Fault diagnosis and repair: E1143A

measterbrook

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R1200GS LC 2014. The dash is showing the red fault triangle and most of the functions don't work including indicators. The displayed error is charging/alternator, but I think this is misleading. The engine starts and runs and the bike is ridable. The display (and a voltmeter) shows 14.2V when the engine is running and the battery is charged, so I don't think there is anything wrong with the charging system.

I have connected a diagnostic unit and the code is: e1143a Instrument Panel: No CAN message status basic module (from GM).

Does anybody know what might be wrong and how to fix it. I have tried my local BMW dealer but they use different error codes and don't have any workshop slots for at least another month. Does anyone know of any independent BMW mechanics in Hampshire or west Surrey area. I used to use Barry Barber in Portsmouth but I have been unable to contact him.

With all this wonderful weather I would like to be out on the bike but am stuck trying to get it fixed.

Mark.
 
I appreciate that our beloved Alton dealership is snowed under with work, what about a call to the new "Balmer Lawn Motorrad" or "Vines of Guildford" dealerships ?

If there are CAN errors it could be as simple as a wiring connector or wiring fault between modules, maybe unseat and re-seat all the wiring connectors you can get to (with the battery disconnected) and tug on a few sub-looms especially where cable-tied then power it up and see what happens ??
 
Mark
That sounds remarkably like the problem that I've currently got. My bike is a 2019 plate GS 1250 and it has just had its 12k service. As I rode it away from its service, about half a mile up the road it coughed to a stop with all the symptoms that you describe.
The dealer has had the bike in workshops for three weeks now and they can't get to the bottom of it. They've tried changing the battery, checking the starter motor, and readjusting the valve clearances but still no joy. I asked if it could possibly be the butterfly valve in the exhaust because they do have a habit of seizing up, but apparently, that's perfectly OK.
I do have a suspicion it has got something to do with electrical connections so Adam's post about the wiring connections does strike a chord.
In Alton, you're on the doorstep for Bahnstormer (I'm sure you knew that already) and they are extremely good (No, I'm not on commission) I would get the bike to them asap and ask them to check the wiring loom.
In the meantime, if I solve the problem with my bike I will let you know what the issue was!!!
Good luck
Rodger
 
R1200GS LC 2014. The dash is showing the red fault triangle and most of the functions don't work including indicators. The displayed error is charging/alternator, but I think this is misleading. The engine starts and runs and the bike is ridable. The display (and a voltmeter) shows 14.2V when the engine is running and the battery is charged, so I don't think there is anything wrong with the charging system.

I have connected a diagnostic unit and the code is: e1143a Instrument Panel: No CAN message status basic module (from GM).

Does anybody know what might be wrong and how to fix it. I have tried my local BMW dealer but they use different error codes and don't have any workshop slots for at least another month. Does anyone know of any independent BMW mechanics in Hampshire or west Surrey area. I used to use Barry Barber in Portsmouth but I have been unable to contact him.

With all this wonderful weather I would like to be out on the bike but am stuck trying to get it fixed.

Mark.

The Error code is short and says so lttle, yet it means so much.

The instrument panel is a computer on it's own.
It is programmed to be able to display the different messages, delivered to it through CAN bus. But for a proper powerup for it's tiny internal computer, all the different messages that it may display needs a start value, and then, as it connects to CANbus and gets an update, it replaces all the default values with the actual values, received through CANbus.

Hence, if no CANbus signal is received, the panel will light up, but show the default values rather than the actual ones. And to be on the safe side, the default values seems to be the negative ones, like the mentioned charge warning etc.

When activating the turn signals the left handlebar sends a message to the ZFE that the turnsignal has been activated, The ZFE then will activate the signal lights and also report the action on CANbus, and the instrumentpanel will pick up this information and display the green indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Now, if the actual signal lights do not work, this may indicate that the ZFE does not work properly, so this needs to be looked into.

When doing the diagnostics, read very careful through all the messages, and see if the ZFE, or any other of the computers do not respond properly.
Remember, a failed computer may not by itself throw a fault messages, because it needs to be working properly to do so, so this is sort of a Cath 22.

If all the computer respond properly to the scan for faults, meaning responding with their proper ID, showing their version data etc, (except for the code we allready know), then I would suspect a cabeling issue for the cable leading to the instrumentpanel

Try to get hold of someone that realy knows and understand the BMW electronics, as there is a system in all the madness that appears.
 
Hi Mark,

Bit late to the party, but lets go; :)

First off, what scanning/ diagnostic unit did you use to obtain the fault code?

from what i can understand, you have a red triangle, and an error message

Warning triangles come in 2 stages -

Amber triangle - stage 1 fault, warning a module has reported an error, and /or functions are impaired

Red triangle - stage 2 fault , warning a module has failed, or reported an error that cannot be resolved without further detailed diagnostics or repair / replacement

Now this is where it get's a bit in depth,

Knutk was partially right with his descrptiion of canbus, but i'll fill in the gaps

If you think of the canbus ( Connected Area Network -BUS. CANbus) as a fully linked network. you'll get the idea of how it works

So if you look at a rifle scope, youll be able to work it out

you have the centre dot (the ZFE - Brain of the bike) radiating out at 12,3,6,9 o'clock you have wires running to the other modules in the bus

12 = Kombi (instrument panel) 3 = DWE 6 = ABS , 9 = ESA (these are just examples i cant remember all the modules of the top of my head)

And then each of the modules are linked to each other on an outer ring

So all modules talk to each other and the brain

Now this is where it gets clever , and confusing

All of the modules have there own specific code in them, which they act on, and send the results around the bus.

All of the other modules read that incoming code and either

Ignore it - it gets passed on round the bus

Act on it - they store the data and do nothing

Act on it - They carry out the action requested by the other module

And yes you guessed it they send more data round the bus telling the other modules what they've done

Yes its complex, but clever

say your kombi dies, and you pick up a SH one from a newer low mileage model, you'd think it would show the lower mileage, so resale will be better -

Unfortunately no, the mileage is stored not only in the kombi, but in some of the other modules as well , and when the new data is sent round, it dosent match what is stored , and a fault is triggered

Thts one way it works, the other is, if one of the modules is faulty and cannot tell you what the fault is,if will have all ready sent all its fault data to the next module who will store it, and display it

when asked

So looking at your message

e1143a Instrument Panel: No CAN message status basic module (from GM).
"
If i read it correctly , its saying Instrument panel: no CAN message status basic module (from GM)

If we break that down again

It saying " I'm the instrument panel , and i'm relaying this message - No CAN message status basic module (from GM)

So - No CAN message (No Connected Area Message ) basic status from the GM module -( so no basic messages from the GM module )

Looking at the wiring circuit for your bike, all the indicators LH Switch, & instruments (kombi) feed into the Ground module ( GM) and the ground module talks to the kombi via the CANbus

From the Canbus, it talks to the rest of the bike via the linbus

So it could be a loose or dirty connection,

Looking at the wiring diagram, for the turn signal side of things, there are two fuses, you could check them first

Then you could unplug the LH switch cluster, and see if the fault goes, but i'm not sure if that would generate a stored fault ( i dont have my gs911 handy to test )

Hope this helps,

Please dont treat it as gospel, but it should give you an idea of how the system works
 
Edit,

Just looked again at the wiring diagram, and for some strange reason, the alternator, rectifier , isn't shown anywhere

unless you have verified the battery is good, & charging / holding a charge, dont rule out the alternator
 
To rule out the simple stuff, there are two circuit breakers located inside what looks like a connector, and it is to be found underneat the riders seat, close to the riders seatlock, on the RH side, seen from the rear to the front.

In order to interpret the diagnostic signals, keep in mind that the diagnostic pull their data from the CANbus.
You need to specify which bike you are reading from as this information is needed in order for the diagnostics to interpret and display the proper information.

When the diagnostics claim "No CAN message status basic module" and a number to go with it, this means that the diagnostics has searched for all the possible modules specified for the chosen bike, and it was not able to receive a proper response from the 'Basic Module". This type of messages are provided by the diagnostics software.

To be honest, I'm not sure what the 'Basic Module is. In my documentation, the referals are to the I-Cluster for the instrument panel and ZFE for the central vehicle computer (handles lights, communicates with the handlebars etc).
But I will assume Basic Module means the ZFE. ( The word Basic module is often used in the Car world.)

The Cluster receives all it's information via the CANbus, and it offers information about ambient light for controlling the daylight running lights, so this information is shared on the CANbus.

Sooo, what to do?
First, it would be nice to rule out faulty stuff, in order to narrow down the search.

The Instrument Panel (Cluster from now on) receives information from:
-ABS: Speedometer and ABS faults (and more)
- Engine: RPM, engine parameters, over/undervoltage faults, probably the gear indicator (and more)
-ZFE: Controls the lights, heated grips, ESA (and more).

In order to verify that the different modules are providing the proper data, the easiest way to check their functionality is to use the diagnostics and check their values in real time.

I would start by checking what may seem like the most plausible culprit: The ZFE.

Use diagnostics and monitor signal lights and signal horn real time values, as both are controlled by the left handlebar, and the left handlebar is connected to the ZFE via LINbus ( a serial dfata line with a simplified comunnication protocol.
If this works properly, the activation of the switches should be displayed as real time data.

If the ZFE display the activation of the controls from the left handlebar, I would move on to find the reading of the ambient light sensor from the instrument cluster. By covering the cluster and then shine on it with a flashlight it should clearly display difference in the ambient light output.

If everything has been responding properly so far it is time to check the remaining controllers.
ABS may be checked for response by monitoring the front brake and rear brake, and the engine controller will dispaly RPM and different engine parameters such as water temperature etc,

The diagnostics will provide the proper battery voltage and the voltage will verify that the bike is charging.
But, bear in mind, the alternator may lack one of it's three phases and still be able to provide sufficient voltage. So it may throw a fault message for a charging problem and still provide sufficient voltage at low to moderate loads. I do however find it strange if a fault is displayd at the Cluster without a fault code to go with it.

If everything has responded as it should untill now, I must admit that I am currently out of answers, as all systems responds and seems to be working.

Then the connectors and cabeling may be the problem, as allready suggested by @Pukmeister
 
I have checked both fuses under the seat. When ignition is on, both blades have battery voltage. The diagnostics device is a UniCarScan UCSI-2100 with Motoscan app on Android phone. I didn't connect it up until after the fault started so I don't know what to expect. One use I have is to reprogram the tyre pressure monitors as I have 2 rear wheels (summer/winter) and this function works. It is pointing to the ZFE or Basic Module. Where is this located and can I access it easily to check the connections?
 
Using Motoscan, select Control Unit - Basic Module I get no connection to unit. The following work: ABS, Instrument Cluster (KOMBI), Engine Electronics (MOT) RDC, TPM.
 
Basic module is to the side of the battery holder,

But youve got to strip all the plastics around the tank to get to it by the look of it
 
I’m down the road a bit in Fareham and I have a new GS911 wi-fi unit with the newer OBD type connector and professional license. If you would like a scan with it for a second opinion I am happy to help though time is tight as I just got back from holiday yesterday and have some catching up jobs this week.
 
Using Motoscan, select Control Unit - Basic Module I get no connection to unit. The following work: ABS, Instrument Cluster (KOMBI), Engine Electronics (MOT) RDC, TPM.

No intension to be negative, but frankly, my money is on a busted ZFE.

I hope I'm wrong, but even if I don't have schematics for your bike, BMW have had a tradition of supplying both ground and +12v to more than one pin in the plug when powering ecus that handles a bit of current (such as, for the ZFE, headlights and heated grips). And even if, in theory the circuit for the CANbus transmition would be busted and the rest of the unit would be working, the lack of lights or anything else controlled by the ZFE is a strong indication of a busted ZFE.

But I hope I'm wrong.
 
My offer of a GS911 scan still stands Mark, I believe that the error codes it displays should make sense to BMW as its pretty much reverse-engineered from what I can gather. Perhaps with a DTC code that means something to BMW dealers they could offer meaningful advice ?

The GS911 autoscan feature methodically goes through the bike module by module so should highlight any individual module faults or comms issues between modules across the network. This could perhaps at least point you in the right direction?
 
I found this on YouTube - it's 2 years old but it looks/sounds like exactly the same problem.
Reading the comments that follow the video is just as interesting as the video itself, it seems that a lot of 1250 GS owners have experienced this same problem AND it seems they are all 2019 bikes. Guess what year mine is !!!!!!!
Could this be a manufacturing problem with the shift cams on 2019 bikes? No one else (including BMW) appears to have come up with an answer.

https://youtu.be/o7oX2JU1CNg
 
In that video it looks like the starter motor is drawing excessive amps on starting, causing a voltage drop. That’s not the issue the OP states he is having ? He also states his is a 1200 not a 1250?.

My dealer told me that the 1254cc engine is a bored and stroked version of the earlier 1170cc unit with added shift-cam and it also now has a cylinder decompression system in the left hand valve train to overcome higher starting compression.

I suspect that this mechanism may be intermittently sticking in the bike in your video, causing occasional high starting compression, excess start current and low battery terminal voltage under load. The electrical testing is revealing symptoms but not the cause of the problem.

The only other explanations are battery undercharge or a high resistance contact somewhere eg poor battery, starter or earth connections.

Just my guess.

As for the OP’s bike, I think he has a cabling or terminal issue between modules over the CAN wiring or a failed ZFE module.
 
My offer of a GS911 scan still stands Mark, I believe that the error codes it displays should make sense to BMW as its pretty much reverse-engineered from what I can gather. Perhaps with a DTC code that means something to BMW dealers they could offer meaningful advice ?

The GS911 autoscan feature methodically goes through the bike module by module so should highlight any individual module faults or comms issues between modules across the network. This could perhaps at least point you in the right direction?

Thank you for the offer. I am fairly certain it is a busted ZFE. Many comments on the net suggest there is a world of pain trying to replace this myself as it is programmed to the bike. I shall wait for Bahnstormer to have some workshop time. I was hoping that it was something like a fuse blown, but apart from the 2 under the seat they are all electronic resettable so if it does not go away after a power cycle then something significant has failed.
 
Have you considered becoming a subscriber to the forum? As a subscriber you can see the entire forum including the pub section, for sale/wanted and most importantly send/receive private messages (PM’s).

I’ll gladly help you in any way I can but that means communicating and providing my mobile number/your address etc, not something I ever do on an open public forum but happy to do via a PM one to one.

P.S. based on my recent experience at Bahnstormer’s workshop you could be in for a very long wait, they have been super-busy for months with no sign of it easing any time soon. I took my bike to them and left it for ten days whilst I went to Poland to give them a chance to put it through their workshop and warranty repair my oil leak at their convenience, they don’t get many opportunities.
 
Looking at the wiring diagram from the haines,


On the CAN circuit

RDC module

Ground module

EWS module (ignition switch)

Kombi

DWA (Alarm)

ESA module (suspension)

DME (ECU) Engine control unit

ABS module

RDC module


The DME (ECU)

Looks at

Lamda sensors x2

Side stand swithch

air intake temp

Fuel pressure sensor

Gear position sensor

Coolant temp

camshaft sensor

Crankshaft sensor

Oil level

Control unit for ABS = ABS Module

ESA = ESA Module

Right handlebar switch

EWS ) Ignition switch module

Main relay

Clutch switch


Ignition coil 1

Ignition coil 2

Fuel injector 1

Fuel injector 2

Tank vent

Gearshift assist

Throttle valve 1

Throttle valve 2

Throttle grip sensor

Starter relay

Diagnostic port

Exhaust valve

fuel pump

Battery

Fan


The ground module GM

looks after

LH switch

Kombi

All indicators

All lighting


You need to take up Pukmeisters offer and get the codes and faults read on a GS911

that way we can understand the fault and see what alternative options can be taken
 


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