
System Components 
- with the Principle of Operation
Driver’s  Door  Lock: The  lock/unlock  signals
from  the  driver’s  door  lock  cylinder  are  input  to
the  driver’s  door  module  from  the  two  micro
switches  on  the  lock  cylinder.  The  driver’s  door
switchblock module carries out the locking func-
tion of the driver’s door.  
The  windows  and  sunroof  can  be  closed  or
opened  by  holding  the  key  in  the  lock/unlock
position (convenience closing/opening feature). 
The  signal  to  lock  the  remaining  doors  and  fuel  filler  flap  is  passed  over  the  P-Bus  to  the
GM III and passenger’s door module. The locking of the passenger’s door is carried out by
the  passengers  door  module.  The  rear  doors,  luggage  comparment  and  fuel  flap  locking
are carried out directly by the GM III. All four doors will be pulled into the double lock posi-
tion when locking from the driver’s door.
The control of the actuators in the front doors is through final stages in the door modules.
The rear doors, trunk and fuel filler flap actuators are controlled by internal relays in the GM
III. When locked, the GM III will not carry out any opening commands from the central lock-
ing button or luggage comparment interior release button.
Luggage  Compartment  Lock  Cylinder  (except  E53/E39  Sport  Wagon): The  vehicle
can be locked/ unlocked (prior to 2000 MY) from the luggage compartment lock cylinder.
The lock/unlock micro switch inputs are processed in the GM III and the locking commands
are carried out. 
The signal is passed over the P-Bus to the
door  modules  to  lock/unlock  the  front
doors  and  the  GM  III  locks  the  rear  doors
and fuel filler flap. 
All door actuators are placed in the double
lock position. Removing the key in the hor-
izontal position will activate the valet mode
and prevent the valet key from opening the
luggage comparment.
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Luggage Comparment Remote Unlock: The luggage com-
parment  can  be  opened  from  inside  the  vehicle  with  the
remote release button. This feature is also functions when the
doors are locked from the central button. 
The  GM  will  disregard  the  remote  release  button  input  when
the  luggage  comparment  is  mechanically  locked  with  the
Master Key (valet setting). 
The  GM  will  also  disregard  the  release  input  if  the  vehicle
speed is > 4 MPH.
The  E53  remote  release  button  is  located  in  the  center  con-
sole. This input will release the rear liftgate following the same
criteria stated above.
Crash Signalling
The Multiple Restraint System (MRS) control module provides a switched signal to the GM
in the event of an accident. This signal was previously provided by the crash sensor locat-
ed in the left front kick panel (< 9/96 MY). 
The signal is an output function of the MRS control module and becomes active when MRS
determines  a  crash  has  occurred.  The  GM  unlocks  the  vehicle,  switches  on  the  interior
lights and flashes the exterior lights when this signal is active.
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Door Lock Actuators: A door lock actuator contains an electric motor and an integrated
microswitch (position switch). The rotary motor movement through the gear drive mechan-
ically moves the locking latch.
When the lock actuator is operating, the motor is powered until the position switch signals
the “locked” position. If the vehicle is locked from the exterior, the motor is powered further
and  the  the  gear  mechanism  is  moved  beyond  the  locked  position  into  the  “double  lock”
position.  The  motors  must  be  powered  (in  reverse)  to  release  the  double  lock.  The  inside
door handles will not unlock a “double locked” vehicle.      
E53  Door  Lock  Mechanism: The  E53  utilizes  a  door  latch  combined  with  dual  actuator
motors. This type of actuator is sealed, self contained units with no replaceable parts. The 
door lock actuators use hall effect sensors in place of pin contacts/microswitches to pro-
vide:
• Door lock key position (driver’s door only)
• Door open/closed status (replaces door jamb  
switch).
The GM monitors the lock cylinder positions over two
wires.  The  signals  are  generated  by  two  hall  effect
sensors (Hall Sensor 1 & 2) located in the actuator. 
When  the  key  is  turned,  a  plastic  cylinder  in  the  lock
actuator is simultaneously rotated by the lock tumbler
extension rod. 
An asymmetrical shaped magnet is incorporated in the plastic cylinder, which when rotat-
ed changes the magnetic influence on the hall sensors. The presence of a magnet in close
proximity  to  the  sensing  surface  of  either  hall  sensor  creates  a  coded  input  over  the  two
wires that the GM uses to determine the key position.
• Magnet in front of sensor, current flow through the sensor is <5 mA (0). 
• Magnet rotated away from sensor, current flow through the sensor is >12 mA (1).
Hall  effect  sensors  improve  the  actuators  reliability  since  they  are  impervious  to  moisture
and there are no wear contacts.
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12520127 lock-4 

• Key  in  the  neutral  position,  both  sensors  are
simultaneously  influenced  by  the  magnet  -
0/0.
• Key  turned  to  the  unlock  position  from  neu-
tral,  hall  sensor  #1  magnet  segment  moves
away from hall sensor - 1/0.
• Key  turned  to  lock  position  from  neutral,  hall
sensor  #2  magnet  segment  moves  away
form hall sensor - 0/1.
There  are  two  motors  incorporated  in  each  actuator
that provide two separate functions:
Single  lock/unlock  function:  Also  known  as  central
lock,  this  motor  controls  the  mechanical  lock  mecha-
nism when the central lock button is pressed to single
lock the vehicle. 
The lock mechanism is fully locked at this point but can
still be opened from the interior by pulling the appropr-
iate interior door handle twice or by pressing the cen-
tral lock button again. When single lock function is acti-
vated, the fuel filler flap actuator is not locked.
Double lock/unlock function: Also known as central
arrest,  this  motor  is  activated  only  when  the  vehicle  is
locked from the exterior at the driver’s door lock with a
key  or  when  the  GM  receives  a  lock  request  from  the
Key-less  entry  system.  In  this  case  the  double  lock
motor  is  activated  simultaneously  with  the  single  lock
motor. 
The  function  of  the  double  lock  motor  is  to  mechani-
cally offset an internal rod disabling it from unlocking 
the vehicle from the interior. This prevents the doors  
from being unlocked by any means except from an  
unlock request at the driver’s door or via the Key-less  
entry.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
HALL SENSOR 1
HALL SENSOR 2
PLASTIC CYLINDER
WITH ASYMMETRICAL MAGNET
(Shown in the Lock Position)
SINGLE
LOCK
MOTOR
DOUBLE
LOCK
MOTOR
ACTUATOR IN UNLOCKED POSITION
ACTUATOR IN LOCKED POSITION
WHEN IN DOUBLE LOCK AN
INTERIOR ACTUATED UNLOCK
ROD IS OFFSET PREVENTING
THE LOCK MECHANISM FROM
BEING MECHANICALLY
UNLOCKED 

Door Contact Hall Sensor: Also included in the drivers door actuator is a third hall effect  
sensor. This sensor signals the door open/closed status to the GM. This sensor replaces 
the door jamb mechanical switch of previous systems. The rotary latch plate position acti- 
vates the door contact hall sensor.
• When  the  door  latch  is  closed,  current  flow
through the sensor is <5 mA (0).
• When  the  door  is  open,  current  flow  through
the sensor is >12 mA (1). 
The  passenger  side  front  door  and  both  rear
door lock actuators only include this hall effect
sensor  (hall  sensor  3).  Hall  sensors  1  &  2  are
not required. 
Trunk  Lid  Close  (E38  SCA)/Tailgate  and  Window  Latching  System  (E39/E53): The
tailgate/trunk lid is opened by any of the three input signals: FZV, remote button and unlock
switch pad (push - trunk lock cylinder E38).  
These inputs request the rear latch
actuator  control  circuit  to  be
switched  to  ground  (exception:
presence  of  road  speed  signal,
key on with FZV request.)
The  rear  latch  actuator  unlatches
the  mechanism  and  signals  the
GM  of  the  open  latch  status.  The
SCA  motor    rotates  the  striker
180
O.  Feed-back  signalling  stops
the motor. E38 - When closing the
trunk lid the trunk latch micro-
switch signals the GM to activate
the SCA motor to pull the lid
down.
Rear window unlatching is requested by the rear window switch ground signal. This signal
initiates activation of the rear window actuator relay control circuit which activates the rear
window  actuator.  The  actuator  unlatches  the  mechanism  opening  the  window.  The  latch
simultaneously  provides  an  open  window  signal  for  the  rear  window  wiper  motor  module
as well as an interior light on request (via the wiper module). 
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E39 Sport Wagon 
Shown
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Remote (Keyless) Entry FZV
Purpose of the System
The Remote Entry System offers the following:
• Locking/unlocking of doors, luggage compartment (tailgate), fuel filler lid.
• Selective unlocking of driver’s door (same as with key in the lock cylinder).
• Arming/disarming of DWA alarm system.
• Remote unlocking of the trunk (tailgate) only.
• Comfort opening of windows and sunroof.
• Interior lighting activation (search mode).
• Panic mode alarm activation.
• Changing code signals - coded signals from transmitter change with every operation.
• Automatic correction for up to 1000 erroneous activation signals.
• Transmitter initialization procedure - including up to four key operation and Key Memory.
• Replacement batteries.
• Low transmitter battery in vehicles equipped with Check Control. 
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The  Remote  Entry  System  incorporated  minor  changes  since  the  original  introduction
which includes:
• The control electronics are incorporated into the GM III.
• The antenna is incorporated into the rear window lower heater grid. 
• The  remote  key  receiver  is  installed  in  the  left  “C”  pillar.  The  receiver  produces  a  digital
signal based on the transmitter command and sends it to the GM for processing. The GM
then  carries  out  all  remote  entry  operations  either  directly  or  through  the  door  modules
for the front doors. The frequency at which the key transmits the radio signal to the ant- 
enna amplifier is 315 MHz.
Vehicle/Key Memory 
The Vehicle/Key Memory feature provides the flexibility of allowing the owner to customize
certain functions of select vehicle systems and automatically identifies users of the vehicle
by a key identification signal provided by the remote keyless entry system (FZV).
Vehicle & Key memory is marketed as a combined feature but is actually two separate func-
tions of the select vehicle control systems.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
A
IHKA
K-BUSKEY #1
KEY #2
KEY #3
KEY #4
GMV
SM
  Adjust Setting of Seat
For Key #1   IHKA Features Key #1
Being Used
KEY 4
KEY 3
KEY 2
KEY 1
KEY 1
- Selective Unlocking
- Automatic Locking
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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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