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   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 24 of 64

MODEL YEAR 2000 FZV KEY
Visual Changes:
• New appearance with blue and white BMW roundel. 
• New button arrangement (larger buttons) with sequential operation (enhanced operating
convenience)
• 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.
• Key will be used in E46, E38 and E39 vehicles.
Features of the keyless entry system include:
• Up to 4 radio-control keys can be operated in conjunction with one vehicle.
•  Locking/unlocking  of  doors,  tailgate,
fuel filler lid.
• Selective  unlocking  of  driver’s  door  (as
with key in lock)
• Arming/dis-arming of DWA alarm system
(if equipped).
•  Remote unlocking of the tailgate only.
• Comfort  opening  of  windows  and
sunroof
• Interior lighting activation (search mode).
• Panic mode alarm activation..
• Automatic  correction  for  up  to  1000
erroneous activation signals.
• Low  transmitter  battery  fault  code
storage in the GM.
• An  EEPROM  is  used  to  store  the  key
data. 
• Keys  delivered  with  a  four  color  label
sheet  containing  four  different  colored
labels  for  each  of  the  four  possible  FZV
keys.
ZKE - 24TAILGATE OPENS 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 25 of 64

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
initialization 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 holdthe arrow
button.
4. While  holding  the  arrow  button, press and
release(“tap”) the roundel button three
timeswithin 10 seconds.
5. Release  both  buttons.    The  GM  will
immediately  lock  and  unlock  the  doors
signaling a successful 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 initialization.
SERVICE 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 function activated by the keys will not be assigned correctly.
Always initialize the keys in the same order.
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        Page 26 of 64

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
vehicle 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).
The key data is stored in a transponder chip. The transponder chip is a wireless read and
write  EEPROM.  It  is  powered  via  the  ring  coil  at  the  steering  lock.  Power  is  applied
electromagnetically when the key is in the ignition switch from KL R.
The power supply is used both for data transfer as well as for charging the battery. This has
been made possible by new development of the transponder chip.
As  with  previous  systems,  every  press  of  an  FZV  key  also  provides  the  battery  charge
condition.    When  the  FZV  electronics  receives  a  low  power  condition  message  three
successive  times,  the  GM  sets  a  fault  indicating  a  low  battery  within  a  specific  key.    The
LCM  is  also  informed  via  the  bus  system  and  alerts  the  driver  via  an  instrument  cluster
matrix message.
If  the  battery  is  recharged  (used  operate  car),  the  fault  will  be  automatically  deleted  when
five successive messages are received indicating a charged battery condition.
The battery has no affect on the EWS III communication function!
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        Page 28 of 64

Car Memory / Key Memory 
The Car/Key Memory feature provides the flexibility of allowing the owner to customize cer-
tain functions of select vehicle systems and automatically identifies users of the vehicle by
a key identification signal provided by the remote keyless entry system (FZV).
Car  &  Key  memory  is  marketed  as  a  combined  feature  but  is  actually  two  separate  func-
tions of the select vehicle control systems.
Car Memory: The owner is provided with a list of available system functions that can be
customized  to  their  liking.   Prior to delivery,  the  DIS  or  MoDiC  is  used  to  encode  the
owner’s chosen selections into the appropriate control modules.  
These  choices  become  a  permanent  function  of  the  control  module  and  can  only  be
changed by re-encoding with the DIS or MoDiC at a BMW Center.
This feature has been available for some time via the ZCS Conversion Feature but has never
been fully utilized or officially presented to the vehicle owner as a feature of their vehicle. 
Units DisplayChange (ºF/ ºC)
• DWA - Features
• FZV -  Features
• Automatic Seat 
Adjustment 
•  Method Selection
• Recirc
   Air Memory
• Daytime Running
Lights
•  Home Lights
UNLEADED GASOLINE ONLY01
220km/hMPH1/min
x1000
40 6080100120
140
160
180
200
220
240
1
023
4
5
6
75030
20
15
1220 406080
100
120
1401
1
MoDiC
20 PIN
DIAGNOSTIC
CONNECTION
MoDiC
D-BUS
DIS
A
SEAT
MODULE
GMV
IHKA
LSZ
 
ZKE - 28
LCM III
GM III 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 29 of 64

Key Memory: This feature provides the added convenience of identifying users of the vehi-
cle whenever a lock or unlocked signal is generated via the individual FZV keys.   A maxi-
mum of four FZV keys can be used with the Key Memory feature.  
Each of the four keys generate a unique key identification signal (key number) that is trans-
mitted  simultaneously  with  the  lock/unlock  signals  to  the  General  Module.   Key  Memory
does not respond to Lock/Unlock requests from the drivers door lock.
Mostof the key memory functions require the vehicle be configured using the “KEY MEM-
ORY” function of the DIS or MoDiC.  However, there are a few features that store settings
automatically without configuration such as IHKA blower speed and temp setting.
The key ID signal alerts the GM V to communicate with select control systems over the K
Bus to store (when locked) or reset (when unlocked) certain driver adjustable settings.
There are features that function as both a Car & Key Memory feature. 
Example;  the  Automatic  Seat  Adjustment  feature  is  encoded  as  a  Car  Memory  Function
with the following possibilities:
• when unlocking,
• when opening a door after unlocking
• or not active at all.
If active, the seat positions are stored and reactivated by the Key Memory function for indi-
vidual users of the car.
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ZKE - 30
REQUIRED PRECONDITIONS:
Before  configuring  Car  or  Key  Memory
Functions,  connect  a  battery  charger  to  the
vehicle.  This  will  ensure  adequate  battery
voltage  during  the  Car/Key  Memory
configuration.  
If battery voltage drops below 11.8 volts, the
procedure will terminate.
Car Memory Configuration procedure:
From  the  Coding/Programming  Selection
function  of  the  DIS  or  MoDiC,  Select  "CAR
MEMORY"  and  proceed  by  pressing  the
right arrow.
The  system  will  scan  for  control  systems
capable  of  configuration  based  on  the  ZCS
in the Instrument Cluster.  
After a short wait the system will display a list
of detected control systems capable of CAR
MEMORY configuration.
Using  the  owner's  selection  list,  enter  the
systems selected for customization. 
Example:The  owner  chooses  not  to  have
an  acoustic  acknowledgment  when  the
DWA is disarmed. 
•  From  the  displayed  list  select  "Anti  Theft
System" and press the continue arrow.
•  From  the  Anti  Theft  Sub  menu,  select  4.
Acknowledge.
The Acknowledge sub menu provides all
possible options for the DWA
Acknowledgment.  
•  Select 2. Disarm Acoustically, and press
the continue arrow. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 33 of 64

ZKE - 33
Key Memory Configuration procedure:
From  the  Coding/Programming  Selection  function  of  the  DIS  or  MoDiC,  Select  "KEY
MEMORY" and proceed by pressing the right arrow.
With the ignition switched on press the right arrow to allow the system to scan for control
systems capable of KEY MEMORY configuration. 
After  a  short  wait  the  system  will  display  a
key number selection list of the four possible
keys.    The  display  also  indicates  the
identification number of the last key used
•  Using the owner's selection list, select the
key  for  key  memory  assignment  and
press the continue arrow. 
The  system  will  scan  for  key  memory
functions for the specific key.
Similar  to  the  CAR  MEMORY  main  menu,
the  KEY  MEMORY    main  menu  provides  all
of the possible configuration options.  
As  an  example,  the  owner  requires  the
selective unlocking feature be deactivated.  
•  Press  2.  CENTRAL  LOCKING  and  press
the continue arrow.
•  From the displayed list select "10
Selective central locking" and press the
continue arrow.