Ignition Coil Replacement – BMW B46 Turbo 4-Cylinder Engine

August 19, 2023

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Ignition Coil Replacement – BMW B46 Turbo 4-Cylinder Engine

This repair procedure gives step by step instructions on installing new ignition coils in the BMW B46 turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. We recommend the ignition coils be replaced in the B46 engine every 60,000 to keep it running at peak performance. Please click on the button below to see all BMW models that this repair applies to.

Not sure which engine you have in your BMW? Use our engine finder tool to easily identify it!

Possible Symptoms: Rough idle, lack of power, engine stalls, engine wont start

This repair can be used on the following BMW models:

2013

225i Active Tourer, Cooper S 3 doors,

2014

220i Active Tourer, 220i Gran Tourer, 225i Active Tourer, 225iX Active Tourer, 320i Touring, 320iX Touring, 330i Touring, 730Li Sedan, 730i Sedan, Cooper S 3 doors, Cooper S 5 doors, Cooper S Clubman, Cooper S Convertible, JCW 3 doors, X1 20Li SUV, X1 20LiX SUV, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 25LiX SUV, X1 25iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV,

2015

2016

120i 3 doors, 120i 5 doors, 120i Sedan, 125i 3 doors, 125i 5 doors, 125i Sedan, 220i Active Tourer, 220i Convertible, 220i Coupe, 220i Gran Tourer, 225i Active Tourer, 225iX Active Tourer, 230i Convertible, 230i Coupe, 230iX Convertible, 230iX Coupe, 320Li Sedan, 320LiX Sedan, 320i Gran Turismo, 320i Touring, 320iX Gran Turismo, 320iX Touring, 330Li Sedan, 330LiX Sedan, 330e Sedan, 330i Gran Turismo, 330i Sedan, 330i Touring, 330iX Gran Turismo, 330iX Sedan, 330iX Touring, 420i Convertible, 420i Coupe, 420i Gran Coupe, 420iX Coupe, 420iX Gran Coupe, 430i Convertible, 430i Coupe, 430i Gran Coupe, 430iX Convertible, 430iX Coupe, 430iX Gran Coupe, 520i 1.6 Sedan, 520i Sedan, 520i Touring, 525Li Sedan, 528Li Sedan, 530Le Sedan, 530Li Sedan, 530LiX Sedan, 530e Sedan, 530eX Sedan, 530i Sedan, 530i Touring, 530iX Sedan, 530iX Touring, 630i Gran Turismo, 730Li Sedan, 730i Sedan, 740Le Sedan, 740LeX Sedan, 740e Sedan, 740eX Sedan, Cooper S ALL4 Clubman, Cooper S ALL4 Countryman, Cooper S 3 doors, Cooper S 5 doors, Cooper S Clubman, Cooper S Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, JCW ALL4 Clubman, JCW ALL4 Countryman, JCW 3 doors, JCW Convertible, X1 20Li SUV, X1 20LiX SUV, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 25LiX SUV, X1 25iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV, X2 20i SAC, X2 28iX SAC, X3 20i 1.6 SUV, X3 20i SUV, X3 20iX (TR51) SUV, X3 30iX (TR91) SUV, X3 30iX (TR92) SUV, X3 30iX SUV,

2017

120i 3 doors, 120i 5 doors, 120i Sedan, 125i 3 doors, 125i 5 doors, 125i Sedan, 220i Active Tourer, 220i Convertible, 220i Coupe, 220i Gran Tourer, 225i Active Tourer, 225iX Active Tourer, 230i Convertible, 230i Coupe, 230iX Convertible, 230iX Coupe, 320Li Sedan, 320LiX Sedan, 320i Gran Turismo, 320i Sedan, 320i Touring, 320iX Gran Turismo, 320iX Touring, 330Li Sedan, 330LiX Sedan, 330e Sedan, 330i Gran Turismo, 330i Sedan, 330i Touring, 330iX Gran Turismo, 330iX Sedan, 330iX Touring, 420i Convertible, 420i Coupe, 420i Gran Coupe, 420iX Coupe, 420iX Gran Coupe, 430i Convertible, 430i Coupe, 430i Gran Coupe, 430iX Convertible, 430iX Coupe, 430iX Gran Coupe, 520i 1.6 Sedan, 520i Sedan, 520i Touring, 525Li Sedan, 528Li Sedan, 530Le Sedan, 530Li Sedan, 530LiX Sedan, 530e Sedan, 530eX Sedan, 530i Sedan, 530i Touring, 530iX Sedan, 530iX Touring, 630i Gran Turismo, 730Li Sedan, 730i Sedan, 740Le Sedan, 740LeX Sedan, 740e Sedan, 740eX Sedan, Cooper S ALL4 Clubman, Cooper S ALL4 Countryman, Cooper S 3 doors, Cooper S 5 doors, Cooper S Clubman, Cooper S Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, JCW ALL4 Clubman, JCW ALL4 Countryman, JCW 3 doors, JCW Convertible, X1 20Li SUV, X1 20LiX SUV, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 25LiX SUV, X1 25iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV, X2 20i SAC, X2 20iX SAC, X2 25iX SAC, X2 28i SAC, X2 28iX SAC, X2 M35iX SAC, X3 20i (TR12) SUV, X3 20i (TR16) SUV, X3 20i 1.6 SUV, X3 20i SUV, X3 20iX (TR51) SUV, X3 20iX (TR52) SUV, X3 20iX (TR55) SUV, X3 20iX (TR56) SUV, X3 25iX SUV, X3 28iX SUV, X3 30i SUV, X3 30iX (TR91) SUV, X3 30iX (TR92) SUV, X3 30iX (TR95) SUV, X3 30iX (TR96) SUV, X3 30iX SUV, X4 20iX SAC, X4 30iX SAC, Z4 20i Roadster, Z4 30i Roadster,

2018

120i 3 doors, 120i 5 doors, 120i Sedan, 125i 3 doors, 125i 5 doors, 125i Sedan, 220i Active Tourer, 220i Convertible, 220i Coupe, 220i Gran Tourer, 225i Active Tourer, 225iX Active Tourer, 228iX Gran Coupe, 230i Convertible, 230i Coupe, 230iX Convertible, 230iX Coupe, 320Li Sedan, 320LiX Sedan, 320i 1.6 Sedan, 320i Gran Turismo, 320i Sedan, 320i Touring, 320iX Gran Turismo, 320iX Sedan, 320iX Touring, 325Li Sedan, 325LiX Sedan, 325i Sedan, 330Li Sedan, 330LiX Sedan, 330e Sedan, 330i Gran Turismo, 330i Sedan, 330i Touring, 330iX Gran Turismo, 330iX Sedan, 330iX Touring, 420i Convertible, 420i Coupe, 420i Gran Coupe, 420iX Coupe, 420iX Gran Coupe, 430i Convertible, 430i Coupe, 430i Gran Coupe, 430iX Convertible, 430iX Coupe, 430iX Gran Coupe, 520i 1.6 Sedan, 520i Sedan, 520i Touring, 525Li Sedan, 530Le Sedan, 530Li Sedan, 530LiX Sedan, 530e Sedan, 530eX Sedan, 530i Sedan, 530i Touring, 530iX Sedan, 530iX Touring, 630i Gran Turismo, 730Li Sedan, 730i Sedan, 740Le Sedan, 740LeX Sedan, 740e Sedan, 740eX Sedan, Cooper S ALL4 Clubman, Cooper S ALL4 Countryman, Cooper S 3 doors, Cooper S 5 doors, Cooper S Clubman, Cooper S Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, JCW ALL4 Clubman, JCW ALL4 Countryman, JCW 3 doors, JCW Convertible, M135iX 5 doors, M235iX Gran Coupe, X1 20Li SUV, X1 20LiX SUV, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 25Li SUV, X1 25LiX SUV, X1 25iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV, X2 20i SAC, X2 20iX SAC, X2 25i SAC, X2 25iX SAC, X2 28i SAC, X2 28iX SAC, X2 M35iX SAC, X3 20i (TR12) SUV, X3 20i (TR16) SUV, X3 20i 1.6 SUV, X3 20i SUV, X3 20iX (TR51) SUV, X3 20iX (TR52) SUV, X3 20iX (TR55) SUV, X3 20iX (TR56) SUV, X3 20iX SUV, X3 25iX SUV, X3 28iX SUV, X3 30eX SUV, X3 30i SUV, X3 30iX (TR91) SUV, X3 30iX (TR92) SUV, X3 30iX (TR95) SUV, X3 30iX (TR96) SUV, X3 30iX SUV, X4 20iX SAC, X4 30iX SAC, X5 30iX SUV, X6 30iX SAC, Z4 20i Roadster, Z4 30i Roadster,

2019

120i 3 doors, 120i 5 doors, 120i Sedan, 125i 3 doors, 125i 5 doors, 220i Active Tourer, 220i Convertible, 220i Coupe, 220i Gran Tourer, 225i Active Tourer, 225iX Active Tourer, 228iX Gran Coupe, 230i Convertible, 230i Coupe, 230iX Convertible, 230iX Coupe, 320Li Sedan, 320LiX Sedan, 320i 1.6 Sedan, 320i Gran Turismo, 320i Sedan, 320i Touring, 320iX Gran Turismo, 320iX Sedan, 320iX Touring, 325Li Sedan, 325LiX Sedan, 325i Sedan, 330LiX Sedan, 330e Sedan, 330i Gran Turismo, 330i Sedan, 330i Touring, 330iX Gran Turismo, 330iX Sedan, 330iX Touring, 420i Convertible, 420i Coupe, 420i Gran Coupe, 420iX Coupe, 420iX Gran Coupe, 430i Convertible, 430i Coupe, 430i Gran Coupe, 430iX Convertible, 430iX Coupe, 430iX Gran Coupe, 520i 1.6 Sedan, 520i Sedan, 520i Touring, 525Li Sedan, 530Le Sedan, 530Li Sedan, 530LiX Sedan, 530e Sedan, 530eX Sedan, 530i Sedan, 530i Touring, 530iX Sedan, 530iX Touring, 630i Gran Turismo, 730Li Sedan, 730i Sedan, 740Le Sedan, 740LeX Sedan, 740e Sedan, 740eX Sedan, Cooper S ALL4 Clubman, Cooper S ALL4 Countryman, Cooper S 3 doors, Cooper S 5 doors, Cooper S Clubman, Cooper S Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, JCW ALL4 Clubman, JCW ALL4 Countryman, JCW 3 doors, JCW Convertible, M135iX 5 doors, M235iX Gran Coupe, X1 20Li SUV, X1 20LiX SUV, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV, X1 25Li SUV, X1 25LiX SUV, X1 25iX SUV, X1 28i SUV, X1 28iX SUV, X2 20i SAC, X2 20iX SAC, X2 25i SAC, X2 25iX SAC, X2 28i SAC, X2 28iX SAC, X2 M35iX SAC, X3 20i (TR12) SUV, X3 20i (TR16) SUV, X3 20i 1.6 SUV, X3 20i SUV, X3 20iX (TR51) SUV, X3 20iX (TR52) SUV, X3 20iX (TR55) SUV, X3 20iX (TR56) SUV, X3 20iX SUV, X3 25iX SUV, X3 28iX SUV, X3 30eX SUV, X3 30i SUV, X3 30iX (TR91) SUV, X3 30iX (TR92) SUV, X3 30iX (TR95) SUV, X3 30iX (TR96) SUV, X3 30iX SUV, X4 20iX SAC, X4 30iX SAC, X5 30iX SUV, X6 30iX SAC, Z4 20i Roadster, Z4 30i Roadster,

2020

320i Sedan, 330e Sedan, 520i Sedan, 630i Gran Turismo, 730Li Sedan, 730i Sedan, X1 20i SUV, X1 20iX SUV,

Advanced level repair.

Step 1 - Purchase Parts

You will need the following parts and supplies to perform this repair.

Ignition Coil

We have long ago established here at the Repair Guide that when it comes to engine electronics, the best practice is to stay away from aftermarket parts. The same holds true with coils. Some manufacturers may claim they are "OEM", but in the end the only way you know you are getting factory quality is to install Genuine BMW. These are the same factory ignition coils that would be installed at the dealership.

Step 2 - Repair Procedure

Unless otherwise noted, all vehicle repair step images in this article are copyrighted, and used courtesy of BMW of North America, Inc. .

1. Remove the right cover in the engine compartment

Ignition Coil Replacement – BMW B46 Turbo 4-Cylinder Engine

Click to enlarge image

- Remove the top fasteners (1).

- Unlock the latching mechanism (3).

- Remove the cover (2).

View part diagram for this step

2. Remove the left cover in the engine compartment

Click to enlarge image

- Remove the top fasteners (1).

- Unlock the latching mechanism (3).

- Remove the cover (2).

View part diagram for this step

Technical Information

In the next step the front strut brace is removed. The front strut brace is an integral part of the vehicle's suspension and must be reinstalled correctly.

3. Remove the strut brace

Click to enlarge image

Unsnap the top cover. Remove the two anchor bolts (1).

Remove the two bolts anchoring the strut to the body of the vehicle (2).

Remove the strut brace.

View part diagram for this step

4. Remove the center bulkhead sound insulation

detach the positive battery cable and remove the engine sealing gasket

Click to enlarge image

- Detach the positive battery cable from the sealing gasket (2).

- Remove the anchor rivet (1).

- Remove the sealing gasket in the direction shown in image (2).

Technical Information

Be careful when removing the acoustic engine cover. They are prone to breaking when excessive force is applied. Try and pull the cover loose close to the mounting points, not along the edges.

5. Remove the acoustic engine cover

Remove the acoustic cover from the engine

Click to enlarge image

- Pull the acoustic engine cover loose from the mounting points as shown in the image and remove from the vehicle.

View part diagram for this step

6. Remove the coils

Click to enlarge image

- Unlock and remove the electrical connector (1).

- Remove mounting bolt (2).

- Grasp the ignition coil and remove it from the engine (3).

- Repeat for other three coils.

View part diagram for this step

7. Install new ignition coils

Click to enlarge image

Part Needed - 4 x ignition coil 12138643360

- Install a new ignition coil 12138643360 in the engine.

- Install the mounting bolt (2) and torque to 8Nm (6 ft-lb).

- Reconnect the electrical plug (1).

View part diagram for this step

Pro Tip

If you are having issues reinstalling the acoustical engine cover, try coating the rubber mounts with a thin layer of liquid detergent like Dawn. This will help the cover slip easily back onto its mounts.

8. Reinstall Parts

- Reinstall the parts following steps 1-5 above in reverse.

- Strut brace mounting bolts torque to 56Nm (41 ft-lb).