Electronic Body Module - Description and Operation: Overview

90bmw20 GROUP 61 Electrical System
Bulletin Number 61 01 90 (2109)
Woodcliff Lake, NJ October 1990 Service Engineering
SUBJECT: Electronic Body Module (EKM)

MODEL: 850i (E31)

As the number of electronically controlled and electronically monitored systems in today's BMWs increases, there is a concurrent increase in the volume of information flow. Management of this information is simplified by linking control units to a central control system. This new control system is known as EKM (Electronic Body Module), and combines features of two previous systems. They are:



^ Instrument Cluster/Check Control (K/CC)
^ On-Board Computer IV (BC IV)

The EKM controls the exchange of data between itself and other related components.
Much as the instrument cluster system of the 5 and 7 Series (E34 and E32) regulates the information posted on the check control matrix display (from check control or the on-board computer), the EKM regulates flow of information.

However, the EKM uses a new means of controlling this information flow. The EKM is connected to other related components by means of the information bus (I-Bus), and uses this connection to maintain communication and regulate data traffic between the components.