
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
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ZKE - 12
RAIN SENSOR FUNCTION:
The rain sensor is online as soon as it receives KL R operating power. 
• When  the  windshield  wiper  stalk  switch  is  placed  in  the  intermittent  position  the  GM
signals  the  rain  sensor  control  module  via  the  K  Bus  of  the  request  for  intermittent
wiping and the position of the knurled wheel (sensitivity).  
• As  an  acknowledgement,  the  rain  sensor  sends  a  command  via  the  K  Bus  to  activate
the  wiper  motor.    If  more  than  12  seconds  pass  before  the  GM  receives  the
acknowledgement,  the  GM  concludes  the  rain  sensor  has  a  defect  and  operates  the
intermittent  wipe  function  as  a  system  not  equipped  with  a  rain  sensor.    The  wiper
intermittent cycling is based solely on the knurled wheel setting.
• The rain sensor continuously monitors the windshield for rain accumulation and signals
the GM to activate the wipers based on the knurled wheel position and how fast the rain
accumulates on the windshield.   
• The  knurled  wheel  position  signal  (1-4)  via  the  K  bus  informs  the  rain  sensor  of  the
selected level of sensitivity.  
- Position 1 (least sensitive) delays the wiper activation signal.
- Position 4 (most sensitive) sends the wiper activation signal to the GM sooner.
• When the wiper motor park contacts signal the GM of the wiper arm position, the signal
is simultaneously sent to the rain sensor as an indication that the windshield has been
cleared  of  water  drops  and  causes  the  rain  sensor  to  reset  the  sensitivity  delay  timer
back to 0.
• If night time driving is detected via the integral photocell, the sensitivity to water droplets
is increased causing a shorter delay than day time driving.
• Depending on the intensity of the rain the wipers will be operated continuously as if set
in  the  normal  wiper  stalk  switch  position  regardless  of  the  knurled  wheel  setting.   For
this reason, the vehicle speed signal on the K bus is not utilized on rain sensor equipped
wiper systems.
• 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
following 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
decision to activate the system themselves.   

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ACTUATOR MOTOR CONTROL
There are two motors incorporated in each actuator that provide two separate functions:
•Single lock/unlock function.  This  motor  controls  the  mechanical  lock  mechanism
when  the  central  lock  button  is  pressed  to  single  lock  the  vehicle.    The  mechanism  is
locked at this point but can by opened from the interior by pulling an interior door handle
twice or  by  pressing  the  central  lock  button  again.    When  single  lock  function  is
activated, the fuel filler flap actuator is not locked.
•Double lock/unlock function. This motor is activated only when the vehicle is locked
from  the  outside  at  the  driver’s  door  lock  with  a  key  or  when  the  GM  receives  a  lock
request  from  the  FZV  system.      In  this  case  the  double  lock  motor  is  activated
simultaneously  with  the  single  lock  motor.    The  function  of  the  double  lock  motor  is  to
mechanically  offset  an  internal  rod  disabling  it  from  unlocking  the  vehicle  from  the
interior.    This  prevents  the  doors  from  being  unlocked  by  any  means  except  from  an
unlock request at the driver’s door, the FZV remote key or via central lock button.
• Continuous locking/unlocking will initiate a timed arrest of the locking system. The GM counts
each  time  the  locks  are  actuated.  After  approximately  12  cycles,  the  timed  arrest  is  active.
The  timed  arrest  is  deactivated  one  actuator  cycle  for  every  8  seconds  until  the  counter  is
reset to 0. The timed arrest is overridden if a crash signal is received from the MRS III.  

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 - 35
Also located at the bottom of both the CAR
& KEY selection menus are the possible
selections:
•   97 FACTORY SETTING - This selection
automatically resets the original factory
default settings
•   98 REJECT SELECTION - This selection
resets the last selected entry to the
previous setting.
During the operation of the FACTORY SETTING selection, it is a normal function for the
LCM III controlled lights to flash.
Symbols: =The equal sign signifies the current mode of function
>The arrow symbol signifies selected changes to be encoded when all
selections are completed.  This symbol can be seen when returning to a
selection menu to check on selected modes of operation prior to “99 Set
Vehicle”.
* The asterisk indicates the factory default encoding function after encoding.   

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ALARM INDICATION
When the alarm is triggered, the siren will sound for 30 seconds. At the same time the low
beam headlights and four way flashers will flash for 5 minutes.  The GM signals the the LCM
III via the K bus -- I bus to flash the lights.
Following  an  alarm  trigger,  the  system  will  reset  and  trigger  again  if  further  tampering  is
done to the vehicle.
DWA LED STATUS
DWA STATUS DWA LED CONDITION
Disarmed OFF
Armed Continual slow flash
Armed with one or more monitored Rapid flash for 10 seconds,
inputs not in closed position then continual slow flash.
(ie: trunk not fully closed, etc)
Alarm activated Rapid flash for 5 minutes,
then continual slow flash.
Rearmed in less then 10 seconds. ON for 1 second
Disarmed after activated alarm Rapid flash for 10 seconds, 
then OFF. 

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DRIVER’S SEAT MEMORY FUNCTION
As  with  previous  systems,  the  seat  memory  feature  of  the  SM  stores  three  seat  positions
for recall.  The positions are stored in a non-volatile  memory preventing loss of positions if
in case the SM or the battery is disconnected.
The  additional  buttons  on  the  SM  (M)  pro-
vide activation of recording memory position
and (1-2-3) for storing or recalling a specific
seat setting.
Storing current seat position:
• Seat in desired position,
• Ignition switch in KL R, 
• Press the M button until it illuminates
• Within 7 seconds press the 1,2 or 3 but-
ton to store.
The stored position can be recalled at any time by pressing the appropriate memory loca-
tion button (1-2-3).
MEMORY RECALL MODES OF OPERATION
Depending on current SM input signals via K-Bus, the memory recall operates in two dis-
tinctly different modes:
• One-touch mode (TTB),
• or press and hold mode of operation (DTB). 
If the following input signal status is current, the SM resets the seat position by a momen-
tary“one touch”of the selected memory button.
• Ignition switch off with the driver’s door open, or,
• KL R on, door open or closed
If the following input signal status is current, the SM resets the seat position by a continu-
ous  ”press and hold”of the selected memory button.
• Ignition switch off  with the driver’s door closed
• KL 15 on, door open or closed.