EWS ERROR & fuel valve

[Lucky Steve]

Hi Guys,

Been advised that sometimes the Fuel Valve? and EWS Ring on my bike sometimes fails?

R1200 Gs, 2004/04 (some history)

Questions;

EWS = How much to get replaced (main Dealer)
Was there any recalls?
How much to buy to take with me?

Fuel Valve? = how much to replace, take with me

Any other comments please advise. Many Thanks

 

[Schtum]

It's the FPC (Fuel Pump Controller) that fails. It's the relay-like device that enables the CANBus to power the fuel pump. It's to be found under the left sidepanel on the front of the petrol tank. Remove the plastic cover under on the top of the tank under there. If the recess is full of water, that's usually not a good sign.

 

[Beemerman59]

EWS - immobiliser, there's a known good one - have a look at the number on the little black box behing the ignition - should end in 247 IIRC. I think there was a recall for some bikes. I don't know the cost of a new one but I don't think its exthortionate if you want to carry a spare.

FPC - or Fuel Pump Controller, there were failures on earlier bikes and the occasional newer one. I'm not convinced there is a definite cure, some people have had multiple failures others none. The failure rate does seem to have dropped in my opinion based on a lower number of posts about it in the last couple of years. A new one to carry with you is about £85 or there's a number of cheaper work arounds you will find if you do a search.

Either of the above failures would mean your bike ain't going anywhere so its a good idea to have a backup plan if you're going any distance.

 

[cookie]

EWS failure is virtually a thing of the past if you have the later antenna ring fitted.

FPC failure is now a much rarer thing too, but it does still seem to occur occasionally.
i wouldn't worry too much about it sitting in water. it's if the seal around it goes, and water gets to the connections underneath that there is a problem. the seal issue was fixed ages ago.
the component itself also appears to randomly fail, but later parts are much better. have a look. latest ones are black powder coated.

 

[Lucky Steve]

Cheers guyz will keep the info you've given me

SR

 

[Bendy toy]

Cotton string doubled over a few time & pulled through a neoprene tube will wick out any water.

 

[Lucky Steve]

Eh? What does that mean

 

[DrFarkoff]

Cotton string doubled over a few time & pulled through a neoprene tube will wick out any water.

Yup True but

Even better a bit of plastic oil can cut into a shape to prevent water dripping in is even better. Mine is an original 2004 FPC I removed the controller cleaned and dried everything and vaselined all the seals and connections

Like they say the yanks spent millions building the "Space Pen" the russians took a pencil! Sometimes smart people are so stupid!

Bendy that's not a dig at you lad Just the clever fuggin sausage munchers who cost themselves a fortune replacing pump controllers when a redesigned cover would have fixed it !

 

[cookie]

as long as the seal is working, it doesn't matter if it's sitting in water.

AFAIK the problem on some very early models was water getting past the seal and bolloxing the connections underneath.

 

[DrFarkoff]

AK-chewally old bean water is probably the most invasive "natural" substance in existence

at Some time it will edge it's way in somewhere and if it gets to be a medium between alloy and electric current it's all marvellous

a 50 p mod can save a whole lot of hassle and it's not obvious

The only non mechanical things that will immobilize a Hexhead is the EWS and the Fuel pump relay failure

as long as the seal is working, it doesn't matter if it's sitting in water.

AFAIK the problem on some very early models was water getting past the seal and bolloxing the connections underneath.

 

[cookie]

AK-chewally old bean water is probably the most invasive "natural" substance in existence

at Some time it will edge it's way in somewhere and if it gets to be a medium between alloy and electric current it's all marvellous

a 50 p mod can save a whole lot of hassle and it's not obvious

The only non mechanical things that will immobilize a Hexhead is the EWS and the Fuel pump relay failure

maybe, but i've not had any issue on either of my bikes, and it's bog standard in the FPC dept. i've never taken any water out.
the unit is sealed, and an O ring seal prevents ingress past the unit to the connection in the well below. it's hard to see how water can be a problem.

interesting that bmw moved the FPC on 08> GSs so they did not sit in water, but left the GSA as it was
anyhow, the last update, black units very rarely go wrong, and the EWS issue seems to be totally a thing of the past.

i carry an FPC unit, as i got the, still working, old item back from dealers after update. not needed it yet for my bike, though i did use it on another bike i was travelling with. it was an old silver unit that had failed

 

[Pukmeister]

My FPC failed on my '04 bike whilst I was living in Western Australia in 45 degree heat. No water got anywhere near it.

It was the electrolytic capacitor inside that failed. It's now a bypass lead, just in case my 2008 GSA does the same.

 

[Lucky Steve]

Sorry for my ignorance, but is that the module on l/h side on top of my tank?

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Sorry for my ignorance, but is that the module on l/h side on top of my tank?

Yep it is

 

[harry]

Sorry for my ignorance, but is that the module on l/h side on top of my tank?

Looks a bit like a tea caddy

 

[itspilsbury]

bought a second hand ring antenna and fuel pump controller from Mororworks at a good price. i tested both to ensure they were ok. i carry them on the bike at all times. My theory is that if I carry them then chance is I will never need them, but if I do .......10 mins and Im on my way again...

 

[Ali-bear]

I believe the EWS problem was with the ring antennas being manufactured out-of-spec, like wrong number of turns or too much resistance in the wire loop. If yours works reliably you shouldn't ever need a replacement.

 

[cookie]

I believe the EWS problem was with the ring antennas being manufactured out-of-spec, like wrong number of turns or too much resistance in the wire loop. If yours works reliably you shouldn't ever need a replacement.

i thought it was something to do with sunlight affecting them, but that wouldn't explain how so many failed in the uk

 

[Pukmeister]

Don't forget to carry the spare black plastic wallet ket with the replacement ring antenna, plus a roll of tape to tape them together if necessary to get the bike started by taping temporarily into place. Without them the ring antenna is useless as it is fitted with shear-headed fasteners that need drilling out to change the part.