anyone experienced EWS issue? car doesn't want to start

flyingmachine · #1 01-31-2011, 01:24 AM

Okay. After I found the root cause that made engine to stall. (http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...separator.html), another issue came up.

I found that battery was drained today. I believed it's due to my earlier attempts to start the car(long crank a couple times due to fuel pump issue). So, I took battery off and had it charged. After it's charged, I put it back on and tried to start the car. Nothing. No click. All other electronics work fine though. I also tried to start the car with headlights on. I didn't feel the light got dimmed when I turned the key. So, I felt that starter wasn't getting any power??

I scanned for codes again and found a "94" recorded(BMW DTC). Description says "EWS signal/interface". I did some search online and found EWS is immobilizer control unit. Could it go bad due to a drained battery or multiple long crank start attempts?

I searched on the board and found a few comments about realigning DME and EWS. In what situation does EWS need to be realigned? My code reader(autoenginuity) does support EWS module but there is no commands available for this module. I hope I won't need to tow the car to dealer to get it realigned.

flyingmachine · #2 01-31-2011, 09:42 AM

anyone who has ebay GT1, can you tell me if there is a DME-EWS re-align feature available? if you see it, which version it is?

I might just invest a GT1 clone rather than towing the car to dealer and have them re-align the DME and EWS..

I also found this on ebay.. BMW EWS PROGRAMMING E36 E46 E39 E38 E85 X5 X3 Z4 M3 M5 - eBay (item 180418264598 end time Feb-02-11 20:06:15 PST) quite interesting. but will have to take out the DME and EWS and mail those to them. (I'm wondering how they can do it. they can even take any used DME and EWS. sync them and pair with your car.)

But I still don't quite sure if it's really a EWS issue. If I measure the voltage at starter lead and find nothing, will it prove it's definitely EWS issue then?

I hate electrical issue...

bawareca · #3 01-31-2011, 10:52 AM

once the voltage drops under 7 volts every module is likely to be damaged.EWS damage happens a lot on the 3 series E46,but 5 series and X5 have low voltage protection and i didnt see any EWS damage for a many years.It wont even send an impulse to the starter if the voltage is under given value(around 11v,not sure though)so this may be your problem.GT1 has a function to align and realign ECU<->EWS and it works,but i am not sure if it will work in your case.You may also want to disconnect the battery overnight.

flyingmachine · #4 01-31-2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bawareca

once the voltage drops under 7 volts every module is likely to be damaged.EWS damage happens a lot on the 3 series E46,but 5 series and X5 have low voltage protection and i didnt see any EWS damage for a many years.It wont even send an impulse to the starter if the voltage is under given value(around 11v,not sure though)so this may be your problem.GT1 has a function to align and realign ECU<->EWS and it works,but i am not sure if it will work in your case.You may also want to disconnect the battery overnight.

bawareca,

So, if battery is under 11v or so(whatever the given value is), car will not click like what I experienced?

If I hook up the GT1, will it be able to tell me if EWS is good or not? Or is there a way to test EWS by using multimeter?

I'm using auto enginuity and it does recognize EWS module. I see no error in the EWS module when it happened(no click). The 94 DTC code for EWS was stored in enhanced powertrain module. However, I checked the original codes that I saved when the car first stalled. There was a 0F DTC code in EWS module. (it says something like "EWS reset". can't remember exact description. don't have it with me now.)

I already took off ground line on battery earlier today before heading off work. I was hoping it will reset it somehow. I'll hook it back on later today and see if I'm lucky. (hope so)

Thanks bawareca!

bawareca · #5 01-31-2011, 12:25 PM

yes,with low voltage it wont even click.If the voltage is close to the treshold it may click for jst a fraction of a second,but the power to the starter will be cut immediately to prevent the electronics from a low voltage.
You cannot test the EWS with multimeter.You need a scanner(GT1 or something else)to read the status of the EWS and ECU.
Leave the battery disconnected for 24 hrs,you can also short the terminals on the car while the battery is disconnected.Charge the battery good.

flyingmachine · #6 01-31-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bawareca

yes,with low voltage it wont even click.If the voltage is close to the treshold it may click for jst a fraction of a second,but the power to the starter will be cut immediately to prevent the electronics from a low voltage.
You cannot test the EWS with multimeter.You need a scanner(GT1 or something else)to read the status of the EWS and ECU.
Leave the battery disconnected for 24 hrs,you can also short the terminals on the car while the battery is disconnected.Charge the battery good.

bawareca, what do you mean "short the terminals on the car"? how do I do it?

thanks!

chas3 · #7 02-01-2011, 09:10 PM

Don't forget about the "battery disconnected" part

bawareca · #8 02-01-2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chas3

Don't forget about the "battery disconnected" part

What can probably happen,it is a BMW

mrbmwx5 · #9 02-02-2011, 01:21 PM

The ring is the antenna for the EWS vehicle security system. All BMWs from 01/95-on have one of the versions of the EWS security system.* These systems center around a transmitted code, from a chip in the key, and the control unit matching the code.* The ring antenna reads the coding in the key. If*the key, antenna ring or any other part of the system*is corrupted or damaged, the engine will not start. replacement antenna ring.*I would assume that the snap clips, on your current one, are weak.

flyingmachine · #10 02-02-2011, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

The ring is the antenna for the EWS vehicle security system. All BMWs from 01/95-on have one of the versions of the EWS security system.* These systems center around a transmitted code, from a chip in the key, and the control unit matching the code.* The ring antenna reads the coding in the key. If*the key, antenna ring or any other part of the system*is corrupted or damaged, the engine will not start. replacement antenna ring.*I would assume that the snap clips, on your current one, are weak.

what is the "snap clip" that you mentioned? so, you're suggesting that besides EWS unit(either bad or not aligned with DME), it could also be a bad key or antenna ring? I hope I have a spare key to rule out the key issue. Have been searching for it but just don't know where I put them away.