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. Command Index
4. Commands by Device
   1. Telephone
   2. On-board Monitor Control Panel
   3. Multi-function Steering Wheel
   4. Instrument Cluster
   5. Navigation

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 diag- nostic “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.

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 Message Buffer
0x1d	Temperature Request
0x1f	GPS Time
0x20	MID Button
0x21	Menu Text
0x22	Menu Text Buffer
0x23	Title Text
0x24	OBC Text
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	Variable Input
0x41	OBC Control
0x42	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
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	Lamp Status Request
0x5b	Lamp Status
0x5c	Instrument Backlighting (58G)
0x5d	Instrument Backlighting (58G) Request
0x71	Remote (Keyless) Entry Request
0x72	Remote (Keyless) Entry
0x73	Key Status Request
0x74	Key Status
0x78	Memory
0x79	Door Status Request
0x7a	Door Status
0xa2	Telematics Coordinates
0xa4	Telematics Location
0xa5	Body Text (Telematics, MP3)
0xa6	SMS Icon
0xa7	Traffic Management Channel Request
0xa8	Traffic Management Channel

Telephone

1. 0x02 Announce

2. 0x20 Main Menu

3. 0x21 UI

   1. 0x00 Default
   2. 0x05 Pin-Code
   3. 0x42 Dial
      1. Last Numbers
   4. 0x43 Directory
   5. 0x80 Top 8
   6. 0x90 Info
   7. 0xf0 SMS Index
   8. 0xf1 SMS Message/Emergency

4. 0x2b Telephone LEDs

5. 0x2c Telephone Status

6. 0xa6 SMS Icon

7. Appendix

   1. SMS Overview

On-board Computer Control Panel (BMBT)

1. 0x02 Announce
2. 0x4f Monitor Control

Controls

1. 0x48 Buttons
2. 0x47 "Soft" Buttons (i.e. INFO)
3. 0x32 Volume Dial
4. 0x49 Navigation Dial

Multifunctional Steering Wheel (MFL)

Controls

1. 0x3b Buttons
2. 0x32 Volume

Instrument Cluster (IKE)

1. 0x10 Ignition Request
2. 0x11 Ignition
3. 0x14 Language & Region Request
4. 0x15 Language & Region
5. 0x42 Remote Control

Redundant Data Storage

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

Navigation

1. 0x02 Announce
2. 0x1f GPS Time