Computer & Fuel Sensor NOt Getting Along

[Greenwald]

My latest 'glitch' with the R1200RT occurred yesterday on my ride to the WI Dells BMW Rally.

Without warning, the computer suddenly flashed the 'Low Fuel' icons and the fuel gauge bars totally disappeared, indicating not a drop of gas onboard.

I quickly pulled into a nearby gas station to see if I had a catastrophic leak (did not) and discovered I was still 3/4 full.

I topped off and zeroed one of the trip meters, and managed my fuel range in that old-fashioned manner.

On the way home, the computer came back to life, concerning fuel, but now indicates only FULL fuel, despite the many gallons I used up getting back to Sheboygan.

I'm wondering if this model has a fuel-float system that may have 'come loose,' or a loose wire, perhaps.

Anyone have this problem, and what may be the solution?

[AZ-J]

My latest 'glitch' with the R1200RT occurred yesterday on my ride to the WI Dells BMW Rally.

Without warning, the computer suddenly flashed the 'Low Fuel' icons and the fuel gauge bars totally disappeared, indicating not a drop of gas onboard.

I quickly pulled into a nearby gas station to see if I had a catastrophic leak (did not) and discovered I was still 3/4 full.

I topped off and zeroed one of the trip meters, and managed my fuel range in that old-fashioned manner.

On the way home, the computer came back to life, concerning fuel, but now indicates only FULL fuel, despite the many gallons I used up getting back to Sheboygan.

I'm wondering if this model has a fuel-float system that may have 'come loose,' or a loose wire, perhaps.

Anyone have this problem, and what may be the solution?

What year is your R1200RT? I ask because my 07 F800S has had some infrequent mild to weird e-glitch events since day one (TPMS falses, Miles to Empty not functioning correctly, gas gauge not registering amounts), finally culminating in a post EWS ring replacement, shutdown and evident on the OBC, a full ZFE reset while I was driving it last week, so it fishtailed very badly until I pulled in the clutch and coasted to a stop.

Then, more recently, I took it on trip, after they spotted something that supposedly "might" have fixed this, and first, it did not start after a lunch stop, then it did another OBC evident ZFE reset, after a key-off and key-on again. Finally, my dealer is replacing the CanBus ZFE as soon as a new one arrives, hopefully this Saturday, 9/13/2008. BTW, the fuel pump (with sensor) was replaced months ago to "fix" but not fix the MTE issues (where the MTE counts to 112 at full, flops there from 112 to 117 for 100+ miles, and then counts down, never accurately providing a MTE figure until you are out of gas.

[Motorwerk]

There's no float, it's just a fuel strip that runs the lenght of the tank. Most of it, anyway.

Possibly a disconnection somewhere.

[podsobinski]

I picked up a new GSA from St. Louis BMW "Gateway, great trade in deal for my 06 RT" and the salesman "Bob Monz" said he topped it off. Driving home it read empty with no bars and the fuel warning light flashing. I filled it up, only took a gallon, and like you, set the trip mileage to 0 like the old way. Well 600 mile in Colorado Springs replaced the Fuel Level Sensor on warrenty and so far no more problems but just in case I am in the habit of resetting my odometer Trip #1.

gpodzo

[Greenwald]

Heading into Nick's BMW (DePere) today, as 'the Doctor is in (Tech John)' and will see me immediately.

Suspects the fuel strip, and they will get me 'fixed' (or reprogrammed) before my trip around Lake Michigan this Friday.

I'll be using my 'wait around time' to e-mail a complimentary letter to Scorpion Helmets while I am sitting there.

Thanks for all the replies.

[Greenwald]

Diagnosed as a defective strip inside the fuel tank that communicates to the computer my fuel status.

Replacement parts ordered. Pick up repaired bike on Thursday, just before the ride around Lake Michigan.

[AZ-J]

Diagnosed as a defective strip inside the fuel tank that communicates to the computer my fuel status.

Replacement parts ordered. Pick up repaired bike on Thursday, just before the ride around Lake Michigan.

They replaced the fuel pump with that sender on my F800S so many months ago, it might be a year. Now the computer itself is on order for replacement. I hope your problem does not escalate like mine has.

[Greenwald]

They replaced the fuel pump with that sender on my F800S so many months ago, it might be a year. Now the computer itself is on order for replacement. I hope your problem does not escalate like mine has.

DITTO!

[aaaaaa]

The cost of technology. Are we really better off without points and condensors?
robert

[podsobinski]

aaaaaaaa, I am with you. Sometimes me thinks these BMW's are overengineered. It sure is nice to have 105 hp that gets 50 mpg with all the bells and whistles but things go bad and we have to take it to the shop to get it fixed. Warrenty's are fine but a lot of inconvenience, but I wouldn't trade my '08 GSA for my 1969 Ducati 350 Scrambler. It did get me back and forth to college but after 180 miles or 3 hours riding I would work on it for a couple of hours to do it all over again. Now we just hope all those sensors send signals correctly to the computer so the computer can tell other things what to do and how to do it. I hear too many problems with the key sensor stuff, fuel guage, fuel pump, final drive, whimpy auxillary plug, no fuses and on and on. . .

gpodzo

[Greenwald]

aaaaaaaa, I am with you. Sometimes me thinks these BMW's are overengineered. It sure is nice to have 105 hp that gets 50 mpg with all the bells and whistles but things go bad and we have to take it to the shop to get it fixed. Warrenty's are fine but a lot of inconvenience, but I wouldn't trade my '08 GSA for my 1969 Ducati 350 Scrambler. It did get me back and forth to college but after 180 miles or 3 hours riding I would work on it for a couple of hours to do it all over again. Now we just hope all those sensors send signals correctly to the computer so the computer can tell other things what to do and how to do it. I hear too many problems with the key sensor stuff, fuel guage, fuel pump, final drive, whimpy auxillary plug, no fuses and on and on. . .

gpodzo

I quite agree.

BMW's are the 'space shuttles' of today's motorcycles. Phenomenally complicated.

When they work, they are impressive. When they fail, they do so catastrophically.

A modern bike has to be a blend of mechanical and electronic components, but BMW has swung too far to the 'gizmo' side of the equation.

I would gladly swap 1/3 of all that my computer does for a TITANIUM final drive.

[marchyman]

The cost of technology. Are we really better off without points and condensors?
robert

Yes.

// marc

[soffiler]

Yes.

// marc


+1 !!!

[czee]

Good luck with the fuel gauge and sensor! I have a bit over 6K on my 07 R1200RT, it has two new fuel sensors installed and one instance of the dealer re-programming the computer which fixed the problem for three days. Poor record for a "top of the line" bike! Maybe they should hook up with JC Whitney for analog fuel gauges.

[Greenwald]

Good luck with the fuel gauge and sensor! I have a bit over 6K on my 07 R1200RT, it has two new fuel sensors installed and one instance of the dealer re-programming the computer which fixed the problem for three days. Poor record for a "top of the line" bike! Maybe they should hook up with JC Whitney for analog fuel gauges.

Thanks.

I'm hoping for a good outcome, but diggin' thru the garbage for that J.C. Whitney catalog I just tossed.

Back up.

[MPATROVSKY]

I'm keepin' my head down and knocking on wood. My 06RT has been splendid in all respects. I fully enjoy all the bells and whistles and have added many of my own, crash bars, foot pegs, Hella FF50 driving lights, swapped the two low beam H7s for HID 5k kelvin retina burners, Garmin GPS, Escort Radar detector, separately fused outlets for heated gear and an accessory shelf. I love the onboard computer showing accurate 56mpg when I take it easy running 55 to 60 in 4th gear on local twisties with 25mph signs. Heated seats, heated grips, what's not to love?:bottle

[Greenwald]

I'm keepin' my head down and knocking on wood. My 06RT has been splendid in all respects. I fully enjoy all the bells and whistles and have added many of my own, crash bars, foot pegs, Hella FF50 driving lights, swapped the two low beam H7s for HID 5k kelvin retina burners, Garmin GPS, Escort Radar detector, separately fused outlets for heated gear and an accessory shelf. I love the onboard computer showing accurate 56mpg when I take it easy running 55 to 60 in 4th gear on local twisties with 25mph signs. Heated seats, heated grips, what's not to love?:bottle

Glad to hear it. Like RED often points out, while we angst over the problems some of us have with the R1200RT, statistically, there must be thousands of happy owners out there.

I love the bike....neatest I've ever owned.

Just feeling like I'm a member of the 'glitch of the month' club lately.

Going off to eat worms now. :dunno

[The_Veg]

At around 13K miles my 2007 GS started having what seems like the same failure, but I didn't run to the dealer right away due to being really busy lately. I have always been the type to reset the trip-odometer when I fuel up, so I never doubted the approximate range I had left. First chance I got, I pulled the side-panel and checked the wiring connections on the tank. No problems there, but the problem persisted. More riding reveals that the problem is intermittant...originally it read empty, then it read full, and sometimes it reads like it should...and sometimes empty again, and so on.
As soon as my schedule allows I'll take it in.

[Greenwald]

At around 13K miles my 2007 GS started having what seems like the same failure, but I didn't run to the dealer right away due to being really busy lately. I have always been the type to reset the trip-odometer when I fuel up, so I never doubted the approximate range I had left. First chance I got, I pulled the side-panel and checked the wiring connections on the tank. No problems there, but the problem persisted. More riding reveals that the problem is intermittant...originally it read empty, then it read full, and sometimes it reads like it should...and sometimes empty again, and so on.
As soon as my schedule allows I'll take it in.

They hooked me up to the computer....tested as a fuel strip failure.

Strip replaced...working well now.

Starting 1,000 mile ride around Lake Michigan in 5 minutes. We'll see!

[heavyjetpfe]

What speed do you have to average to do that ride in 5 minutes? just Kidding

[glurkus]

Just from the top of my head I think thats about 12,000 MPH
:whistle

[Greenwald]

Just from the top of my head I think thats about 12,000 MPH
:whistle

Smart alec's!!

Actually, just got back. Passed the 30,000+ miles mark on the odometer - 3rd season with the bike since buying it new, so I feel it is getting fair use.

We rode 700 miles round-trip, but opted for going thru Michigan's UP to the Mackinac Bridge area, hangin out there for a day, and then back the same route.

Weather down towards Chicago looked horrendous, so we exercised better judgement.