EWS Failure, Need Advice

[bmwson]

My 2007 R1200ST has 3300 miles on it. Last weekend I rode for about two hours and stopped for gas. After filling I turned on the ignition and the bike went through its usual startup display and then ended it with a flashing EWS! . The bike would not start. I was in a rather small country place so it took a long time for road side assistance to arrive. After about and hour I tried the bike again and it started with no problem. I called and cancelled the road assistance and rode my bike home. After arriving at home I shut off the bike and then tried to restart it. Same problem, flashing EWS! and the bike was dead. Once again after about an hour the bike worked fine.

After surfing around various other BMW forums on the internet I found that this problem is not all that rare. However I haven't seen anything about it on this forum. It seems that the antenna that senses the security chip in the ignition key is prone to failure and many Hexhead bikers have been left stranded by this. Even professional racers on the HP2 in Baja California.

Does anybody have any experience with this problem?

[cjack]

My 2007 R1200ST has 3300 miles on it. Last weekend I rode for about two hours and stopped for gas. After filling I turned on the ignition and the bike went through its usual startup display and then ended it with a flashing EWS! . The bike would not start. I was in a rather small country place so it took a long time for road side assistance to arrive. After about and hour I tried the bike again and it started with no problem. I called and cancelled the road assistance and rode my bike home. After arriving at home I shut off the bike and then tried to restart it. Same problem, flashing EWS! and the bike was dead. Once again after about an hour the bike worked fine.

After surfing around various other BMW forums on the internet I found that this problem is not all that rare. However I haven't seen anything about it on this forum. It seems that the antenna that senses the security chip in the ignition key is prone to failure and many Hexhead bikers have been left stranded by this. Even professional racers on the HP2 in Baja California.

Does anybody have any experience with this problem?

It has been on the forum. Most common to the early '07 bikes and seems to be a batch of the rings that have failed. A new ring at the dealer's will fix it...the part is on the second revision. The fix will require removing the handlebars and triple clamp so it can't easily be done at home, but you can get a ring from the dealer and plug it in, hold it near the key and get going. Might be better than towing to get the warranty replacement.
I carried a replacement ring last year on trips...didn't need it though.

[bmwson]

Thanks for the information cjack. How much was the spare antenna? Can I ask my dealer to order it at the same time he orders my warranty replacement antenna?

[PAULBACH]

CJACK - You were right!

When I was gathering input for the Tank Bag submission in April I noticed an unusual item in CJACK's tank bag - one of those rings.

Had no idea what it was at the time so CJACK patiently explained. I had thoughts of paranoia but the CJACK has been down this road and I have not.

CJACK was right. :thumb

Now the next question; Can one of this rings be installed along the way without access to a sterile operation room and a suite of BMW certified mechanics?

[cjack]

It has been on the forum. Most common to the early '07 bikes and seems to be a batch of the rings that have failed. A new ring at the dealer's will fix it...the part is on the second revision. The fix will require removing the handlebars and triple clamp so it can't easily be done at home, but you can get a ring from the dealer and plug it in, hold it near the key and get going. Might be better than towing to get the warranty replacement.
I carried a replacement ring last year on trips...didn't need it though.

They are around $150. Your dealer may have them in stock. Mine has been keeping 2 or 3 in stock. Chances of this new one going bad are lots less, but even though my bikes were at the time '05 and '06 and seemed to not be in the most likely to fail according to my personal observations, I still carried one.

[cjack]

Now the next question; Can one of this rings be installed along the way without access to a sterile operation room and a suite of BMW certified mechanics?

To properly install one, the fork top plate has to be removed and the "one way" bolts holding the ignition switch in place drilled out. Then replace the ring and reinstall with new bolts. So the dealer has to stock the rings, the special bolts, and the bolt installer socket tip tool. I suppose allen head bolts could be installed instead of the security bolts.
However it is possible to unplug the cable from the existing ring, plug in a spare one, and hold it near the key when starting the bike. That'll get you home or to a dealer. Hopefully the second revision of this part (third part number) is now reliable.

[The_Veg]

Most common to the early '07 bikes and seems to be a batch of the rings that have failed.

Anybody know what range of VINs or production-dates this falls within, or which ranges have the improved units? My bike was produced in May of '07.

[cjack]

Anybody know what range of VINs or production-dates this falls within, or which ranges have the improved units? My bike was produced in May of '07.

There weren't any specific vin ranges given. There are no in and out dates on the parts fiche for the parts. It seemed that of the bikes sold at my dealer, they had maybe about 2 fail in all of '07.

[bmwson]

I'm happy I got my bike back from the dealer yesterday. It took 11 days for the ring antenna to come in and the dealer to install it. They assure me it is the latest part number and that I won't have any more trouble. I hope they are right. Anyway, its going to be a great weekend weather wise so I'll be riding as much as possible.

[FredRydr]

A photo of my second-favorite hexhead! A black ST. Nice.

Fred
'07 black R1200R

[WestHautianPlen]

Does the spare Key Sensor ring need to be Programmed to my specific keys? :dunno

Plen Smith
2007 R1200RT

[PGlaves]

Does the spare Key Sensor ring need to be Programmed to my specific keys? :dunno

Plen Smith
2007 R1200RT

The ring is just the antenna. The key matches the programming in the bike brain.

[WestHautianPlen]

Thanks Paul.

Plen

[AKBeemer]

I just returned from a trip during which I visited several dealers in multiple states. I asked all about their EWS experience. All of them minimized the extent of the problem while acknowledging there is one. One interesting point a couple of them raised is that they've seen more problems on bikes with several electronic add-ons installed. In there view devices such as GPS, radar detectors and radios seem to increase the likelihood of an EWS failure.

[deilenberger]

I just returned from a trip during which I visited several dealers in multiple states. I asked all about their EWS experience. All of them minimized the extent of the problem while acknowledging there is one. One interesting point a couple of them raised is that they've seen more problems on bikes with several electronic add-ons installed. In there view devices such as GPS, radar detectors and radios seem to increase the likelihood of an EWS failure.I think that's really pulling from thin air. It could just as easily be that bikes with GPS, radar detectors and radios are ridden more - so more prone to the failure.

It never surprises me what fanciful ideas service departments come up with.. :whistle

[cjack]

I think that's really pulling from thin air. It could just as easily be that bikes with GPS, radar detectors and radios are ridden more - so more prone to the failure.

It never surprises me what fanciful ideas service departments come up with.. :whistle

Plus one on that.

[AKBeemer]

Well the exchanges I've seen here and other places have convinced me that I'd be wise to carry a spare antenna as I ride from Alaska to the rally in WY. I understand the concept of plugging-in the replacement and then placing it near the ignition, but I'd love to see some photos that show exactly which wiring is to be unplugged and then attached to the replacement.

[gulfcoastbeemer]

I understand the concept of plugging-in the replacement and then placing it near the ignition, but I'd love to see some photos that show exactly which wiring is to be unplugged and then attached to the replacement.

I'll second that!

Also, I have a couple of related questions:

1. Does the antenna ring come into play ONLY during the starting sequence? That is to say, could a failed antenna ring cause an already operational bike's engine to spontaneously turn off? (I sure hope not!)

2. Just how much does this dopey antenna ring cost?

Finally, I've been told the whole antenna ring/chipped key security scheme is supposted to be some sort of whiz-bang, high-tech theft deterrent. That seems highly questionable to me. Most bikes aren't ridden away when stolen. They are neatly lifted into a waiting van. Even if a thief can't get the bike to operate without the proper chipped key, what's to stop the thief from cannibalizing it and selling it as parts on ebay or craiglist?

[cjack]

I'll second that!

Also, I have a couple of related questions:

1. Does the antenna ring come into play ONLY during the starting sequence? That is to say, could a failed antenna ring cause an already operational bike's engine to spontaneously turn off? (I sure hope not!)

2. Just how much does this dopey antenna ring cost?

Finally, I've been told the whole antenna ring/chipped key security scheme is supposted to be some sort of whiz-bang, high-tech theft deterrent. That seems highly questionable to me. Most bikes aren't ridden away when stolen. They are neatly lifted into a waiting van. Even if a thief can't get the bike to operate without the proper chipped key, what's to stop the thief from cannibalizing it and selling it as parts on ebay or craiglist?

1. Only during startup
2. About $143.00 list
Finally. I think gov requirements are here of coming on this. This may be the reason BMW is into it already.

Quoting the NHTSA...

"Our safety standard on theft protection specifies vehicle performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of crashes resulting from theft and accidental rollaway of motor vehicles. As a result of technological advances in the area of theft protection, the terminology used in the regulatory text of the Standard has become outdated and confusing with respect to keylocking systems that employ electronic codes to lock and unlock the vehicle, and to enable engine activation. This final rule amends and reorganizes the regulatory text of the Standard so that it better correlates to modern theft protection technology and reflects the agency's interpretation of the existing requirements. The new language does not impose any new substantive requirements on vehicle manufacturers."

So you see, it is probably not BMW who is making your motorcycle life harder. "The enemy is us."

[gulfcoastbeemer]

Quoting the NHTSA...

"Our safety standard on theft protection specifies vehicle performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of crashes resulting from theft and accidental rollaway of motor vehicles. As a result of technological advances in the area of theft protection, the terminology used in the regulatory text of the Standard has become outdated and confusing with respect to keylocking systems that employ electronic codes to lock and unlock the vehicle, and to enable engine activation. This final rule amends and reorganizes the regulatory text of the Standard so that it better correlates to modern theft protection technology and reflects the agency's interpretation of the existing requirements. The new language does not impose any new substantive requirements on vehicle manufacturers."

I'm stupified. Did you forget to press one for English?

I don't speak bureaucrap, so I haven't the foggiest notion what that is supposed to mean.

That applies to motorcycles???

[cjack]

I'm stupified. Did you forget to press one for English?

I don't speak bureaucrap, so I haven't the foggiest notion what that is supposed to mean.

That applies to motorcycles???

I only meant to say that probably the feds are behind this, and of course the insurance companies as well. The quote only shows that there is fed involvement in this theft protection. The quote implies that their interest in these devices results from a safty standpoint as well. I don't know if BMW would do this without some outside pressure. And, especially on motorcycles since so few of us are willing to pay for this yet another inconvenience. I think BMW is well aware that theft is probably accomplished by lifting the motorcycle into a truck.
In this neck of the woods, alarms on BMWs are not a good seller either.

[swall]

I just bought a spare to carry on my R1200R. Once I had it in hand, I located the module on the bike. It is on the front of the steering stem, just below the triple tree. Looks like you need to drop the headlight to be able to get in there to unplug it. Much more work on an RS or other faired bike, I would imagine.

[deilenberger]

I just bought a spare to carry on my R1200R. Once I had it in hand, I located the module on the bike. It is on the front of the steering stem, just below the triple tree. Looks like you need to drop the headlight to be able to get in there to unplug it. Much more work on an RS or other faired bike, I would imagine.Just a thought.. if the one you purchased is the new PN - if it was me (and obviously it's not..) I would be tempted to install the new part and keep the original as the spare...

Of course simply having the spare with you completely eliminates the possibility of the original failing (Eilenberger's Law of Spares..) so it may not be necessary.. :dance

[swall]

The P/N on the one I purchased two weeks ago is 61357714207. My bike was built in July of '07, so it is probably as late an '07 as there is.

[cjack]

The P/N on the one I purchased two weeks ago is 61357714207. My bike was built in July of '07, so it is probably as late an '07 as there is.

The one you bought is the late one.

[stew12st]

I had a similar problem on my '05 ST. Rarely the bike would show EWS, mostly it just would not start the first time (not that this is a regular occurrence). The dealer's service manager told me to keep my second key with me (though not on the same ring when starting as the antenna will get "confused" trying to read both) and use the second key if the bike won't start. Usually, I shut the bike off for a few seconds and on the second start it will work fine with the first key. They tried a fix that showed the problem coming from a loose connection in the assembly, it has been better but will still on occasion not fire up first time. Hopefully they find a better solution while it is in getting a winter service.