Fuel film strip problem

[Ghiribizzo]

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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[schuppi]

Hello

If there is any other fault stored for fuelstrip except "no calibration done",
the calibration function will be rejected.

[Ghiribizzo]

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.



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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[Ghiribizzo]

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.



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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[schuppi]

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.

[Ghiribizzo]

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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[schuppi]

YES! 
pin 1>4         30    -    40 ohms
pin 2>3         2200-2800 ohms
But it seems there is no voltage output on the ZFE    

[Ghiribizzo]

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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[Ghiribizzo]

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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[Ghiribizzo]

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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[schuppi]

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

[Ghiribizzo]

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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[Ghiribizzo]

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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[Ghiribizzo]

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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[Ghiribizzo]

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.

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