Electronic Immobilizer Lock. Uh oh!

There’s trouble in paradise.

Between miles 125 and 150 a problem has developed with the bikes anti-theft system. When I put the key into the bike to start. The engine immobilizer turns on and will not allow the bike to start. So I’m sitting on a perfectly good bike that won’t go anywhere because the computer has gone a little wonky. Not very fun!

The warning lamp comes on and the message “EWS!” shows up on the screen. EWS stands for Elektronische Wegfahr Sperre which is German for Electronic Immobilizer Lock.

Some BMW Motorcycles have electronic anti-theft systems built in prevent your typical hotwire situation. The key is a physical key that contains a microchip. When you insert the key into the ignition, The physical key unlocks the forks and turns on the electronics. What also happens is a round antenna in the locking mechanism activates and reads the security codes off of the microchip in the key. Once those codes are read properly, the computer will allow the engine to run. Otherwise, your sitting on dead metal.

That antenna isn’t reading my key it seems. If I take the key out and retry for a while, it sometimes will read properly and allow the bike to start. I’ll be taking the bike in to Motohio this evening hopefully under its own power. Otherwise, the fine people at BMW Roadside Assist will be giving me a lift.