BMW E39 VA Signal
Last updated September 7, 2013
This page is on the Consumer Cutoff signal coming out of the general module. This is the signal that supplies 12 Volts when the car is awake and after 17 minutes of no activity turns off.
The diagram below shows all the things that are powered off of this signal from the general module. This is from the E39 5-series.
In case the image doesn't come up I'll list all the items here: Trunk lid lamp, trunk compartment light, front interior reading light, air suspension module, right rear interior light, left rear interior light, park distance module, glove box light, chime module, heating & A/C module and closed-circuit current cut--off relay. This last item, the close-circuit current cut--off relay then switches power from Fuse F113 into Fuse F13 and Fuse F13 then powers a bunch of other items. Steering column length & angle adjust motors, driver's seat movement, height, cushion tilt, seatback recliner, headrest, thigh support and seatback head recliner motors also the driver's active seat control module, seat/steering column memory control module and lastly the driver's seat lumbar support switch.
The letter number preceding the control unit is the module number. If you want to find it on the WDS just go to control units and look up the letter/number and it will take you right to it. The Consumer Cutoff wire is RT/GE (Red/Yellow) colored wire. Power for Consumer Cutoff comes from pin X254-10 and on the E39 5-series that's Fuse 4. On the X53 X5 that's Fuse 27 and on the E38 7-series that's Fuse 6.
The following is from the BMW WDS
Closed-circuit (standby) current cut-out
The electrical closed circuit cut-out function switches off loads which consume closed circuit (standby) current at terminal 30. The closed circuit current cut-out is controlled by the load cut-out relay K72.
A voltage filter is also integrated in the relay K72 to filter the ripple of the electrical system. This filter is necessary for the motors of the steering column and seat memory.
The following systems are connected to the closed circuit current cut-out:
•7 series, E38, up to model year 1996: Seat adjustment, rear head restraint adjustment, steering column adjustment and sun shade.
•7 series, E38, as of model year 1996: Seat/steering column memory
•5 Series, E39: Seat/steering column memory
The relay K72 is driven via terminal 15 and the "load cut-out" signal from the basic module of the ZKE III
Load cut-out signal
The load cut-out signal is switched by the basic module of the ZKE III.
When terminal R is switched on, B+ is switched from the basic module to the relay K72. The basic module switches off the B+ supply 16 minutes after switching off terminal R.
The relay is switched on again together with switching on terminal R or terminal 15 or, when a signal change takes place at an input of the ZKE III; e.g. opening a door, opening the front lid, unlocking a door.
When terminal 15 is switched on (signal at Pin 8 of relay K72) the closed circuit current cut-out relay switches on the B+ supply for the connected loads irrespective of the status of the load cut-out signal.