
Visual Entry Aid (E38/E53)
Purpose of the System
The E38 (>99 MY) and E53 is equipped with the “Visual Entry Aid” lighting system which
enhances operator convenience and safety. All interior door handles are supplemented with
soft glow lighting for ease of locating the interior door handles. When activated, the exteri-
or door lighting illuminates providing a subtle underglow for the exterior door handles on
the E38 and exterior rear view mirrors on the E53.
• The interior door handle lighting(including later E53) is provided by slim profile LEDs
and controlled directly by the LCM III.
• The exterior door handle lightingis provided by halogen bulb light sources in each
door and fiber optic tubing. The light sources are controlled by a Visual Entry Aid Control
Module which activates the lights simultaneously when the GM III activates the vehicle
interior lights.
System Components
Interior Door Handle Lighting: The light-
ing is provided by orange glow light strips
illuminated by LED’s.
• The light strips are part of the door han-
dle shell and are not replaceable.
• The LED’s are individually replaceable.
The LED’s are connected to the KL 58g interior panel lighting circuit. KL 58g is an output
pulse width modulated control signal from the LCM III. The duty cycle changes when the
LCM III detects a change in the voltage drop at the light dimmer input signal.
55
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
Replacement LED
“Orange Glow”
Light Strip
615200121.eps

Exterior Door Handle Lighting: The Visual
Entry Aid Control Module is located in the elec-
trical carrier forward of the glovebox.
To control the system, the Visual Entry Aid con-
trol module requires:
• KL 30
• KL 15
• KL 31
• Interior Light control signal (GM Output)
The GM controls the soft on/off feature of the vehicle interior lights by a pulse width mod-
ulated control signal. This signal is also an input to the Visual Entry Aid control module
which requests simultaneously control (soft on/off) each exterior door light source.
Light Source Modules: Mounted in each door
are the light source modules.
The light source modules are made up of the
housing, halogen bulb and reflector. The reflec-
tor holds the bulb and focus the bulbs light into
the housing.
The bulbs are are available for individual replace-
ment.
56
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
CONTROL MODULE
615200123.eps 615200124.eps 615200130.jpg

Fiber Optic Light Conductor Cable:The fiber optic cables carry the light to their respec-
tive light output modules at each exterior door handle.
Installation Note:The bending radius of the fiber optic cable should be less than 20mm
when installing.
Light Output Modules: The exterior door handle frames have an additional mount to
accept the light output module.
The light output modules carry the light from the conductor cables to the exterior door han-
dle recess as well as casting a soft exterior light on the outside floor area.
Principle of Operation
Lights ON:
The exterior visual entry aid lighting is activated “on” when the vehicle interior
lights are activated “on” automatically by the GM.
Lights OFF:
Immediately after KL 15 recognition (immediate off - no soft off function). Soft
off after a short delay once all doors are closed.
After a maximum of 20 seconds “on” time, the control module switches exterior visual entry
aid lighting off regardless of interior light status.
57
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
615200131.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.
69
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
KL 31 (GROUND)KL 31 (GROUND)
DIS
DIS
BMWDIS
B
M
WD
I
S
BMWDIS
BMW
DIS
D
ia
g
n
o
s
e
-
a
n
d
In
fo
r
m
a
ti
o
n
S
y
s
t
e
mDIS &
MoDiCDIS &
MoDiC
M
o
Di
C
0½
CHECK
ENGINE
CHECK
ENGINEOIL SERVICEOIL SERVICEINSPECTIONINSPECTIONP
1/min
x1000km/hELECTRONICMPH1
2020404060608080100180160140 1201002001202201402400234
5
6
7!!ABS20 DIGIT READOUT20 DIGIT READOUT
123456
prnd432
m
prnd432
m
122.4 +72.0 fo
+72.0 fomiles0
10
15 20 40
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

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

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