
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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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
12520123.eps
12520124.eps
12520125.eps 

Anti-Theft (DWA) System
Purpose of the System
The  DWA  alarm  system  offers  vehicle  protection  by  monitoring  the  doors,  hood,  interior,
luggage  compartment  and  vehicle  tilting.  When  activated,  DWA  deters  theft  by  sounding
an  alarm  siren  for  30  seconds,  flashing  the  low  beam  headlights  (high  beam  on  Xenon
equipped models) and four way flashers for 5 minutes. 
The control electronics for DWA are integrated in the general module. The DWA - LED 
indicator is located in the rear view mirror (E38 in the top center IHKA grille).
The system is “armed/disarmed” from the driver’s door lock cylinder, remote transmitter or
luggage compartment lock cylinder. The alarm is immediately deactivated when disarmed
with the key in the driver’s door lock cylinder (may be deactivated in Conversion) or remote
transmitter.  
The GM utilizes existing components and/or circuits as part of the DWA system:
•  Door latch switch/sensor contacts (door open/closed).
•  Trunk lid switch contact (monitored for closed trunk).
•  Trunk  lock  key  position  switch  (located  on  the  trunk  lock,  this  switch  signal  prevents
DWA from activating if armed when the trunk is opened with the key).
•  Hood switch (monitored for closed hood, located under the hood).
•  DWA status LED (part of rear view mirror).
The additional components required are:
• Interior Sensor                    • DWA Siren                      • Tilt sensor
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
615200102.eps 

Principle of Operation
DWA Arming/Disarming
• The DWA is armed every time the vehicle is locked from the outside with the door lock
cylinder or FZV key. 
• The  DWA  LED  flashes  as  an  acknowledgment  along  with  the  exterior  lights  and  a
momentary chirp from the siren.
• The GM monitors all required input signals for closed status (door closed, luggage com-
partment  closed,  etc.)  The  inputs  must  be  in  a  closed  status  for  a  minimum  of  3  sec-
onds  for  the  GM  to  include  them  as  an  activation  component.  If  after  3  seconds  any
input signal not in the closed status is excluded (this is acknowledged by the DWA LED)
preventing false alarm activations. The hood switch can be “lifted” to the service posi-
tion to test the alarm with the hood open.
• If the DWA is armed a second time within 10 seconds, the tilt sensor and interior pro-
tection  sensor  are  excluded  as  alarm  activation  components.  This  function  is  useful  if
the vehicle is transported on a train or flat bed truck to prevent false alarm activations.
• While armed, the trunk can be opened with out the alarm being triggered as follows:
- If opened with the trunk remote button via the FZV, the GM prevents the alarm from
activating. (This feature is customizable under the Car Memory function).
- If  opened  with  the  key  at  the  trunk  lock  cylinder  the  trunk  key  position  switch  sig-
nals the GM and in the same manner prevents the alarm from activating.
In either case, when the trunk is returned to the closed position, it is no longer con-
sidered as an activation signal. 
Panic Mode Operation: When the trunk button is pressed and held, the GM is signaled
to activate the siren for the Panic Mode. The panic mode is function with either an armed
or disarmed DWA system.
Emergency Disarming: Emergency disarming occurs automatically if a key is used to turn
the ignition switch on and the EWS accepts it. The EWS signals the GM to unlock the doors
and deactivate the DWA.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III 

Interior Lighting
Purpose of the System
The GM controls the interior lighting automatical-
ly  with  the  status  change  of  several  monitored
inputs.  The  lighting  can  also  be  manually  con-
trolled using the interior light switch.
In addition to the various time controls, the inte-
rior lights are also subject to the 16 minute shut
down of the GM (consumer protection).
Principle of Operation
The interior light switch is a push button switch that will carry out the opposite command
of the current status of the lights. (ie: if the interior lights are currently on, pushing the but-
ton will switch the lights off.)
• If the interior lights are switched “ON” by the button with the ignition switched ON, the
interior lights will remain on until they are switched off by the button.
• If the interior lights are switched “ON” when the ignition is switched OFF, the lights will
remain on for 16 minutes (consumer cutout).
• Pressing  the  interior  light  button  for  longer  than  three  seconds  will  switch  the  lights  to
continuous off. This feature is intended for workshop use.
Pressing the button again will
return the lights to the normal operational status.
•    Locking the vehicle from the outside will immediately switch off the interior lights.
The ON/OFF conditions for the interior lights in the automatic mode are as follows:
ON Conditions
• Door Open.
• Switching off ignition after exterior  
lights have been switched off.
• MRS Control Module crash input.
• Unlocking with FZV or pressing FZV
lock button when the vehicle is
already locked (interior search fution).
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
OFF Conditions
• All doors closed with ignition on.
• All doors closed with ignition off after 20  
seconds.
• 20 seconds after switching off ignition with 
lights off.
• 8 seconds after remote control activation.
• 16 minutes with door(s) open.
• When doors are locked. 

System Components
Door Contacts: As mentioned in the Central Locking Section, the existing door contacts
opened/closed  are  also  an  input  for  the  interior  lighting  function.  The  E53  uses  the  Hall
effect  sensors  for  the  purpose  of  monitoring  door  open/closed  status  (located  directly
behind the rotary latch plate encased in the actuator). The sensor is activated by the rotary
latch plate's position.
•  Door  closed,  the  rotary  latch  plate  is  in  the  latched  position.  Current  flow  through  the
hall sensor is < 5 mA.
•  Door  open,  the  rotary  latch  plate  is  in  the  open  position.  Current  flow  through  the  hall
sensor is > 12 mA.
A change in current flow informs the General module when a door is opened or closed.
Front Seat Interior/Map Light Unit:The overhead front seat interior light unit contains a
single main interior light. The light is controlled by the GM automatically or by momentarily
pressing interior light switch located on the light assembly.
The  switch  provides  a  momentary  ground  signal  that  the  GM  recognizes  as  a  request  to
either turn the light on (if off) or turn the light off (if on). 
If the switch is held for more than 3 seconds, the
GM interprets the continuous ground signal as a
request to turn the interior light circuit off for the
Workshop Mode
. 
The  workshop  mode  is  stored  in  memory  and
will not come back on even if the GM is removed
from  it's  power  supply  and  reconnected.  The
switch  must  be  pressed  to  turn  the  lights  back
on.
There are two reading/map lights also located in the assembly. Each map light is mechan-
ically controlled by depressing the corresponding  on/off switch. The power supply for the
map lights is supplied by the GM through the Consumer Cut Off circuit.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III 

Rear  Seat  Interior/Reading  Light  Units: In
each C pillar trim panel is an interior/reading light
unit. 
These  units  each  contain  an  interior  light  that  is
controlled  with  the  front  interior  light  and  a
mechanically  switched  reading  light  on  the  con-
sumer cut off circuit.
Front  Footwell  Lights: In  each  front  footwell,
there  is  also  a  courtesy  light.  These  lights  are
only  operated  when  the  GM  provides  power  to
the interior lighting circuit. 
On E38 and E53 the doors also contain courtesy
lights at the lower edge of the door panel (1).
Door  Warning  Lights  (E38): The  additional
“red”  warning  lights  are  installed  in  the  edge  of
the  doors  (2).  These  lights  are  illuminated  when
the doors are opened.
Illuminated  Transmission  Shift  Indicator
(E38): The  E38  uses  a  microprocessor  for  dis-
playing the shifter position in the center console.
The  processor  receives  shift  position  signals
from  a  console  mounted  range  switch.  The
processor  illuminates  the  LED corresponding  to
the position of the range selector.
The  park  position  LED  will  remain  “on”  after  the
ignition  is  switched  off  and  stay  on  until  the  GM
goes into the “sleep” mode. 
Soft Lighting Feature: The GM provides progressive voltage (up to 12v) providing the soft
on feature
to the interior lighting circuit when the interior lights are required. The GM grad-
ually reduces the full 12 volt power supply providing soft off 
when interior light deactivation
is required. 
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
Park
Position
LED 

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.
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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. 
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
CONTROL MODULE
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