EWS Immobilizer antenna threadfest

[ylexot]

Originally Posted by MOLAHS

Hi Jim, Well i had my annual service on an 07 1200GS with 4700Kms, and a recall of the brake and they also changed the EWS because they'd been told it could leave you stranded !!! The replacement wouldn't fail !!! Well i left the dealer just before closing time and rode to my shopping centre, 5kms away and when i went to leave the engine just started and died, everything stone dead, nothing. Having followed this thread i tried after 15 mins, 1 hour 90mins to no avail. Meantime i tried BMW Roadside Assist who transferred me to Mondial who took some convincing this was not something a mechanic was going to fix, kept talking about jump starting etc. Eventually BMW R/S Assist agreed to send a tow truck, so tomorrow morning at 8am it will be back at the dealer. I'll keep you informed of developments.

"engine just started and died, everything stone dead, nothing" is not an EWS failure. If the ring antenna fails, you wouldn't get to the point of the engine starting at all.

[Ziptie]

Just spoke to BMW of Fort Worth and they are saying that the EWS is now an official recall. They have the parts on hand and are scheduling bikes for replacements. Sorry, I didn't get the recall number.

[Gazza]

Got the dreaded EWS while is Spain last year. 06 GSA 3k miles. BMW flew me home and shipped the bike home a week later. No compensation for the lose of a weeks holiday in Morocco though.

[PRW]

Originally Posted by Gazza

Got the dreaded EWS while is Spain last year. 06 GSA 3k miles. BMW flew me home and shipped the bike home a week later. No compensation for the lose of a weeks holiday in Morocco though.

Man, you're brave brother. I don't think I would have had the gonads to leave my bike in Morocco AND rely on some unknown entity over there to ship my baby back to me in a different country. Glad everything worked out!

[Burnszilla]

My GS is in the shop today getting the TSB done.

[NBeener]

Mine goes in on the 9th -- two days before I head out to get silly in the Rockies for a while.

The Service Advisor told me that he was, in effect, at least as confident in the -247 being the fix as he was that any of the previous iterations were....

My thoughts exactly.

Also, I finally sent my certified, return-receipt requested snail mail letter to the CEO of BMW Holding Group USA (his 1st official day on the job: today).

I had received a marketing piece about the newest "Unstoppable" GS bikes. I figured I had to comment ....

[Burnszilla]

It would be nice to get my old 'working" antenna back for backup, but I doubt that will happen.

[jpalamar]

While I last minute opted to take the '08 RT on the whirlwind 6,000 mile trip, as a reminder, this RT had the EWS error at 600+ miles. New antenna ring installed prior to trip: did 6,000 miles on the RT and no EWS errors. Since I've been away I haven't been up to date on this thread.

Has anyone reported a failed ring with the new 247 part?

[Poolside]

Originally Posted by jpalamar

While I last minute opted to take the '08 RT on the whirlwind 6,000 mile trip, as a reminder, this RT had the EWS error at 600+ miles. New antenna ring installed prior to trip: did 6,000 miles on the RT and no EWS errors. Since I've been away I haven't been up to date on this thread.

Has anyone reported a failed ring with the new 247 part?

A couple of people did, John. But who knows if it's true? There isn't really a significant number of EWS failures. Just like there isn't a secure PIN-based manual override.

This whole recall thing is unnecessary, heh heh. There's no problem. Why is BMW even doing it?

- Jim

[Wallowa]

Originally Posted by Burnszilla

My GS is in the shop today getting the TSB done.

Hey..has BMW in fact sent out a TSB directing dealers to replaces the VIN identified antenna? Lots of activity...but no confirmation [copy of TSB/Campaign Order/Surly Recall...] has been posted...

Can someone post the actual order to replace antenna from BMW?

Thanks..

Ps..My #247 antenna arrives tomorrow thanks to Gregg at MAX...not that I don't trust my bike mind you!

[MOLAHS]

Originally Posted by MOLAHS

Hi Jim, Well i had my annual service on an 07 1200GS with 4700Kms, and a recall of the brake and they also changed the EWS because they'd been told it could leave you stranded !!! The replacement wouldn't fail !!! Well i left the dealer just before closing time and rode to my shopping centre, 5kms away and when i went to leave the engine just started and died, everything stone dead, nothing. Having followed this thread i tried after 15 mins, 1 hour 90mins to no avail. Meantime i tried BMW Roadside Assist who transferred me to Mondial who took some convincing this was not something a mechanic was going to fix, kept talking about jump starting etc. Eventually BMW R/S Assist agreed to send a tow truck, so tomorrow morning at 8am it will be back at the dealer. I'll keep you informed of developments.

Shows how easy it is to jump to the wrong conclusion, sorry mates for leading you up the wrong trail.

[rcliffor]

OK...I decided to go to the dealership service manager to get the staight skinny on the antenna ring "recall". He said that he had been too busy to read all of his mail from BMW so he didn't know for sure what they were doing.?????

He also said that they are replacing their first failed antenna ring this week.

[Wallowa]

Originally Posted by rcliffor

OK...I decided to go to the dealership service manager to get the staight skinny on the antenna ring "recall". He said that he had been too busy to read all of his mail from BMW so he didn't know for sure what they were doing.?????

He also said that they are replacing their first failed antenna ring this week.

Since we live just across the river [Snake] from you and I plan to ride up and down that area in Aug.....what dealer? Didn't have the time to check announcements from BMW! Is there another dealer you could recommend.

[Wallowa]

Just got my spare antenna...a couple of things.

First the part number is as advertized: 61 35 7 705 247.

Next is says "Made in Belgium"

Where the previous antenna made in Belgium and what is the company?

Ps.. Cost $36.67.

[whisperquiet]

I picked up a spare "247" antenna ring for my '07 GSA today....$39.50 with tax and it says Made in Germany on the box. Next step......drill out the one way screws holding it and the ignition switch to the triple tree so they can be replaced with quickly removed screws.