Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Having Problems with your BMW R1200RT/R1250RT? or have some Maintenance and Service questions?
Tche_Gradiente
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Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by Tche_Gradiente »

Hey guys, i'm new around here posting... i usually only reads, but i really need some insight for what is happening to my bike.

I have a 2014 BMW R1200RT with over 117K miles on it...

I just returned from Florida to NJ in one shot, stopping only to fill up gas tank.

After i got home, turned the bike off and everything seemed fine.

Next day i went to move the bike around and when i inserted the key on ignition, it showed a YELLOW key SYMBOL displayed on the instrument cluster and bike wont even try to crank... Everything works, like sound system, onboard computer... but bike wont start.. i know the Oil cooled RT had the ring antenna problems, but from what i researched on internet, i don't see any ring antenna for EWS beside the module right underneath the ignition.

I've connected the MOTOSCAN to it and there is a stored code (CD9436 CAN message(from electronic immobiliser).. after a lot research on internet, only thing i was able to find is, the code is related to the EWS not being able to read the key on ignition... i tried my spare key.. nothing... i dont have the emergency key...

Please, any idea? do i need to drill the secure bolts and replace the whole ignition module?

Did anyone went through this issue on 2014 or up RT?

Please, any help will be very appreciated!
Last edited by Tche_Gradiente on Sun Feb 26, 2023 9:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
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David.
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Re: Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by David. »

This video shows how to use a spare ring antenna and key in an emergency.



This video is for an F800S, it may not be the same for a Wethead RT.

Last edited by David. on Sat Feb 25, 2023 1:01 pm, edited 6 times in total.
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David.
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Re: Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by David. »

This photo shows a typical top yoke, the ignition module needs to be removed to change the ring antenna.

Image

Don't know if it's the same set up on a Wethead RT.
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sakm
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Re: Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by sakm »

The ring antenna on the 2014 is attached to the back of the clocks
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David.
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Re: Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by David. »

sakm wrote: Sat Feb 25, 2023 11:26 amThe ring antenna on the 2014 is attached to the back of the clocks.
Thank you, I thought it might be different as I couldn't find any info.
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Re: Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by sakm »

It's also easy to remove it just twists off
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Re: Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by David. »

sakm wrote: Sat Feb 25, 2023 11:26 amThe ring antenna on the 2014 is attached to the back of the clocks.
Image
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Re: Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by sakm »

David. wrote: Sat Feb 25, 2023 11:49 am Image
That's the one :thumb:
Tche_Gradiente
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Re: Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by Tche_Gradiente »

You guys are amazing! i've been digging the whole internet for days and couldn't find anything related to the 2014 one only the old antenna ring from 2000 Rts. Thank you so much for the insight!

I was about to start drilling the bolts (security) that holds the ignition key switch to the upper tree...

By the way... my 2014 RT doesn't have the keyless ride, mine is the traditional key with alarm... so, does the antena ring still in the same place (behind the instrument cluster) or is mine integrated with the ignition switch? Basically mine doesnt have the keyless button, it has regular key instead and it has a lil module attached to the ignition... and i dont see the regular ring antenna like i see on previews RTs...

I'm so grateful this forum exist!
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sakm
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Re: Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by sakm »

Tche_Gradiente wrote: Sun Feb 26, 2023 9:19 am You guys are amazing! i've been digging the whole internet for days and couldn't find anything related to the 2014 one only the old antenna ring from 2000 Rts. Thank you so much for the insight!

I was about to start drilling the bolts (security) that holds the ignition key switch to the upper tree...

By the way... my 2014 RT doesn't have the keyless ride, mine is the traditional key with alarm... so, does the antena ring still in the same place (behind the instrument cluster) or is mine integrated with the ignition switch?
Ah!

Good point about the keyless ride! that could change things and @David. could be right and that its in the ignition switch

Before you start drilling you could remove the cover above the clocks that houses the sat nav and you can see if you have the antenna ring on the back of the clocks
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Re: Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by Tche_Gradiente »

i will definitely check that tomorrow... i have the suspicious that mine is integrated with the ignition... Thanks again!
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Re: Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by David. »

Could this be the ring antenna on the back of the clocks for keyless ride.

https://mototech271.com/products/2015-b ... 6128531633

Image

Please remember, I don't have a Wethead RT, just trying to help.
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sakm
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Re: Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by sakm »

From what I can see there is 3 different types of key configuration!

keyed ignition

Keyless ride

And Keyless ride with RF remote control locking system

Everything I have read always suggests to put the emergency just above the clocks to start the bike in an emergency as thats close the the antenna
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sakm
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Re: Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by sakm »

David. wrote: Sun Feb 26, 2023 10:03 am Could this be the ring antenna on the back of the clocks for keyless ride.

https://mototech271.com/products/2015-b ... 6128531633

Image

Please remember, I don't have a Wethead RT, just trying to help.
I was also thinking the same but see my post above about the emergency key

I think the only way to know is for someone without keyless ride and central locking to have a look to see if the ring is fitted

Or maybe the keyless ride has to be coded to the antenna?

Talk about minefield :?
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Re: Yellow Key displayed on instrument cluster - EWS - Bike Wont Crank

Post by David. »

sakm wrote: Sun Feb 26, 2023 10:12 amFrom what I can see there is 3 different types of key configuration.
Of the 3, could this be the one on the RT in question, the other 2 are keyless.

Image
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