BMW 540I 2000 E39 Central Body Electronics ZKE Manual
Page 71 of 80
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
System Components:   Inputs - Processing - Outputs
Entry/Exit Aid
The  Steering  Column  Memory  provides  the  feature  of  raising  the  steering  column  to  ease
in exiting the vehicle and return it to the previous position after the vehicle is entered.
Raising the Steering Column:
Lowering the Steering Column:
• The ignition is switched “off”.              • The ignition is switched to KL 15.
• The ignition is switched to KL R             • The Handbrake is released or the door is closed.
and the driver’s door is opened.      
• The ignition is switched to KL 15,      The steering column recall movement can be inter-  
driver’s door open with the hand-      rupted at any time by tapping the adjusting lever. 
brake applied.    
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Servotronic (E38 only)
Purpose of the System
The  servotronic  steering  system  is  based  on  a  conventional  power  assisted  steering  sys-
tem.  An  additional  electro-hydraulic  solenoid  and  oil  passageways  are  added  to  the  con-
ventional worn and roller type steering box. The GM monitors the vehicle’s road speed and
regulates  an  electro-hydraulic  solenoid.  The  servotronic  steering  system  provides  the  fol-
lowing:    
• A light steering effort at low speeds and while parking.
• Increased steering effort as road speed increases.
The "Direct Hydraulic Reaction" provided by the system allows the frictional forces between
the front wheels and road surface to be transmitted to the driver. This allows the driver to
make a better judgment in regard to the driving conditions.
This principle of direct hydraulic reaction can be used with the servotronic system because
of the spool valves that are already used with the worm and roller steering box.
Refer to ST056 Chassis Dynamics for further “mechanical” details of Servotronic. 
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III 
Page 73 of 80
System Components
Electro-Hydraulic  Solenoid: The  solenoid  regulates  the
amount  of  power  steering  assist  for  the  servotronic  system.  It
contains a needle valve that can restrict oil flow. When current
is  applied,  the  needle  valve  closes  against  spring  pressure  to
restrict the oil flow.
With maximum current applied, the valve is closed. This is the
condition of the valve for slow speed driving and parking.
Without  current  applied,  the  needle  valve  is  held  open  by
spring  pressure.  This  is  the  condition  of  the  solenoid  during
higher driving speeds.
Electro-Hydraulic  Solenoid  Control: The  GM  monitors  the  road  speed  input  and  sup-
plies the electro-hydraulic solenoid with power. The road speed signal “A” is supplied from
the IKE  (and K-Bus) on E38 vehicles and from the DSC Control Module on E39/E53 vehi-
cles.
The  solenoid  is  pulse  width  modulated  for  control  and  varies  the  amount  of  assist  based
on  the  road  speed.  The  maximum  assist  is  available  while  parking  and  driving  at  slow
speeds.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III 
Page 74 of 80
Principle of Operation
Control logic (example E38) includes:
• Servotronic control electronics active with KL R being switched "ON" - ensure  no delay
in operation if engine is started and vehicle is immediately driven.
• Plausibility  check  for  speed  signal  -  the  control  electronics  monitor  both  the  Speed  sig-
nal "A" from the  IKE and the vehicle speed signal on the K-Bus.
• The ability to detect both acceleration and deceleration from the two speed signals - the
speed signal from the IKE is updated every two seconds.
• The servotronic assist is reduced gradually when the vehicle is under acceleration.
• The servotronic assist is adopted to the lower direct reading during decel or braking.
Electric/electronic failures with the servotronic system will result in the following:
• Power/electronic  failure  of  the  control  module  or  solenoid  -  steering  assist  the  same  as
high speed driving (increased effort).
• Vehicle speed signal missing - control module retains the assist mode in effect when the
speed signal was lost.
• Speed signal implausible - steering assist the same as high speed driving (increased  
effort).
The GM also provides the diagnostic “gateway” to the Servotronic status and Component
Activation via the DISplus/MoDiC.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III 
Page 75 of 80
General Functions of ZKE III
Consumer Cut Off
The Consumer Cut Off function interrupts battery voltage to circuits preventing inadvertent
battery  drain  if  one  of  these  consumers  were  to  remain  activated.  Circuits  controlled  by
consumer cut off will be switched off as the GM enters into the sleep mode.
For example, the interior lights are connected to the consumer cut out circuit (KL 30) and
can  remain  on  if  one  of  the  control  switches  are  left  on.  The  consumer  cut  off  will  deacti-
vate KL 30 to the interior lighting after 16 minutes (or with the DISplus/MoDIC).
The  following  circuits  are  con-
trolled by consumer cut off:
• Map/Reading Lights
• Glove Box/Luggage Compart- 
ment Lights
• Transmission Range Indicator  
Light
• Overload Protection Relay for
- Power Seat Motors
- Steering Column Motors
Overload Protection
The seat and steering column motors receive
operating  power  through  the  consumer  cutoff/
overload protection relay module. The consumer
cutoff  signal  from  the  GM  signals  the  relay  to
maintain operating power to the consumers. 
If the relay module detects an increase in amper-
age (overload) the relay will open. The relay mod-
ule  (K-72)  is  located  in  the  electrical  carrier
behind  the  glove  box.  The  relay  is  reset  by
switching  the  ignition  “off”  for  16  minutes,  dis-
connecting the relay or the DISplus/ MoDIC. 
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
E38 Shown
Overload
Protection Relay
Module 
Page 76 of 80
Sleep Mode
To lower the constant battery draw when the vehicle is parked, the complete ZKE system
will  go  into  the  “Sleep  Mode”  16  minutes  after  the  ignition  has  been  switched  off  and  no
further ZKE function is active. 
For example, the approximate E39 (528i) Battery draw is: 
• Ignition switch off = approx 750 mA.
• One minute after = approx. 560 mA.
•  After 16 minutes (sleep mode) = approx. 18 mA.
All modules in the ZKE system will go into the sleep mode. The P-Bus remains active, how-
ever no data transfer takes place until a wake-up request is received. The general module,
door  modules  or  keyless  remote  module  can  wake  the  system  up  and  put  the  ZKE  back
on line. The K-Bus is active (high) in the sleep mode.
Sleep Mode Criteria:
KL R, KL 15 OFF and no further function activated for 16 minutes.
Wake Up Criteria:
KL R or 15 “ON” or a change in one of the signals listed below.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
SIGNAL ACTIVITY ORIGINATING
MODULE
K-BUS High General Module
Door jamb switches (possibility of 4) Low “
Trunk lid lock cylinder microswitch High “
Trunk lid pushbutton microswitch Low “
Interior Trunk lid pushbutton microswitch Low “
Central locking button Low “
Hood microswitch Low “
Trunk Lid microswitch Low “
Interior light switch Low “
FIS sensor Low “
Tilt Alarm sensor Low “
FBZV operational signal High FBZV Module 
Driver’s door lock microswitch      - (lock) High PM-FT/SB
“ “ “ “ - (unlock) High “
Passenger door lock microswitch - (lock) High PM-BT
“ “ “ “ - (unlock) High “ 
Page 77 of 80
Battery Status
The  GM  monitors  KL  R  on  a  dedicated  circuit.  If  the  ignition  is  switched  on  and  detected
via the KL R circuit but the GM does not receive KL R status via the K Bus, the GM mon-
itors the KL R voltage level. If after an additional 0.3 seconds there is no K Bus activity, the
GM initiates an emergency running program.
A substitute value for vehicle speed is used to allow the GM to operate certain functions. 
The emergency running program will terminate if the GM detects a vehicle speed or KL R
status via the K bus.  
Diagnosis/Troubleshooting
The GM contains an EEPROM fault memory. Diagnosis and troubleshooting is carried out
with the DISplus or MoDiC. The diagnostic link is through the Instrument cluster over the K
bus to the GM.
Notes: _______________________________________________________________________
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III 
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Control Module Locations
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
  	
 
 	 
	
	
	
 
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E39 Sport Wagon
E53 
Page 79 of 80
Review Questions
1. List the functions directly controlled by the GM III._______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2. How does the GM III communicate with other control modules?__________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
3. What effect does road speed have on the wiper system? What effect does it have on 
an AIC equipped vehicle?  Where does the road speed come from?_______________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
4. How does the GM III recognize the key position from the drivers door?____________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
5. Describe the procedure used by the GM III to recognize an FZV key. Can the GM 
differentiate between different keys?  How many can it recognize?________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
6. What “convenience” features are available from the FZV key?____________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
7. Describe what happens when the GM receives the crash signal from the MRS.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
8. Why does the SHD (sunroof) module require initialization but the windows do not? 
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________    
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III 
Page 80 of 80
9. What type of sensor is used to detect the position of a seat with Memory?  What type
of signal does it produce?__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
10. How does the Seat Module communicate a request for a stored memory position with
the mirror modules?_______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
11. On an E38 with Servotronic, why is the speed signal provided to the GM from both  
the IKE “A” signal and the K-Bus?___________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
12. An E38 customer complains that when exiting the vehicle the steering wheel moves 
up. What is the cause of this?______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
13. How does the SZM monitor the Seat Heating temperature?_____________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
14. What circuits are controlled by Consumer Cut Off? ____________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
15. If a technician double locked a 2000 MY E39 while still inside the vehicle, how could  
he/she exit the vehicle?____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
16. How is the MY 2000 key charged?__________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
17. How is the DWA Disarmed (emergency)?_____________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
18. What functions will deactivate the exterior door handle lighting? _________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________     
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III