1200GS Engine Management System Problem?

[Nye]

7000 miles and refused to start. Recovered back to the dealer (Mill BMW). “Fix” was to “reprogram” the engine management system. Mechanic told me that BMW have instructed dealers to reprogram the EMS on ALL the 1200GS and this is done when they come in for a service. As mine has only recently been for it’s 6k service (at Mill BMW), does this mean that this is a new instruction from BMW? And why does it need reprogramming. Can anyone shed some light on this please?

 

[richie]

why does it need reprogramming

Should this not be in Computer Help?

 

[richie]

Sorry only Joking I hope you get the answer sorted soon

 

[Tobers]

There's a "new" (a few months old now) software update for the 1200GS which should be automatically downloaded to the bike when they service it. The computer doo-dah is plugged into the large round plug under the seat and it'll fiddle about a bit then download the new software. It takes about 40 mins to download completely (I watched it being done at Motorrad Central a while back).

It's difficult to find out what the new software does though. I've been reassured that it does not contain a new fuelling map but is for diagnosis & fault recording amongst other things. Hopefully a BMW tech can tell us what's in it.

By the way, it's quite amazing what the bike stores up - when the computer downloads info from it, it contains all sorts of minor faults & things that you'd never know existed. Quite amazing. All we need now is for someone to wire up a cable and knock up some software so we can plug our own PCs into the bike and figure out what's going on.

 

[AusSteve]

Is the GS a dobber?

Sorry to go off-thread for a moment, but does this mean that the 'computer' also records what revs one uses during running-in? Given the evidence for the benefits of a more 'aggressive' running-in method, as compared to that in the manual, I imagine that information could void ones warranty. Does the bike dobb you in?

Incidentally (somewhat more on the thread), my previous 1150RT was re-programmed at its first service using the 1150GS mapping to deal with surging, although it didn't seem to make a difference.

 

[Fanum]

Re: Is the GS a dobber?

Sorry to go off-thread for a moment, but does this mean that the 'computer' also records what revs one uses during running-in? Given the evidence for the benefits of a more 'aggressive' running-in method, as compared to that in the manual, I imagine that information could void ones warranty. Does the bike dobb you in?

Theoretically that is entirely possible....however in practice I suspect they'd have a very hard time in court with privacy and bad publicity........same as Microsoft in a way (they upload a data file that shows them ALL the software loaded on your machine when you do an upgrade like the recent one to service pack 2..they just can't use it for anything apart from marketing and forward planning)

 

[theclowncrusty]

Any computer heads out there? Sounds like a good route go down if you want more power. "POWER COMMANDER"? Who needs one do it yourself?? Any Takers?? Mark :0)

 

[Mouse]

When I get my 1200 I'm planning on doing some investigatory hacking of the CAN bus and the data it carries. Although I suspect it might have to wait until winter because I'll probably be too busy riding the thing

 

[Nye]

Three days later I get it back from Mill Sunderland. They reprogrammed the EMS (they say).
Two days later it goes back to them...same fault, ie wont start. Another two days with them. But they say this time they couldnt find the fault. Hmmm. So the "not starting" thing is a feature of the 1200GS then?
btw, speaking to another BMW dealership, they knew nothing of the BMW memo to reporgramme the EMS beacuse of poor starting that Mill told me the first time they had it. Hmmm (again).
So is it the 12GS, Mill Sunderland or both that I should be loosing confidence in????????

 

[Jimb]

The newer Honda's, CBR 600, Fireblade etc have a USB port on the ECU to connect the laptop.

 

[skywalker]

Three days later I get it back from Mill Sunderland. They reprogrammed the EMS (they say).
Two days later it goes back to them...same fault, ie wont start. Another two days with them. But they say this time they couldnt find the fault. Hmmm. So the "not starting" thing is a feature of the 1200GS then?
btw, speaking to another BMW dealership, they knew nothing of the BMW memo to reporgramme the EMS beacuse of poor starting that Mill told me the first time they had it. Hmmm (again).
So is it the 12GS, Mill Sunderland or both that I should be loosing confidence in????????

tell them to pull off an injector and crank the engine to see if any fuel is expelled. If not my money's on the finned transistor ( that lives on top of the fuel pump ) has gone tits up ! Only an educated guess !!