glovebox:

To remove the glovebox, flip the left and right air vents above the glovebox down, then pry them out with your fingers. Remove the black phillips head screws now visible in the air vent holes. Open the glovebox door and using a small slot screwdriver, pry out the two D shaped screw covers at the top left and right of the glovebox opening. Remove the two black phillips screws behind these covers. These two screws have a small ridge to retain the D shaped cover and must go back in the original locations. Using an offset screwdriver or short phillips bit in a 1/4 socket, remove the two screws at the lower left and right of the glovebox opening. On 1995 and newer models remove the glove box light and remove the 10 mm bolt behind the light. Pull out the glovebox and put it on the floor. You do not need to remove any wires from the rear of the glovebox.

Detach the Electrical Distribution Block

To get clearance for the filter, you must move the electrical distribution block behind the glovebox out of the way. This block is in the upper left area behind the glovebox. It has a large bundle of wires coming in the top, and an orange relay mounted on the left side. This block can be slid up and out of its retaining slides if you first release the catch which holds it in place. The catch is on the right side of the block, about half the way back. Slide a slot screwdriver between the right side of the distribution block and the left side of the plastic electronic module holder, and push the top of the catch in (towards the left side of the car). While holding the catch in, slide the distribution block up and out of its retaining slides. Move it down, away from its normal position.

Move the Passenger Air Vent Pipes

Now you must move the passenger air vent out of the way. To do this, use a flat screwdriver and pry the duct retaining pin out of its hole. This pin is located just to the rear of the front lower, cadmium-plated Torx screw on the HVAC box, at the front of the console. When this pin has been removed, bend the vent pipe down.