What is EWS-II??
What is EWS-II??
EWS-II
1995 models produced from 12/94 (silver Bosch label on the DME with part number
0 261 200 413) (Click here
for picture).
What is EWS-II? EWS-II is an additional theft-deterrent system that BMW installed in cars beginning in Dec 1994 (12/94). On cars with EWS-II the signal from the key must match up to a signal coming from the EWS-II and DME computers or the car will not start.
How does it work? The key for your BMW has a microchip embedded in it that sends an analog signal to an antenna within the ignition lock on the steering column. The antenna sends the signal to the EWS-II computer. The EWS-II computer then checks with the DME to validate the code. The car can only be started when the DME recognizes the code from the EWS-II computer. The key is simply turned, and by the time the ignition switch is reached, the EWS-II system has finished its processes and identified the electronic coding in the key and 'granted' starting permission.
Why is EWS-II bad? This system can be a major stumbling block for a car that has an engine conversion or on a car that no longer needs the EWS-II system active. Cars that have had an engine swap, such as an E30 with an M50 engine, may experience difficulty with the Bosch silver 413 DME as the computer is looking for the signal from the EWS-II computer which is obviously not present in a car made before 1995. Note: none of this information applies to a car that has a 413 DME with a maroon label. Racecars will not need the EWS-II system and will likely have the wiring and electronics removed from the car to save weight. These chips will allow the car to be used with its original DME, thereby saving the owner hundreds of dollars in used computers.
What does our chip do? The D-EWS-II chips that we sell are for E34 525i, E36 325i, and E36 M3 models produced AFTER December, 1994. The chip de-activates the EWS-II within the DME. This means that you must not have ANY EWS-II parts remaining in your car. Of course, an E30 does not have EWS-II. Cars made up to 12/94 have the early version of EWS (EWS-I) which does not rely on a signal from the DME anyway.
So, this chip is not designed for people experiencing problems with their current EWS-II system. If your EWS-II system is faulty only a BMW dealer or independent shop with the proper diagnostic equipment can fix it.
