EWS WARNING - at startup

[dano2]

I am getting "EWS" displayed at the end of the startup routine indicating a fault with both plastic and normal keys. This anti-theft feature will not allow the bike to start. At times over the last two days the normal key will not envoke the EWS lockout and I am able to start the bike. My '07 R1200RT has 200 miles on it. Not impressed am I!
Anyone else have problems with keys or codes being corrupted.

[amarider]

It's most likely a faulty antenna ring, common problem. Get the dealer to check it out and replace the ring.

[dano2]

It's most likely a faulty antenna ring, common problem. Get the dealer to check it out and replace the ring.
Thanks Amaridrer, the Service Manager where I bought the bike confirms your analysis.
dano2

[switz]

They have to completely disassemble the triple tree to get that antenna off the bike, so it takes nearly all day. A transient chap with a new GS A sat in the local dealership for two days before he could get on the road. One day was awaiting next day air parts delivery and he was on the road around 6PM the second day.

[dano2]

They have to completely disassemble the triple tree to get that antenna off the bike, so it takes nearly all day. A transient chap with a new GS A sat in the local dealership for two days before he could get on the road. One day was awaiting next day air parts delivery and he was on the road around 6PM the second day.
According to the service manager at SM Cycle, the job should take 2 to 3 hours on the R1200RT.
Have any members had the ring antena replaced on their RT?

[Undecided]

Do you have the spare key anywhere near the primary key? That will cause the same fault. Otherwise it is likely to be the antenna.

[dano2]

According to the service manager at SM Cycle, the job should take 2 to 3 hours on the R1200RT.
Have any members had the ring antena replaced on their RT?
EWS - IS A 2-3HR REPAIR
Just had the repair completed at my dealer in Victoria,B.C. New antenna ring.
Excellent service, no charge at all.
Kudos to BMW North America for covering warranty and roadside assistance on my imported ( into Canada) '07 R1200RT.
Caution on placing a "Xena" disc brake alarm in the storage hatch in the fairing. I have suspicions that this may have caused the failure.
dano2

[Lopaca]

It happened to me. I was told not to have anything else on the key (fobs, other keys, alarm fob, etc.) Again, another thing I would have liked to have been told by my dealer that I bought it from which is why I do not have the bike serviced there. Live and learn.

[jump]

and what does EWS mean?

This question has been brought to you by the new guy who knows absolutely nothing about these bikes, and has no bike of his own....but is curious anyway.

[cwillson]

I had my 1000 KM service today and asked the service manager about this issue. Of the 60 or so bikes they have sold, 3 have come back with the EWS error. One was sitting on the floor waiting for the part. He showed me by turning on the key - EWS and no start. He wiggled and jiggled the key (technical term) and it started. He indicated that this has worked on all three that came back and has enabled the owner to get to the dealership. Mechanic advised that if carrying a spare antenna, it can be installed by unplugging the old one and plugging in the new one - apparently just being close will allow the bike to start. He showed me how to do it, and while awkward, it can be done. I did not buy another antenna.

[Randy]

and what does EWS mean?

This question has been brought to you by the new guy who knows absolutely nothing about these bikes, and has no bike of his own....but is curious anyway.It is a theft deterrent mechanism. Each key has a numerically coded 'RFID' microchip. When the key is placed in the ignition an RF antenna around the ignition lock 'wakes' the key up with a blast of RF. The key reports back a unique character string which is compared against the 'authorized' keys stored in the BMS-K (or BMS-KP) engine management controllers. If this key is recognized as being authorized, the controller allows the engine to start.

The controller can have several key codes in memory as being authorized, but only one can be in proximity of the ring antenna at a time. If the antenna is able to ping two keys at the same time, the comparison to the authorized list will fail. The distance the ring antenna is effective is reported to be only several inches. Keeping the spare key at least a foot away should be sufficient.

The alarm fobs do not use this technology, so their proximity to the ring antenna will have no effect.

There were a number of the ring antennas that were defective or proved to fail early. These suspect ring antennas were installed in production on or after September 18, 2006. The newly designed ring antenna was moved into production about the 32nd week of 2007. There was also some problems with lead dress to the ring antenna module in early production.

The replacement of these ring antennas is discussed in BMW US bulletin 11588817-02. In that bulletin the part number for the redesigned ring antenna device is listed as 61 35 7 7 714 207.

Since the ring antenna is numerically coded and married to the engine controller as well, when this device fails, the bike must be connected to the BMW diagnostic device GT-1 in order to pair the new device with the BMS-K(P) controller. I am told that, for this reason, the ring antenna cannot be replaced in the field.

[jump]

thanks, Randy....I knew it would have to be something simple like that.

[bmwhd]

The GS is particularly plagued by this problem. Many owners now carry a spare which on the GS can be wired in beside the failed ring with the plastic key zip tied to the new unit allowing the ignition to function.

It's so incredibly sad to me that you can no longer jump on a modern BMW for a cross-country jaunt with confidence that you'll be home again under your own power. FD, EWS, Fuel Module (another MAJOR Achilles heel on the GS) - I've seen one or more of these interrupt a friends vacation several times in the last year. Thank goodness there are still many fine airheads around :)

[bmwhd]

BTW, the -207 is no longer the current part number according to the ADVrider crowd. The (4th?) antenna ring iteration part number ends in -136 I believe.

[Randy]

BTW, the -207 is no longer the current part number according to the ADVrider crowd. The (4th?) antenna ring iteration part number ends in -136 I believe.There is some confusion on that issue. The 61 35 7 717 136 part number actually shows to be for the F800. It is possible that BMW may ship the 136 when a 61 35 7 714 207 is ordered, but it still shows as the most recent and still valid part number.

[meese]

and what does EWS mean?My German is pretty poor, but I believe it roughly translates to "Engine Won't Start". :rotf:

[Randy]

My German is pretty poor, but I believe it roughly translates to "Engine Won't Start". :rotf:Eeks ! We're Screwed! ;)

[bmwhd]

There is some confusion on that issue. The 61 35 7 717 136 part number actually shows to be for the F800. It is possible that BMW may ship the 136 when a 61 35 7 714 207 is ordered, but it still shows as the most recent and still valid part number.

Thanks for the clarification! That's been a source of confusion locally.