Page 2 of 64

INTRODUCTION
The  Central  Body  Electronics  (ZKE  III)  equipped  on  the  X5  includes  the  following  sub-
systems under the total scope of its control:
• Windshield/tailgate wiping/washing,
including windshield rain sensor (AIC).
• Interior lighting
• Central locking
• Keyless entry
•  Tailgate release
The following is an overview of new or changed features found on the X5 ZKE III variant. 
• Passenger’s  door  module  is  now  incorporated  into  the  passenger’s  door  switchblock
module.
• Sunroof module (SHD)  located on the K bus.
• The Central Locking system uses a new style door lock actuator with hall effect sensors
similar to E46.
• The  GM  III  is  responsible  for  the  Key  Memory  feature.    It  provides  the  added
convenience  of  identifying  users  of  the  vehicle.   Whenever  the  vehicle  is  locked  or
unlocked  via  the  FZV  keyless  entry  system,  a  unique  key  identification  signal  (key
number) is transmitted to the General Module.
The  key  identification  signal  alerts  the  GM  to  communicate  with  other  control  systems
over the K Bus to store (when locked) or reset (when unlocked) certain driver adjustable
settings  for  the  driver  using  the  specific  key.    The  GM  also  resets  certain  driver
adjustable settings that it controls directly.
• Power windows/Sunroof
• DWA alarm system 
• Mirror - adjustment/memory/heating
• Seat adjustment/memory
• Steering column adjustment/memory
• Consumer cut-off/sleep mode
ZKE - 2 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 5 of 64
RADIO
UNLOADER
RELAY
ZKE - 5
An additional fuse panel is located
in  an  electrical  carrier  located  at
the right rear of the cargo area.  
The panel contains fuses 72 - 87.
The  carrier  also  contains  the
following relays
LOWER TAILGATE
ACTUATOR RELAY
REAR WINDOW
DEFROSTER
RELAY
	 
		
	
  !
	"#$"	 %
	"#
&'(" )
	(*+( ,
-./	 !
01(2	 !
*( !
*	1(3		 
*+  4
$"  %
$"	   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 8 of 64
ZKE - 8
WINDSHIELD WASHING:
Pulling  the  Windshield  Wiper  Switch  rearward  closes  the  “wash”  contact  providing  a
switched ground input to the GM.  The GM activates the windshield washer pump directly
via a power output final stage transistor.
HEADLIGHT WASHING:
When  the  headlights  are  on,  the  headlight
washer  pump  is  activated  with  the  first
activation  of  the  windshield  washer  pump.
The  GM  recognizes  headlights  on  via  K  bus
signalling.
Within  the  same  “on”  cycle  (ignition  key  has
not  been  switched  off),  it  is  only  activated
again after five successive windshield washer
cycles.
The  GM  provides  a  ground  on  the  headlight
washer  relay  control  circuit  providing  pump
operation.  The relay is located in the e-box.
The  X5  uses  three  separate  washer  pumps
which are all easily accessible on the 5.3 liter
washer  fluid  reservoir  located  in  the  engine
compartment.  
GM III
HEADLIGHT WASHER
RELAY
HEADLIGHT
WASHER
PUMP
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
PUMP
TAILGATE
WASHER
PUMP   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 9 of 64

REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER SYSTEM
The  tailgate  window  wiper/washer  system  is  included  in  the  scope  of  ZKE  however  is  not
controlled  directly  by  the  GM.      The  control  electronics  are  integrated  into  the  rear  wiper
motor  assembly.    It  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  rear  wiper  system  is  operator  controlled
through  the  wiper  stalk  switch  providing  the
following 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
intermittent mode. 
The default timed interval is approximately 12 seconds. The full sweep and park positions
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  identical  to  the  E39  sport  wagon;  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.
When the transmission is shifted into reverse, the wiper will switch to continuous operation
until the vehicle is shifted out of reverse. This high signal is provided by the LCM III when it
activates the back up lights.
ZKE - 9  
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 14 of 64

ZKE - 14
CENTRAL LOCKING
SYSTEM FEATURES:
• The  Central  Locking  system  controls  the  door  locks,  tailgate  locks  and  Fuel  Filler  Flap
actuators.  
• The  familiar  single/double  locking  strategy  is  maintained  from  previous  systems  with  a
new style door lock mechanismcombined with dual actuator motors similar to that
of the E46 ZKE V system. 
• The automatic locking feature  activates  the  door  lock  actuators  when  a  road  speed
signal  of    7.5  MPH  is  detected  via  the  K-Bus.    The  factory  default  encoding  of  this
feature is off, but can be encoded on for individual users with the Key Memory function.
• The Driver’s door lock location is the only point outside of the vehicle where the key can
mechanically  control  the  central  locking  system  functions.  The  lock  incorporates  the
familiar overrunning lock cylinder that breaks away and freewheels if an attempt is made
to destroy the lock with a screwdriver,  dent puller, etc. 
• The selective unlocking feature is maintained.  A single unlock request from the driver’s
door with the key or via the remote transmitter unlocks the driver’s door only.  A second
unlock  request  unlocks  the  remaining  doors  and  trunk.      This  feature  can  be  modified
for  individual  users  with  the  new  Key  Memory  capabilities  to  activate  all  lock  actuators
simultaneously. 
• When unlocked, the X5 uppertailgate can be opened by:
- the tailgate button in the center console SZM, 
- trunk release switch pad located above the license plate, or
- the trunk release button on an FZV key.
• With the upper tailgate open, the lower tailgate is then opened by depressing the switch
located along it’s top edge.
• GM  and  EWS  3.3  interface  via  the  K  bus  to  monitor  double  lock  status  and  to  initiate
double lock override.  This feature allows the doors to be opened from the inside if an
accepted EWS key is switched on in the ignition when double locked.   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 20 of 64
TAILGATE CONTROL
The tailgate can be opened from the following locations:
• Exterior tailgate switch pad above the license plate
• Interior remote tailgate button 
• FZV radio key
The  remote  tailgate  button  is  locked  out  when  the  GM
detects  a  vehicle  speed  signal  >  4  MPH  via  the  K-bus.
The switch has been incorporated into the SZM.
ZKE - 20   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 21 of 64
ZKE - 21
LOWER TAILGATE COMPONENTS
BOWDEN CABLES
LATCH POSTS
LATCH MECHANISMS
LOWER TAILGATE
LATCH ACTUATOR 
ACTUATOR
MOUNTING PLATE
LOWER TAILGATE
ACTUATOR SWITCH
UPPER TAILGATE
LATCH POST
CABLE
LEVER
TAILGATE LOCK ACTUATORS
Each tailgate has  a separate latching/actuator system.  The upper tailgate actuator must first be
activated open before the lower tailgate actuator can be operated (program logic).
When  closed,  the  tailgate  actuator  position  switch  provides  a  ground  signal  to  the  GM
signifying  a  "closed  tailgate".    This  switch  also  serves  as  the  tailgate  open  signal  to
automatically switch the interior lights on.
The lower tailgate actuator operates a lever which pulls two bowden cables to unlatch the
outboard mounted latch mechanisms.  The upper and lower latch mechanisms can also be
manually unlatched for if electrical malfunction occurs (refer to complete vehicle section).   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 23 of 64
REMOTE RF (KEYLESS) ENTRY
The  X5  keyless  entry  system’s  operation  is  carried  over  from  the  E38/E39.    However,  the
FZV key has undergone considerable redesign.
• The  remote  key  receiver  is  part  of
the  antenna  amplifier  and  is
installed  in  the  center  of  the  top
section of the tailgate.  
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
lock  system,  window/sunroof
convenience  closing  features  and
DWA arming/disarming functions.
• The frequency at which the key transmits the radio signal to the antenna amplifier is 315
MHz.
• The  system  is  also  used  to  convey  the  key  identification  number  being  used  to
lock/unlock the vehicle.  This is a requirement of the Key Memory feature covered further
on in this manual.
GM III
ZKE - 23
 GM III