Fuel strip to float conversion complete guide.

[botus]

.... there isn't much out there to help configure BMW's software the way a user wants at home.


I presume the sudden change in behaviour comes from the module that's been replaced? In BMW land for the can bus comms to behave on these old bikes (allowing features to operate as expected) there needs to be three modules that agree on the VO.

The Vehicle Order (VO) is a list of toys BMW fitted on the bike at build buried inside the brains of certain ECU modules. On these fossils it sits in the DME (engine ECU), the Cluster and the ZFE. I'm not an expert but the list is likely now incorrect on the new ZFE. And thus comms are now unable to get around the bike to let the cruise function.

On the Motoscan app the guy doesn't (and claims never will) support customers playing with the VO

The GS 911 wifi (or better), now has some elements of VO playtime in the current software releases - but you'll need to contact and see whether they can help. Its been quite a journey getting these features to mostly behave, and these days I suspect they may be able to help - but "adding cruise" is not a current option their tool supports.

The VO list was never meant to be fixed in stone - but you are meant to use a main dealer and the BMW diagnostics tools to do this type of work - Adding a feature / option officially is not something many dealers have done in this country - Usually there’s an FSC code (software license) to be purchased and paper trail for the dealership's parts dept to fill out before the dealer tools allow the new software to load on a particular vehicle - Paying for a dealer to do the work and where needed paying for the FSC makes a "retrofit option" official. Just the same as if it was fitted at the factory during its original build.

Of course following what you have said - your bike was built with cruise at build - and it’s the module replacement that (my guess) doesn't have the correct VO data. A dealership tends to be out of their depth at this point but the reality is its 20 mins work...

But they may tell you it not possible - because 1) they don't know better. 2) they don't want to get the old tool out of the cupboard and bother. 3) they don't like owners taking what they see as lucrative billable hours out of their pockets. 4) BMW don't want functioning old bikes - just new bike sales. 5) hate owners fixing stuff with second-hand parts.

If the module you now have on the bike is a suitable part - and all the components on the bike were on the original VO they could literally plug it in and flash the whole bike’s software i-level in 10 minutes and waste a few seconds following up a calibration of ESA if fitted.

you can study the VO BMW believe a particular vehicle has using chassis decode tools like https://bimmervin.com/en

the list would be something like this

X0135 Control, operating concept X0321 Headlight left asymetric X0326 Speedometer mph X0381 Operating instructions, English X0416 ESA X0430 Safety pack X0432 Equipment package 2 X0519 Heated handlebar grips X0530 RDC X0538 Cruise control X0539 On-board computer X0590 Direction indicator LED white X0603 Alarm system X0630 I-ABS generation 2 X0736 National version Great Britain

 

[frangijon]

Hi Botus.
Problem solved. I configured the ZFE with Motoscan, disconnected the motorcycle authority section, and it started working. I can't go to the BMW workshop. My 2005 R 1200 RT now has ABS2, ASC, fuel float, and TPMS. If the BMW computer is connected, it will erase all the equipment. It detects a chassis number that isn't equipped with more modern extras. Thanks, Botus.

 

[frangijon]

before

after the change.
image host

 

[botus]

authorities module / features, I believe is for extras, like sirens and flashing lights on various emergency vehicles... I'm surprised that fixed it - it might be certain stuff in the authorities extras, use some of those same pin outs on the J2 socket... if so, I'd say that you were extraordinarily lucky to get it to behave

you know the best step would be hooky gear of BM tools, and find a bike of the same spec and note its VIN then change your bike to match - then update the entire bike to a batch of known to behave software in each module so the bike has a chance of behaving safely / normally

But I expect someone you know is well aware of this....

 

[SnowMec]

So you managed to convert your servo-ABS to ABS2. You have replaced your ZFE and configured it with Motoscan. You got everything working including the float fuel gauge, ASC and TPMS.

Very impressive!

I wouldn't worry too much about you no longer being able to go to the BMW workshop, I can't either. If my service indicator is reset, the ESA will stop working on my bike because I have replaced the shock absorbers with Öhlins EC shock absorbers. The display looks for the original shock absorbers after service and the ESA control will then stop working until you electrically reassemble the original shock absorbers which you must then have access to. This even if I reset the service myself with my Motoscan, guess how I know! Then there is always the risk that an authorized dealer will do some coding damage as my bike is converted to a float from strip (which works perfectly) So my bike will never be at an authorized dealer. It is now with its end user (me) and I will do all the workshop work for the rest of its life.

 

[frangijon]

authorities module / features, I believe is for extras, like sirens and flashing lights on various emergency vehicles... I'm surprised that fixed it - it might be certain stuff in the authorities extras, use some of those same pin outs on the J2 socket... if so, I'd say that you were extraordinarily lucky to get it to behave

you know the best step would be hooky gear of BM tools, and find a bike of the same spec and note its VIN then change your bike to match - then update the entire bike to a batch of known to behave software in each module so the bike has a chance of behaving safely / normally

But I expect someone you know is well aware of this....

Hello, the BMW option would be very good, but everything works correctly, so I will not change or configure a chassis number, I am afraid the result will be worse than now.

 

[frangijon]

So you managed to convert your servo-ABS to ABS2. You have replaced your ZFE and configured it with Motoscan. You got everything working including the float fuel gauge, ASC and TPMS.

Very impressive!

I wouldn't worry too much about you no longer being able to go to the BMW workshop, I can't either. If my service indicator is reset, the ESA will stop working on my bike because I have replaced the shock absorbers with Öhlins EC shock absorbers. The display looks for the original shock absorbers after service and the ESA control will then stop working until you electrically reassemble the original shock absorbers which you must then have access to. This even if I reset the service myself with my Motoscan, guess how I know! Then there is always the risk that an authorized dealer will do some coding damage as my bike is converted to a float from strip (which works perfectly) So my bike will never be at an authorized dealer. It is now with its end user (me) and I will do all the workshop work for the rest of its life.

Hello, now I have ABS 2, but it is not that easy, it is not just about mounting the ABS2 module and the ZFE, there are more changes to be made, if you wish, I can make a video and upload it to YouTube, I have an Ohnlis front, I am saving up to buy the rear, my motorcycle had that suspension, so I connect and disconnect the ASC, with the Esa switch, saving another switch on my motorcycle.

I have a question for you.

On your motorcycle, do you have electronic esa Ohlins or regular Ohlins?

 

[botus]

So you managed to convert your servo-ABS to ABS2. You have replaced your ZFE and configured it with Motoscan. You got everything working including the float fuel gauge, ASC and TPMS.

Very impressive!

I wouldn't worry too much about you no longer being able to go to the BMW workshop, I can't either. If my service indicator is reset, the ESA will stop working on my bike because I have replaced the shock absorbers with Öhlins EC shock absorbers. The display looks for the original shock absorbers after service and the ESA control will then stop working until you electrically reassemble the original shock absorbers which you must then have access to. This even if I reset the service myself with my Motoscan, guess how I know! Then there is always the risk that an authorized dealer will do some coding damage as my bike is converted to a float from strip (which works perfectly) So my bike will never be at an authorized dealer. It is now with its end user (me) and I will do all the workshop work for the rest of its life.

there is no risk of an old bike getting fiddled with by Main Dealers - in the UK they never did the updating work the rest of the world carried out on owners bikes - thus very few even knew how to use the proper features, and most of them have moved on. And either way the tools has been in the cupboard unused for at least 4 years

In fact I'm no longer sure the good places with skilled techs still have it - its starting to feel like they have killed it (certainly to avoid charging the battery, running days of windows and BM software updates they pretend they can no longer fully support old bikes)

then there's new rules end LY, telling dealers not to flash new bikes at point of sale - which is very strange at they release worse software everyday - current bikes with the LCD screen is on its third release this year alone (and about 8th overall) - More bits missing or broken - mid Jan 25 the bikes wouldn't run! - then the oil level didn't work, and they just sorted indicator safety cancel. It wouldn't remain set to user choice (fixed mid Mar 25). Note that safety feature in current user manuals is now renamed by the three year old in the marketing depatment, as "comfort indicators"

current dealer tools they keep updated and ready to use, will only do basic fault read and clear, and service reset and that’s about it for the old air cooled stuff... motoscan has more functionality

you could tick ESA to off, and it should be happy.... and anyway should have no effect on the service bits

 

[SnowMec]

frangijon:
my motorcycle has Öhlins EC (electronically controlled) shock absorbers sold as "Öhlins Mechatronic" This is Öhlins TTX shock absorbers but instead of shim packs for rebound and compression they have a electric valve controlled by their own ECU. My bike ESA must work because the Öhlins ECU takes the information from the dashboard about which ESA setting you are driving with. If you do a service and that means resetting the service indicator, the motorcycle "searches for the ESA shock absorbers". If they are not there electrically, the ESA adjustment stops working and then the Öhlins ECU has no information about which setting is desired.

Botus:

My bike is now in every way modified so for that reason alone it will never come into an authorized dealer. In addition, I have a complete workshop and do all the work om my bike . As for my bike, the ESA must work because the Öhlins ECU takes the information from my dashboard and then adjusts the suspension according to my (and Öhlins) wishes.

 

[SnowMec]

These are pictures from last spring when I serviced my Öhlins EC shocks. If you are thinking of servicing your EC shocks yourself, it is similar to servicing Öhlins TTX, it is not extremely difficult. In both cases, it is almost necessary to have a "vacuum filler". You should also use Öhlins 1309 (19.0 cSt at 40 C) oil according to the recommendations.

IMG 3679 — Postimages

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IMG 3692 — Postimages

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IMG 3701 — Postimages

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[botus]

frangijon:
my motorcycle has Öhlins EC (electronically controlled) shock absorbers sold as "Öhlins Mechatronic" This is Öhlins TTX shock absorbers but instead of shim packs for rebound and compression they have a electric valve controlled by their own ECU. My bike ESA must work because the Öhlins ECU takes the information from the dashboard about which ESA setting you are driving with. If you do a service and that means resetting the service indicator, the motorcycle "searches for the ESA shock absorbers". If they are not there electrically, the ESA adjustment stops working and then the Öhlins ECU has no information about which setting is desired.

Botus:

My bike is now in every way modified so for that reason alone it will never come into an authorized dealer. In addition, I have a complete workshop and do all the work om my bike . As for my bike, the ESA must work because the Öhlins ECU takes the information from my dashboard and then adjusts the suspension according to my (and Öhlins) wishes.

yep - missed what you said first round

must be silly money for those shocks, I would expect the bike' electronics to cope with those - so the whole thing ohlins in-house and just the bike's loom plugs in, - and any idea what front and rear spring rates are ?

 

[SnowMec]

Botus:
It's not really that "bike' electronics can't cope with those". When you replace the original ESA shock absorbers with Öhlins mechatronic, the original ESA control cables are not used. The original shock absorbers are disconnected which is not a problem for the bike, no warning lights are on and everything works. The Öhlins control unit (as they call the SCU, shock control unit) receives information about the ESA setting from the motorcycle's dashboard via a cable that is connected there. Everything works perfectly until someone resets the service indicator, then the motorcycle starts "looking for the ESA shock absorbers for calibration" and then the instrument housing goes into error mode and my shock absorbers cannot be controlled via the ESA button.

So if I take my motorcycle in for service at a dealer and they reset the service indicator (which they often do), my shock absorbers stops working. I have to connect the cables to the original ESA shock absorbers and do a calibration and then disconnect them again. It is therefore important that I keep my original shock absorbers! I have tested reset the service with my own Motoscan.

This shock absorber kit was called "Öhlins TTX36/TTX39 EC Adventure Shock Absorber BM 671" and were sold for about 3000 EUR (silly money?)
I don't think they are available anymore from Öhlin. Our K25 bikes are now so old that few would buy such an expensive shock absorber kit.
But they are nice shocks!
As I said, it is basically a TTX shock but instead of a shim packs there is a CES valve, one for rebound and one for compression. and they are controlled by Öhlins own control unit.
How Öhlins has chosen to translate the ESA settings to their own settings no one outside the factory knows.

I have the spare part numbers for the springs on my bike but am not sure what spring rate they have. I will check if I have it written down somewhere.
Öhlins is very secretive when it comes to information and sales of spare parts and tools. For me, who has an unauthorized workshop, this is a difficulty when working with Öhlins shock absorbers

 

[botus]

Botus:
It's not really that "bike' electronics can't cope with those". When you replace the original ESA shock absorbers with Öhlins mechatronic, the original ESA control cables are not used. The original shock absorbers are disconnected which is not a problem for the bike, no warning lights are on and everything works. The Öhlins control unit (as they call the SCU, shock control unit) receives information about the ESA setting from the motorcycle's dashboard via a cable that is connected there. Everything works perfectly until someone resets the service indicator, then the motorcycle starts "looking for the ESA shock absorbers for calibration" and then the instrument housing goes into error mode and my shock absorbers cannot be controlled via the ESA button.

So if I take my motorcycle in for service at a dealer and they reset the service indicator (which they often do), my shock absorbers stops working. I have to connect the cables to the original ESA shock absorbers and do a calibration and then disconnect them again. It is therefore important that I keep my original shock absorbers! I have tested reset the service with my own Motoscan.

This shock absorber kit was called "Öhlins TTX36/TTX39 EC Adventure Shock Absorber BM 671" and were sold for about 3000 EUR (silly money?)
I don't think they are available anymore from Öhlin. Our K25 bikes are now so old that few would buy such an expensive shock absorber kit.
But they are nice shocks!
As I said, it is basically a TTX shock but instead of a shim packs there is a CES valve, one for rebound and one for compression. and they are controlled by Öhlins own control unit.
How Öhlins has chosen to translate the ESA settings to their own settings no one outside the factory knows.

I have the spare part numbers for the springs on my bike but am not sure what spring rate they have. I will check if I have it written down somewhere.
Öhlins is very secretive when it comes to information and sales of spare parts and tools. For me, who has an unauthorized workshop, this is a difficulty when working with Öhlins shock absorbers

thanks for the clarity - get the point if the bike is put in BMW ESA calibration mode then the bikes ECU will be expecting the exact feedback a BM shock sends / receives.
But that is not part of the service reset. Service reset is just a tweak in the cluster to something unrelated (and utterly unnecessary - its just a stopwatch / alarm clock to throw a light - does nothing else).

Could it be your dealership's flash the entire bikes i-level (bike software update) on major services - that would requires ESA setup afterwards which is a separate unusual calibration and likely only relates to the rear preload set up - that maybe the Ohlins doesn't have ?

I wrote somewhere recently my not elec adj WP three way damping rear shock, came with a 120nm spring and I see in the catalogues Ohlins listed one of these too - but its way to soft on mine - I have a 175nm spring at the back

 

[SnowMec]

My motorcycle does not visit any dealer or authorized workshop. I always do all the work myself on all my vehicles.
the problem with the ESA adjustment occurred when I reset the service indicator myself, not after calibration.
After resetting (and only resetting) the service indicator, the motorcycle wants to calibrate the ESA dampers IF the system notices that they are disconnected, which of course mine is.
There is a lot of information about this on the internet, after service at the dealer, Öhlins EC dampers stop working. This problem with the EC shock absorbers was something that Öhlins completely missed when they were developed. Öhlins therefore informed customers afterwards about how to solve this. The important thing is to keep your original shock absorbers, they are needed if someone resets the service indicator.

 

[botus]

that's very strange... thanks for sharing your experience / info

 

[SnowMec]

If I have problems with the ESA going into failsafe mode during service, I can buy "Öhlins Dashboard for use in combination with BM 670 Mechatronic Kit.". Then I control the shocks via the Öhlins display. The EC shocks are still speed-dependent in the "COMF" mode which gradually switches to "NORM" as the speed increases, exactly like in my bike which controls the Öhlins EC via Öhlins SCU with information from the original ESA button/system.

Edit, now I found the spring rates for my shocks.

Front spring rate 56N/mm
Free length 220mm
Spring preload 10mm

Rear spring rate 140N/mm
Free length 240mm
Spring preload 14mm
Total max preload rear (electric/hydraulic adjusted via SCU) 24mm

Best regards.

 

[Toonarmy63]

Hi
I have discovered this by mistake...I was working on the ESA r1200gs and it makes change from my suspension posts...
The main thingis it works!
And you don't need any magical devices!!!
So before you start you will need
1 OEM FLOAT TYPE SENSOR FOR YOUR MODEL
anyK25 After 2010 should have one...(not early 2010 gsa this comes with strip)
GSA float is mounted on the pump
GS float is mounted on the fuel cup
This includes models from 2006 to 2010 ADV (I'm working on 2010ADV)
2 Moto Scan App with OBD linkLx
3 basic mechanical skill and tools

FIRST Make sure your tank is fairly empty!!! REMOVE THE FUEL STRIP AND INSTALL THE FLOAT (I DON'T HAVE THE PICTURES SHOWING THAT )float for GSA on the fuel pump picture one

Now time to make it work
For the ZFE to be able to read the new sensor you need to swop the pins in the main connector pin 34 (green with red trace )and 35(brown with blue trace) needs to be moved to 21 and 37 on the ZFE connector
Picture 2
Check the pictures on how to disassemble the connector and remove blanking pins.
After removing transparent retainer push on the black and white inserts they will come out then remove the top part by pressing four little clips in every corner
Next, remove blanking pins in the location 37 black connector and 21 white connectors.
Swop the cable and insert blanking pins in the old locations 34,35 this will stop moisture going into the connector
On the pictures below...

Programming!
Without this computer "ZFE" doesn't know you just installed float type sensor...
Connect the cable find your bike on the list K25ADV in my case...
Go to central chase electronics ZFE
and find Thermo Coupler FLS 08 and change the value to Potentiometer. Press CODE
Next, find INDUCTIVE FUEL SENSOR change to"deactivate" press code.
You're done! Your old lady finally knows how to measure fuel properly no more yellow triangle...
Install the tank and other connectors.
Why BMW didn't do that on the recall???
You can get fuel float on ebuy or Motorworks for about 40-80 subject to availability I guess...
If anyone needs more explanation just ask If not me maybe someone else will assist you

I'm using a spare pump with sensor to demonstrate how it works
float is already in the tank...
Good luck with the conversion.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Hi m going to do the conversion on my 2008 rgs adventure looking at fuel flits on eBay there is so many so is this the exact type I need to do the conversion from fuel strip to float type from your pictures ? Thanks in advance

 

[botus]

the floats are all the same ? this lists both strip or float system https://www.realoem.com/bmw/en/part...12-K255-BMW-R_1200_GS_Adv_10_0470,0480_&mg=16

the strips is more accurate and aftermarket strip is reliable and less effort https://www.fuelsensortech.com/en

 

[Toonarmy63]

the floats are all the same ? this lists both strip or float system https://www.realoem.com/bmw/en/part...12-K255-BMW-R_1200_GS_Adv_10_0470,0480_&mg=16

the strips is more accurate and aftermarket strip is reliable and less effort https://www.fuelsensortech.com/en

Hi
Their is a few types fuel float filters they change every few years in shape and design when I closely look at them , another option I’m hoping g is just to buy the new fuel level censor and attach it to my existing fuel pump and then do the wires etc is this a possibility? Gather than buy another whole unit ?

the floats are all the same ? this lists both strip or float system https://www.realoem.com/bmw/en/part...12-K255-BMW-R_1200_GS_Adv_10_0470,0480_&mg=16

the strips is more accurate and aftermarket strip is reliable and less effort https://www.fuelsensortech.com/en

 

[botus]