
Comfort Seats (standard on E38 750iL, other models if equipped)
This  option  provides  additional  back  support  in  the
shoulder  area.  An  additional  adjustment  in  the  upper
backrest  allows  forward  “contour”  that  is  controlled  by
a rocker switch in the side panel.
When the ignition is on or off, the two way rocker switch
can be pushed until the desired setting is achieved (for-
ward/backward tilt). The motor drive operates the same
as the seat motors.
The  shoulder  support  adjustment  is  also  stored  in
memory for recall.    
Active Seat (E38 - if equipped)
Purpose of the System
Actively changing the surface of the seat helps to prevent muscle tension and fatigue par-
ticularly  on  long  trips  or  sitting  in  one  position  for  a  long  period  of  time.  The  seat  causes
weight  transfers  which  are  slight  and  imperceptible  enhancing  driving  comfort.  The  basic
seating position is not changed by this.
In the seat’s upholstery beneath the surface of the seat is a cushion of fluid on the left and
right. The fluid is slowly circulated back and forth between the cushions by a pump. 
65
Central Body Electronics ZKE III 

Principle of Operation
To  activate  this  feature,  the  ignition  must  be  in
the KL R or KL 15 and press the switch located
in the Center Console Switch Center (driver and/
or passenger front seat). 
The  switch  provides  a  ground  to  the  control
module and an LED in the switch will illuminate.
If  there  is  a  fault  in  the  system  the  LED will  not
illuminate. 
The control module, fluid bladders (2 and 3) and
pump  (1)  is  contained  in  each  seat.  The  pump
contains  a  Hall  sensor  to  monitor  the  number
motor  revolutions  and  two  pressure  sensors  to
monitor  each  bladder  for  vacuum  (indicating
empty).
The  fluid  bladders  (2  per  seat)  contain  water-
glysantin  mixture  and  are  connected  to  the  fluid
pump. The fluid bladders are equal in volume at
rest  (15  mm.  high)  and  will  raise  from  0  up  30
mm. when filled alternately from left to right.  
Note: The pump unit and fluid bladders are replaced as a unit. 
The  control  modules  (one  per  seat)  are  connected  to  the  P-Bus.  The  driver’s  side  control
module contains an acceleration sensor that monitors transverse acceleration of the vehi-
cle. Active Seat operation is temporarily interrupted during high acceleration.
Rear Power Seat (E38 750iL)
The rear seats in the 750iL provide electric adjustments for:
1. Backrest Angle - Control switch powers the motor.
2. Headrest Height - Control module behind each upper seat.
3. Lumbar Support
The headrest automatically extends when a passenger fastens
the  safety  belt  and  will  automatically  retract  when  the  safety
belt is released. The power rear seat is a purely electric control
system. No electronic diagnostic communication is possible.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III 

67
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
Seat Heating Operation (from 99 MY)
Principle of Operation
The front seat heaters are adjustable through three ranges of
heating output temperature.
Pressing the respective seat heater button once provides
stage 1:
• All three LEDs illuminate and the heating elements are provided regulated output current 
producing a seat temperature of 111
OF.
Pressing the button a second time provides stage 2:
• The top LED switches off and the heating elements are regulated to an output tempera-  
ture of 102
OF.
Pressing the button a third time provides stage 3.
• The top and middle LEDs are off and the heating elements are regulated to an output tem- 
perature of 95
OF.
The  SZM  monitors  the  seat  heating  element  temperature  via  an  NTC  feedback  signal  to
regulate the output current which maintains the seat temperature.
Seat heating is switched off by pressing the button a fourth time,
pressing and holding the
button for more than 1 second or when the ignition is switched off.
System Components
Carbon  Fiber  Heating  Pads:In  each  seat  is  a  two
section  heating  pad  wired  in  parallel.  The  heating  pads
are  resistors  which  when  powered  produce  radiant
heat.
The seat base heating element also contains a temper-
ature  sensor  for  feedback  to  provide  the  temperature
regulation output control.  
KL31
KL15
TEMPERATURE
SENSOR
615200139.eps 

Rear Window Roller Sunblind Operation
The roller sunblind is activated by momentarily pressing and releasing (one touch) the sun-
blind rocker switch in the SZM. The SZM activates the motor in the appropriate direction.
The SZM switches the motor off when the motor amperage increases indicating the blind
has reached the end of its intended travel.
Fault Monitoring: The SZM continually monitors the motor drive amperage loads to deter-
mine jamming or blockages. If current values exceed preset values, the motor is switched
off immediately.
Faults are stored in the SZM for opens or shorts in the motor or motor’s wiring circuit. The
SZM also provides diagnostic requests to monitor the switch input status via the DISplus/
MoDiC.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
KL 31 (GROUND)KL 31 (GROUND)
DIS
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KL 30 (BATTERY)KL 30 (BATTERY)-+
KL 15 (IGNITION ON)KL 15 (IGNITION ON)
KLR (ACC)KLR (ACC)
KL 87 (OPERATING POWER)KL 87 (OPERATING POWER)
58G (PANEL LIGHTING)58G (PANEL LIGHTING)
LCM IIILCM III
PDC
EDC
DSC
MREAR WINDOW
ROLLER
BLINDSREAR WINDOW
ROLLER
BLINDS
DRIVER’S SEAT HEATINGDRIVER’S SEAT HEATING
PASSENGER’S SEAT HEATINGPASSENGER’S SEAT HEATING
K BUSK BUS
PDC CONTROL
MODULEPDC CONTROL
MODULE
EDC CONTROL
MODULEEDC CONTROL
MODULE
SZMSZM
DSC III
CONTROL
MODULEDSC III
CONTROL
MODULE
ACTIVE SEAT
CONTROL
MODULESACTIVE SEAT
CONTROL
MODULES
System Components:   Inputs - Processing - Outputs 

71
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
System Components:   Inputs - Processing - Outputs
Entry/Exit Aid
The  Steering  Column  Memory  provides  the  feature  of  raising  the  steering  column  to  ease
in exiting the vehicle and return it to the previous position after the vehicle is entered.
Raising the Steering Column:
Lowering the Steering Column:
• The ignition is switched “off”.              • The ignition is switched to KL 15.
• The ignition is switched to KL R             • The Handbrake is released or the door is closed.
and the driver’s door is opened.      
• The ignition is switched to KL 15,      The steering column recall movement can be inter-  
driver’s door open with the hand-      rupted at any time by tapping the adjusting lever. 
brake applied.    

General Functions of ZKE III
Consumer Cut Off
The Consumer Cut Off function interrupts battery voltage to circuits preventing inadvertent
battery  drain  if  one  of  these  consumers  were  to  remain  activated.  Circuits  controlled  by
consumer cut off will be switched off as the GM enters into the sleep mode.
For example, the interior lights are connected to the consumer cut out circuit (KL 30) and
can  remain  on  if  one  of  the  control  switches  are  left  on.  The  consumer  cut  off  will  deacti-
vate KL 30 to the interior lighting after 16 minutes (or with the DISplus/MoDIC).
The  following  circuits  are  con-
trolled by consumer cut off:
• Map/Reading Lights
• Glove Box/Luggage Compart- 
ment Lights
• Transmission Range Indicator  
Light
• Overload Protection Relay for
- Power Seat Motors
- Steering Column Motors
Overload Protection
The seat and steering column motors receive
operating  power  through  the  consumer  cutoff/
overload protection relay module. The consumer
cutoff  signal  from  the  GM  signals  the  relay  to
maintain operating power to the consumers. 
If the relay module detects an increase in amper-
age (overload) the relay will open. The relay mod-
ule  (K-72)  is  located  in  the  electrical  carrier
behind  the  glove  box.  The  relay  is  reset  by
switching  the  ignition  “off”  for  16  minutes,  dis-
connecting the relay or the DISplus/ MoDIC. 
75
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
E38 Shown
Overload
Protection Relay
Module 

Sleep Mode
To lower the constant battery draw when the vehicle is parked, the complete ZKE system
will  go  into  the  “Sleep  Mode”  16  minutes  after  the  ignition  has  been  switched  off  and  no
further ZKE function is active. 
For example, the approximate E39 (528i) Battery draw is: 
• Ignition switch off = approx 750 mA.
• One minute after = approx. 560 mA.
•  After 16 minutes (sleep mode) = approx. 18 mA.
All modules in the ZKE system will go into the sleep mode. The P-Bus remains active, how-
ever no data transfer takes place until a wake-up request is received. The general module,
door  modules  or  keyless  remote  module  can  wake  the  system  up  and  put  the  ZKE  back
on line. The K-Bus is active (high) in the sleep mode.
Sleep Mode Criteria:
KL R, KL 15 OFF and no further function activated for 16 minutes.
Wake Up Criteria:
KL R or 15 “ON” or a change in one of the signals listed below.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
SIGNAL ACTIVITY ORIGINATING
MODULE
K-BUS High General Module
Door jamb switches (possibility of 4) Low “
Trunk lid lock cylinder microswitch High “
Trunk lid pushbutton microswitch Low “
Interior Trunk lid pushbutton microswitch Low “
Central locking button Low “
Hood microswitch Low “
Trunk Lid microswitch Low “
Interior light switch Low “
FIS sensor Low “
Tilt Alarm sensor Low “
FBZV operational signal High FBZV Module 
Driver’s door lock microswitch      - (lock) High PM-FT/SB
“ “ “ “ - (unlock) High “
Passenger door lock microswitch - (lock) High PM-BT
“ “ “ “ - (unlock) High “ 

Battery Status
The  GM  monitors  KL  R  on  a  dedicated  circuit.  If  the  ignition  is  switched  on  and  detected
via the KL R circuit but the GM does not receive KL R status via the K Bus, the GM mon-
itors the KL R voltage level. If after an additional 0.3 seconds there is no K Bus activity, the
GM initiates an emergency running program.
A substitute value for vehicle speed is used to allow the GM to operate certain functions. 
The emergency running program will terminate if the GM detects a vehicle speed or KL R
status via the K bus.  
Diagnosis/Troubleshooting
The GM contains an EEPROM fault memory. Diagnosis and troubleshooting is carried out
with the DISplus or MoDiC. The diagnostic link is through the Instrument cluster over the K
bus to the GM.
Notes: _______________________________________________________________________
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III