Wilhelm Documentation

Documentation for the I/K-Bus protocol found in BMW vehicles from 1989 to 2013.

Introduction

This documentation covers the common functions of the I-Bus and K-Bus.

P-Bus, and M-Bus are not covered. D-Bus is also not discussed, although it may be added in the future.

This is an ongoing project, and the documentation will be expanded as time allows.

Warning!

This documentation should not be considered authouratative. While great care, and effort has been taken in creating it, if you choose to use it, you do so at your own risk.

Contents

1. Applicable Models
2. Glossary
3. Device Index
   1. K/I-Bus
   2. D-Bus
4. Command Index
5. Features
   1. Sensors
   2. OBC
   3. Redundant Data Storage
   4. Controls
   5. Radio
   6. Telephone
   7. Navigation
   8. Lighting
   9. Body

Applicable Models

This protocol applies to the bus system in the models listed below.

Model	Series	Period	I-Bus	K-Bus
E31	8 Series	1989 - 1999	✅
E38	7 Series	1999 - 2001	✅	✅
E39	5 Series	1995 - 2004	✅	✅
E46	3 Series	1997 - 2006		✅
E52	Z8	2000 - 2003		✅
E53	X5	1999 - 2006	✅	✅
E83	X3	2003 - 2010		✅
E85	Z4	2002 - 2008		✅
E87	1 series	2004 - 2013		✅

MINI and Range Rover (early L322) implementations are not discussed.

Glossary

Body [Karosserie] Bus (K-Bus)

K-Bus was added to the E38 along with the I-Bus. Models without Navigation or IKE will use the K-Bus only. Both of these bus systems are technically identical, the only difference is their use by model.

Diagnosis Bus (D-Bus)

The D-Bus was introduced as TXD (and RXD) in 1987. The term D-Bus was adopted with the introduction of the E38 in 1995, however it is still referred to as TXD in the ETM [electrical troubleshooting manual].

All modules in the vehicle are not connected directly to the D-Bus, some systems are connected through a gateway such as the IKE or cluster. The gateway handles all diagnostic “traffic” and routes the necessary information to the correct bus system.

Gateway

On vehicles equipped with an I-Bus (E38, E39, E53 High) messages to be sent back and forth between the K-Bus and I-Bus have to be transferred via a Gateway. This Gateway is the IKE. The IKE determines by the address of the message recipient whether the message needs to be passed along to the other bus.

Instrument Bus (I-Bus)

I-Bus was introduced on the E31 as the information bus. The E31 version of the I-Bus was used for body electronics and driver information systems. With the introduction of the E38, the I-Bus is now referred to as the instrument bus.

M-Bus

The M-Bus is used exclusively in the climate control systems for the control of the “smart:” stepper motors. These stepper motors are used to control various air distribu- tion flaps.

The M-Bus was introduced on the E38 climate control system (IHKA). The M-Bus was also installed on subsequent models equipped with IHKA and IHKR.

Peripheral Bus (P-Bus)

The P-Bus is a single wire serial communications bus that is used exclusively on vehicle that are equipped with ZKE III. These vehicles are the E38, E39 and E53.

The P-Bus provides the Central Body Electronics system with a low speed bus for use by the General Module (GM) to control various functions.

Device Index

• 8-bit addressing (256 unique addressess).
• Multicast, and broadcast addresses.
• Addresses are preassigned, and static.
• All buses are within the 8-bit scope, i.e. an address is unique across the I, K, and D buses.
• Variants of a device will have the same address, e.g. the address 0x80 is used by the low cluster (KOMBI), high clusters (IKE, IKI).
• The adress pool is shared by all models that utilise this bus system. An address is rarely reallocated even if the originally allocated device is not applicable to a new model.

K/I-Bus

Device	Bus	Description
0x00	K	General Body Electronics (ZKE 3/4/5)
0x08	K	Tilt/Slide Sunroof (SHD)
0x18	K/I	CD Changer (CDC)
0x24	K	Trunk Lid Module (HKM) [E38]
0x28	I	Radio Clock Control (RCC) [E38]
0x2e	K	Electronic Damper Control (EDC)
0x30	I	Check Control Module (CCM) [E38]
0x3b	I	Graphics Stage (GT)
0x3f	K/I	Diagnostics (via gateway)
0x40	K	Remote Control for Central Locking (FBZV) [E31]
0x43	I	Unconfirmed: Rear Graphics Stage (GT) [E38]
0x44	K	Drive Away Protection System (EWS)
0x45	K	Anti-Theft System (DWA)
0x46	I	Central Information Display (CID) [E83, E85]
0x47	I	Rear Control Panel (FONT_BT) [E38]
0x48	?	Telephone (Japan)
0x50	K/I	Multifunction Steering Wheel (MFL)
0x51	K	Mirror Memory: Passenger [E46]
0x53	K/I	Unconfirmed: Multicast 📣
0x5b	K	Automatic Heating/Air Conditioning (IHKA)
0x60	K/I	Park Distance Control (PDC)
0x66	K	Active Light Control (ALC)
0x68	K/I	Radio
0x69	K	Electronic Body Module (EKM) [E31]
0x6a	K/I	Digital Sound Processor (DSP)
0x6b	K	Auxiliary Heater "Webasto"
0x70	K	Tire Pressure Control (RDC), Deflation Warning System (DWS)
0x71	K	Seat Memory: Driver [E31, E34]
0x72	K	Seat Memory: Driver [E46, E53]
0x76	K	CD Player (Business)
0x7f	K/I	Navigation
0x80	K/I	Instrument Cluster (IKE/KOMBI)
0x9a	K/I	Automatic Headlight Vertical Aim Control (LWR)
0x9b	K	Mirror Memory: Driver [E46], Convertible soft top module (CVM) [E36]
0x9c	K	Convertible Soft Top Module (CVM) [E46]
0x9d	K	Electronic disconnecting switch (ETS) [E38]
0xa0	I	Rear Multi-functional Display (MID) [E38]
0xa4	K	Multiple Restraint System (MRS)
0xa7	K	Rear Compartment Heating/Air Conditioning
0xac	K	Electronic Height Control (EHC)
0xb0	K/I	Speech Input System (SES)
0xb9	K	Compact Remote Control (RF/IR)
0xbb	K/I	Navigation (Japan)
0xbf	K	Broadcast 📣
0xc0	K/I	Multi-functional Display (MID)
0xc8	K/I	Telephone
0xcd	K	Multi-functional Display (OBC) [E31]
0xda	K	Seat Memory: Passenger [E46]
0xd0	K/I	Lamp Check Module (LCM), Light Switch Center (LSZ)
0xe0	K	Integrated Radio and Information System (IRIS)
0xe7	K/I	Multicast: Displays 📣
0xe8	K	Rain/Driving Light Sensor (RLS)
0xea	I	DSP Controler [E38]
0xed	I	Video Module
0xf0	I	On-board Computer Control Panel (BMBT)
0xf5	K	Center Console Switch Center (SZM), Lamp control module (LKM2) [E31]
0xff	K/I	Broadcast 📣

D-Bus

The shared address space might suggest it's possible to communicate with D-Bus devices from the K/I-Bus, however that's not the case. This is purely a function of diagnostics, in which all devices must be addressable from the D-Bus.

Device	Bus	Description
0x10	D	Engine Management
0x11	D	Central Body Electronics (ZKE 1/2) [E31, E34]
0x12	D	Engine Management
0x13	D	Engine Management
0x14	D	Engine Management
0x15	D	Double Sunroof (DDSHD) [E34]
0x16	D	Thermal Level Oil Sensor [E36]
0x19	D	Range Rover
0x20	D	Electronic Engine Power Control (EML) [M70]
0x21	D	Central locking module [E34, E36]
0x22	D	Electronic Engine Power Control (EML) [M73]
0x31	D	MINI
0x32	D	Gearbox Control
0x35	D	Steering Column Memory (LSM) [E31/E32/E34]
0x36	D	ABS/ASC (Concept 1/2)
0x56	D	ABS/ASC/DSC (DS2)
0x57	D	Steering Angle Sensor (LWS)
0x59	D	Automatic Heating/Air Conditioning (IHKA) [E31, E36]
0x5a	D	Electric Steering Lock (ELV) [E52]
0x65	D	Fuel Pump (EKP)
0x6c	D	Gearbox Control
0x74	D	Seat Occupation Detection US (OC3) [E83, 85]
0x81	D	MINI
0x86	D	Active Rear Axle Kinematics (AHK) [E31]
0x9e	D	Rollover Sensor [E36]
0xa6	D	Cruise Control
0xc2	D	Servotronic (SVT)
0xce	D	Seat Occupancy Detection

Command Index

Command	Description
0x01	Ping
0x02	Pong & Announce
0x10	Ignition Request
0x11	Ignition
0x12	Sensors Request
0x13	Sensors
0x14	Language & Region Request
0x15	Language & Region
0x16	Mileage Request
0x17	Mileage
0x18	Speed
0x19	Temperature
0x1a	Check Control Message
0x1b	Check Control Priority
0x1d	Temperature Request
0x1f	GPS Time
0x20	MID Button
0x21	Menu Text: Telephone
0x22	Menu Text Buffer
0x23	Title Text: Radio / Telephone
0x24	Property Text: IKE / Telephone
0x27	IKE → MID (TBC)
0x2a	OBC Status
0x2b	Telephone LEDs
0x2c	Telephone Status
0x31	Menu Button
0x32	BMBT Volume & MFL Volume
0x34	DSP Control
0x36	Radio EQ
0x37	Radio Tone/Select
0x38	CDC Status Request
0x39	CDC Status
0x3b	MFL Buttons
0x40	OBC Input
0x41	OBC Control
0x42	OBC Remote Control
0x45	Radio UI Request
0x46	Radio UI
0x47	BMBT "Soft" Buttons
0x48	BMBT Buttons
0x49	BMBT Navigation Dial
0x4a	Tape Control/Radio LED
0x4b	Tape Status
0x4e	GT → Radio (TBC)
0x4f	BMBT Monitor Control
0x50	Check Control Status Request
0x51	Check Control Status
0x52	Check Control Message Relay
0x53	Redundant Data Request
0x54	Redundant Data
0x55	Replicate Data
0x57	Check Control/Remote Control Buttons
0x59	Rain/driving Lights Status
0x5a	Cluster Indicators Request
0x5b	Cluster Indicators
0x5c	Instrument Backlighting (58G)
0x5d	Instrument Backlighting (58G) Request
0x61	EHC → GLO (TBC)
0x70	MRS → GLO (TBC)
0x71	Remote (Keyless) Entry Request
0x72	Remote (Keyless) Entry
0x73	Key Status Request
0x74	Key Status
0x75	RLS → GM (TBC)
0x76	Visual Indicators
0x77	GM → RLS (TBC)
0x78	Memory
0x79	Door/Lid Status Request
0x7a	Door/Lid Status
0x7c	SHD → GLO (TBC)
0x7d	GM → SHD (TBC)
0x82	IHKA → GLO (TBC)
0x83	IHKA → IKE (TBC)
0x86	IHKA → Nav. (TBC)
0x87	Nav. → IHKA (TBC)
0x9e	GT → RCM (TBC)
0xa2	Telematics Coordinates
0xa4	Telematics Location
0xa5	Body Text: Telephone / Radio
0xa6	SMS Icon
0xa7	Traffic Management Channel Request
0xa8	Traffic Management Channel
0xa9	BMW Assist Data
0xaa	Rear Nav. Control
0xab	Forward Nav. Control
0xaf	Nav. → SES (TBC)

Features

Sensors

1. 0x10 Ignition Request
2. 0x11 Ignition
3. 0x12 Sensors Request
4. 0x13 Sensors
5. 0x19 Temperature
6. 0x1d Temperature Request

OBC

1. 0x14 Language & Region Request
2. 0x15 Language & Region
3. 0x24 Property Text: IKE
4. 0x2a OBC Status
5. 0x40 OBC Input
6. 0x41 OBC Control
7. 0x42 Remote Control

Redundant Data Storage

1. 0x53 Redundant Data Request
2. 0x54 Redundant Data
3. 0x55 Replicate Data

Controls

1. 0x20 MID Button: Telephone
2. 0x31 BMBT/MID Menu Button
3. 0x32 MFL Volume
4. 0x3b MFL Buttons
5. 0x32 BMBT Volume Dial
6. 0x48 BMBT Buttons
7. 0x47 BMBT "Soft" Buttons (i.e. INFO)
8. 0x49 Navigation Dial

Radio

1. 0x23 Title Text: Radio
2. 0x36 Radio EQ
3. 0x37 Radio Tone/Select

Telephone

1. 0x02 Announce: Telephone
2. 0x2b Telephone LEDs
3. 0x2c Telephone Status
4. 0x21 Menu Text: Telephone
5. 0x23 Title Text: Telephone
6. 0x24 Property Text: Telephone
7. 0xa5 Body Text: Telephone
8. 0xa6 SMS Icon

Displays

1. Default
2. Pin-Code
3. Dial
4. Last Numbers
5. Directory
6. Top 8
7. Info
8. Bluetooth Pairing
9. SMS Index
10. SMS Message
11. SOS/Emergency

Navigation

1. 0x02 Announce: BMBT
2. 0x02 Announce: GT
3. 0x02 Announce: Nav.
4. 0x1f GPS Time
5. 0x4f Monitor Control

Telematics

1. 0xa2 Telematics Coordinates

Lighting

1. 0x5a Cluster Indicators Request
2. 0x5b Cluster Indicators

Body

1. 0x76 Visual Indicators
2. 0x79 Door/Lid Status Request
3. 0x7a Door/Lid Status