GS-911 and ezCAN User Forum

General Category => R Series => Model Specific Discussions => Technical => GS-911 => R1200 models => Topic started by: Ghiribizzo on January 23, 2017, 10:11:44 PM

Title: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on January 23, 2017, 10:11:44 PM
I've previously replaced 6 strips on various GS and GSA bikes. Not had any issue doing this before - replacement strip fitted, calibrate with GS911, put it together, fill with fuel. ✔️
I've fitted two used strips with success, the others were new.

So - 2007 GS with a non operating fuel strip.
Owner got a used one sent. Whilst it was on its way the tank was drained and dried out.
The bike was getting new WESA shocks too.
Strip arrives, connect it up and it would not calibrate.
Cue me being angry with the supplier. Double work etc etc.

I got a new one from BMW. Fitted that. Same issue. [emoji33]
Bike had only the fuel strip issue as an error code and also a low voltage one.
Once codes were erased i tried again. Same issue.
Fault recorded. Only for fuel strip. The battery is now out and on charge. The voltage was showing low on pc at around 11.7V.
I'm hoping i'll take a decent charge, if it doesn't measure up i'll swap it out for one from my own bikes before trying again.

The issue of course is why did the 'used' and new strip not calibrate?
Is that low voltage an issue despite the voltage not being low enough to record an error? The three plugs are connected as they should be.
Anyone found similar?


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Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: schuppi on January 24, 2017, 02:00:10 PM
Hello

If there is any other fault stored for fuelstrip except "no calibration done",
the calibration function will be rejected.
Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on January 24, 2017, 03:28:52 PM
Hello

If there is any other fault stored for fuelstrip except "no calibration done",
the calibration function will be rejected.
No, there are no other faults.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170124/e7e50876ebe40503647d4ffd7310155b.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170124/51eab8103129404229d135933b6a5dfb.jpg)

I updated to the latest software version and charged the bike's battery. I'm now wondering if the strip that was in the tank when it was brought to me was (is) ok. The 'used' strip supplied and this new BMW one show the same issue.
There was no problem connecting the strip's cable to the pump unit or the two connectors to the top of the pump.


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Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on January 24, 2017, 03:33:46 PM
Hello

If there is any other fault stored for fuelstrip except "no calibration done",
the calibration function will be rejected.
No, there are no other faults.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170124/e7e50876ebe40503647d4ffd7310155b.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170124/51eab8103129404229d135933b6a5dfb.jpg)

I updated to the latest software version and charged the bike's battery. I'm now wondering if the strip that was in the tank when it was brought to me was (is) ok. The 'used' strip supplied and this new BMW one show the same issue.
There was no problem connecting the strip's cable to the pump unit or the two connectors to the top of the pump.


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In the past when changing these I've always just deleted the recorded fault code and then proceeded with calibrating the replacement (fitted into a completely dry tank) then adding fuel. Never had any isdue where a used and a new strip would not respond.


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Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: schuppi on January 25, 2017, 12:40:27 AM
Hello
The fuel level sensor is controlled with an on-board power supply.
If the tank level sensor is immersed in fuel and so will be cooled,  ~11 volts approximately must be measured at the  pins.
If the tank level sensor is not immersed in fuel, the sensor's resistance changes and the measured voltage value decreases slowly to ~ 5 volts.

The power supply for the heating wires pin 1+4 of the sensor comes out of the ZFE.

I think the heating element is damaged.
Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on January 25, 2017, 12:31:33 PM
Thanks schuppi - the fuel guage doesn't work.
So the sensor fitted doesn't work, a 'guaranteed' used part didnt work, new BMW supplied part doesn't work.
It seems odd that all 3 do not work. ?
A problem in UK is that BMW do not offer any warranty on the sensors because 'we' do this with GS911 instead of taking the bike to a BMW dealer.
Im just concerned there is another problem.
Ive already paid for a new sensor that appears not to work. [emoji36]
Are there any values for resistance across the pins of the strip? 


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Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: schuppi on January 25, 2017, 12:41:44 PM
YES!  :)
pin 1>4         30    -    40 ohms
pin 2>3         2200-2800 ohms
But it seems there is no voltage output on the ZFE :-\   
Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on January 25, 2017, 02:29:48 PM
Thank you schuppi. I will check the old and new strips and look for any corrosion on pins.
Then I will worry about ZFE... [emoji45]


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Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on February 01, 2017, 06:56:34 PM
Latest is that all the wiring checks out ok.
No power getting out to the strip.
No fault showing relating to ZFE.
Does anyone else have experience of this?



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Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on February 03, 2017, 11:13:19 AM
No clue? Anyone? No power coming from ZFE out to heating element part of fuel strip.

I've now had 2 BMW dealers telling me it will be the fuel strip that has failed.
Also, the usual line that there is no warranty on fuel strips if fitted by anyone other than BMW dealer as they cannot be calibrated except by BMW dealer.
Without mentioning GS911 and 'calibrating' both have failed to listen to advice that the resistance values on the strip from the bike and also the brand new BMW strip are 'ok'.



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Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: schuppi on February 03, 2017, 11:38:29 AM
Hello
If there is a short cut in the heating element, ZFE will shut down this circuit.
Disconnect the sensor, cycle ignition and don your measurement again.
If there is again no voltage on the output, ZFE is down
Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on February 03, 2017, 04:07:21 PM
Thanks schuppi.

I was afraid of that. Same result with existing strip or new strip.
Both strips are ok re. resistance.
But no fault showing in GS911 for any other part or feature to do with ZFE.

Summary - with ignition on: no voltage at either of the wires to the strip 'heater' [emoji53]


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Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on February 03, 2017, 04:44:59 PM
Thanks schuppi.

I was afraid of that. Same result with existing strip or new strip.
Both strips are ok re. resistance.
But no fault showing in GS911 for any other part or feature to do with ZFE.

Summary - with ignition on: no voltage at either of the wires to the strip 'heater' [emoji53]


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Title: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on February 08, 2017, 09:40:17 PM
Still no working fuel strip. BMW dealers have no knowledge or perhaps are unwilling to share any diagnosis of ZFE fault.
Unusually - if autoscan is used...it finds no fault anywhere.
But if I try to calibrate the fuel strip - the problem is shown. [emoji848]


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Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on February 09, 2017, 02:01:55 PM
Still with the fuel strip issue - how useful is a GS911?
So we have a bike - nothing in the fuel display. Fuel strip is in good order. Wiring is all good.

- Autoscan finds no fault.
- Look at ZFE. It also finds no fault.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170209/5f507d309739423a7e54e9d7db9a65fc.jpg)
- what is the purpose of output tests to do with the fuel strip heating element? (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170209/55880376c9df9f4da865ee7172e97f65.jpg)
If the brake light is selected you can have it going on and off. Is this useful? What does the heating element do in this list. If all is good and it is selected what happens? If all is not good - nothing happens.

I'm somewhat annoyed that the software tool does not seem to diagnose faults and has lots of apparently useless features.
The only part of the software that identifies a fault is when a calibration of the fuel strip is attempted.
Somebody convince me this is not an ineffective tool please...
On this bike, the only aspect that has been useful is the ability to change service date.
I'm left very unimpressed with GS911 today.


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Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: schuppi on February 10, 2017, 12:04:48 AM
- Autoscan finds no fault. ?
- Look at ZFE. It also finds no fault. ?

Hello
Did you really read and understand my postings?

Condition for fault identification
Terminal 15 on  > yes , otherwise you can't read anything out of the ZFE

Supply voltage for ZFE  between 9 V and 16 V >  yes , otherwise you can't read anything out of the ZFE

ZFE is correctly configured (film-type sensor as fuel level sensor) >  I hope so, because there is no complete auto-scan

The heating wires are activated by ZFE   >>  YES, if you activate the calibration test!
and >>  NO,  if you only try to read the codes after deleting the calibration fault.

The activation of the heating wires to get a plausible measurement are depending on the refuelling
and driving the bike.

So if you want to activate these wires for a test, start the calibration function with very dry level sensor outside the
tank. If that function failed with a stored fault like 41778 , ZFE will be off.

Hope this helps and I'm very impressed of the help that GS911  offers me ;D 
Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on February 10, 2017, 02:23:13 AM
Schuppi - thank you for your help. Perhaps I have not understood some of your advice.
I have not had any problem with replacing strips in the past, but those strips were broken. When they were replaced and calibrated 'dry' they all worked after installation. Different motorcycles.

This machine - the strip in the bike is ok. I also have a new strip.
Which part am I not doing correctly?
* I am unsure what you mean by Terminal 15 on?

* In the past I would delete errors and then calibrate the strips 'dry' with a completely dry tank. No fuel at all.
This one - once errors have been deleted, if I try to calibrate a strip - after around 5 minutes I get this:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170210/d79a458caade73c2306d42fc9b9ac1cf.jpg)
Then, if I check for errors I see this:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170210/c5215a99d8b90d4475adde22d36e31ce.jpg)
So - I apologise if I have not done some procedure.
What is your suggestion?
Again - i am unsure what you mean by 'Terminal 15 on'.


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Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: schuppi on February 10, 2017, 11:45:08 AM
 Hello

'Terminal 15 on'. means ignition on, so power supply to ZFE is given. You have done it :)
Otherwise there is no communication with ZFE.

But your pictures indicates that there is definitely no output from ZFE to heating wires.
Either you change this module or you open it, to look for some anomaly on the circuit board 8)

Hope this helps
Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on February 10, 2017, 11:52:57 AM
Thanks Schuppi. [emoji1303]





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Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on February 10, 2017, 11:56:11 AM
*if the ZFE was changed for one which works, would the bike have to be taken to BMW Motorrad to be keyed to the ignition switch and instruments or can it be substituted without any problem?


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Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: schuppi on February 10, 2017, 02:39:06 PM
Hi,
don't know yet. Just will have a look for changing this module.
But so far, if the good working and used module is coded correctly
with all features of your bike, I think it will work.

Just plug and play 8)

Note
Do not, under any circumstances temporarily install control units from other vehicles by way of testing.
The possible consequences include:
Coding data could be overwritten.
The control units could malfunction.
Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: Ghiribizzo on March 01, 2017, 12:02:11 AM
@schuppi  - the third ZFE I had been assured was correct...seemed to be of the correct type.
Fuel gauge? Ok.
ESA? Ok.
All ok - no faults showing after various starts.
Put fuel in. All ok.

Except the air temperature does not show in the display. [emoji20]


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Title: Re: Fuel film strip problem
Post by: WayneC on March 01, 2017, 02:33:14 AM
Still with the fuel strip issue - how useful is a GS911?
So we have a bike - nothing in the fuel display. Fuel strip is in good order. Wiring is all good.

- Autoscan finds no fault.
- Look at ZFE. It also finds no fault.

So the ECU's not the GS911 indicate no faults which should mean all wiring and the gauge element are OK

- what is the purpose of output tests to do with the fuel strip heating element?

What does the heating element do in this list. If all is good and it is selected what happens? If all is not good - nothing happens.

BMW refer to the fuel gauge resistive element as a heating element, it is BMW's terminology and yes it is odd calling a resistor a heating element

I'm somewhat annoyed that the software tool does not seem to diagnose faults and has lots of apparently useless features.

What you are referring to as "useless features" are the output and diagnostics routines/tests inbuilt into the ECU's which GS911 accesses and they are very useful when looking for faults, when looking for wiring and faults in components connected to ECU's they save considerable time in repair

The only part of the software that identifies a fault is when a calibration of the fuel strip is attempted.

It is the ECU reporting to the GS911 that an error has occurred in calibration, if you think the GS911 is incorrectly reporting an error lodge a support ticket