EWS Ring antenna problem-solution

[bellyboy]

Hi,
had the dreaded EWS non starter plague happen at a petrol station in Belgium this weekend,
following some advice on the forum I wheeled the bike well away and left it for 10 mins, lo and behold it started again, all seemed well of course until I stopped for a second time (not at petrol station) when EWS came on again.

5 mins later bike started and luckily when at hotel the EWS reared its head again, howver after waiting a while the next attempt to start the bike sounded like a flat battery???
to resolve the whole problem BMW dealer fitted new ?? ring antenna?? bike okedokey now,,
so how easy is it to fit an antenna and I take it this is a regular breakdown?? BMW dealer in Belgium allured me to the fact that once fixed not a problem again as modified ring antenna????

I'm a doubting thomas!
cheers..

 

[Bones]

Hi,
had the dreaded EWS non starter plague happen at a petrol station in Belgium this weekend,
following some advice on the forum I wheeled the bike well away and left it for 10 mins, lo and behold it started again, all seemed well of course until I stopped for a second time (not at petrol station) when EWS came on again.

5 mins later bike started and luckily when at hotel the EWS reared its head again, howver after waiting a while the next attempt to start the bike sounded like a flat battery???
to resolve the whole problem BMW dealer fitted new ?? ring antenna?? bike okedokey now,,
so how easy is it to fit an antenna and I take it this is a regular breakdown?? BMW dealer in Belgium allured me to the fact that once fixed not a problem again as modified ring antenna????

I'm a doubting thomas!
cheers..

As would I be, but to be fair my replacement has not failed

 

[wilbjr21]

My dealer told me that the latter units on the new bikes are OK but I still carry a spare as it is a show stopper.

You don't change it at the side of the road but put the new one into the circuit instead of the old one.

 

[colint]

My dealer told me that the latter units on the new bikes are OK but I still carry a spare as it is a show stopper.

You don't change it at the side of the road but put the new one into the circuit instead of the old one.

How late is a later one mine went on a 57 plate GSA last month but i was told that a modified one has now been fitted just wait and see if it is!

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

My dealer told me that the latter units on the new bikes are OK but I still carry a spare as it is a show stopper.

.

I came across a guy on an '08 2,000 mile GS (waiting for recovery) on Sunday who's 'ring' had failed so, unfortunatly, it still seems to be an ongoing problem.

Andres

 

[John Armstrong]

Might want to have a look here: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1987998 for some more information

 

[wilbjr21]

How late is a later one mine went on a 57 plate GSA last month but i was told that a modified one has now been fitted just wait and see if it is!

John

I've just bought a 08 GSA and I think he was referring to this. The numbers on my spare are identical to the ones on my new bike.

Outtomuch

There you go then. Just done the level II course in Wales two weeks ago and this happened on one of the 1200s. Instructor took the key out, walked ten yards way with it, came back and the bike started. His comments were "Just done ask how why this works"

 

[Gipsy]

Personally I'm not happy to trust that walking away from a bike etc etc is a reproducible fix for the RA problem. I've got a spare in my top box.

 

[bellyboy]

Hi, JOHN tried that link, not working???

however to clarify , my bike is an 57 plate, I was told by dealer in Belgium that it was ony a problem on o5/06 builds???

also that the walk away fix is random and if it works it works always, unlike my bike.

sounds to me like a problem that is so random that it may be best to have a spare,,,,what a shame I've ridden bikes since 1976 since 1978 I wanted a BMW and now I am confronted with two things, the bike I bought means I need to carry spre items with me and the truth of the matter is that all the jap crap I bought has proven to be the most reliable and trustworthy??????

I have travellled many a mile and never given a second thought to carrying such important spares after having looked after my bikes sop particularly....its a shame the bMW definately has something special about and I dont really want to think of it as white elephant.......
so I will put my faith in German technology....however one more situation like this and ...well keep an eye out in MCN for a bargain!

 

[John Armstrong]

Hi, JOHN tried that link, not working???

Tried to link a search on "antenna" in the "1200GS" section.

A few threads on how and when, still not any clearer the exact "why" yet. I've got my self a spare antenna, also carry around tools and a puncture repair kit. Not needed any of them yet, just like the thought that I'd be able to continue the journey / holiday and call out BM assist when I'm having a beer in the pub at the end of the day, rather than waiting for an hour or two on the side of the motorway. So I'll be sorting out a fuel pump controller workaround cable. Just in case

 

[bellyboy]

sounds a good plan, to have a beer rather than wait at side of road,,,,me thinks I too will work out this workaround wire thingy,,,,it looks easyish?? however if you fathom a simple solution PM me! cheers... in the mean time happy reliable riding...

 

[David Lee]

My Sept 07 (57 reg 3900miles) GSA did the EWS thing on Wednesday but I managed to get it going again after a pish around the corner and a wait. It's down at Bahnstormer now waiting for a new ring antenna.

Spoke to Bahnstomer about buying a spare one to carry with me but was advised that a newer modified one would replace my 'old' one and not to worry.

Still worried though

Has anyone had a second ring antenna fail?

PS Bahnstomers very good and I have a 800 belt drive thingy on loan until Saturday when I get my real bike back.

 

[John Armstrong]

sounds a good plan, to have a beer rather than wait at side of road,,,,me thinks I too will work out this workaround wire thingy,,,,it looks easyish?? however if you fathom a simple solution PM me! cheers... in the mean time happy reliable riding...

Even easier, one that was prepared earlier:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143272

 

[bellyboy]

Buy a spare,,,then like me try to find out how to fit one, if that can be done roadside? anyone done it?...if not at least you have one in stock!..

The BMW assist were fantastic in sorting although the dealer less so in fixing,,

 

[David Lee]

PM'd you

 

[bustupbiker]

Tuesday evening a mate says, the bike will start with the spare ( plastic )
Key. Oh! NO it want just get EWS
Put the standard key in and off she goes, but i still have the EWS on the
dash so i plugged the GS-911 into it and NO FAULTS

Got home and plugged it into the laptop ( just incase..) still the same
EWS..bike starts and run fine but i can not now get rid of the error message
any ideas please. Should i remove the battery and try again?
Lyn.

 

[chris.wrench]

Yes. second EWS! failure today. See my post 26 April 2008. First failure in November 07. Bike new July 2007. only covered 2000miles, mainly in France but luckily didn't fail there. Problem is I like the bike!! But can no longer trust same. The solution is surley for BMW to give us something to use for a quick roadside fix. Have today asked dealer if I can trade in against '08, but stories of '08 failures are concerning.

Has anyone replaced with the spare while travelling??

 

[D6]

i dont really understand this EWS thingy as im a lowly 1150 rider, cant it be taken out of the game permanently????

 

[chris.wrench]

BMW dealers answer to that same question this am was"no"!

 

[RogerJ]

A few weeks back and friend and I riding out of Cancun Mexico were deep in the jungle and mountains of Chiapas, Mexico en route to Guatemala for two weeks. 55 degree ascents on loose gravel. Quite a spirited time and incredible beauty. We get to the camping spot. His 07 12GS goes EWS and won't start. We find a satellite phone in the village and call a friend who gives us a few things to try but trying all.....still no luck. So....call BMW Roadside Assistance by satellite phone. Will send a recovery truck about a 4 or 5 hour drive away if all goes well. Meanwhile, at camp we start to drown our sorrows with vintage rum and make alternate plans for the tour. He starts cussing his bike (cause his 06 did the same to him) and now his 07 is doing it too!!! He threatens to throw his "Canary" (it is a Desert Yellow one) into the canyon, sell her for scrap, change brands and so forth. Maybe the bike heard him because we hear on the radio the tow truck has arrivedl. My friend says why not give it one last try? Sure enough....... it had reset itself and it starts right up! Next decision....whether to trust it or just let the recovery truck take it to Veracruz. The "Canary" seems contrite so we continue on. After that it never missed a beat. So..... maybe a serious talk with your ride might work? But from now on we we go nowhere without a spare antenna ring and a fuel pump controller in our riding group. BMW really needs to fix this one.