ews failure / waterproofing

[Free and Easi]

EWS Failure

Happened to me today. Waited 2.5 hours in the cold and rain for pickup. 06 GS1200 with 10,000km on clock. Recovery guy didnt want to take me home, wanted to take bike back to his depot and take to dealer in the morning but BMW assist told him to bring me home. Does anybody know if the current batch of replacment antenne rings are up to scratch or is this a problem just waiting to happen again???

 

[SVENA]

What does EWS stand for?

Elektronisches Wegfahr Sperre (EWS), its german.

Regards
Sven Andersen
R1200GS
Denmark

 

[Ali-bear]

Translates as Engine Won't Start

 

[i8lusaka]

Fule stations a problem?

Just a thought I have read that it happens alot after fulling up and I wonder if it has any thing to do with the interference from the stations equipment?
It happen to me one time at a shell in se London Crystal Palace. I filed up my zx10 and when I was trying to turn of my alarm it was not possible and after a wile the owner came out and said that happen alot to bikes and he help t me to push the bike away abit and hep it was cured.

 

[i8lusaka]

Fuel stations a problem?

Just a thought I have read that it happens alot after fulling up and I wonder if it has any thing to do with the interference from the stations equipment?
It happen to me one time at a shell in se London Crystal Palace. I filed up my zx10 and when I was trying to turn of my alarm it was not possible and after a wile the owner came out and said that happen alot to bikes and he help t me to push the bike away abit and hep it was cured.

 

[motorbaker]

EWS failure on tour

Sorry, but a bit of a rant for my first post.

Stopped enroute Seville to Lisbon today and when restarting my GSA (07) the alarm came on (without having been set) then got the EWS failure message and bike wouldn't start. Followed instructions in manual to no avail then called Assist. Very prompt initial reply - bike was picked up and taken to nearest town, but then nothing for 3 hours while they tried to find a place in Seville to take it. By the time we got there the mechanics had gone home and they said there was no part so would have to wait until at least Monday. I suggested that they took a part off one of the GSs in the show-room, so they had conference in Spanish after which I had to agree to pay a bribe (150E) in cash to the manager as well as a 227E service fee to get the bike repaired by 10am tomorrow, Saturday. (My ferry leaves Santander on Monday afternoon and I have to be at work by Tuesday evening so there was no way I could leave the bike in Seville until Monday.)

Had to cancel Portuguese hotel and stay back in Seville. The UK BMW assist people were good but I had to agree to pay the money directly to the Spanish people (the 150E has to be cash) or no deal. I hope I can get it back - it's very annoying to be caught with a known fault when using a bike for what it was intended for - touring. Why do BMW not recall the bikes to stop this from happening? Or do they think that we GSA owners never get outside the M25 and would be grateful for an excuse to be late for work?

MotorBaker

 

[wilbjr21]

Sorry, but a bit of a rant for my first post.

Stopped enroute Seville to Lisbon today and when restarting my GSA (07) the alarm came on (without having been set) then got the EWS failure message and bike wouldn't start. Followed instructions in manual to no avail then called Assist. Very prompt initial reply - bike was picked up and taken to nearest town, but then nothing for 3 hours while they tried to find a place in Seville to take it. By the time we got there the mechanics had gone home and they said there was no part so would have to wait until at least Monday. I suggested that they took a part off one of the GSs in the show-room, so they had conference in Spanish after which I had to agree to pay a bribe (150E) in cash to the manager as well as a 227E service fee to get the bike repaired by 10am tomorrow, Saturday. (My ferry leaves Santander on Monday afternoon and I have to be at work by Tuesday evening so there was no way I could leave the bike in Seville until Monday.)

Had to cancel Portuguese hotel and stay back in Seville. The UK BMW assist people were good but I had to agree to pay the money directly to the Spanish people (the 150E has to be cash) or no deal. I hope I can get it back - it's very annoying to be caught with a known fault when using a bike for what it was intended for - touring. Why do BMW not recall the bikes to stop this from happening? Or do they think that we GSA owners never get outside the M25 and would be grateful for an excuse to be late for work?

MotorBaker

Sorry to hear of your problems but most of them we timing.....yes?

Did you know about the "known fault" when venturing outside the M25 ?

If so, when venturing far afield why not carry spares - some of use carry a spare key and antenna ring plus a fuel pump controller or jumper wire.

The value of an internet site is to make one aware of potential problems

 

[CZAR]

Geek, I think you'll find it has nothing to do with water ingress. Was on a trip with a mate in Morocco, his packed up in the desert! He had to nurse the bike back to Spain!

Don't let a dealer tell you it just needs a reset on the computer to solve the problem.

Probably a part BMW got made in China.

I know that

Brake disk on 12gs got made in Turkey

and

All electronic parts got made in Israel.

GLOBALIZATION

Rider equipment

Rallye II made in China
Savana boots made in Italy
Boulder Jacket made in czechia


Something made in Germany guys? Oh yes Sorry our bikes

 

[motorbaker]

Sorry to hear of your problems but most of them we timing.....yes?

Did you know about the "known fault" when venturing outside the M25 ?

If so, when venturing far afield why not carry spares - some of use carry a spare key and antenna ring plus a fuel pump controller or jumper wire.

The value of an internet site is to make one aware of potential problems

No I didn't know about the fault! I had to join this forum in order to read about it after the incident.

Given the number of problems people are moaning about here, I think for my next tour I'll bring a team of engineers in a range rover behind me, along with a couple of new bikes on a trailer to lift parts from as mine slowly disintegrates enroute.

Now I'm back home I'm going to try and reclaim the cost of repair from BMW - the spanish guys insisted on cash and wouldn't do it under guarantee despite the protestations of BMW assist. What a mess...

 

[bigbob1]

Sadjim can u PM me rering antenna fix please

 

[luckylucian]

Bigbob1 you have a PM......hope no-one minds me helping

 

[bobsayshello]

Could someone send me a wee pm too please (i have a 'back me up' on order)

tia /bob

 

[cookie]

Could someone send me a wee pm too please (i have a 'back me up' on order)

tia /bob

instructions for how to use a spare antenna are posted in several threads on this site. here for instance.

 

[MartinB]

Leaving for France - Spain - Andorra - France first week of June.
Do you think I should carry an EWS ring & fuel relay ? If so, how much are they going to cost and are they straight forward to fit at the roadside if the worst happens ?

Martin

 

[John Armstrong]

Leaving for France - Spain - Andorra - France first week of June.
Do you think I should carry an EWS ring & fuel relay ? If so, how much are they going to cost and are they straight forward to fit at the roadside if the worst happens ?

Martin

Easiest questions first, about £150 for the pair, not too difficult, but have a go at home before you go in case there's any odd fasteners / there's difficult access with the tools you normally carry

Whether you need them, probably not, but and it's a big one. Would you get upset if you're delayed by a day if the bike breaks down and you have to wait for spares. Especially if it's the day of the ferry

Answer no, then don't bother, if yes / not sure, best go and visit your friendly local dealer