EWS Immobilizer antenna threadfest

[BearII]

Hey Guys, had the dealer do the replacement ring. Quick question - is there any need to carry a spare anymore if I'm planning on an RTW?

[Wallowa]

Originally Posted by BearII

Hey Guys, had the dealer do the replacement ring. Quick question - is there any need to carry a spare anymore if I'm planning on an RTW?

Ok...don't carry one since BMW has now made them bullet proof and if one did crap out and you got the EWS out in BFE no big deal...

Or, they are cheap, they are small and they are very light weight...why not carry one?

Your call...

Ps...Plus if you have one and some poor stranded BMW rider doesn't have one...well you could be a hero!

[ognacy]

Hi Guys,

Sorry to bump such an old thread - just wanted to share that the new EWS antennae keep failing. Had it replaced in my bike today and the dealer told me that just this day he had two other beemers lined up to have it fixed as well. All '09 models.

regards,
Ognacy

[ghostrider1964]

Are these the 247 antenna's, or something newer. Also, I see you are in Europe is this a European model thing, have not heard anything here locally since the 247 came out.

[BMWRich]

Originally Posted by BearII

Hey Guys, had the dealer do the replacement ring. Quick question - is there any need to carry a spare anymore if I'm planning on an RTW?

Goin' RTW anything can happen.... Best to prepare for the worst. Besides it doesn't take up that much room. Don't forget a spare fuel pump controller or at least a by pass system.
In my opinion,the 1200 series motorcycles weak points are most likely electrical issues. Antenna rings,FPC's,batterys, and any number of sensors gone bad...

[ognacy]

Originally Posted by ghostrider1964

Are these the 247 antenna's, or something newer. Also, I see you are in Europe is this a European model thing, have not heard anything here locally since the 247 came out.

The dealer told me these were the new antennas, the ones introduced after last year recall, so while the guy didn't give me the part# I am pretty sure these were the 247s. Sure, these are European models, though I would be surprised to learn they differ with regard to EWS implementation. Anyways, that might have been just a coincidence but I have just ordered a spare, just in case.

Ognacy

[motoreiter]

Jeez, I thought this thread had been put to rest for good, but I guess not...

Thanks for the update ognacy.

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by ognacy

The dealer told me these were the new antennas, the ones introduced after last year recall, so while the guy didn't give me the part# I am pretty sure these were the 247s. Sure, these are European models, though I would be surprised to learn they differ with regard to EWS implementation. Anyways, that might have been just a coincidence but I have just ordered a spare, just in case.

Ognacy

Check the numbers on them. If they are 247's I would be surprised.

Jim

[cjack]

I have heard of a 247 failing. Not here though.

[PRW]

Originally Posted by cjack

I have heard of a 247 failing. Not here though.

I don't trust the -247 and always carry a spare, though all's been good since it was installed ~10K miles ago.

[Wallowa]

Originally Posted by cjack

I have heard of a 247 failing. Not here though.

Interested in your source and where a -247 antenna "failed" and generated an EWS disabled ignition? Just curious..

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by cjack

I have heard of a 247 failing. Not here though.

Jack,

I know of a few that were replaced for an EWS issue, but the issue may very well have not been antenna ring failure, but another issue and the tech just replaced the ring as a matter of troubleshooting. Do you have additional information on the nature of the issues?

Jim

[gsmoto31]

I had the old antenna rings fail twice for me on two different bikes. So, I have been carrying a spare (247) in my tool tube since 2008. I just completed a 12K mile trip this summer from Miami to Vancouver (and many points in between). Besides fluid changes, valve adjustments, and new tires, the only replacement I did on the road was a new low beam bulb. Given some of the remote areas I travelled, it sure was comforting to know that the 247 was close at hand.

[cjack]

Last year after the "campaign" started, a mechanic I knew told me that they had a subsequent 247 failure. Huge dealer. At the time, I wondered if there were any factors other than the ring...like wiring that might be an intermittant issue and replacement of the ring unwarranted. But this mechanic is pretty reliable. So I didn't question it further, and certainly a part failure this "rare" (since this was the only one I ever heard about for this particular part number) is not important. Like any part, it can fail, I guess one did and is so easy to replace temporarily, I carry one.

[cjack]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

Jack,

I know of a few that were replaced for an EWS issue, but the issue may very well have not been antenna ring failure, but another issue and the tech just replaced the ring as a matter of troubleshooting. Do you have additional information on the nature of the issues?

Jim

No more info, but I agree that some may have been replaced for battery issues which can bring up an "EWS" but in a different screen and for a different reason having to do with low battery voltage.