EWS! failure

[chris.wrench]

After a coffee stop and chat on today’s Sunday ride in Guernsey, my 4 month old R1200GS would not start. A warring flashed on the display with EWS!. A quick look in the handbook gave some tips such as using spare keys. Tried the wallet key with no success, so hitched a lift home on a Wing and returned with wife and spare key. No joy!! Dreaded EWS on the display. I phoned BMW assistance who where most helpful but being in Guernsey there is no technical assistance available on a Sunday. So bike was loaded by a recovery vehicle and is now parked at the local dealer awaiting tomorrows opening. Research on the web would suggest that this is a common occurrence. If so is there a cure? And is it likely to re-occur?

Chris (without bike)

 

[ktmmark]

After a coffee stop and chat on today’s Sunday ride in Guernsey, my 4 month old R1200GS would not start. A warring flashed on the display with EWS!. A quick look in the handbook gave some tips such as using spare keys. Tried the wallet key with no success, so hitched a lift home on a Wing and returned with wife and spare key. No joy!! Dreaded EWS on the display. I phoned BMW assistance who where most helpful but being in Guernsey there is no technical assistance available on a Sunday. So bike was loaded by a recovery vehicle and is now parked at the local dealer awaiting tomorrows opening. Research on the web would suggest that this is a common occurrence. If so is there a cure? And is it likely to re-occur?

All old stock went back & it's a new part no so let's hope

 

[Bub]

Mark

I also had the same problem (as have a few others I believe). My thoughts are that it will be the "reader" for the chip in the key. This is the black ring around the ignition lock that recognizes the chip in your key.
Mine was fixed under warranty.
No way round it other than to replace.

Good luck

Bub

 

[Ali-bear]

Yup

I've had it refuse to start thanks to EWS twice during the running-in period. Once after filling up the other after stopping to check the map.

Both times it got going again after walking away from the bike for a few minutes and taking the key with me.

Dealer said they would replace the ring antenna at first service (which is today).

 

[chris.wrench]

Update from the BMW dealer is that the ring antenna is indeed faulty and needs to be replaced. The part is on order and hope to have the bike back by the weekend. I am concerned that this could happen while on a trip!! The common thread in the replies is that the EWS fault tends to present in the early life of the GS.

 

[Geordie Steve]

Same happened to me. It just packed in suddenly after a few months of use. Replaced under warranty and it's never happened again, so I think BMW have probably sorted the issue out.

I also recall hearing about 1 or 2 cases where people had parked close to TV transmitters and the like, which interfered with the key recognition... they ended up wheeling the bike down the road for a couple of hundred yards before it would start! That's a while ago though, haven't heard of many problems at all recently.

 

[Bub]

Mine failed at 1400 thou miles... no warning ...just dead a couple of minutes since it had been running fine.
Bloody electrickery...its a black art

 

[Blackal]

I got my bike out of the garage after a prolonged stay, and it would't start.

Thought it was the battery, so plugged in the charger and after 5 minutes - tried again.

It started first time, so took it out to the local BMW dealer for the pre-arranged 12,000m service. (I didn't realise the significance of the "EWS" warning )

Yeah - turned out to be the proximity sensor around the ignition.

I believe the problem is so commonplace that a very experienced BMW technician, going on a continental tour with a pal of mine (and several other BMW riders).......... took 3 spare sensor rings with them - just in case.

That's the type of fella to include in your foreign adventure

Al

 

[Malcvtr]

Mine failed at 1400 thou miles... no warning ...just dead a couple of minutes since it had been running fine.
Bloody electrickery...its a black art

Bloody hell, mate! 1.4 million miles Do you ever get off the thing? After all the bad news stories about reliability, your bike proves BMW can build reliable ones...