EWS - Help Needed.

My '04 GS is displaying a big EWS on the display and wont start.
If the kill switch is on then it doesnt display but does as soon as you turn it off.
I know theres probably a thread or topic dealing with this but havent been able to find it and theres some urgency in getting the bike started.
Any help or advice greatly recieved on what the problem could be or what to do would be greatly recieved.

Cheers,

Stewart.

There is a strong possibility that your EWS ring has gone pop!

This is the control unit for the bike's chipped key. No EWS unit = no go.

There is a work around but you will need to visit your local dealer to get a new replacement ring.

The workaround is to disconnect the lead to the kapput EWS ring and attach the replacement ring to the lead. Tape your spare key to the dangling EWS ring. Tape the whole lot so that it does not foul anything. The bike should now start when you put your other key into the ignition, engage it and hit the starter button.

Getting the EWS ring itself out is a bitch, as it is held in with security bolts. A bod on this site buggered it up. Maybe best done by a dealer?

PS The EWS ring lives beneath the ignition switch. It is protected by a black plastic cover, which you may have to bend back to get at the connection if you do not have the right sized small torx bit.


PPS PAGE 47 OF THE ATTACHED OWNER'S MANUAL

http://www.motorcycleinfo.co.uk/res.../BMW_brochures/riders_manual_R1200GS_2010.pdf

Many thanks, thought it was something along those lines and my manual is at home.

Bike now parked on drive, locked and a hire car sourced for the weekend 8-(

Top Man Wapping what an excellent response

There is also a great explanation of EWS HERE

Just got to love this site.
Problem posed at 09:06
Comprehensive response by 09:36
Got be worth the whole £12 a year.

the EWS ring antenna should have all been all replaced by bmw FOC some while back. maybe yours got missed?

i'd be onto a bmw dealer armed with the reg/VIN number and see what they have to say.

cookie said:

the EWS ring antenna should have all been all replaced by bmw FOC some while back. maybe yours got missed?

i'd be onto a bmw dealer armed with the reg/VIN number and see what they have to say.

Click to expand...

Not all EWS rings were called back / replaced. My 06 bike is not on any list. There again it wasn't on the FPC list either but that failed

Wapping said:

Not all EWS rings were called back / replaced. My 06 bike is not on any list. There again it wasn't on the FPC list either but that failed

Click to expand...

oh. i didn't know that. my 06 was on the list

he still might get it done FOC though

cookie said:

oh. i didn't know that. my 06 was on the list

he still might get it done FOC though

Click to expand...

Always pays to ask.

I picked up a free FPC that way

A weak or bad battery can also (in my case) trigger the EWS on the screen. While trying to start the bike, the starter clicked a few times then the EWS appeared on screen.
My bike was jumped from an auto in order to get to the Dealer.
Then a new battery was installed and all problems solved!!

Is there any way of knowing what spec / year your EWS is?

I have a bike on an '08 plate, the dealer tells me "all recalls" have been done, but I still do not know if the EWS was replaced, or if it is the latest version.

If it is likely to be dodgy I would like to get a newer one fitted before I start setting of on long trips.

Also when did they become reliable, or are even the latest ones still a bit dodgy

Rasher said:

Is there any way of knowing what spec / year your EWS is?

I have a bike on an '08 plate, the dealer tells me "all recalls" have been done, but I still do not know if the EWS was replaced, or if it is the latest version.

If it is likely to be dodgy I would like to get a newer one fitted before I start setting of on long trips.

Also when did they become reliable, or are even the latest ones still a bit dodgy

Click to expand...

Relax.

1. There is no hard and fast rule.

2. If dealer says 'all recalls done' then, I guess they have all been done. Not all bikes are / were recalled as the fault(s) appeared to be batch related. I have no idea if newer rings carry a different part number, though a quick call to a dealer or a look at a parts fiche will tell you. I am not even sure there was an EWS ring recall, rather like they was only a very limited recall of earlier bikes to have a fresh retaining clip inserted to stop the disk possibly rubbing on the ABS pick-up lead.

3. Like a fuel pump controller (or any other spare) you can always buy one to keep on the bike, whether touring or going to the shops for root vegetables. That way if it goes it is relatively easy to lash a fresh one in. I do exactly that. I have used the FPC spare once (see thread) and know how to do a work-around (see threads). I know some bods who carry a spare gear position indicator switch, too..... and those who know how to wire out the sidestand cut-out switch (see thread)...... There are a host of 'what if's and but's' if you really want to find them all. Me? I think punters are much more likely to bust a wing mirror / bend a lever / snap a vario pannier off in a gentle spill than ever use any of the spares.

If you do intend to carry something, it's a good idea to know how to fit it before starting to learn in the peeing rain on the side of the road. Puncture repair kits are a good example.

4. Next time the bike is at the dealer's (or if you are handy with a drill) you could ask them to replace the security bolts with conventional allen bolts. This will make it easier to replace the EWS ring properly, rather than using the work around. You could also replace the very small torx head bolts on the outer cover, too. I carry a suitable torx socket as it takes up no space. When it comes to tools, see the very good sticky.

5. It is not certain that the OP's EWS ring has gone kapput as other problems can result in the same symptoms / end effect. It does though show many of the typical signs. No doubt we will hear from him as to the final outcome.

IIRC (and I may well not) the number for the part that solved the issue ended in 247. Can be seen on the black box in front of the headstock.

The German GS Forum came to the conclusion
Ring antenna part-no. 61 35 7 705 247 works.

Just check the number on yours.

peter-k said:

The German GS Forum came to the conclusion
Ring antenna part-no. 61 35 7 705 247 works.

Just check the number on yours.

Click to expand...

I have a March '08 GSA, it has never had an EWS recall and it has the above P/N fitted - if that helps.

Photo of my RID showing EWS all because of a bad battery