BMW 96-99 E36 – AMP-PNP-E36OBD2 – Installation

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ECU Model / Vehicle Specific Installation Guide

Vehicle Fitment:

1996-1999 BMW 325i
1996-1999 BMW 328i
1996-1999 BMW M3

Please read all documentation before installing your AMP Plug-N-Play ECU and verify that you’ve followed all steps before starting your engine for the first time.

Physical Installation

All you need for a successful installation are basic hand tools. All factory parts removed during the following steps should be retained for reinstallation, as no original parts will be discarded.

For a thorough and professional installation, you will need the following items:

Ratchet
7mm, 10mm, and 13mm sockets
Phillips screwdriver
Small slotted screwdriver
Zip ties
Small needle nose pliers
Laptop with TunerStudio installed

Disconnect the negative battery cable
Access the factory ECU cover
The factory ECU is located behind a cover inside the passenger-side firewall area and is accessed from the engine bay. The cover is hidden behind a piece of rubber insulation secured by (3) push locks and (2) plastic nuts.
Remove the nuts with a 10mm socket, then use a small slotted screwdriver to release the center locks on the three clips. Carefully pull the insulation away to expose the ECU cover. Use caution, as the insulation may be brittle from age and heat.
Remove the ECU cover
The ECU cover is secured by (4) Phillips screws. Remove these screws and pull the cover away.
Remove the cowl components as required for your body style
2-Door Hard Top Models: Remove both windshield wiper arms by carefully prying off the pivot nut dress covers, marking the arm position on the posts for reinstallation, removing the 13mm nuts, and pulling the arms free.
Then remove the cowl cover by removing the (4) plastic retaining screws.

4-Door and Convertible Models: Remove the upper center cowl cover by squeezing the (3) retainer clips toward the windshield while lifting upward. Remove the associated weather strip.

Then remove the wiring harness conduit retained by (2) 7mm screws.
After that, remove the lower cowl cover by taking out the (4) Phillips screws and carefully lifting it away from the firewall.
Remove the engine covers and protect the oil fill opening
Remove the oil cap and cover the opening with a protective material such as tape to prevent tools or hardware from falling into the engine. Remove the two plastic engine covers by prying off the plastic caps, removing the 10mm nuts, and lifting the covers away.
Disconnect the main engine harness from the factory ECU
Pull the silver locking tab toward you and rotate it toward the driver’s side of the vehicle. Once the lock is fully extended, continue pulling to unseat the main connector from the ECU. Then move the harness and connector away from the ECU.
Remove the factory ECU
The ECU is held in its carrier by a pair of clips secured with Phillips screws. Remove the screws and pull the ECU straight out of the carrier.
Remove the divider plate and ECU carrier
A divider plate separates the ECU compartment from the main cowl area. Release the (3) squeeze pins using needle nose pliers and remove the divider through the cowl opening.

Then remove the (2) 10mm nuts and bracket securing the ECU carrier. Carefully work the carrier through the cowl opening. This is the most difficult part of the installation, so take your time and avoid damaging the air conditioning lines or blower ducting.
Route the vacuum hose
Route the supplied vacuum hose as shown for your application. Cut a small slot in the wiring conduit bellows near where the wiring enters the ECU compartment. Insert the vacuum hose through this opening and pull approximately 18 inches of hose into the ECU compartment.
Optional: route the tuning cable into the passenger compartment
If desired, a hole may be drilled into the ECU cowl compartment to route the tuning cable into the interior. This is optional and may require additional vehicle disassembly. If airbag removal or dashboard disassembly is required, this should be performed only by a qualified professional.
Wiring the Rear Options Connector

This is the time to wire in your wideband along with completing any optional wiring you plan to use through the Rear Options Connector. This is the best time to wire additional sensors, inputs, outputs, speed inputs, or ignition upgrades, since the connector is easier to access before the ECU is mounted in the vehicle.

Internal Wideband ECU Models
If you selected the Internal Wideband ECU model, connect the provided wideband sensor cable to the rear options connector as instructed in the pinout section. This allows the wideband sensor to plug directly into the ECU without using a separate external wideband controller.

No Wideband ECU Models / External Wideband Setups
If you selected the No Wideband ECU model, or if you are using an external wideband controller, wire the external wideband controller signal to the appropriate rear options connector input. Click Here: Wiring a Wideband Controller

Additional Inputs and Outputs
We also recommend wiring any other planned sensors or accessories at this time, including additional analog inputs, digital inputs, speed inputs, or outputs. This helps avoid removing or accessing the ECU later as your setup expands. Once your wiring is complete, plug the rear options connector into the ECU until it clicks into place and neatly secure the wiring. Refer to the Rear Options Connector section for pinout details and available functions.
Prepare the AMP ECU for installation
Loosely attach the supplied retaining brackets to the AMP Plug-N-Play ECU mounting flanges using the provided nuts. Connect the routed vacuum hose to the barbed fitting on the back of the ECU. Also connect the supplied serial cable and secure it.
Install the AMP ECU
Insert the AMP Plug-N-Play ECU into the ECU compartment so the rear wiring and hose lightly contact the back wall of the compartment. Engage the ECU mounting flanges with the cleats in the bottom of the compartment, then tighten the (4) retaining nuts and confirm the ECU is securely mounted.
Reinstall the divider plate and removed engine bay components
Reinstall the divider plate using the two forward clips. Reinstall the engine covers, oil cap, lower cowl cover, harness conduit, upper cowl cover, and windshield wipers as applicable for the vehicle.
Reconnect the main engine harness
Connect the engine harness to the AMP ECU by inserting the connector tab on the passenger side first, then rotate the connector into place so it engages smoothly with the ECU pins. Once aligned, apply light pressure to the rear of the connector housing and swing the locking tab into place until it clicks.
Connect the MAP vacuum source
MAP vacuum is sourced from the EVAP valve vacuum line at the throttle body. Install the supplied vacuum tee by cutting the hose between the EVAP valve and throttle body and inserting the large ends of the tee between the two hose ends. If you prefer not to cut the original hose, one end of the tee may be installed into the existing hose and a short extension hose added to the opposite side. Pull any excess slack out of the routed vacuum hose, trim it to length, and connect it to the small barb on the tee. Secure the hose with zip ties.
Reconnect the negative battery cable

At this point, the physical installation is complete and you can proceed with software setup, initial configuration, and tuning. Once tuning is complete, tuck the serial cable back into the ECU compartment and reinstall the ECU cover, insulation, clips, and nuts.

Removing the Mass Air Flow Meter

Since the MSPNP calculates engine load using a MAP sensor, the air flow meter is no longer needed. While not necessary, it is recommended to remove the AFM for a small performance increase. At the very least, the air meter should be unplugged and the connector neatly tied away.

Software

Tuning Software Installation & Setup

Before starting the vehicle, install TunerStudio on your laptop and connect to your AMP Plug-N-Play ECU using the supplied tuning cable. Open TunerStudio, create a new project for the ECU. Once connected, confirm that TunerStudio shows the ECU as Online and that communication is working properly before making any changes.

View Tuning Software Installation & Setup Instructions →

Initial Configuration

Your AMP Plug-N-Play ECU includes a base tune that is configured for a stock application. If your vehicle has any changes from stock, you should review and update the tune BEFORE STARTING THE VEHICLE.

Examples of settings that may need to be reviewed or updated include:

Engine Size
Injector Size
Wideband Controller

Confirm that all required settings match the components installed on your vehicle before proceeding with startup and timing verification.

View Initial Configuration Instructions →

Tuning

Congratulations, you have completed the physical installation, software setup, and initial configuration of your new AMP Plug-N-Play ECU. Your ECU is now ready, and you can begin tuning the vehicle.

Base Tune

Your AMP Plug-N-Play ECU is preloaded with a base tune for the specific ECU model and vehicle application it was built for. This provides a proper starting point for initial startup and tuning. If you ever need to restore the original base tune to the ECU, you can download it from our Firmware & Base Tunes page.

I/O Configuration

Below is a breakdown of the I/O usage for your AMP Plug-N-Play ECU. This identifies the default pin assignments for your specific vehicle, allowing you to see which inputs and outputs are already being used for factory functions and why those pins may not be available for use in the tune.

ECU Internal Jumper Matrix

Below is a diagram and overview of the available internal jumpers and their functions. To access the jumpers, remove the top (5) screws from the top of the ECU's lid.

JP1: Ignition Switch Bypass

This jumper is used for testing and diagnostic purposes ONLY. When installed, it bypasses the ignition switch relay and allows the ECU to be powered directly for troubleshooting.

Default Setting: Not Jumpered

JP2: Exhaust Flap

This jumper allows the ECU to control the factory exhaust flaps. When enabled, it connects High Current Out 3 on the ECU to Pin 52 on the factory 88-Pin ECU Connector. To use this function, you will need to configure a Programmable On/Off Output in the tuning software as desired.