Interior Lighting and Load Cut-Off

Interior lighting and load cut-out

The interior lighting is controlled by following switches and systems:

Button at front of central light unit

Door contacts

Terminal R and terminal 58 (parking light)

Central locking

Remote control lock system

Crash sensor, up to 9/96

Airbag control unit, as of 9/96

Additional on E39 touring: Trunk lid/rear window contact

Button
The lights of the interior lighting system can be switched on and off by means of the button at the front of the central light unit. However, the lighting is still controlled automatically by the general module.

This means the interior lighting switched off by means of this button would be switched on again by opening a door.

As a special function, the interior lighting can be switched off permanently when the button is depressed for longer than 3 seconds. The system reverts to automatic mode when the button is pressed once again.

Switch-on conditions
Button pressed

Vehicle door open

Terminal R switched off when the parking light (terminal 58) was switched on within the past 32 seconds

Registration of an impact or collision by the external crash sensor (up to 9/96) or by the airbag control unit (as of 9/96).

Switch-off conditions
Button pressed

Immediately after closing a door and switching on terminal R

Immediately when all doors are closed and the vehicle is locked.

After 20 seconds when a door is closed and terminal R is OFF.

After 16 minutes when a door is held permanently open.

After 20 seconds when the lighting is switched on by switching off terminal R.

After 8 seconds when the lighting is switched on by remote control.

Load cut-out
The following lights in the vehicle can be switched on when the vehicle is parked:

Reading light

Glovebox lighting

Engine compartment and luggage compartment lighting

The voltage (B+ supply) for these loads is supplied by the general module.

To ensure the vehicle battery is not discharged when the lights are switched on permanently, the general module switches off the B+ supply 16 minutes after switching off terminal R.

The "load cut-out" line is also routed to the closed-circuit (standby) current relay K72. This relay switches the load circuits for:

Series E38, up to 9/95: Seat adjustment, rear head restraint adjustment, steering column adjustment and sun shade.

Series E38, as of 9/95: Seat/steering column memory

Series E39: Seat/steering column memory

Relay K72 therefore disconnects these systems from the terminal 30 supply 16 minutes after switching off terminal R.

These loads are switched on again when terminal R or 15 is switched on in conjunction with a signal change at an input of the general module or peripheral module, e.g. opening a door, opening the front (hood) lid, unlocking a door.