Software update and alternator symbol

[fredaroony]

Anyone with a 2018 model, or had their bike updated to the latest software version K001-17-11-502, with something like an ezcan, or similar, installed experience the battery symbol on the dash come on? Happens when you have the ignition on but don't start the bike.

Looking like the bike senses a current draw and displays the battery symbol.

Also since I've had my bike updated the ABS light has come on solid 3 times in the last month and 5000klms travelled. Only happened when the bike was stationary and not even started i.e. only ignition turned on. The error is a timeout between the ABS module and main ECU. There are other can bus timeout messages as well.

This never happened prior to the update and I've had the ezcan installed for maybe 10 months or so. Could be the bike doesn't like the current draw without the engine running and it's very random. The ABS issues happened twice while in the garage before heading out and once while stopped for petrol as I was about to head off.

Voltage is always around 14.3v while running.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Anyone with a 2018 model, or had their bike updated to the latest software version K001-17-11-502, with something like an ezcan, or similar, installed experience the battery symbol on the dash come on? Happens when you have the ignition on but don't start the bike.

Looking like the bike senses a current draw and displays the battery symbol.

Also since I've had my bike updated the ABS light has come on solid 3 times in the last month and 5000klms travelled. Only happened when the bike was stationary and not even started i.e. only ignition turned on. The error is a timeout between the ABS module and main ECU. There are other can bus timeout messages as well.

This never happened prior to the update and I've had the ezcan installed for maybe 10 months or so. Could be the bike doesn't like the current draw without the engine running and it's very random. The ABS issues happened twice while in the garage before heading out and once while stopped for petrol as I was about to head off.

Voltage is always around 14.3v while running.

Maybe it is that beta software that you are using Fred..............

 

[fredaroony]

Maybe it is that beta software that you are using Fred..............

Huh?? What beta software? I'm talking about the software update BMW applied to my bike and what it running in the latest production run bikes

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Huh?? What beta software? I'm talking about the software update BMW applied to my bike and what it running in the latest production run bikes

Fred I was talking about the beta software you have running in your Ezcan, it might be conflicting with the new BMW software

 

[fredaroony]

Fred I was talking about the beta software you have running in your Ezcan, it might be conflicting with the new BMW software

The beta software is in the GS911, nothing to do with the ezcan

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

The beta software is in the GS911, nothing to do with the ezcan

oh yeah my alzheimer time

 

[roamer]

You mention battery volts when running, have you checked ignition on engine off ,
the aditional load of the eazi can might just be showing up a weak battery,
cold temps reduce performance, it may be losing reserve capacity,
Can timeouts can be voltage related, i appreceate its since a software change but worth checking,

 

[fredaroony]

You mention battery volts when running, have you checked ignition on engine off ,
the aditional load of the eazi can might just be showing up a weak battery,
cold temps reduce performance, it may be losing reserve capacity,
Can timeouts can be voltage related, i appreceate its since a software change but worth checking,

I'm half thinking the same thing and keeping an eye on the battery level prior engine start and it's been around 12.3. Didn't check at the time though. Doesn't explain the last time since I had just ridden 3 hours prior to stopping for petrol so would have been charged.

Taking it to the dealer tomorrow to see if their software can see anymore.

Only thing I was running off the ezcan was a Tomtom Rider GPS, Garmin Virb camera and a Innovv dash cam so not heavy load. Hopefully it's not the ezcan doing it as it would be very hard to test since it's so infrequent.

 

[knutk]

I'm half thinking the same thing and keeping an eye on the battery level prior engine start and it's been around 12.3. Didn't check at the time though. Doesn't explain the last time since I had just ridden 3 hours prior to stopping for petrol so would have been charged.

Taking it to the dealer tomorrow to see if their software can see anymore.

Only thing I was running off the ezcan was a Tomtom Rider GPS, Garmin Virb camera and a Innovv dash cam so not heavy load. Hopefully it's not the ezcan doing it as it would be very hard to test since it's so infrequent.

EZcan by it self is a passive monitor of CanBus signals and should not cause a problem. The mentioned load; GPS etc ar not heavy loads either.

12.3 V battery voltage is a bit low. I understand this is a fairly new bike? and find it weird if the battery already is down. But it might be a faulty specimen. Anyway, if there is a growing battery problem on the horizon, this will explain the ABS warning as the ABS often is the first system to detect a low battery. A fully charged battery in good condition ought to provide 12,8V +/-.
If you have a battery charger I would suggest that you charge the battery and se if the battery is able to keep up the better voltage.

 

[fredaroony]

EZcan by it self is a passive monitor of CanBus signals and should not cause a problem. The mentioned load; GPS etc ar not heavy loads either.

12.3 V battery voltage is a bit low. I understand this is a fairly new bike? and find it weird if the battery already is down. But it might be a faulty specimen. Anyway, if there is a growing battery problem on the horizon, this will explain the ABS warning as the ABS often is the first system to detect a low battery. A fully charged battery in good condition ought to provide 12,8V +/-.
If you have a battery charger I would suggest that you charge the battery and se if the battery is able to keep up the better voltage.

The bike is 2.5 years old with 25,000klms on it. Yes, not a big load on it.

Never had any issue until right after the update though and on my bike it was quite a big jump on software versions. Taking it to the dealer tomorrow so they can connect it to their ISTA system.

12.3v is a little on the lower side but still fine. Maybe they changed something in the software to make it a little more sensitive. Maybe I'll push them to look at the battery too since it's under warranty.

I know the ezcan is passive and probably not the issue but since it's a can bus timeout issue it's worth looking at. Just wanted to see if anyone had a similar setup.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

My bike was out 3 days ago and battery this morning is showing 13v if that is any help Fred.

 

[fredaroony]

My bike was out 3 days ago and battery this morning is showing 13v if that is any help Fred.

Thanks mate, did a 3 hour ride today and battery only showing 12.4v. Might push for a new battery tomorrow anyway but it seems like a crazy coincidence that this only happened right after the software upgrade. Perhaps a combination of both.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Thanks mate, did a 3 hour ride today and battery only showing 12.4v. Might push for a new battery tomorrow anyway but it seems like a crazy coincidence that this only happened right after the software upgrade. Perhaps a combination of both.

Could very well be, have you not got a spare battery floating around, a mate etc just to test before you buy a new battery, my bike is fairly new though August 2017

 

[fredaroony]

Could very well be, have you not got a spare battery floating around, a mate etc just to test before you buy a new battery

Not a bad idea but hard to test because I cannot reproduce it.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Not a bad idea but hard to test because I cannot reproduce it.

At least it will show you that your battery is or is not on the way out.

 

[knutk]

Thanks mate, did a 3 hour ride today and battery only showing 12.4v. Might push for a new battery tomorrow anyway but it seems like a crazy coincidence that this only happened right after the software upgrade. Perhaps a combination of both.

Could be a coincidence, or if the bike has been stored for a while during the winter, the storage might influence what seems like a gradual degrading of the battery.

Anyway, if it's a warning that comes every now and then, I would not panic, but take a hint. Meaning as long as it works, keep an watchful eye, and as the battery voltage keeps dropping you may choose a convenient time to change the battery before you end up stuck along the road and end up paying more for road assistance than for å new battery.

 

[fredaroony]

Could be a coincidence, or if the bike has been stored for a while during the winter, the storage might influence what seems like a gradual degrading of the battery.

Anyway, if it's a warning that comes every now and then, I would not panic, but take a hint. Meaning as long as it works, keep an watchful eye, and as the battery voltage keeps dropping you may choose a convenient time to change the battery before you end up stuck along the road and end up paying more for road assistance than for å new battery.

We just came out of our summer I ride all year round anyway.

I charge it fairly regularly as well. Will see what the dealer says tomorrow and push them for a new battery. If not, will get one myself as I ride in pretty remote areas sometimes.

Still would be surprised if 12.3v is low enough to start throwing errors but perhaps it is with the updated software.

 

[knutk]

We just came out of our summer I ride all year round anyway.

I charge it fairly regularly as well. Will see what the dealer says tomorrow and push them for a new battery. If not, will get one myself as I ride in pretty remote areas sometimes.
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Still would be surprised if 12.3v is low enough to start throwing errors but perhaps it is with the updated software.

I must admit that I am not familiar with the newest updates, but could it possibly be that BMW, if they modified the warning level, wanted to treat the battery warning with the same philosophy as to the FOB battery and the DWA battery where you get a "Low" warning before the battery is totally crap?

Perhaps downloading the latest riders manual might shed some light.

 

[fredaroony]

I must admit that I am not familiar with the newest updates, but could it possibly be that BMW, if they modified the warning level, wanted to treat the battery warning with the same philosophy as to the FOB battery and the DWA battery where you get a "Low" warning before the battery is totally crap?

Perhaps downloading the latest riders manual might shed some light.

Nah it only tells you what the symbols means. That's why I was asking for people with 2018 bikes since they should be running the same software in their bikes

 

[Victor c]

Just been out and checked my 2016 bike before putting it on charge for tomorrow. It has the original battery and as far as I am aware, original software version. No battery light with ignition on (not running) and battery voltage showing 12.3 on the dash. I would say that is normal taking into account standard the systems powered up with ignition on. My bike had a 125 mile run last Sunday and the battery was checked by Williams Motorrad during the service last week, with no concerns raised. I did have the analyser print out, but for the life of me can’t find it.