sending a Message!

[Strat Tuner]

My BMW is trying to sendme a message!
Lower left corner, it says "SERVICE'...

service.jpg (92.4 KiB) Viewed 836 times

I'm guessing this means something needs service. I've changed the oil, oil filter, final drive oil, this month.
What needs service?
How does one turn the message off? ... (legitimately)

This is all new to me!

[Strat Tuner]

I found this in the "Owner's" manual (not the Clymer full service manual) .... chpt 11 page 159 showing

The service-due indicator in the multifunction display reminds you
about one month or 1000 km in advance when the time for a
service is approaching, on the basis of the programmed values.

or manual page 8/137 says ...

If the battery was disconnected from the motorcycle
for a prolonged period of timeit will be necessary to enter the
current date in the instrument panel, in order to ensure that the
service-due indicator functions correctly.
If you want to have the date set consult a specialist workshop,
preferably an authorised BMW Motorrad dealer

OK, I think I get it. The Service message is a reminder that I may need service.... but it doesn't tell me what needs doing..., and there's no way for an owner to reset the warning to make it go away?

Do I really need to take this in to a BMW dealer?

What do you do when this message appears?
...
...
...

[Stu]

you can use the GS-911 or the motoscan app to reset the service light

They aren't there to tell you what needs to be serviced! just that it needs a service based on 6000 miles (10000 km) or annually

what needs to be serviced depends on the mileage and the service schedule and what was done at the last service

[burridge01]

And if you don't want to pay BMW dealer prices to turn it off,have a look on Ebay and see if anyone local is advertising to turn it off(with the correct tool)Or stick a bit black tape over the annoying bugger

[Strat Tuner]

Does it eventually go off by itself?

[burridge01]

No,it needs resetting.

[Glenn]

If you have an Android phone or tablet you can reset the service indicator with Motoscan and an OBDLink dongle (it may need a cable too) https://www.motoscan.de/

[Strat Tuner]

Gs 911 does what I need, but it's $400.

One link around here also listed a Device to allow cabus to accept better brake lights. That looked interesting.

I'll call local bmw mechanics and ask what they charge for a reset.

[David.]

This is the BMW service schedule for a Camhead, it'll be similar if not the same for a Hexhead.

RT Service Schedule.pdf

(475.46 KiB) Downloaded 35 times

[Strat Tuner]

I found a device that proports to turn off the "Service" message.

servicedongle.jpg (15.39 KiB) Viewed 706 times

https://www.ebay.com/itm/386854739325

(URL gathered 6 April 2025)

The other device, that does more, is $400. This one is $130.

I emailed a local BMW mechanic, and he charges $60 just to turn the message off.
(Hhhhhmmmm.... Would that make an oil change $60 cheaper or more expensive?)

In any case, it seems obvious that $130 is a better deal to be able to turn the message off on command.
That is.... IF it works.

I don't imagine, for a second, that I could get money back if it didn't.
Anyone used this device?

My "red neck" tendencies (my parents were Idaho potato farmers) makes me want to just ignore the message permanently and save hundreds!
It doesn't mean anything specific anyway.
I keep a detailed spreadsheet on all the maintainence, when it's done, how many miles until the next....
Shame on the BMW engineers for not including a way for an owner to clear this message.

[Strat Tuner]

If you have an Android phone or tablet you can reset the service indicator with Motoscan and an OBDLink dongle (it may need a cable too) https://www.motoscan.de/

I followed the link and couldn't figure out what this is, what it does, or how much it costs. I presume the software requires some sort of device to connect a BMW motorcycle to my android phone.

Where do I get the physical device, and how much does one cost?

[Strat Tuner]

I went for a ride today and completely ignored "SERVICE".

I will regard it as a badge of honor amongst those who do their own oil changes.

[Glenn]

I followed the link and couldn't figure out what this is, what it does, or how much it costs. I presume the software requires some sort of device to connect a BMW motorcycle to my android phone.

Where do I get the physical device, and how much does one cost?

If you look on the site it tells you what it can do under the App menu,
https://www.motoscan.de/#app-features-ecu
https://www.motoscan.de/#app-features-basic
https://www.motoscan.de/#app-versions
https://www.motoscan.de/youtube-videos/
Compatible OBD adapters are listed under the Adapter menu. I use one of these https://www.amazon.com/ScanTool-OBDLink ... 181&sr=8-4
My 1250 doesn't need an adapter cable, but my 2011 F650GS does.

[Strat Tuner]

Let's start with something simple....

Does that Device/Software (I see that it's both now) clear the "Service" message?

[Strat Tuner]

If you look on the site it tells you what it can do under the App menu,
https://www.motoscan.de/#app-features-ecu
https://www.motoscan.de/#app-features-basic
https://www.motoscan.de/#app-versions
https://www.motoscan.de/youtube-videos/
Compatible OBD adapters are listed under the Adapter menu. I use one of these https://www.amazon.com/ScanTool-OBDLink ... 181&sr=8-4
My 1250 doesn't need an adapter cable, but my 2011 F650GS does.

For $20, I found this on Amazon.
--------------------------------------------
https://www.amazon.com/AMTIFO-Bluetooth ... 5042&psc=1
--------------------------------------------
(Search "AMTIFO Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner Wireless" if the link fails) (April 2025)

I think I'll try that first.
I wonder if it will need an adapter cable? I have NO CLUE where this port is on my BMW r1200RT. I'll start by looking under the seats!