Engine runs - but no instruments!!!

SteveM

SteveM

Extreme dog owner
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Working away & Cornwall
2011 GSA - 13700 miles or so - garaged and kept on BMW charger when not in use.

Good evening gents.
Went for a trip out today 2 up with Mrs M, first time for about 6 weeks as I work away. Did about 100 miles or so and the bike went perfectly (as it always has). However, after we got back home I decided to visit a mate locally and rode out again and stayed a couple of hours at his place. On the ride back home I noticed the bike popping and backfiring when on a closed throttle which it's never done before. Looking down at the clocks revealed that they weren't working, neither the speedo nor the tachograph. Then I noticed the temperature gauge and the fuel gauge weren't visible either. The headlight was on but wouldn't go from dip to main beam, and the indicators wouldn't work either. In fact none of the buttons and switches worked apart from the stop switch and the starter button.
I was only a mile or two from home so continued on my way, but did jam the rear brake on to check if the ABS worked - it did.
On getting home I plugged in my GS911 and came up with the following fault code, has anyone had this themselves or know what might be the cause? :(
The second photo shows the bike with the ignition switch in the on position. The display looks like this whether the engine is running or not. Any advice gratefully received. Steve.

 
Your ZFE computer isn't working. Check connectors to it and hope for the best. It's under the tank if you don't know. The fact your engine runs and abs works makes me think the battery and connections are OK as these are different computers.
 
Thanks Marki, I'll have a look under the tank tomorrow and check all the leads/connectors etc. Finger crossed it's something simple. I've not heard of these things (ZFE's) being unreliable before, but there's a first time for everything I suppose.
 
They aren't unreliable but there has been some failed over the years. Hopefully it's just connectors. Might be worth disconnecting the battery for a bit a rebooting everything. Unlikely but it is a free try. Remember and do a TPS reset after it is all back together.
 
Thanks guys, I'll report back findings tomorrow. But I'll sleep a little easier after reading the Hexcode link thank you Bisbee.
 
My 2010 GSA's ZFE failed a couple of years ago and it cost me £300+ for a replacement. Damned expensive fuse box.
 
Took the tank and bodywork off to have a good look around under there but found nothing untoward. The ZFE and motronic computers weren't seated very well in their plastic holders but all the plugs seemed to be seated properly and corrosion free. Didn't find anything wrong with any of the wiring on the bike. The leads to the battery are a little contorted due to me fitting a huge odyssey battery but everything else seems in order.
I'll keep checking stuff.
 
Been looking at this problem all day, and my conclusion is to order a new ZFE unit, fit it, and get my local motorrad dealer to program it for my specific bike.
I've checked all the feeds and resistances in the connector plugs as per the Hexcode link supplied by Bisbee and found everything to be okay.
A new ZFE is about £400 and apparently there are 5 in a warehouse in the UK somewhere so hopefully I'll get going some time this week (if this is indeed the problem).:(
 
Have you tried disconnecting the battery, leave it for 5 minutes and then reconnect, this cured a similar fault for me last year.
 
sparky56 said:
Have you tried disconnecting the battery, leave it for 5 minutes and then reconnect, this cured a similar fault for me last year.
Click to expand...

Yes, tried that sparky. Had the whole thing in pieces today whilst inspecting the wiring loom. I disconnected the ZFE and the motronic thingy beneath it. I took the battery out too for the purpose of recharging it. My charger is one of those 'intelligent' :augieBMW ones that you plug into the power socket. The trouble is that if your ZFE is toast you can't charge the battery via this method, either that or my charger is fooked as well.
 
Steve I'm reading this with interest, thank you for sharing, wishing you a reasonably priced outcome !

Any idea which controller provides the diagnostic port with its data? Just wondering if the fault may be the connection between the zfe and the diagnostic port or its controller.

Apologies in advance to all the legend GS experts for my newbie question.
 
There is no specific controller for diagnostics. It is a network and all controllers talk to on it. The abs and engine controller can be seen or there would be errors relating to them as well.

Steve, I think your right with your diagnosis unfortunately. The fact that none of the buttons do anything and you have tested the supplies definitely leads to this conclusion.

Make sure you order the correct part number ZFE. There are a few for each bike with slight differences.
 
I was surprised at how high your battery voltage is (in the GS911 screenshot).
 
It's running at 3280 rpm.Regulated alternator voltage.Good luck with the ZFE
 
Pukmeister said:
I was surprised at how high your battery voltage is (in the GS911 screenshot).
Click to expand...

Now you mention it you're right. But on the other hand I'm not convinced it's correct because by the look of the screenshot the bike is idling at 3280 RPM's - which it wasn't.
It would've been impossible for me to have taken the photograph of my laptop at the same time as having one hand on the throttle,
unless of course I had a 12 foot wingspan. :D
 
Marki_GSA said:
Make sure you order the correct part number ZFE. There are a few for each bike with slight differences.
Click to expand...

I looked on RealOEM.com for part numbers etc but found it all a bit confusing. I'm going to take the old one in tomorrow to my local dealer and ask them to order a replacement. I'll do the installation and reassembly of the bike and hopefully ride it to them where they can do the programming/coding or whatever is needed. That's the plan currently anyway.
 
Rang my local motorrad this morning and ordered a new ZFE unit. The old part has been superseded by a new one (at least the numbers are different). Cost about £340 + VAT
I think I've eliminated all the other possibilities but it's always a bit of a gamble for enthusiastic amateurs like me. One thing I do know is that it's definitely cheaper than having the service department look at the bike for a day at over £80 per hour. Once fitted I've got to go back and have it programmed, but they said it would only take half an hour.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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