Page 4 of 80

4
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
System Components
General  Module  (GM): The  GM  is  reponsible
for  the  operation  and  central  coordination  of
body  electronics.  The  GM  is  a  micro-computer
that  is  the  central  component  (heart)  of  the
Central Body  Electronics. The GM is located be-
hind the glove box. 
The main objectives for using the GM are:  
The  GM  requires inputcommands  to  perform
Central  Body  Electronics  functions.  The  inputs
are  supplied  by  digital  switched  signals  such
as:
• Trunk Lock Microswitch - supplies voltage (KL  
30) to the GM when switched. A path to gro-  
und is provided by the GM (internally). The 
GM monitors the switched input voltage. 
• Central Lock Button - supplies a ground cir-   
cuit to the GM when switched. The GM sup- 
plies and monitors a reference voltage (5v)     
that is “pulled” low when the switched gro-
und path is provided.  
The  GM processesthe  input  information  and
contains “coded” instructions that allow a spe-
cific output control of functions.
The  GM  will  produce outputfunctions  using
internal  transistors  to  switch  current  flow  (pro-
viding  voltage  or  ground)  through  circuits  and
actuators.  Actuators  are  the  final  controlling
devices  used  by  the  GM  to  operate  or  control
various  output  functions  such  as  relays  and
motors.
• Increase Overall Reliability 
• Centralize Electronic Systems
• Decrease Assembly and Service Repairs 
• Centralized Diagnosis of all ZKE Components 
• Individualization of Features (Coding) 
CENTRAL LOCK BUTTONCENTRAL LOCK BUTTON
TRUNK LOCK BUTTONTRUNK LOCK BUTTON
KL 30KL 30
TRUNK LOCK MICROSWITCHTRUNK LOCK MICROSWITCHSignal Monitor
5v
Supply/
Monitor
GM
FUEL 
FILLER
FLAP 
RELAY
Transistors
GM
12520101.eps 
     
        
        Page 5 of 80

5
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
The ZKE III system offers an overall reduction in vehicle wiring particularly in the areas sub-
ject to wear from movement such as doors, seats and the steering column. To accomplish
this, the “P- Bus” is used to interface (signaling) with peripheral modules over a single wire.
The ZKE III modular system consisting of the following components:
• General Module III  = Main controller for ZKE functions
• PM - SB/FT            = Driver’s door switch block and door module
• PM - BT                  = Passenger’s door module
• PM - SHD               =Sunroof module
•PM - SM                 =Seat/Mirror/Steering Column memory module
• AIC                         = Rain Sensor (if equipped)
All modules communicate through the P-Bus and GM III onto the K-Bus for diagnosis. 
PM-FT/SB
PM-SMPM-BT
PM-SHD
P-BUS
K-BUS
Driver's Door
Switchblock/
ModuleDriver's Door
Switchblock/
Module
Seat Memory
ModuleSeat Memory
Module
Passenger's
Door ModulePassenger's
Door Module
Sunroof
ModuleSunroof
Module
GM IIIFBZVFBZVDWADWA
FBZV
RECEIVER
MODULE
GM III MODULE
LOCATED IN CARRIER
FORWARD OF GLOVE BOX
Separate
Switch and
Module < 96
E38 on K-Bus
>99 MY
12520102.eps 
     
        
        Page 7 of 80

7
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
Power Distribution
The power distribution box for the
E38  is  incorporated  in  the  Electr-
onics  box  in  the  engine  compart-
ment. 
The power distribution box for the
E39 and E53 is inside the vehicle. 
The  main  fuse  box  is  located
inside  the  glove  box  above  a
hinged panel. 
A  “pull  out”  fuse  designation  card
is also located in the fusebox. This
notes:
• Fuse value in amps
• Location
• Circuit listing by fuse
The placement of the power distribution box is
close  to  the  main  electronics  carrier behind
the  glove  box.  The  modules/relays  located  in
the electronics carrier include (examples):
• General Module III (GM III)
• Drive away protection (EWS II)
• Anti-lock Brake (ABS/ASC+T)
• Light Check Module (LCM) - behind right kick
panel
• Overload protection relay module
An  auxiliary  fuse  block  is  located in  the  trunk
above  the  battery.  In  addition  to  fuses,  the
auxiliary fuse block also contains relays (exam-
ples):
• Fuel filler flap lock motor relay
• Fuel pump relay (some vehicles)
• Rear defroster relay
• Unloader relay 
FUSE
DESIGNATION
CARDFUSE BOX DROPS
DOWN AFTER TURNING
TWO THUMB SCREWS
12520103.eps
12510104.jpg125101106.jpg 
     
        
        Page 19 of 80

• The luggage compartment can be manually   
locked with a “Master Key” and leaving the  
lock cylinder in the horizontal position which 
prevents opening by any other method (sec- 
ured for valet).
The luggage compartment release button in-  
side the vehicle will also be ignored by the GM.
Prior to 2000 MY the vehicle could be locked/ 
unlocked using the luggage compartment lock 
cylinder. 
• The glove box has a lock cylinder to secure the  
contents by manual locking with a “Master 
Key”  and leaving the lock cylinder in the hori-
zontal position which prevents opening by any 
other method (secured for valet). 
• The E38 has a lever behind the glove box han
dle which permits locking the glove box with-  
out a key. Opening still requires a key.
The valet key is not mechanically capable of
entering either of these lock cylinders.  
• The Fuel Filler Flap mechanical release is found 
in the right side of the luggage compartment.  
The “pull tether” is behind the button as shown  
on the right. 
Note:  Continuous  operation  of  locking/unlocking  will  cause  a  timed  arrest  of  the
locking  system.  When  activated,  the  timed  arrest  lasts  for  2  minutes  (or  recycle
the ignition KL15). The “crash” signal will override the timed arrest and unlock the
vehicle.
19
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
12520120.jpg
12520121.jpg
51500002.tiff 
     
        
        Page 56 of 80
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 
     
        
        Page 75 of 80

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