
10
Central Body Electronics ZKE III
Blocking Protection = Return
Contact Signal must be
present every 16 seconds
or motor will be deactivated >98 MY
1.49v-3.5v
Headlight  Washing  (if  equipped):When  the  headlights  are  on,  the  headlight  washer
pump is activated with the first activation of the windshield washer pump. It is only activat-
ed again after five succesive windshield washer cycles during the same ignition key on cycle
(rest  function).  The  GM  recognises  headlights  on  via  K-Bus  signalling.  The  GM  provides  a
ground on the headlight washer relay control circuit providing pump operation. The head-
light washer pump is located on the side of the washer fluid reservoir.
System Components:   Inputs - Processing - Outputs
12510122.eps
E53 Shown 

Rear  Window  Wiper/Washer  System  (E39  Sport  Wagon  and  E53): The  system  is
included in the scope of ZKE however is not controlled directly by the GM. The control elec-
tronics are integrated into the rear wiper motor assembly. The control electronics contains
two hall sensors, one for monitoring park position and other for the end stop, or to signal
reverse  direction  of  the  wiper  motor.  The  control  electronics  are  connected  to  the  vehicle
electrical system via a single seven pin connector.
The  rear  wiper  system  is  operator  controlled
through the wiper stalk switch providing the fol-
lowing functions:
• Intermittent rear window wiping
• Programmed rear window wiping interval
• Operation of the rear window washer
Pressing the wiper stalk forward to the first detent activates the rear wiper in the intermit-
tent mode
. The timed interval is approximately 7-12 seconds. The full sweep and park posi-
tions  are  recognized  by  the  two  hall  sensors  on  the  motor  gear  assembly.  If  the  wiper  is
switched OFF, the wiper blade will return to the park position.
The programmed wiper interval procedure is as follows:
• Briefly switch the rear wiper ON/OFF
• Wait the desired interval time
• Switch the rear wiper ON again
• The OFF time will be the programmed interval - up to approx. 30 seconds
Rear window washing is activated by pressing the wiper stalk switch to the full forward
position.
The washer pump operates followed by two full wiping cycles. The wipers will then
switch to the intermittent wiping mode. Additionally, the system automatically controls the
following safety and convenience features:
• Wiper interrupt with the rear glass opened
• Wiping interrupt with a blocked wiper arm
• Continuous wiping when the vehicle is shifted into reverse 
When the transmission is shifted into reverse, the wiper will switch to continuous operation
until the vehicle is shifted out of reverse. This signal (high) is provided by the LCM III when
it activates the back up lights.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
12510111.eps 

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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
Principle of Operation
The  optical  infra  red  portion  of  the  sensor  operates  by  the  principle  of  refraction  (bending
of  a  light  ray).  The  rain  sensor  control  module  activates  the  emitter  diode  which  sends  a
beam  of  infra  red  light  through  the  windshield  on  an  angle.  The  set  angle  is  important
because it provides the beam with a calculated reflective path back to the detector diode.
The  beam  is  reflected  back  into  the  windshield  due  to  the  density  difference  of  the  glass
compared with the ambient air on the outside surface of the glass. When the windshield is
clean (no rain drops, moisture or dirt) the detector diode receives 100% of the infra red light
that the was sent by the emitter. With this condition, the rain sensor evaluation electronics
determines the windshield is free of rain drops. 
The density of water is closer to that of glass than air.   When rain starts to accumulate in
the sensor monitoring area, it causes part of the infra red beam to extend past the outside
surface of the glass and into the rain drop.   When this occurs, the beam is refracted and
only part of the beam returns to the detector diode.
The  rain  sensor  evaluation  elec-
tronics determines the windshield
has a few rain drops (or dirt) on it.  
The  intensity  of  the  returned  infra  red  beam  diminishes  proportionally  with  an  increase  of
water  droplets.  The  rain  sensor  control  module  generates  a  signal  proportionate  to  the
amount of rain on the windshield and broadcasts it to the GM via the K bus.
The  GM  activates  the  intermittent  wipe  cycle  if  the  windshield  wiper  stalk  switch  is  in  the
intermittent  position.  It  also  adjusts  the  frequency  of  wiping  the  windshield  depending  on
the four position thumb wheel.
12510114.eps
12510115.eps 

• If the ignition switch is turned off with the wiper switch in the intermittent position, the rain
sensor will only become active after the ignition is switched back on and one of the fol-
lowing occurs:
- The stalk switch is moved from the intermittent position and then back.
- The knurled wheel setting is adjusted.
- or the wash function is activated.
The reasoning behind this switching strategy is to have the driver make a conscious deci-
sion to activate the system themselves. 
Rain Sensor Control Module Adaptation
The rain sensor control module adapts to the optics system environment as follows:
Windshield Aging:As the vehicle ages the possibility of stone chipping in the rain sensors
monitoring area may occur which will cause a loss of light in the optics system.  
The control module adapts for loss of light based on the intensity of the detected infra red
light with a cleared windshield (wiper motor park signal). Therefore, the rain sensors func-
tion is not adversely affected due to windshield aging.
Dirty  Windows:The  rain  sensor  adaptation  reacts  less  sensitively  to  a  dirty  windshield
(dirt, road salt, wax residue) after a completed wipe cycle. A dirty windshield has a film on
it that diminishes the ability of the infra red to refract into present water droplets. This caus-
es a delay in the rain sensor detection capabilities which lengthens the time intervals on an
intermittent wipe.
Windshield Wiper System Failsafe Operation
The GM provides failsafe operation of the wiper system if faults are detected with any of the
following input signals:
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
Function Faulted Input Detected Failsafe Function
Intermittent Wipe
Short or open circuit of
the knurled wheel signalDelay value for
setting 3 used.
Intermittent wipe
with Rain SensorFaulted Rain Sensor or 
K-Bus Signal corruptNormal Intermittent
wipe implemented
Wiper Motor not
Functional MovingPark contact feedback
signal takes longer than
16 secondsWiper motor control
deactivated for 3
minutes 

• A  remote  luggage  compartment  button  is  installed  in  the  left  kick  panel  (center  console
in the E53) to open the luggage compartment from inside the vehicle.
• The EWS is interfaced for double lock monitoring and unlock function. With the presence  
of an accepted EWS key in the ignition, the vehicle will be unlocked and disarm DWA.    
• The automatic locking feature (> 99 MY) activates the door locks when a road speed 
signal of 5 MPH  and engine RPM is detected via the K-Bus. The factory default setting 
of this feature is off (can be encoded on for individual users with Key Memory function).
• In the event of an accident (ignition on), the GM will be signalled to unlock all doors.
Hardware Features:
• The external lock cylinders are located in the  
driver’s door and luggage compartment lid   
(E53/E39 Sport Wagon does not have a tail- 
gate lock cylinder).
• The driver’s door and luggage compartment   
incorporates an overrunning lock cylinder. The  
lock cylinder will free wheel or spin If any key  
other than the vehicle key or tool, such as a  
screw driver, is inserted into the cylinder. The 
lock cylinders can be manually locked/un- 
locked  by turning the key “past” lock/unlock.
• The door lock buttons are mechanically uncoupled from the  
lock actuators when locked. 
The door lock buttons “mechanically” lock the individual 
doors. This provides manual locking in the event of a central  
locking malfunction.
• Child safety locks (located in 
the rear doors) are  actuated 
by inserting a key in the slot on  
the door latch or by sliding a  
lever (dependent on model). 
The door can now only be  
opened from outside.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
Door
Button
Lock
12520117.eps
12520119.eps
12510121.eps
12520120.eps 

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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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
12520127 lock-4 

Workshop Hints
Remote  Key  Initialization: The  initialization  of  the  FZV  keys  is  required  to  establish  the
Lock/Unlock  signal  synchronization  with  the  GM.  The  initialization  procedure  provides  the
GM with a key identification number and a “rolling code” for each key. If the initialization is
not performed, the GM will not respond to the key signals.
Up  to  4  remote  keys  can  be  initialized.  They  must  be  initialized  at  the  same  time.  Key  ini-
tialization is only possible with the vehicle unlocked.
Procedure:
1. Close all doors and have all keys available.
2. Using  key  number  1,  turn  the  ignition  switch  to  KL
R, then switch off within 5 seconds and remove the
first key.
3. Within  30  seconds  of  turning  the  ignition  switch  to
“off” Press and holdbutton #2.
4. While holding button #2, press and release(“tap”)
button #1 three timeswithin 10 seconds.
5. Release  both  buttons.  The  LED  in  the  key  will  flash
momentarily  (except  2000  MY).  The  GM  will  imme-
diately  lock  and  unlock  the  doors  signaling  a  suc-
cessful initialization.
6. If  additional  keys  need  to  be  initialized  repeat  steps
3 - 5 within 30 seconds.
7. Switching the ignition to KL R completes the initiali-
zation.
NOTE: The key memory  function of the GM responds
to the key identification number of each key. If the keys
are not initialized in the same order prior to initialization,
the key memory functions activated by the keys will not
be  assigned  correctly. Always  initialize  the  keys  in
the same order. 
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
1
2
615200101.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