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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).  

Vehicle Memory: The owner is provided with a list of available system functions that can
be customized to their liking. Prior to delivery, the DISplus or MoDiC is used to encode the
owner’s chosen selections into the appropriate control modules.  
These  choices  become  a  permanent  function  of  the  control  module  and  can  only  be
changed by re-encoding with the DISplus or MoDiC at a BMW Center.
This  feature  has  been  available  for  some  time  via  the  ZCS  Conversion  Feature  but  has
never been fully utilized or officially presented to the vehicle owner as a feature of their vehi-
cle. 
Key Memory: This feature provides the added convenience of identifying users of the vehi-
cle  whenever  a  lock  or  unlocked  signal  is  generated  via  the  individual  FZV  keys.  A  maxi-
mum of four FZV keys can be used with the Key Memory feature.  
Each of the four keys generate a unique key identification signal (key number) that is trans-
mitted  simultaneously  with  the  lock/unlock  signals  to  the  General  Module. Key Memory
does not respond to Lock/Unlock requests from the drivers door lock.
Mostof the key memory functions require the vehicle be configured using the “KEY MEM-
ORY”  function  of  the  DIS  or  MoDiC.  However,  there  are  a  few  features  that  store  settings
automatically without configuration such as IHKA blower speed and temp setting. The key
ID signal alerts the GM to communicate with select control systems over the K Bus to store
(when locked) or reset (when unlocked) certain driver adjustable settings.
There are features that function as both a Car & Key Memory feature. 
Example;  the  Automatic  Seat  Adjustment  feature  is  encoded  as  a  Car  Memory  Function
with the following possibilities:
• When unlocking,
• When opening a door after unlocking
• Or not active at all.
If active, the seat positions are stored and reactivated by the Key Memory function for indi-
vidual users of the car.
Notes: _______________________________________________________________________
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III 

Seat/Mirror/Steering Column Memory
Purpose of the System
The  front  seats,  outside  rearview  mirrors  and  steering  column  (if  equipped)  positions  are
electrically  adjustable.  The  “customized”  adjustment  positions  can  be  memorized  and
stored for three diferent users and recalled back to the individual positions (with the excep-
tion of the passenger seat - not in memory).
The  basic  features  of  seat/mirror/steering  column  operation,  as  well  as  the  memory  posi-
tions is integrated into the ZKE III system.
• Seat/Steering Column Memory 
Module (PM SM).
• Driver’s Door Switchblock Mod- 
ule (PM FT/SB - early E38 was  
separate).
• Passenger’s Door Module (PM  
BT - E53 combined with window  
switch).
• General Module (GM III).
• 3 Position Memory Switch.
• Seat Switch.
• Steering Column Switch.
• Seat/Steering Column/Mirror 
Motors.
The Seat/Steering Column Memory Module communicates with the DISplus or MoDiC for
diagnosis and Vehicle Memory encoding.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
System Components:                               Inputs - Processing - Outputs
E38/E39 Shown 

59
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
System Components
- with Principle of Operation
Manual Operation:The manual adjustments of the seat, mirrors and steering column are
carried out with the respective switches as with the previous systems.
The  mirror  adjustment  switch  is  located  in  the  driver’s  switch  block.  The  mirror  operation
input is a digital signal that is processed by each respective module for mirror positioning.
Memory Storage: The parameters for storing memory positions are are as follows:
• With  the  transmission  range
selector  in  “P”  and  the  mirror
change over switched to the left,
switch  the  ignition  on  and  press
the “M” on the memory switch.
• The memory indicator lamp swi- 
tches on for 7 seconds.
• Press one of the three position 
switches (1, 2 or 3) within the 7  
second memory period.
• The current positions of the mir-
rors, seat and steering column 
are stored for recall.
The positions of the mirrors are stored in the respective door
modules based on the position of the feedback potentiome-
ters. The positions of the seat and steering column are stored
in the seat module, based on the ripple count.
Recalling a memory position setting is possible by either
pressing and holding the recall switch (1, 2 or 3) with KL 15
“ON” or tapping the recall button (1, 2 or 3) with:
• The driver’s door open and KL 15 “OFF”.
• KL R ON and KL 15 “OFF”. 
The recall movement can be interrupted at any time by touching any of the adjusting
switches.
E38/E39
E53 
615200133.tiff 

Driver’s Seat (E38/E39)
Principle of Operation
Each motor for seat adjustment contains a micro-processor (called a Ripple Counter) that
receives a digital signal from the seat control module for motor activation. The motors are
connected to KL 30 and KL 31 and respond to the signals generated by the seat module
when seat movement is requested. The seat adjustment switch provides  ground input sig-
nals to the module when seat movement is desired. The module processes these input sig-
nals  and  sends  output  signals  to  the  seat  motor  processors.  The  seat  motor  processors
activate the motors and the seat moves to the desired point.
The  circuitry  of  the  Ripple  Counter  detects  the  motor  activation  current.  As  the  armature
segments of the motor rotate passed the brushes, the current flow rises and falls produc-
ing a ripple effect. The peaks of these ripples are counted and stored in the Ripple Counter
module.  The  memory  function  of  the  seat  module  uses  this  ripple  count  instead  of  feed-
back potentiometers to memorize and recall seat positions.
Ripple  Count  Recognition:
When the seat is installed and the
battery  is  connected,  the  ripple
counter uses the initial position of
the motors as the “Zero Position”. 
Any  movement  from  this  point  is
counted  as  “+”  or  “-”  pulses    as
the  motors  move  in  either  direc-
tion. 
The pulse position of the motors is stored in the seat module, in an EEPROM (of the PM-
SM), before the ZKE goes into its “Sleep Mode”.
This prevents the position recognition from being lost. If the battery is disconnected before
the  16  minute  sleep  mode  activation,  the  memory  positions  of  the  seat  will  be  lost  and
reprogramming will be required. 
Diagnosis: The PM-SM communicates with the DISplus or MoDiC. The PM-SM monitors
the seat motors and circuits as well as it's internal operation. Any detected faults are stored
in the PM-SM fault memory and are called up when diagnosing the system with the Fault
Symptom  diagnostic  plan.  The  PM-SM  also  provides  status  display  to  the  DISplus  of  the
input and output control signals as well as component activation.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
615200137.eps 

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