Page 9 of 22
9
2001 model year changes
Fog lights
New circular fog lights with convex plastic lens-
es are tucked neatly into the corners of the new
front air dam. The new lights use an H8 12V
35 W halogen bulb.
Park Distance Control
The 2001 E39 will have Front and Rear PDC available as an option. The system operates
just as the E38 and E53 with the same system. The vehicle is fitted with a PDC switch
located on the SZM. Activation is automatic with reverse gear engagement, but may be
deactivated with the switch. The switch may also be used to activate the system. Criteria
for operation remain unchanged from previous systems.
Page 10 of 22
10
2001 model year changes
Head and Tail Lights
The head and tail lights of the 2001 E39 have received a new look, utilizing optical wave
guide technology. The wave guides are an innovation that are not only aesthetically
pleasing, but also enhance safety.
Head Lights
The front headlights have been completely redesigned, however they fit into the existing
body without any sheet metal changes. The high and low beam headlights are free-form
reflectors and no longer use the glass lenses. The turn signal has been given its own
circular lens next to the low beam.
Page 11 of 22

11
2001 model year changes
The parking light and side marker use the optical wave guide technology. Clear rings
surround the high and low beam reflectors. The rings are illuminated by a light source
module similar to the ones used in the Visual Entry Aid system. Output voltage for the light
source module comes from the parking lamp final stage of the LCM III. There is one light
source module located at the back of the head light housing between the high and low
beam headlights. The side marker for US models also has an additional wave guide con-
ductor for illumination.
Third generation Xenon headlights manufactured by Hella are standard equipment on V-8
powered cars and available as an option on the 6 cylinder models. All xenon equipped
vehicles also use LWR automatic headlight adjustment to maintain the vertical adjustment
of the headlights at any vehicle load. (
Refer to the 1999 Model Update training for details of sys-
tem operation)
Light source module
US version side marker reflector with wave
guide illumination.
Page 12 of 22

12
2001 model year changes
Tail lights
The rear light housings have also been modi-
fied for 2001. No body changes were neces-
sary.
The LED illuminated tail lights provide an excit-
ing fresh look to the part of a 5 Series most dri-
vers on the road are familiar with.
Each tail light housing contains 4 wave guide
assemblies. At either end of the wave guides
is a printed circuit board with 4 LEDs. The
LEDs provide the illumination for the tail light
only. US models use an additional 4 LEDs in
the corner of the housing as a side marker.
On Sport Wagon models, the tail light assem-
bly is two pieces. In this case there continue
to be only two sets of LEDs; one supplying
light for each half of the housing. US models
also have two LEDs for the side marker.
The advantage to using LEDs is the longer life
span as well as lower power consumption.
The function of the LCM III remains unchanged from the previous year with the exception
that because of the LED illuminated tail lights, there is no tail light monitoring function. The
LCM III module has been updated for the new lighting features of the 2001 E39. All
replacement LCM modules will supercede to this version in the parts system and it can be
used on earlier vehicles.
1. Turn Signal
2. Wave Guide Tail light
3. Side Marker
4. Brake light
5. Reversing Light
6. Rear Fog light (Not used for US)
Four wave guides illuminated by 8 LEDs
3
1
5
2
64
Sedan left tail light housing
Page 13 of 22

13
2001 model year changes
E39 IHKR
The 525i/it will be fitted with IHKR as standard
equipment. IHKA will be available as an option
on those vehicles by ordering the Convenience
package: SA 466.
IHKR is a semi-automatically regulated heating
and air-conditioning system. The components
are similar to the IHKR system used in the X5
3.0i.
The E39 IHKR is a single zone system that regulates the temperature of the cabin based
on the occupants desired temperature, selected by a temperature setting dial. Blower con-
trol, air distribution settings and stratification flap are manual.
System Components
The E39 IHKR consists of the following components:
IHKR control unit with operating controls
IHKR integrated heater and air conditioning case
1 Heater core temperature sensor
Evaporator temperature sensor
Interior temperature sensor (located in drivers footwell)
Double cage blower motor and final stage
1 Water valve (duty cycle controlled)
Auxiliary water pump
1 Fresh air/re-circ stepper motor
Auxiliary fan (DME controlled)
Refrigerant Pressure Sensor
Left and right fresh air micro-filters
Page 14 of 22
14
2001 model year changes
E39 IHKR I.P.O.
-+
HEATERCORE
TEMPERATUREHEATER CORE
TEMPERATURE
DME
KL31
KL30
KL15
FAN SPEED
A/C REQUEST
RECIRCULATION
REAR DEFROST
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL
EVAPORATOR
TEMPERATUREWASHER JET HEATER
BLOWER MOTOR OUTPUT STAGE
REAR WINDOW DEFROST RELAYWATER VALVE
FRESH AIR/RECIRC MOTOR
E39
IHKR
REFRIGERANT PRESSURE
0
45
80 72
TEMP
INTERIOR TEMPERATURE
(FOOTWELL)
LCM58G
K-BUS
KOREL
+M
COMPRESSORCONTROLCOMPRESSOR CONTROL
KL 30
KL 15
BMWDISBMW
DISBMWDISB
M
WD
I
S
DSC III
kjhsdfkhsdflkhsdlkfjhlkjghkg
lkdkfljdflkjdsfljdslfjldskjflkjdflk
ldsflsdfklhdsfhsdfhsdkhfkhsdf
kldjfkljdfkjdskfkjdskfjkljdfkldsfk
kjsdfkljsdfkdsfkjdsfkljsdfkjds
ldjsfklkjsdfkldsjfkdsjfkdsfkdfklk
K-BUS
M
AUXILIARY WATER PUMP
COMPRESSOR
SHUT OFF/ON
SIGNAL
Page 15 of 22

15
2001 model year changes
IHKR control unit with operating controls
The IHKR control unit is incorporated into the control panel. The control panel consists of
three buttons and three rotary dials.
Functional Description:
Air distribution:is carried out using the mechanical rotary dial acting on three
bowden cables.
Blower adjustment:is carried out using the rotary dial potentiometer (22 steps). The
control unit signals the final stage via a variable voltage signal.
Temperature control: The desired interior temperature is set with the rotary dial
potentiometer on the control panel. Temperature regulation is based on the Y-factor.
The inputs used to determine the Y-factor are:
Position of the temperature control potentiometer dial
Heater core temperature
Coolant temperature
Exterior Temperature
Interior Temperature
Control of the interior temperature is carried out by the control unit cycling the water
valve to regulate the temperature of the heater core. During heater operation the
auxiliary water pump will be switched on to increase coolant circulation through the
heater core. The service station feature is carried over to the E39 IHKR.
Fresh air/recirculation:Recirculation is requested by an input to the control panel
button or the MFL. The control unit actuates the fresh air/re-circ stepper motor for
control of the flap position. Ram effect air is compensated for.
Air conditioning: :
The request for air conditioning is made by means of a push button.
X611 X610
12 pin 26 pin
X18341
3 pinBlue - vent flaps
Red - defrost flaps
Green - footwell flaps3 cables1. Temperature control potentiometer
2. Air distribution mechanical knob
3. Fan control potentiometer
123
4
5
6
4. Recirculation
5. Air conditioning request
6. Rear window defroster
Page 16 of 22

16
2001 model year changes
The IHKR control module communicates with the DME via the K-Bus/KOMBI/CAN Bus
link to request permission for compressor activation. The control of the compressor
clutch is directly by the IHKA module via a final stage.
Rear Window Defroster:The rear window defroster is controlled via a request from
the button on the panel. After switching on for the first time, the rear window is heated
for 10 minutes. Output voltage to the window is provided by the K13 rear defogger
relay. After automatic switch off, if the button is pressed once again the control unit will
pro vide a clocked operation alternating at 40 seconds on and 80 seconds off. If the
vehicle voltage drops below 11.4V during this second heating operation the function is
stopped, however the LED on the button will not be extinguished. If voltage increases
past 12.2V for at least one second, clocked operation will resume. Clocked operation
continues until the button is pressed again or the ignition is cycled.
Washer Jet Heating:The IHKR provides operating current to the washer jet heaters
based on outside temperature. The washer jets are heated below an outside
temperature of 37
oF.
K-Bus Communication:The IHKR control unit is on the vehicle K-bus and receives
and sends information concerning:
Engine temperature, RPM, KL61, KL50, compressor request, auxiliary fan request,
compressor load (DME)
Outside temperature KL15 and road speed (KOMBI)
Diagnosis and coding (DIS/MoDiC)
Ventilation Flap
Stratification flap
Heater Core
Defrost Flap
Evaporator
Outlet, rear footwellOutlet, Rear compartment
Blower
Left side of IHKR case