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• 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
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System Components
Remote Key:                              Features:
• 3 volt lithium battery (commercially available CR 2016)
is used as the power supply for the key transmitters.
• An EEPROM is used to store the key data.  
The data is not lost when the battery is re- 
placed and initialization is not required.
• The  key  incorporates  an  LED  that  signals  the  opera-
tor  of  signal  transmitting,  key  initialization  status  and
key self test indication.
• The keys are delivered  
with a four color label   
sheet containing differ-  
ent colored labels for   
each of the four pos- 
sible FZV keys.  
This is helpful to differenti-
ate the FZV keys during initialization preventing the pos  
sibility of mis-assigning the key ID which would change  
the encoded Key Memory functions.
Model Year 2000 Key 
Visual Changes:
• New appearance with blue and white BMW roundel.
• New button arrangement (larger buttons) with seq-  
uential operation (enhanced operating convenience).
Functions the same as the previous key.
• Rechargeable battery replaces replaceable batteries. 
Charged by EWS ring antenna.
• The key housing is encapsulated and can not be  
opened.
• The LED has been omitted.
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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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LED Status (Keys equipped with LED):
The following functions can be checked with the LED:
• Flashing  LED  when  pressing  a  button.
Indicates  that  the  data  is  being  transmitted.
(battery voltage between  3.2 - 2.6 volts)
• No LED activity when pressing a button:
1. ZKE  responds  to  pressed  button  only  to
unlock  a  locked  vehicle.  Indicates  the  bat-
tery is between 2.6 - 2.2 volts.  Replace bat-
tery.
2. No  unlock  of  vehicle.  Indicates  battery  is
below 2.2 volts. Replace battery.
FZV Key Test: Pressing the trunk release and lock buttons together activates the key test. If
the battery and FZV key EEPROM are  “OK”, the LED will come ON for approximately 1 sec-
ond.
FZV Key Rechargeable Battery
From KL R, the battery inside the key head is charged inductively by the EWS ring antenna
via a coil antenna integrated in the key. The charging process is controlled by electronic
circuitry integrated in the key.
• The service life of a radio-control key used under normal conditions corresponds to the veh- 
icle lifespan.
• If the FZV keys are not used (ie: stored in a drawer), the battery will be discharged after
approx. 1.5 years.
• The time required to fully charge a discharged battery is approx. 30 hours.
• The remote control can be operated about 15 times after a charging period of approx. 30  
minutes (driving time).
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