EWS

[KevOK]

Hi Guys,
I know there's a lot of info on this already but I cant seem to find the answer to my question.

I am riding a 2009 GSA from Alaska to Argentina at the moment. I was 200km from Nazca ( too see the Dakar go through) in Peru yesterday when I stopped to stretch my legs in the middle of the desert. When I hoped back on the bike and turned the key nothing happened, the EWS warning light came on. Eventually a complete stranger helped me trailer the bike.Long story short, I managed to get it to BMW back in Lima 200km away.

They have been screwing around with it in the shop for 3 days now. I have checked all 3 keys I have with me. They have checked the key Antenna and said its fine. We unplugged the battery for half an hour put a new battery in to see if that would help but still EWS. They were telling me maybe the computer is gone. I emailed BMW in Cork and they say they have never sold one so its unlikely that its broken. They are now in the process of checking all the wiring too and from the computer to the antenna. Would any one else out there have any suggestions. I asked them if they have some technical support but there "link is down" for some reason. If they cant fix it my trip will be over.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks Guys
Ride on
KevOK

 

[John Armstrong]

Have they tried plugging in a new antenna?

 

[KevOK]

yea they put in a new one but still EWS

 

[John Armstrong]

yea they put in a new one but still EWS

Oh

 

[deaninkl]

First thing to do is re[place the battery, my bike has on three different occassions refused to start, all time have been after a short stop, to get fule twice and once to pop into a shop. Various warning light come on including EWS, each time it was the battery.

 

[Ted]

Have some experience of the car side of BMW and suspect the bikes are a similar setup.
Not sure what’s been checked so if it’s all been done my apologies. Check the battery is fully charged and all connections are secure on the starter as well as the battery. The BM system tester should show the reason the EWS is not working as in, incorrect or unrecognised signal from key, communication error between units etc. Try and code in a key if that fails. Start by doing a continuity test on wires from Antenna ring to control unit, Also any connectors are unplugged and checked. Although the EWS uses a small voltage and it may pass a continuity test may still not allow decent current flow. If all ok fit another antenna. If still not working, if possible try a new key, BM should be able to supply one coded to your bike and cheapest option. Only thing left is the Control unit!
As I understand it the EWS could have failed at any time from the last startup but if the bike is running it would not show faulty till the engine stopped and had to be restarted.
Hope this is helpfull. Good luck

 

[SeanC]

Happened to me twice. Each time it was the battery. Sorry. It must be really frustrating for you.
Sean

 

[Ted]

yea they put in a new one but still EWS

Did you get the problem sorted and back on the road?