
3
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
Central Body Electronics (ZKE III)
Purpose of the System
The Central Body Electronics (ZKE III) system manages the following functions:
GM III
• Windshield Wiping/Washing
• Windsheild Rain Sensor (AIC)
• Headlight Washing
• Tailgate Wiping/Washing
• Interior Lighting
• Central Locking
• Keyless Entry
• Key Memory
• Power Trunk Release
• Electric Opening of Tailgate
• DWA Alarm System
• Servotronics
• Consumer Cut-off/sleep mode
• DiagnosisDriver’s Door Switch Block/
Module
• Power Windows
• Mirror Adjustment/Memory/   
HeatingPassenger’s Door Module
• Mirror Adjustment/Memory/
Heating
• Power Windows
Sunroof Module
• Power SunroofSeat/Mirror/ Steering Column
Memory Module
• Seat Adjustment/Memory
• SteeringColumn Adjustment/
Memory
The ZKE III system was introduced on the E38 and is used in the E39 and E53. Most of the
functions  operate  the  same  on  these  vehicles  with  minor  changes  and  added  features  to
the system.
ZKE III  represents  the  combination  of  Body  Electronics  functions  into  one  central  control
module, the General Module (GM).  

Power  Window  Motors: The  window  motors  are  mounted  on  the  cable  regulators.  The
window  motor  control  circuit  consists  of  two  wires  for  operating  the  motor  in  both  direc-
tions. 
The  motors  are  activated  by  relays  in  the  GM  of  door
modules  (front  doors).  The  relays  provide  either  power
or ground depending on the direction of window travel.  
The  GM  controls  the  polarity  of  the  motor  based  on  a
request  to  run  the  window  (window  switch,
Convenience Opening/ Closing). 
The windows are run to the limit stops which is detect-
ed  by  an  amperage  increase  in  the  control  circuit.
Additionally,  the  window  run  cycle  is  limited  to  a  6-8
second duration if in case the amperage increase is not
detected or there is a malfunction with the regulator. 
Window Motor Limit Stop Function: If the windows are run up and down continuously
a limit stop function is activated to prevent the window motors from overheating. The GM
monitors the number of times the window motors are activated. Each cycle is counted and
stored in memory.  
If the repetitive window activation (up/down) exceeds one minute, the GM deactivates the
internal relays and disregards any further input requests. The GM provides motor activation
after  a  short  duration  but  not  for  the  full  one  minute  monitoring  cycle.  Over  time,  the  GM
slowly reverses the stored count of activation until the stored number equals 0.
Convenience  Opening/Closing: The  GM  provides  the  convenience  open/close  feature
providing control of the power windows (and sunroof) from outside the vehicle with the key
in the driver’s door lock cylinder. The FZV provides the same function for the opening only.
• The anti-trap feature is active during convenience closing from the driver’s door lock.
• The convenience open feature provides outside activation of the windows and sunroof
in the same manner.
• If the GM receives a request to operate convenience close or open for more than 110
seconds, the function is deactivated and a fault code is stored.
• The  Car  Memory  Feature  can  activate  and  deactivate  the  Convenience  Open  Feature
from the FZV’s control.
46
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
FRONT DOOR
REGULATOR
615200114.eps 

Mirror
Principle of Operation
The  output  stages  and  memory  storage  of  mirror  positions  is  handled  by  the  respective
door  modules.  The  positioning  of  the  mirrors  is  signaled  from  the  driver’s  door  switch
block/module. The signal passes over the P-Bus to the passenger’s door module. 
The  memory/recall  for  the  driver’s  mirror  comes  directly  into  the  door  module  from  the
memory switch. The operation for the passenger’s side mirror is carried out over the P-Bus
from the driver’s door module to the passenger’s door module. 
The memory positions are stored in each respective module. The memory position is rec-
ognized by the feedback potentiometers located on each mirror motor.
The reverse gear tilt feature for the passenger’s mirror is signaled from the GM, over the P-
bus, when reverse is selected and the mirror switch is set for the driver’s side.
Mirror heating is controlled by each respective door module. The GM receives the outside
temperature from the IKE and passes it to the door modules. The “ON” time for mirror heat-
ing is adjusted based on the outside temperature.
A pulsed heating cycle is used for the mirrors based on the outside temperature.
60
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
Temperature<-10OC  -10 to 0OC 0 to 15OC 15 to 25OC >25OC
ON - duration  100% 75% 50% 25% 5%
E39 Shown 

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 

68
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
Center  Console  Switch  Center  (SZM): From  1999  MY  E38,  E39  and  E53  vehicles  are
equipped  with  a  SZM  to  control  the  front  seat  heating  and  provide  a  diagnostic  interface
with the DISplus/MoDiC via the K BUS. 
The SZM directly controls:
• Front Seat Heating
• Rear Window Roller Blind
SZM  also  provides  a  unitized  switching  center
for:
• Park Distance Control (PDC)
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC III)
• Electronic Damper Control (EDC). 
The switch signal output for these systems is a direct output signal. All diagnosis functions
are carried out through their respective control systems.
SZM Monitoring of Seat Heating 
Battery Voltage:The SZM switches current supply to the heating elements off when bat-
tery  voltage  drops  below  11.4  volts.  However,  the  heating  stage  LEDs  remain  on.
Regulated  output  current  resumes  when  battery  voltage  raises  above  12.2  volts  for  more
than 5 seconds.
SZM Internal Temperature: The power output stages for the seat heating elements gen-
erate a considerable amount of heat when in stage 1 operation. The SZM monitors it’s own
internal temperatures and reduces the heating output when internal temperatures rise to a
temperature  of  185
OF  or  switches  it  off  completely  above  203OF.  As  with  battery  voltage
monitoring, the heating stage LEDs remain on when these temperatures are exceeded.
Fault Monitoring:The SZM monitors the temperature sensors and heating mats for faults.
Detected faults are stored in the SZM. Fault Symptom Troubleshooting in conjunction with
stored faults will initiate the diagnostic paths using the DISplus/MoDiC. The following faults
can be recognized:   
• Shorts or opens in the wiring circuits.
• Shorts or opens in the temperature sensors.
• Open in heating element.  
If a short is detected in the temperature sensor, the seat heating is switched off to prevent
overheating. The Stage LEDs are also switched off with this fault present. 

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.
69
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
KL 31 (GROUND)KL 31 (GROUND)
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CHECK
ENGINEOIL SERVICEOIL SERVICEINSPECTIONINSPECTIONP
1/min
x1000km/hELECTRONICMPH1
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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 

9. What type of sensor is used to detect the position of a seat with Memory?  What type
of signal does it produce?__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
10. How does the Seat Module communicate a request for a stored memory position with
the mirror modules?_______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
11. On an E38 with Servotronic, why is the speed signal provided to the GM from both  
the IKE “A” signal and the K-Bus?___________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
12. An E38 customer complains that when exiting the vehicle the steering wheel moves 
up. What is the cause of this?______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
13. How does the SZM monitor the Seat Heating temperature?_____________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
14. What circuits are controlled by Consumer Cut Off? ____________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
15. If a technician double locked a 2000 MY E39 while still inside the vehicle, how could  
he/she exit the vehicle?____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
16. How is the MY 2000 key charged?__________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
17. How is the DWA Disarmed (emergency)?_____________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
18. What functions will deactivate the exterior door handle lighting? _________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________     
80
Central Body Electronics ZKE III