BMW X5 2003 E53 Central Body Electronics User Guide
Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 2003, Model line: X5, Model: BMW X5 2003 E53Pages: 64, PDF Size: 4.03 MB
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THEORY OF OPERATION:
The  optical  infra  red  portion  of  the  sensor  operates  by  the  principle  of  refraction  (bending
of  a  light  ray).    The  rain  sensor  control  module  activates  the  emitter  diode  which  sends  a
beam  of  infra  red  light  through  the  windshield  on  an  angle.  The  set  angle  is  important
because it provides the beam with a calculated reflective path back to the detector diode.
The  beam  is  reflected  back  into  the  windshield  due  to  the  density  difference  of  the  glass
compared with the ambient air on the outside surface of the glass.  When the windshield is
clean (no rain drops, moisture or dirt) the detector diode receives 100% of the infra red light
that the was sent by the emitter.   With this condition, the rain sensor evaluation electronics
determines the windshield is free of rain drops. 
The density of water is closer to that of glass than air.   When rain starts to accumulate in
the sensor monitoring area, it causes part of the infra red beam to extend past the outside
surface of the glass and into the rain drop.   When this occurs, the beam is refracted and
only part of the beam returns to the detector diode.
The  rain  sensor  evaluation
electronics  determines  the
windshield  has  a  few  rain  drops
(or dirt) on it.  
The  intensity  of  the  returned  infra  red  beam  diminishes  proportionally  with  an  increase  of
water  droplets.    The  rain  sensor  control  module  generates  a  signal  proportionate  to  the
amount of rain on the windshield and broadcasts it to the GM III via the K bus.
The GM III activates the intermittent wipe cycle if the windshield wiper stalk switch is in the
intermittent  position.    It  also  adjusts  the  frequency  of  wiping  the  windshield  depending  on
the four position thumb wheel.
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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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RAIN SENSOR CONTROL MODULE ADAPTATION
The rain sensor control module adapts to the optics system environment as follows:
Windshield Aging:As the vehicle ages the possibility of stone chipping in the rain sensors
monitoring area may occur which will cause a loss of light in the optics system.  
The control module adapts for loss of light based on the intensity of the detected infra red
light  with  a  cleared  windshield  (wiper  motor  park  signal).    Therefore,  the  rain  sensors
function is not adversely affected due to windshield aging.
Dirty Windows:The rain sensor adaptation reacts less sensitively to a dirty windshield (dirt,
road salt, wax residue) after a completed wipe cycle.   A dirty windshield has a film on it that
diminishes  the  ability  of  the  infra  red  to  refract  into  present  water  droplets.    This  causes  a
delay  in  the  rain  sensor  detection  capabilities  which  lengthens  the  time  intervals  on  an
intermittent wipe.
SERVICE NOTE FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE RAIN SENSOR: 
Make sure the wiper blades are in perfect condition.  Only use window cleaner to clean the
windows. Dirty windows can cause the Rain Sensor control module to set a fault
due to the end limits of its adaptation abilities.   
WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM FAILSAFE OPERATION
The GM provides failsafe operation of the wiper system if faults are detected with any of the
following input signals:
WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
The  GM  monitors  the  circuits  of  the  wiper  potentiometer,  wiper  motor,  double  relay,  the
windshield washer pump and terminal 30.  
FUNCTION FAULTED INPUT DETECTED FAILSAFE FUNCTION
Intermittent wipe Short or open circuit of Delay value for setting 3 
the knurled wheel signal used.
Intermittent wipe Faulted Rain Sensor or K Bus Normal intermittent wipe 
with Rain Sensor Signal corrupt implemented
Wiper motor not Park contact feedback signal  Wiper motor control
functional moving takes longer than 16 seconds deactivated for 3 minutes 
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CENTRAL LOCKING
SYSTEM FEATURES:
• The  Central  Locking  system  controls  the  door  locks,  tailgate  locks  and  Fuel  Filler  Flap
actuators.  
• The  familiar  single/double  locking  strategy  is  maintained  from  previous  systems  with  a
new style door lock mechanismcombined with dual actuator motors similar to that
of the E46 ZKE V system. 
• The automatic locking feature  activates  the  door  lock  actuators  when  a  road  speed
signal  of    7.5  MPH  is  detected  via  the  K-Bus.    The  factory  default  encoding  of  this
feature is off, but can be encoded on for individual users with the Key Memory function.
• The Driver’s door lock location is the only point outside of the vehicle where the key can
mechanically  control  the  central  locking  system  functions.  The  lock  incorporates  the
familiar overrunning lock cylinder that breaks away and freewheels if an attempt is made
to destroy the lock with a screwdriver,  dent puller, etc. 
• The selective unlocking feature is maintained.  A single unlock request from the driver’s
door with the key or via the remote transmitter unlocks the driver’s door only.  A second
unlock  request  unlocks  the  remaining  doors  and  trunk.      This  feature  can  be  modified
for  individual  users  with  the  new  Key  Memory  capabilities  to  activate  all  lock  actuators
simultaneously. 
• When unlocked, the X5 uppertailgate can be opened by:
- the tailgate button in the center console SZM, 
- trunk release switch pad located above the license plate, or
- the trunk release button on an FZV key.
• With the upper tailgate open, the lower tailgate is then opened by depressing the switch
located along it’s top edge.
• GM  and  EWS  3.3  interface  via  the  K  bus  to  monitor  double  lock  status  and  to  initiate
double lock override.  This feature allows the doors to be opened from the inside if an
accepted EWS key is switched on in the ignition when double locked.   
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DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS
The  actuators  are  sealed,  self  contained  units  with  no
replaceable parts.  The door lock actuators use hall effect
sensors to provide:
• Door lock key position (driver’s door only),
• Door open/closed status.
The driver’s door lock provides the following signals to
the driver’s door switchblock module (PM-FT/SB):
• Lock / Unlock,
• DWA arm/disarm 
• Convenience closing and opening signals.
DOOR LOCK POSITION HALL
SENSORS
The  Drivers  door  switchblock
module monitors these key positions
over  two  wires.    The  signals  are
generated by two hall effect sensors
(Hall  Sensor  1  &  2)  located  in  the
actuator. 
When  the  key  is  turned,  a  plastic
cylinder  in  the  lock  actuator  is
simultaneously  rotated  by  the  lock
tumbler extension rod.  
A  magnet  is  incorporated  in  the
plastic  cylinder,  which  when  rotated
changes  the  magnetic  influence  on
the hall sensors.
The  presence  of  a  magnet  in  close
proximity  to  the  sensing  surface  of
either  hall  sensor  creates  a  coded
input over the two wires that the GM
uses to determine the key position.
• Magnet in front of sensor, current flow through the sensor is <5 mA (0). 
• Magnet rotated away from sensor, current flow through the sensor is >12 mA (1).
Hall sensor 1 & 2 are not included in the front passenger door or rear door actuators.
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NEUTRAL
- 0 -
MANUAL
LOCK
HALL SENSOR 1
MANUAL
UNLOCK
• DOUBLE LOCK
 DWA ARMED
 CONVENIENCE
CLOSING (hold
until activated). UNLOCK
 DWA DISARMED
 CONVENIENCE
OPENING (hold
until activated).
HALL
SENSOR 2
TUMBLER
EXTENSION ROD
PLASTIC CYLINDER WITH ASYMMETRICAL MAGNET
(Shown in the Lock Position)    
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DOOR CONTACT HALL SENSOR
Also included in the driver’s door actuator is a third hall effect sensor.  This sensor signals
the door open/closed status to the driver’s door switch block module and to the GM via the
P-bus.  
The  rotary  latch  plate  position
activates  the  door  contact  hall
sensor.
• When  the  door  latch  is  closed,
current flow through the sensor
is <5 mA (0).
• When the door is open, current
flow  through  the  sensor  is  >12
mA (1). 
The passenger side front door and
both  rear  door  lock  actuators  only
include  this  hall  effect  sensor  (hall
sensor  3).    Hall  sensors  1  &  2  are
not required. 
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PM-FT/SB 
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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.  
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All door lock actuators and the fuel filler flap actuator are controlled directly by the GM via
four  internal  load  relays.    The  drivers  door  lock  actuator  has  a  separate  circuit  for  the
selective unlocking feature.
If this feature is disabled by key  memory encoding, the driver’s door lock actuator selective
unlock circuit is activated simultaneously with the balance of the motors during unlock.
CONTROL DURING DOUBLE LOCK:
CONTROL DURING SINGLE LOCK:
SELECTIVE SINGLE LOCK
- CONTROL - SWITCHED POWER -
SINGLE LOCK CONTROL
- SWITCHED POWER -
GROUND
DOUBLE LOCK CONTROL
-SWITCHED POWER-
FUEL
FILLER
FLAP
LEFT
REAR
DOORRIGHT
REAR
DOORPASS.
DOORDRIVER’S
DOOR
SELECTIVE SINGLE UNLOCK
- SWITCHED GROUND -
SINGLE UNLOCK CONTROL  
- SWITCHED GROUND -
UNLOCK CONTROL
- SWITCHED POWER -
DOUBLE LOCK CONTROL
-GROUND-
FUEL
FILLER
FLAP
LEFT
REAR
DOORRIGHT
REAR
DOORPASS.
DOORDRIVER’S
DOOR
SELECTIVE SINGLE LOCK
- CONTROL - SWITCHED POWER -
SINGLE LOCK CONTROL
- SWITCHED POWER -
GROUND
NOT ACTIVE
FUEL
FILLER
FLAP
LEFT
REAR
DOORRIGHT
REAR
DOORPASS.
DOORDRIVER’S
DOOR
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CONTROL DURING SINGLE UNLOCK:       
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TAILGATE CONTROL
The tailgate can be opened from the following locations:
• Exterior tailgate switch pad above the license plate
• Interior remote tailgate button 
• FZV radio key
The  remote  tailgate  button  is  locked  out  when  the  GM
detects  a  vehicle  speed  signal  >  4  MPH  via  the  K-bus.
The switch has been incorporated into the SZM.
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