Spare Key info - just so you know

[genegandy]

Have not read about this before so am posting. Yesterday we took our 2009 R1200GS to South Sound Motorcycles in Tacoma to have the tire pressure monitor system deactivated. While at the service desk talking to Neil I took both of our keys to the bike out. Neil asked me where I have been carrying the spare key and told him in my jacket of course. Neil then told me of the problems they have had with the State Patrol doing the same and the signals sent out from the bike ignition to the key also picks up the spare and can burn out the ignition. I was told to wrap the spare key in Aluminum foil to block the chip or carry the spare key at least 3 feet away from the ignition. In fact, before I took one of their bikes on a test ride, the service manager went into the break room and got some aluminum foil and had me wrap the spare key so it would not affect the New BMW that I was to ride.
Was told a pocket protector like for new chipped credit cards will work also.
Photo of what we did.
Just what we were told and passing it on so maybe others will avoid any potential problems.
Hope that helps some one.

 

[kthutchinson]

What exactly do you mean by "burn out the ignition?"

 

[genegandy]

What exactly do you mean by "burn out the ignition?"

what we were told is that the ignition (where the key goes etc.) burns out disabling the bike and has to be replaced.
or call South Sound Motorcycles in Tacoma via their toll free number and talk to Neil in the service department.

 

[cjack]

Doesn't make any sense. BMW did have an issue with the key antennas where the key goes in. It didn't have anything to do with what your dealer said, but was a flaw in the production. BMW replaced something like 17 thousand of them a few years back.

 

[waxrash]

Maybe he rides thru the chem trails? This makes no sense. I'm assuming the 2009 is same as my 2008.

A transponder key system is pretty simple. When you turn key on, EWS ring (induction coil) energizes, the transponder chip in key will energize and transmit key code. Once validated the ECM will disable the immobilizer circuit, and turn off the induction coil. It's only on for a short couple of seconds. If you bypass the actual switch, you can ride around for days (without turning ignition off) and leave the key at home as its only used during that brief period when engine ignition is turned on. I have done this when my Ignition switch failed on my RT.
The range of the induction coil is literally mm not feet.

I'm calling BS on this one, but if I'm wrong someone please explain the physics.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[lee]

We carried chipped keys in our jackets for 55,000 miles on our K1300S bikes without a problem.

I do line my helmet with aluminum foil so our Government satellites can't read my mind.

 

[genegandy]

One way to get some action is to tell the site some info.
Well maybe we have been played the fool or maybe it was real.
We are brand new to the BMW world and maybe this is some sort of razzing from Neil at the dealership.

Should any of our fellow riders have any questions feel free to call Niel Fleming (the service writer mentioned) at 1-800-303-1838, working for South Sound Motorcycles in Tacoma, WA.
I am sure he will be more than happy to talk to you about this.

If it was a laugh then I will laugh as well

Thanks to everybody for their input.

 

[waxrash]

One way to get some action is to tell the site some info.
Well maybe we have been played the fool or maybe it was real.
We are brand new to the BMW world and maybe this is some sort of razzing from Neil at the dealership.

Should any of our fellow riders have any questions feel free to call Niel Fleming (the service writer mentioned) at 1-800-303-1838, working for South Sound Motorcycles in Tacoma, WA.
I am sure he will be more than happy to talk to you about this.

If it was a laugh then I will laugh as well

Thanks to everybody for their input.

Welcome! The beauty of the forum, is that most like me know very little but the collective can figure out about anything. I have found so much help here for hard problems and stupid ones. My fav was when I was trying to figure out if I had the recalled aluminum wheel flange or the steel one. I was having trouble identifying it. Someone said" how about just holding a magnet to it?". DOH!

I am new to BMW as well (2008) but am inspired by their riders. These folks tend to ride their bikes (100k+ on a bike is common), and they will ride with you, help you, they love this stuff.

Enjoy!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[lkchris]

The real issue here is NOT the key.

The real issue is the existence of a BMW dealer that will disable a safety system. If they have any smarts at all, you'll be signing a big-time waiver relieving them of any responsibility. When a flat tire hurts you, you can sue them anyway, because that paper will be worthless. Yes, they aren't legally required on bikes like they are on cars, but if you have it installed ... .

In 2014 following a very wet interstate slog from Indianapolis (MotoGP) to Lafayette, IN, we were finally on dry country roads when the flashing triangle came on as we approached a small farm town. Turned out to be a pressure warning for rear tire--the warning occurring before there was any unusual feeling. I think this thing saved my bacon, as we were moving right along and at the minimum and assuming I survived whatever handling issue finally occurred, it was a lot more convenient to fix my flat in town than alongside a 2-lane road.

Pay the money to make your TPMS work.

 

[Dann]

The real issue here is NOT the key.

The real issue is the existence of a BMW dealer that will disable a safety system. If they have any smarts at all, you'll be signing a big-time waiver relieving them of any responsibility. When a flat tire hurts you, you can sue them anyway, because that paper will be worthless. Yes, they aren't legally required on bikes like they are on cars, but if you have it installed ... .

In 2014 following a very wet interstate slog from Indianapolis (MotoGP) to Lafayette, IN, we were finally on dry country roads when the flashing triangle came on as we approached a small farm town. Turned out to be a pressure warning for rear tire--the warning occurring before there was any unusual feeling. I think this thing saved my bacon, as we were moving right along and at the minimum and assuming I survived whatever handling issue finally occurred, it was a lot more convenient to fix my flat in town than alongside a 2-lane road.

Pay the money to make your TPMS work.

Why would someone want to disable this feature?

Mine didn't come with one and doing a retrofit was too expensive. I ended up installing a 3rd party TPMS.

 

[BMW Triumphant]

I'm curious as well about disabling the TPMS

If the unit or units in the tire have failed and you don't want to spend the money to replace them and this causes (?) a permanent error - that is the only reason I can see for disabling this safety feature.

Is there another?

 

[zenwhipper]

Ok, tin foil hat time... really? It sure seems to be plausible. Thanks for letting us know.



ZW