BMW 3 SERIES 2001 E46 Drive Away Protection Syst
Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 2001, Model line: 3 SERIES, Model: BMW 3 SERIES 2001 E46Pages: 30, PDF Size: 0.7 MB
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Initial Print Date: 5/01Revision Date:
Subject Page
Drive  Away  Protection..................................................................................3
EWS I...........................................................................................................5
EWS II..........................................................................................................8
EWS III  (3.2)...............................................................................................16
EWS III (3.3)...............................................................................................20
EWS III  D  (3-D)...........................................................................................24
Worksheets................................................................................................27
Review Questions.......................................................................................30
Table of Contents
EWS 
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2
EWS
Drive Away Protection System (EWS)
Model:  EWS I/EWS II/EWS III/EWS III D
E31/E34/E36/E38/E39/E46/E52/E53
Production Date:  All since 1/94
Objectives
After completion of this module you should be able to:
• Explain the differences in the EWS systems.
• List the components that make up the different EWS systems.
• Describe the operation of each system.
• Understand and relate the data exchange sequence between the EWS and DME. 
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3
EWS
Drive Away Protection 
The  first  version  of  Drive  Away  Protection  was  installed  on  production  vehicles 9/93
through 12/93.
Purpose of The System
The purpose of the Drive Away Protection system was to reduce vehicle theft as mandat-
ed  by  the  European  Insurance  Commission  to  combat  the  high  theft  rate  in  European
Countries.
This  first  version  of  the  Drive  Away  Protection  System  added  a  circuit  from  the  General
Module to the DME. The added circuit was spliced into the existing code function from the
Board Computer (BC) to the DME.
The components of the Drive Away Protection System are:
• Door Lock Switch
• General Module
• Board Computer
• DME
System Components
Door Lock Switch
The door lock switch provides a 12V (High) signal to the GM when the vehicle is locked from
the outside. The switch also provides a Low signal to the GM when the vehicle is unlocked.
General Module
The  GM  receives  the  lock  and  unlock  signals  from  the  door  lock  switch  and  signals  the
DME with a 12V High signal when the vehicle is double locked or with a Low signal when
this vehicle is unlocked.
Board Computer
The Board Computer (BC) through its’ code function provides a High signal to the DME to
disallow vehicle operation or a Low signal to allow vehicle operation.
DME
The DME looks for a High/Low signal from the BC or GM and dependent on the signal, it
will either allow or prevent vehicle operation. 
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4
EWS
Principle of Operation
When the vehicle is locked from the outside, a High signal is sent to the GM from the door
lock  switch.  The  GM  receives  this  High  signal  and  outputs  a  High  signal  to  the  DME.  The
circuit from the GM is spliced into an existing circuit from the BC to the DME.
A High signal from the GM (or BC) causes the DME to cancel the fuel and spark functions
to the engine resulting in a no-start condition.  The vehicle must be unlocked with the key
or the code function of the BC cancelled for the DME to allow engine operation.
The status pages of the ZKE and DME will show the condition of the Drive Away 
Protection signal as High/Active or Low/Not Active.
8510101
Lock
Double Lock
Double Lock
Switch
Additional Circuit
12VActive
Not
Active
0VCode 
Function 
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5
EWS
EWS I
EWS  I  was    installed  on  vehicles  beginning  production 1/94,  replacing  the  original  Drive
Away Protection System.
Purpose of the System
The next level of compliancy with the European Insurance Commission required additional
changes from the previous system. An additional component was added called the Starter
Immobilization Relay.  This relay module provides added theft prevention and safety fea-
tures.
At  the  time  of  introduction  the  system  was  referred  to  as Electronic  Drive  Away
Protectionwhich in German is E
lectronische Wegfahrsperreor EWS.
The EWS I system consisted of the following components:
• Starter Immobilization Relay
• Door Lock Cylinders and Switch
• General Module
• Board Computer (if equipped)
• Transmission Range Switch
• DME Engine Speed Signal (Beginning 6/94 Production)
• DWA (E31)
System Components
Starter Immobilization Relay
The Starter Immobilization Relay was installed on E31, E34 and E36 vehicles.
It was in the following location:
E36     -In the relay carrier to the left of the steering column.
E31/E34-In the “A” pillar above the footwell kick panel speaker.
The Starter Immobilization Relay functions as a “Smart Relay”, a relay which receives inputs
from various sources looking at the proper combination of input signals before activating a
component, in this case the starter.
The Starter Immobilization Relay receives input from:
• Ignition Switch •   General Module •   Board Computer
• Trans Range Switch •   DME (>6/94)
And processes output to:
• Starter •   DME8510104 
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6
EWS
Door Lock Cylinders and Switch
The door lock cylinders and switch input a High/Low signal into the GM informing the GM
of lock status.  The signal is High when the system is in Double Lock. 
General Module
The  GM  receives  the  High/Low  signal  from  the  door  lock  switch  and  outputs  a  High/Low
signal  to  the  Starter  Immobilization  Relay.  A  High  signal  indicates  the  vehicle  is  in  Double
Lock.
Board Computer
The Board Computer outputs a High/Low signal to the Starter Immobilization Relay. A High
signal indicates the Code function is active.
Transmission Range Switch
The  Transmission  Range  Switch  input  with  automatic  transmission  equipped  vehicles
allows the Starter Immobilization Relay  to provide a Neutral safety switch function.  A High
signal from the Trans range switch indicates the transmission is in Park or Neutral.  A Low
signal indicates the transmission is in a drive gear and will prevent starter operation.
DME
The  DME  is  both  an  input  device  (after  6/94)  and  an  output  device  of  the  Starter
Immobilization Relay.
Input
Starting with production 6/94, the DME “TD” (engine speed) signal was added to the inputs
of the Starter Immobilization Relay. This additional input allows the relay to provide a starter
protection  feature.  The  internal  relay  contact  (starter  operation)  opens  if  the  TD  signal
exceeds 60 Hz which equals the following engine speeds:
8510103
EWS I - 
Starter
Immobilizer
Relay
After 6/94
Driveaway
Protection
Signal
Range
Switch
Code 
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7
EWS
• 4 cylinder =1800 RPM
• 6 or 12 cylinder =1200 RPM
• 8 cylinder      =900 RPM
The  relay  contacts  will  close  when  the  exceeded  Hz  value  drops  to  5Hz  below  the  maxi-
mum value. This is intended as a safety feature to prevent starter motor activation when the
engine is running above these speeds.
Output
The DME receives a High/Low signal from the Starter Immobilization Relay. When the sig-
nal is High, the DME does not activate injector or ignition operation.
DWA (E31)
The DWA outputs a High/Low signal to the Starter Immobilization Relay indicating the con-
dition of the alarm system.  A High signal indicates the alarm is armed, preventing vehicle
starting.
Principle of Operation
The EWS Starter Immobilization Relay receives it’s inputs from the Ignition switch,  GM (or
DWA),  BC,  Trans  Range  Switch  and  the  DME  (after  6/94).  The  relay  will  prevent  engine
starting if:
•  The vehicle is locked from the outside. The GM receives the High signal from the 
door lock switch and sends a High signal to the EWS. 
• The BC Code function is set.
• A DWA High signal is received. (E31only)
• A Low signal is received from the Trans Range Switch.
• The engine speed signal from the DME exceeds 60Hz. (after 6/94)
The  Ignition  and  injection  functions  of  the  DME  are  disabled  and  the  KL50  start  signal  to
the starter is opened to prevent starter operation.
Workshop Hints:
Starter  Immobilization  Relays  are  different  for  manual  and  automatic  vehicles,  check  to  ensure  correct
relay is installed.
The Starter Immobilization Relay is not on the Diagnostic Link. Conventional troubleshooting techniques
using the DISplus, a DVOM and the correct ETM are necessary.
Loss of input from the GM or BC will allow the engine to start.
Loss of input from the Trans Range Switch will NOTallow the engine to start. 
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8
EWS
EWS II
Starting with 1/95production, all vehicles were equipped with a new EWS system, EWS II.
This  change  was  once  again  brought  about  to  meet  the  next  level  of  compliancy  with  the
European Insurance Commission regulations.
Purpose of The System
Changes  to  the  European  Insurance  Commission  regulations  made  it  necessary  to  intro-
duce a new theft protection system with greater capabilities and a higher level of security.
The EWS II system operates independent of the mechanical key. The mechanical key only
makes  a  request  of  the  vehicle  starting  system.  Verification  of  the  key  electronically  is
required before the starting procedure is initiated.
The system features wireless communication between a programmed EEPROM housed in
the ignition key and the EWS II control module. A key which is properly coded to the EWS
II control module is required before starting operation continues. The EWS II and the DME
control modules are synchronized through an Individual Serial Number (ISN).
The  ISN,  stored  in  the  EWS  II,
must match that of the DME every
time  the  ignition  is  switched  “ON”
before  engine  operation  is
allowed.
EWS II  was  installed  on  E31, E34,
E36, E38 and E39 vehicles.
Major  components  of  the  EWS II
system are:
• Key with Transponder
• Ring Antenna
• Transmitter/Receiver Module
• EWS II Control Module
• DME Control Module
8510111
EWS II 
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9
EWS
System Components
Key with Transponder
Four keys are initially supplied with each vehicle.
Each  key  contains  a  wireless  electronic  chip
(transponder chip). The function of the transpon-
der is to receive  and transmit data to the EWS II
control  module.  The  transponder  contains  a
wireless  read/write  EEPROM  in  addition  to  a
small  capacitor  and  coil  for  self  power  capabili-
ties.
The functions of the EEPROM are:
•  Store codes for key identification, password and changing codes.
• Receive and respond to coded messages from the EWS II control module.
Power for the transponder is produced through the inductive coil and stored in the capac-
itor.  Each  time  the  key  is  inserted  into  the  ignition  AC  voltage  in  the  antenna  ring  induces
voltage in the inductive coil.
All  keys  either  with  remote  or  without,  includ-
ing wallet and valet keys contain transponders.
8510108
8510107
Key Notes:
Keys  have  temperature  oper-
ating range of -40
0to 800C.
Keys  are  shock  resistant  from
a height of 10 meters.
Inductive coil
Capacitor
Read/Write
EEPROM 
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10
EWS
Ring Antenna
The  Ring  Antenna  is  an  inductive  coil  installed  around  the  lock  cylinder  which  provides
power for the transponder in the key and the communication link (antenna) between the key
and the transmit/receive module.
Transmitter/Receiver Module
The  Transmitter/Receiver  module  supplies  power  to  the  transponder  through  the  ring
antenna  and  controls  the  flow  of  data  between  the  transponder  and  the  EWS II  control
module.
Data  transmission  between  the  transmitter/receiver  module  and  the  transponder  takes
place over a radio frequency of 125 KHz amplitude modulated AM signal.
The  transmitter/receiver  module  converts  the
analog  data  received  through  the  AM  signal  to
digital data and transfers it to the EWS II control
module  over  a  single  wire  bi-directional  data
interface.
8510109
8510110
Workshop Hint:
On E34 and E36 models the transmitter/receiver mod-
ule is located under the dash near the steering column.
On E 31, E38 and E39 models the transmitter/receiver
module is located in the steering column cover on the
right hand side of the column.
Inductive
coil
Ring Antenna
Transmitter
Receiver
Module
Transmitter/Receiver Module under Dash
Connector
to EWS II
Module
Ring Antenna
fits around the 
Lock Cylinder