Spooked by EWS potential failure

[blueridgerider]

I have a relatively new R1200RT that was manufactured in 11/07. I find I am increasingly "spooked" by the potential for the dreaded EWS to appear. Of all the motorcycles I have owned, I have never worried about them not starting. If there were a problem it was something that could usually be dealt with within reason. It seems that even having a "spare" antenna ring doesn't make the situation all that easy to remedy. After all the threads, I'm still uncertain has to how you can actually put the spare ring into use to override the problem. I chose the RT to ride long distances and enjoy my recreation time but now find increasing reluctance to take it out for a ride. Does BMW have an actual fix for this or do you just roll the dice with each turn of the key?

Any insight or words of confidence will be appreciated.
John (Virginia)

 

[jimvonbaden]

Just ride man, not much else to worry about. The more miles you put on the less likely you are to have an issue.

That said, BMW does seem to have it handled with the latest antenna ring, and there may be a TSB out soon covering replacement of the ring under warranty!

Jim

 

[daveb]

buy a spare

Yu can buy a spare ring for about $36. The latest rev has no reported problems so far. There is a huge thread in the following forum which gives instructions and the latest news on this problem. It has over 2200 posts from people like yourself. BTW, I also have reservations about a bike that just leaves you stuck on the side of the road.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3

Dave

 

[blueridgerider]

So.....if you've got the new, spare antenna ring and your plastic key that came with the bike when new, what do you do to make the spare antenna ring work?
Where do you unplug the wiring and what does the plastic key have to do with it that the original metal key can't do as well?

I'd feel alot better about riding and enjoying the bike if I could be a little self-sufficient on this matter.

John

 

[scqtt]

I wouldn't ride it down to the coffee shop unless I had the spare parts, tools, and time to fix it.

The keys are both the same, they just want to give you a good one and a cheap spare. They (keys) do not need to be programed to the new ring or anything, you just plug it in & it works.

The new and supposedly "fixed" ring's P/N ends in 247

You should be worried, mine stopped working at 3,300 miles on my 07. No warning and I baby my bikes and have been very careful not to do any of the "mythical" things to cause it to fail.

BMW roadside dropped the ball and left me stranded because "they did not have a contracted service provider in my area with the proper equipment to recover a BMW motorcycle."

I love, love, LOVE! my BMW dealer, it is not their fault. I blame Munich and BMW NA. I have bought 4 new BMW in the last 4 years. I planned on taking 2009 off and waiting for them to intro a F800GS Adventure in 2010.

My guess in my next bike will be a KTM 690 Adventure.

 

[blueridgerider]

I'm still in need of a clear understanding of exactly what the process is to start a bike with the spare antenna ring. Where do you unplug the existing wiring to plug into the new ring and what's involved tool-wise? Also, do you then put your key into the new ring with nothing in the original ring? How do you secure the temporary ring...cable ties or what? For all the treads I have read about this, I have yet to see a step-by-step set of instructions as to exactly what needs to be done. There's even mention of a "jumper wiring" ....where do you source that if needed.

Any help in a clear understanding of this would do wonders for my confidence. It's tough to go riding and enjoy your bike when the basic need to be able to start it is at risk each and every time you turn the key.

Thanks in advance!
John

 

[ThreePutt]

There are little screws on the backside of where you put your key in. They are T-10 torx. A small panel that comes off when you remove the screws. I didn't have a T-10, but a 5/64 allen wrench will work. Once you take it off and see what's under, all will be clear.

Simply unplug the wire (4 bundled) from the bad one that's on the bike and plug in the new ring. Zip-tie the new ring to the old ring and you're set. It's as easy as plugging in a lamp. My tech said that you didn't have to tape a spare key to the new ring. It was near enough to the main key already.

 

[crgrbrts]

Prevention might be the key (so to speak). The latest and allegedly bulletproof iteration of the antenna ring is available from Max BMW, among others. It's just a little over $30. Once obtained, visit Hammersley or Morton's or Bob's (if you're near DC) and have it installed. (Of course, these dealers may have the new part in stock themselves).

It's a pretty simple job, but does require the drilling out and replacement of a couple of "security" screws. It may cost $100 or so for labor, but it's well worth the peace of mind you'll gain. I've examined several bad antenna rings (I had two failures on my bike) and they were manufactured just before your bike was assembled, so...

 

[marcopolo]

There are little screws on the backside of where you put your key in. They are T-10 torx. A small panel that comes off when you remove the screws. I didn't have a T-10, but a 5/64 allen wrench will work. Once you take it off and see what's under, all will be clear.

I'm a little confused too. Are these screws not "security" screws that have to be drilled out to remove them? If not, where are the security screws?

 

[Motorwerk]

I'm guessing the security screws hold the antenna unit while the other two are just for the cover over the connector. At least that's what I'm assuming from all the posts so far.

If that's the case then carrying a spare would make it simple to get it going until the unit itself could be replaced.

 

[ThreePutt]

I'm guessing the security screws hold the antenna unit while the other two are just for the cover over the connector. At least that's what I'm assuming from all the posts so far.

If that's the case then carrying a spare would make it simple to get it going until the unit itself could be replaced.

That's the way it works.

 

[marcopolo]

I just went and looked at my bike. Now I see what you're talking about. Thanks.

 

[blueridgerider]

Thanks so much for the concise info regarding the use of the spare antenna ring. I'm coming up on a service soon so I'll see where the dealer is on a BMW authorized replacement. For $30-36, it sure looks worthwhile to me to have one of these spares on hand.

John

 

[blueridgerider]

Thanks! That's the info I needed. I've looked at mine...on the backside of the key area....and see two small screws right beside where the wiring goes in on the clutch side. Are those the two T-10 screws you're referring to that need to be removed. I can't even feel them from above but can see them by looking up under the console from the front fender. Tight spot it seems?

I've got a service coming up soon so I'll see where the dealer stands on a BMW replacement, but for $30-$36 I think it's good insurance to have one of these puppies.

John

 

[blueridgerider]

Sorry for the dual post......got called away and couldn't remember sending the first one.

John

 

[MRMAICO]

When I went to check if I had the right size torx bit in my toolkit, even though I don't have a spare ring, I was able to loosen the 2 torx screws by hand. No ratchet or bit driver was needed so if you're going to carry a spare ring you should be able to loosen the torx screws with a ratchet if needed and then just re-tighten them hand tight. Mine haven't fallen out yet so apparently hand tight is tight enough.

Doing this will just save you a little time and hassle if you end up having to change one somewhere and it happens to be dark or raining or whatever.

Barry

 

[RTRandy]

I'm still in need of a clear understanding of exactly what the process is to start a bike with the spare antenna ring. Where do you unplug the existing wiring to plug into the new ring and what's involved tool-wise? Also, do you then put your key into the new ring with nothing in the original ring? How do you secure the temporary ring...cable ties or what? For all the treads I have read about this, I have yet to see a step-by-step set of instructions as to exactly what needs to be done. There's even mention of a "jumper wiring" ....where do you source that if needed.

Any help in a clear understanding of this would do wonders for my confidence. It's tough to go riding and enjoy your bike when the basic need to be able to start it is at risk each and every time you turn the key.

Thanks in advance!
John

1) Look down your steering column in front of where you put your key in. You will see two small screws. Bad photo here, but the two blurring silver shiny things are the screws. The two screws are a #10 Torx so if you're serious about carrying a spare antenna, you best have a #10 torx with you. These can come "L" shaped like Allens which might help being they are in a tight spot. Take the two screws out. If you can take those two screws out, you're past the hard part.

The two screws you just took out allows you to remove a plastic cover. You won't be putting the cover back on so just hang on to it.

We're almost finished. Take a look at the replacement part shown here laying on it's side. It's the same as the defective part where the ring goes around your key. You don't remove the bad part with the ring around your key. If you're stuck out in the middle of nowhere and just want to start your bike, you leave the existing defective ring.
Look at the bottom of the part. You simply unplug the bottom plug from your defective ring and now plug it in the new part like the one shown here on my kitchen table. The two holes next to the square block looking thing this is where you took the screws out on the bad part.

This is where you need to use some imagination: You need to somehow place the good ring ( now plugged in to your bike with the plug you just attached at the bottom) as close as possible to your key which is still inside the bad ring. Probably something like a zip tie, electric tape, or what ever works for you.

Depending on who you listen to, it might start, but my expert mechanics at my dealer tell me to tape your plastic spare key inside the new ring. The new antenna is trying to read the code from your key, and my guess is having your plastic key makes it an easy reach.

It's a sad day when we have to talk about fixing a known defect that may or may not leave you stranded on a bike you just paid over 20 grand for.

 

[ThreePutt]

Never mind, I was too late.

 

[Motorwerk]

Thanks for the explanation, Randy. Makes perfect sense.

The new antenna is just looking for input from a key. If it's close enough to the ignition switch key then it will work otherwise, tape a spare key to it.

I'm in the defective range of units with fingers crossed.

 

[RTRandy]

I also had assumed the communication between the key and the bike was the metal part making contact with the key hole. Turns out it's all in the ring.

The only reason I know all this is I'm getting ready to take a long vacation trip on Friday and my dealer prompted me to take a spare one along for the ride. They also showed me how to hook it up. What does that tell you when a dealer thinks it's a good idea to take a spare ?