Can you do anything to prevent FPC failure

[James Embrey]

Guys

Seems everybody has problems with FPC, where is it and can i do anything to prevent it failing?? I have 56 plate GS1200

James

 

[tunnie]

the cause of failure is water ingress, water finds its way onto top of the pump and damages the electics, newer versions have better weather protection. Every time you put it away make sure no water is sitting on top of the FPC

 

[Mr K]

I don't believe water ingress is/was the problem.

The things run too hot.

Now that I've the new, black (which radiates heat better) item fitted, I don't fit the cover... and when washing the bike, take the left tank panel off to have a nosey.

(54 plater approaching 50k)

 

[Bryn]

I don't believe water ingress is/was the problem.

The things run too hot.

Now that I've the new, black (which radiates heat better) item fitted, I don't fit the cover... and when washing the bike, take the left tank panel off to have a nosey.

(54 plater approaching 50k)

I was told by the local BMW service dept that they don't run hot - and it was suggested that I cover up the vents in the cover to stop water ingress (54 plate) - so I did, went on a European trip in July with temperatures up to 30+ centigrade and no problems whatsoever It was a silver one too - so conflicting reasons abound

 

[Mr K]

I was told by the local BMW service dept that they don't run hot - and it was suggested that I cover up the vents in the cover to stop water ingress (54 plate) - so I did, went on a European trip in July with temperatures up to 30+ centigrade and no problems whatsoever It was a silver one too - so conflicting reasons abound

So it would seem....

 

[tunnie]

North Oxford Garage told me about the FPC failure and that it was water related.

 

[Mr K]

Bollocks!

The original FPC runs too hot and burns out. The fact that they get all furry on the outside because some don't check/wash/clean in there is convenient for BMW.

Why paint/coat an item with black (which obviosly costs more than not doing it) for no reason?

 

[TyreMark]

I am sure many are caused by water ingress but not all. Mine failed in Italy and it had been very hot - when I checked FPC it was as dry as a bone. Sunday morning and miles from anywhere so cut the wires from the failed controller and pushed them into the connector minus FPC - worked a treat until I got a replacement FPC from a dealer in Pistoia next day and 200 miles later.

 

[GSmonkey]

The last FPC failure I had, the thing was bone dry with all connections dry and corrosion free. I'm sure it's not as simple as water ingress. It will reject heat being a regulator and I think is also encased in resin. Easy to understand how it could overheat. But it could also be vibration or a whole host of other problems......you'd imagine BMW must have a good ideas as they'll have skips full of the things and no doubt some big back charge claims to their sub suppliers.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

A lot of people have had problems but far from 'everybody'.
In answer to your question, all you can do to help prevent it failing is keep it clean & dry.

To minimise the consequences, either carry a spare or learn how to do the work-round.

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Guys

FPC can I do anything to prevent it failing?? I have 56 plate GS1200

James

Yes-get it changed for the latest version,should cost you nowt

 

[Den]

Buy an 1150

 

[MartinL]

the cause of failure is water ingress, water finds its way onto top of the pump and damages the electics, newer versions have better weather protection. Every time you put it away make sure no water is sitting on top of the FPC

Scene: An Asda car park after FPC failure (2008 m.y. GS)

Me: I've heard theses things fail due to getting water in them.

BMW assist tech: You might of heard that....

Me: You're telling me they're just cheap shite then?

BMW assist tech: Yep.

Epilogue: Replaced on the spot with a nice new black one from van stock.

 

[James Embrey]

But where is the dam thing?

 

[theop]

Guys

Seems everybody has problems with FPC, where is it and can i do anything to prevent it failing?? I have 56 plate GS1200

James

buy a Honda! hahahhahahhaha

then you get fried rectifiers!

 

[Andy B]

James - have a look here

 

[James Embrey]

James - have a look here

Cheers will have a look in morning

 

[coughan]

It would appear that the best way to prevent FPC failure is to buy a new bike, put it in your garage, place a white sheet over it and close the door.

 

[Snoopy]

Bollocks!

Why paint/coat an item with black (which obviosly costs more than not doing it) for no reason?

Theory ... fins are attached to a +ve line, water between the fins and any earth point causes electrolysis and the "furriness" of the fins. Any paint should stop it happening.

 

[Myke Rocks]

Fuel pump controller failures:

Sorry to butt in, but:

Anyone who has ever looked at one of the said fuel pump controllers will note that they are "Potted". That is, they are assembled, & then filled with a 2 part epoxy type electicrally insulating, totally waterproof substance.
As a consequence, they will not suffer any damage if submersed indefinitely in water.
BMW now have about 20 different part numbers for these devices. To us poor mortals, these part numbers are for different models of bikes, or superscessions. Actually, all fuel pump controllers are electrically identical and interchangeable.
The part number is two things:
1 A supplier identification number.
2 A superscession number.

The Fuel pump controller is just a PWM device.
That is: Pulse Width Modulation.

The ECU sends a pulse train of varying widths to the Fuel pump Controller,
which interprets it & changes the Fuel Pump Speed via a built in transistor.

I surmise that:

BMW probably did all their testing at relatively high engine loads,where the pump is at full speed, and the transistor is fully on, & thus shedding very little heat.

Unfortunately, in the real world, we do not go everywhere on full power, so the pump is told to run slower. As a consequence, the transistor is shedding much larger quantities of heat.

In the long term, this excessive heat degrades the electronics & destroys the units.
If one compare early & later units, you will see the aluminium heat sink on top has got progressively bigger, & is now black.

Bearing in mind that the failures are probably heat and time related, any replacement redesigns have had to to go through a similar cycle to see if they are better than the original units.

What can one do to extend the life of the unit:

NOTHING.

Either carry a spare, or get it replaced, in the hope that the problem is now "cured"

Since BMW are now replacing the Fuel Pump Controllers one can take it that they have sufficient confidence in the current model that they believe the problems have been resolved (Long Term)

Myke