I recently acquired a 2016 RTP at auction. It was advertised with no key so I ordered one from BMW. Meanwhile, I discovered a spare key in the storage compartment. I tried turning on the ignition and it is totally dead. If it is an unchipped key won’t a dash light come on? The bike has a new battery and the fuses show continuity with an ohm meter. When I installed the battery, there didn’t seem to be any parasitic draw when I connected the negative terminal. Now I’m at a loss. Any ideas? TIA.
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Help! Dead Wethead!
- Thread starter Rballou53
- Start date
Geekmaster
Member
88bmwjeff
SF Bay Area
Stupid question. Are you using a chipped, non chipped, or keyless fob? I would think you would need a chipped key for the bike to turn on, but that's just a guess on my part.
52184
GTRider
IIRC there are 4 key options for a 2016 RT:
1. Key fob with flip-out key, for keyless ride. I don’t know if this option was used on that vintage RTP.
2. Emergency key—for keyless ride, a thin plastic chipped key that can be used to start the bike if the fob goes dead. Requires inserting into a particular spot on the bodywork so the chip can be read- see the owners manual.
3. Chipped conventional key, inserts into an ignition switch on the dash and is turned to power on the bike. The chip is read by an antennae ring built into the switch.
4. Unchipped conventional key. These can be used to unlock seats, luggage, storage pockets, etc but will not be able to start the bike. The cheapest key to order as a replacement, many owners order one just to use on the luggage so as to avoid breaking the somewhat fragile flip out key of the keyless ride fob.
I suspect the key you have is #4 and will never start the bike. Assuming your bike has an ignition switch that is turned with a key, the chipped key you ordered should work-tho it may require taking the bike to a dealer to be mated to the bike. They are supposed to come ready to go” when ordered by VIN#, but that sometimes doesn’t work.
If the bike was equipped with keyless ride, you’d need to order a fob. I doubt that’s the case here, tho, as you’d be gasping and complaining at the price. So until the replacement key arrives, you’ll have some time to work on cleaning up the cosmetics and getting familiarized with the Owners Manual.
Best,
DeVern
IIRC there are 4 key options for a 2016 RT:
1. Key fob with flip-out key, for keyless ride. I don’t know if this option was used on that vintage RTP.
2. Emergency key—for keyless ride, a thin plastic chipped key that can be used to start the bike if the fob goes dead. Requires inserting into a particular spot on the bodywork so the chip can be read- see the owners manual.
3. Chipped conventional key, inserts into an ignition switch on the dash and is turned to power on the bike. The chip is read by an antennae ring built into the switch.
4. Unchipped conventional key. These can be used to unlock seats, luggage, storage pockets, etc but will not be able to start the bike. The cheapest key to order as a replacement, many owners order one just to use on the luggage so as to avoid breaking the somewhat fragile flip out key of the keyless ride fob.
I suspect the key you have is #4 and will never start the bike. Assuming your bike has an ignition switch that is turned with a key, the chipped key you ordered should work-tho it may require taking the bike to a dealer to be mated to the bike. They are supposed to come ready to go” when ordered by VIN#, but that sometimes doesn’t work.
If the bike was equipped with keyless ride, you’d need to order a fob. I doubt that’s the case here, tho, as you’d be gasping and complaining at the price. So until the replacement key arrives, you’ll have some time to work on cleaning up the cosmetics and getting familiarized with the Owners Manual.
Best,
DeVern
I agree with your case #4. The key I have is pretty heavy duty so it was probably a spare to open up things. The part that fooled me was how nothing comes on when using it in the ignition. I have an un chipped key for my Ford Escape but at least it lights up the dash. It just won’t start. Thanks for all the responses. I’ll just have to wait for the chipped key and keep cleaning.
I ordered a replacement key and supplied the VIN at the time of order. New key arrived and worked right off the bat. Hopefully the OP has the same experience.
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
Our non-chipped keys are gray; the chipped keys have all been black.
When I got my 22R1250RT I ordered an extra fob/key and just a key. The key is gray and non chipped. I think that key was $35.
windsailor97
Member
I own several RTP's. That is an ignition key. None of the RTP's I have use a FOB. If it was on the bike, it is highly likely the correct key.
If it is dead, I would consider other sources. If both fuses are good, the battery is good, maybe the ECM is dead?
If it is dead, I would consider other sources. If both fuses are good, the battery is good, maybe the ECM is dead?
Uh Oh! That doesn’t sound good!
52184
GTRider
Probably the first thing to check would be the antenna ring. If the key was reported as lost prior to auction it’s possible the antenna is disconnected or faulty.
Best,
DeVern
