1997 BMW 540i Features

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400-1 0
Body-General
Seats
4 Anatomically correct seats are constructed from polyure-
10 way seat adjustment thane foam
containing areas or "zones" of different firmness.
They offer good lateral support without constricting the occu-
pant.
The seats have a passive internal ventilation system: Cylin-
drical cavities within the cushions and backrests generate a
pumping effect as the ride motions cause occupant motion.
This
helps remove moisture and feeds fresh air into the seats.
Other features of the seating system:
The seat bases have steel springs for added support and
strength.
The seat control switches are along the outside edge of
the
seat.
Heated seats are an option in all models
In cars equipped with seat position memory, three different
seat confiaurations can be memorized by the seat control
module(s): Seat memory coordinates with outside mirror
memory. These functions are controlled by the seat mem-
ory
module(s).
* For security reasons, the release lever to fold the rear seat
backrest forward is installed in the trunk.
Sport Wagon models: Rear seat
baclts are split 60140, with
the center armrest on the left seat back.
The center armrest incorporates a non adjustable head-
rest. When folded down, the armrest opens out with
cup-
holders and a storage compartment. See 520 Seats for
more details.
instruments and controls
Everything in the interior passengercompartment essential to
the driver is logically grouped and easy to reach. All instru-
ments and controls have been arranged ergonomically and
are fully integrated into the overall design of the vehicle.
Tilt-telescopic steering wheel has
30 mm (1.2 in) of vertical
and longitudinal adjustment.
Multifunction steering wheel contains two
ltey pads con-
taining controls for the sound system, telephone and
cruise control.
Padded dashboard houses the instrument cluster and the
ventilation and heating system.

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51 2-2
I Door Windows 1
This repair group covers door glass, window regulator and
power window motor repair information.
CA U JIO&
All E39 models are equipped with side-impact airbags in the
front doors. Some models are also equipped with
airbags in
the rear doors. Be sure to read the
airbag warnings and cau-
tions in 721
Airbag System (SRS).
Electric window switch replacement is covered in 612
Switches.
The windshield, rear window, fixed rear doorglass, and cargo
compartment glass (Sport Wagon only) are bonded using
special adhesives and tools. It is recommended that bonded
glass replacement be done by an authorized
BMW service fa-
cility or an automotive glass installer.
Special tools
Some window repair operations require special tools.
Power windows
- Power window features in E39 models include:
Control of the front and rear door window motors is carried
out directly by the General Module (GM
Ill).
One-touch operation in both directions on all four windows.
Cable type window regulator used for all door windows.
. Anti-trap protection provided by pressure sensitive finger
guard.
Right front and each rear door has a single window switch
located in door handle trim.
Rear door window switches can be deactivated by press-
ing child lock-out switch in the driver's window switch block.
Convenience closinglopening of the windows from driver's
loci( cylinder or convenience opening only from remote un-
lociting feature (FZV) remote key.
Window (FZV) operation can be owner customized with
Car Memory function. See 515 Central Locking and Anti-
Theft.
After ignition is switched off, electric windows can be oper-
ated until a door is opened or until
I6 minutes has elapsed.
The GM
IiI bases window motor end position on current
draw (load). There is a maximum window motor run time of
6 seconds. The motor is then switched off even if the end
position load sensor fails.

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Central Locking and Anti-Theft
Trunk lock
6 Tr~nk ftey pos~rions for eecir'cal mama, locking and
-nlock~ng are:
1. Manual unock .. - - - ........ - ..- .- ................. s.=.=-- 2. Unlock. DWA oisarmed, conven:ence open
(nold
un1:l aclivaledj
3. Ne~tral posit'on
1. -ocn. DWA armeo, Convenience closng
(hold ~nti activated)
5. Valet .oc,t position
. -- .............-... .- . - -.....
Key memory
< The remote trunk button (arrow) is located in the lefl lticlc
panel.
- The trunk can be opened from this remote release when the
doors are locked from the central locking button. The
trunk
remote button is disabled when the trunkis loclted in the valet
position or when a speed signal of
4 mph is present at the
GM.
Remote entry (FZV)
< The €39 remote (keyless) entry system (FZV) uses a tiny ra-
dio transmitter in the vehicle key to
lock and unlock the doors
and the trunk by remote control. There are a number of other
features incorporated in FZV:
Locltinglunloclting of fuel filler lid
Selective unlocking of driver's door (as with key in lock)
Armingldisarming of DWA alarm system
Remote unlocking of
trunk lid or tailgate
Comfort opening of windows and sunroof
* Interior lighting activation
Panic mode alarm activation
* Models to 1999: Key incorporates LED. LED informs oper-
ator that an FZV signal is being transmitted. LED is also
useful indicator of key initialization status and lkey self-test.
Keys delivered with four different colored labels. This is
helpful to differentiate FZV keys during initialization,
pre.
venting possibility of misassigning key ID which would
change coded Key Memory functions.

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51 5-12
I Central Locking and Anti-Theft
Key battery
9
4 1997 - 1999 models: Two lithium batteries are used to sup-
ply power to key transmitter. When replacement is neces-
sary, remove cover and two fasteners (arrows) from rear of
key to access batteries
NOTE-
If you replace the batteries within one minute, the FZV ley
will not require a new initialization procedure.
2000 and later models: FZV key battery is recharged by ring
antenna while ltey is in ignition switch. There is no need to re-
place ltey battery.
Car Memory 1 Key Memory
A number of features and functions can be customized to the
driver(s) preference. The identity of the vehicle user is provid-
ed by a
s~gnal from the keyless entry system (FZV).
Car Memory and Key Memory are actually two separate func-
tions, although they are marketed as a combined feature.
Car Memory
Pr'or ro new
veh c,e de very, the BMW scan roo (DISp us,
GTI or MOD C) is ~sed lo cooc ine driver preierences nro ine
appropriate control modules. Thereafter these choices can-
not be changed without
recoding with a BMW scan tool.
The functions that can be set using Car Memory include:
Alarm system (DWA) features such as armingldisarming
with
lkeyless entry (FZV), activation of tilt sensor or interior
sensor
lnterior light activation when central
locking is used
Convenience opening of
windows/sunroof
lnterior and external lighting preferences
Heating
I A/C preferences (IHKA)
Seat and mirror preferences (triggered by Key Memory)
Instrument cluster display units (for example: km vs. miles)

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- -
Central Locking and ~nti-~hefil
Key Memory
Whenever one of the FZV keys is used to lock or unlock the
car, the user is identified by the GM. A maximum of four
keys
can be programmed with the Key Memoryfeature. The use of
the personalized key then triggers Car Memory functions
such as heating
I AIC (IHKA) settings or memory seat position
adjustment.
Most programming of Key Memory requires the use of
BMW
scan tools (DISplus, GT1 or MoDiC). However, features such
as
IHKA blower speed and temperature store automatically
without the use of scan tools.
Available Key Memory functions vary based on vehicle equip-
ment. The functions that can be set include:
Automatic locking after start off (vehicle speed)
Selective locking
Heating
1 AJC blower speed, heated or cooled air distribu-
tion, automatic blower setting
Trunk lid soft close (SCA)
< The optional sofl close trunk feature is called SCA. The SCA
actuator is located in the panel below the trunk lid.
1. SCA motor and actuator located behind trunk trim in
rear wall of
trunlc
2. Lower edge of trunlc seal
3. Cam in open position
4. Cam in closed position
The actuator is controlled by a load relay in the General Mod-
ule (GM). The closing cam is mounted on an eccentric that is
driven by the actuator. The cam always turns
180" in the
same direction to open or close the trunk.

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l Seats
This repair group covers removal and installation of the front
and rear seat.
SeatIMirrorlSteering Column Memory
< The basic features of seaffmirrorlsteering column operation,
including memory positions are integrated into the
ZKE Ill
system. Driver adjustment positions can be memorized and
stored for three different
users.The seat control module is in-
tegral with the seat and mirror switches. The seat control
module stores seat memory position via the "ripple" counter
module.
NOTE-
Passenger seat on sedan models uses a simple control cir-
cuit and do not include a memory module or on-board diag-
nostics.
Seat memory position, setting
With the transmission range selector in "P and the mirror
change over switched in the left position, switch the ignition
on and press the
"M" on the memory switch.
Press one of the three position switches
(1, 2 or 3) within
the
7 second memory period (memory indicator lamp will
illuminate for
7 seconds)
- The current positions of the mirrors, seat and steering col-
umn will now be stored in memory.
NOTE- Seat memory is held in an
EEPROM in the seat module and
is stored in memory before the
ZKE goes into its sleep mode.
If the battery is disconnected before the 16 minute sleep
mode activation, seat memorypositions are lost and repro-
gramming is required.
< Power seat controls.
A -Seat tilt
B - Longitudinal adjustment
C - Cushion height
D - Head restraint height
E - Back rest angle

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540-2
Sunroof
This repair group covers the slide-tilt sunroof assembly.
There are two types of sunroof panels available: steel
01
glass. Service procedures are different for each type.
Component locations, initialization, sunroof panel replace-
ment, and sunroof height adjustment are covered. Replace-
ment of the cable assembly or frame require that the
headliner be removed. Removal and repair of the sunroof as-
sembly and othercomponents inside the roof cavity is beyond
the scope of this manual.
When the sunroof is set to the vent position (rear of panel up),
the inside headliner moves rearward approximately
120 mm
(4.7 in) This provides cabin ventilation with less wind noise. A
water channel is incorporated into the sunroof assembly. It
automatically rises when the sunroof panel is in the vent posi-
tion and prevents water from entering the interior during brak-
ing.
Sunroof electronic controls, initializing
- Initialize the sunroof in the following situations:
Malfunctions
such as lack of one-touch function, lack of
comfort openinglclosing or lack of safety (anti-trapping)
features.
If sunroof motor has been removed and reinstalled.
If power supply to the sunroof has been interrupted.
If repairs have been performed on the slideltilt mechanism.
NOTE -
The initialization sequence is dependent on the software ver-
sion of
tlie sunroof module (in the sunroof drive unit).
I WARNING -
I There is no anti-trapping protection during initialization. I

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721 -3
Airbag System (SRS)
MRS Ill adds the following features:
MRS
Ill employs "smart" technology. Smart technology re-
fers to the control module's programming for the deploy-
ment of the airbags, in stages depending on the severity of
the impact.
Two-stage a~rbag for ooln drver and passenger Alloivs for
a softer
c~snioning elfecl when the airbags are lr ggered at
lighter impact,
MRS
Ill satellite sensors use 2 wire connectors
Rear side
airbags arrive de-activated from the factory and
can only be activated upon written request from the cus-
tomer.
Rear seat head protection is available when ordered with
optional rear seat side airbags.
E39 Airbags
Driver airbag
Passenger airbag
Head Protection System (HPS)
Inflatable Tubular Structure
(ITS) (MRS
II and MRS Ill)
Front side impact airbag
Rear door side impact airbag
(optional) (MRS I1 and MRS Ill)