Fuel pump controller (fpc) questions:

theop

theop

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Where is it located, how does it look like and how can one change it if they carry the spare? I m on an 05 bike, haven't had the problem (yet) and want to be ready in case as I read way too much abt it.... Any direction or referral to old threads abt it would be useful...

Theo
 
Do us all a favour an explore the use of the search function.:thumb
 
Gipsy said:
Do us all a favour an explore the use of the search function.:thumb
Click to expand...

Just read your blog...'After our lovely relaxing holiday LB and I spent all last week recovering! We were quite exhausted! Today we felt we were nearly back to our normal selves so decided to get back into the routine of country walks.'
Yep get back to them! and let us post..:hide
 
Why bother carrying a spare? Fit the black one and glue gun the top of the black cover up. Water comes in through the plastics and collects. If you dont have the black cover buy one from BMW.

If you're really paranoid about the non-existent heat build up, drill a few holes in the side which is away from the top towards the tank. There is a big hole anyway so I didn't bother.

Been fine for all of winter after mine failed and completely dry (checked a few times to make sure).
 
Seatownmaster said:
Just read your blog...'After our lovely relaxing holiday LB and I spent all last week recovering! We were quite exhausted! Today we felt we were nearly back to our normal selves so decided to get back into the routine of country walks.'
Yep get back to them! and let us post..:hide
Click to expand...

Post all you want, but don't ask a question unless you are prepared for the answers!:thumb

Perhaps I should have phrased my reply " Do yourself a favour and use the search button " To have done so would have revealed a wealth of info on the subject including location of said part, ways of protecting it against failure, advice on accessing the unit, the work around which is a sticky somewhere, also the part number and current price of a replacement. All very useful information, and it's unlikely that all the useful bits would have emerged in the replies to one question.
 
Gipsy said:
Post all you want, but don't ask a question unless you are prepared for the answers!:thumb

Perhaps I should have phrased my reply " Do yourself a favour and use the search button " To have done so would have revealed a wealth of info on the subject including location of said part, ways of protecting it against failure, advice on accessing the unit, the work around which is a sticky somewhere, also the part number and current price of a replacement. All very useful information, and it's unlikely that all the useful bits would have emerged in the replies to one question.
Click to expand...

+1:thumb2
I'm sure Theo will find the reply helpful. Have a nice one. :thumb
 
The FPC is located under the left hand black panel. Changing them over is very simple, even I've managed to do it.
 
Many thanks top all. Search button is indeed v useful too. ( I am not an experienced blogger Gipsy, but I m learning fast ;-)

Thanks everyone!
 
Sorry to ask more dumb questions, but...

Having read through the posts about the FPC (well most of them anyway, it goes on a bit!) I don't know how worried I should be. I have a 2008 GSA. I see there are many more replies to the "haven't had a failure" than to the "had a failure" threads, and the failures are on bikes of different ages, mostly older than 2008. There also seemed to be some debate about the cause of the failure - overheating, water ingress or just a bad component?

Is it still a bit problem on the 2008 GS/GSA?
What is the cause of the failure?
Does covering the top of the FPC to make it waterproof make it more likely to fail due to overheating, condensation buildup or similar (as my dealer said it would)?

I asked my local BMW dealership who (predictably I guess) denied that it was a big problem, maybe some older bikes had failed but with so many being sold some were bound to be duff, and anyway it wasn't a problem with the new models and they hadn't had any come back with a failed FPC. But, this dealer is notoriously poor so maybe I shouldn't take much notice of them!
 
I would not worry too much as blogs and forums such as these suffer from negative feedback bias (the fact that people are generally more likely to write for complaints or asking for something than in support)

However, and thats my line here, if you know what the issue is, have the part handy as its cheap and know how to connect/replace it if it goes, then you have nothing to worry about... (well.. apart from the final drive, suspension, antenna ring and a few other "character giving" defects of our beloved motorcycle maker)

When you will eventually break down and while you are waiting for recovery keep in mind that you could have done worse with Ducati or Triumph or any other properly cool and stylish bike there is...

Remember: Reliability is inversely proportional to style on bikes with BMW being the exception offering very high style credits without the hopelessness of ducatis, MV's etc (have/had most italian cool bikes and speak from experience)...

If you want ULTIMATE reliability and long distance no probs, buy a Diversion 900 or a 10yo Pan.. end of story..
 
spencetj said:
Sorry to ask more dumb questions, but...

Having read through the posts about the FPC (well most of them anyway, it goes on a bit!) I don't know how worried I should be. I have a 2008 GSA. I see there are many more replies to the "haven't had a failure" than to the "had a failure" threads, and the failures are on bikes of different ages, mostly older than 2008. There also seemed to be some debate about the cause of the failure - overheating, water ingress or just a bad component?

Is it still a bit problem on the 2008 GS/GSA?
What is the cause of the failure?
Does covering the top of the FPC to make it waterproof make it more likely to fail due to overheating, condensation buildup or similar (as my dealer said it would)?

I asked my local BMW dealership who (predictably I guess) denied that it was a big problem, maybe some older bikes had failed but with so many being sold some were bound to be duff, and anyway it wasn't a problem with the new models and they hadn't had any come back with a failed FPC. But, this dealer is notoriously poor so maybe I shouldn't take much notice of them!
Click to expand...

Mine has never failed, (2005 36,000 mile vintage), but I heard about this problem in the early days and took steps to always keep the FPC housing clean and dry - this also means checking that its water free after washing the bike.

Out of curiosity I made a note of checking second hand bikes when I visited dealers, and surprise, surprise loads of them had really manky, corroded FPC heatsinks and surrounds, so the owners or the dealers had obviously not checked them.

It is said however, that some of the early ones didnt have properly fitted rubber seals - but I would have assumed that if this was the case it would have been addressed years ago.
 
Engineer said:
... I heard about this problem in the early days and took steps to always keep the FPC housing clean and dry - this also means checking that its water free after washing the bike. ...
Click to expand...


After having had 2 failures ('05 and '07 bikes) I do exactly the same thing : check regularly, esp. after washing, and clean if necessary.
 
Sprayed ACF50 over both of mine, 54 and 07 reg and didn't have a problem :)

Bought a spare one though, just in case, and didn't need to use it. Hopefully its new owner won't need to use it either :)
 
Just fitted a new FPC on my 04 GS as it failed after 26,000 miles. Didn't look corroded from outside but on cutting the rubber case open I find the printed circuit board well corroded and swollen up.

Will keep an eye on the new one and spray ACF 50 etc on it now and again.

I'll also carry the quickfit bodge (see other threads) now that I've got the old block connector.

My faith in the bike is only slightly dented after this but without the advice I received in the forum I'd have been knackered and have paid out a fair bit to have a dealer repair it. Add a 100 mile round trip to take the bike to a BMW dealer by van, and time as well as money starts getting eaten away.

Regards to all who gave me advice.

Clive E.
 
Clive, no pressure or anything, but how about spending 12 quid of the money you've saved from the advice on here, and buying a subscription. I have no idea about how much I've saved through the good folk on here, but it's been a lot, so 12 quid to keep it going is a bit of a bargain.

Now, to my question, can I get ACF 50 from Halfords? Bear in mind that I live in Istanbul and only get over to the UK once or twice a year, so no sarcastic "are you from Mars!" replies please.
 
ExpatinIstanbul said:
Now, to my question, can I get ACF 50 from Halfords? Bear in mind that I live in Istanbul and only get over to the UK once or twice a year, so no sarcastic "are you from Mars!" replies please.
Click to expand...

I`ve never seen it and it`s not on their site. Is there a problem getting it posted out to you, stiffed on tax etc?
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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