
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
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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
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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
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
Rain Sensor (AIC - if equipped)
Purpose of the System
The  Windshield  Wiping  System  is  also  available  with  an  optionally  equipped  Rain  Sensor.
The Rain Sensor provides added driver convenience and enhances safety by automatical-
ly  activating  the  intermittent  function  of  the  windshield  wipers  when  water  droplets  are
detected on the windshield.
System Components
Rain Sensor: The unit is mounted on the top center area of the interior windshield surface
directly behind the rear view mirror. The unit contains:
• Optical  Prism  Body:This  portion  of  the  unit  is  per-
manently  fixed  to  the  windshield.  It  can  not  be
removed and can only be replaced with a replacement
windshield.  
The prism body has a reflective surface that faces the  
back of the windshield. The prism body also acts as  
the windshield mount for the Rain Sensor Control   
Module.
• Rain Sensor Control Module:The control module incorporates the following;
- Infra Red Emitter and Detector Diodes
- Optics heater (prevents condensation from forming on diodes and prism)
- Optics evaluation and control electronics
- Photo cell to detect night driving 
The control module requires four signals for operation; KLR, KL31, Windshield Wiper Motor
Park Signal Feedback and K-Bus interface.
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GM III
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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.
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• 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 

Workshop Hints
Windshield Wiper Blade Service
To access the wiper blades for cleaning or replacement,the following is required:
• With the ignition switched on (KL15), switch the wiper stalk to the “Intermittant” wipe 
mode.
• Switch the ignition off when the wiper arms are in the “upright” position.
CAUTION: Do not allow the wiper arm to spring back against the windshield, glass
breakage will occur!
Rain Sensor Equipped Vehicles
Make sure the wiper blades are in perfect condition. Only use window cleaner to clean the
windows. Dirty  windows  can  cause  the  Rain  Sensor  control  module  to  set  a  fault
due to the end limits of its adaptation abilities.  
Rear Window/Wiper
The  wiper  arm  and  driveshaft  are  connected  by
splines. 
Special  tool  #61  1  320  is  required  to  hold  the  drive
shaft  in  the  park  position  prior  to  installing  the  wiper
arm on to the drive shaft. 
Windshield Wiper System Diagnosis
The GM monitors the following circuits:
• Wiper Potentiometer        • Wiper Motor                           • Terminal 30 
• Double Relay                  • Windshield Washer Pump   
Note: The wiper/washer operation will be interrupted during engine cranking. The GM pro-
vides this “unload” feature to preserve the battery voltage for the starter motor. 
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
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• 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.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
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