Electronic Drive Away Protection (EWS)

Electronic Drive Away Protection

EWS I







Beginning with the 1994 model year; all cars were equipped with EWS I. EWS stands for the German words Electronic Wegfahrsperre meaning Electronic driveaway protection version 1.

The EWS I system is activated when the vehicle is locked from the outside with the key. EWS I prevents the engagement of the starter and disables the fuel injection system until the vehicle is unlocked with the key or remote transmitter.

The EWS I relay module also provides the neutral safety switch and BC code functions.

EWS II







At the start of the 1995 model year the EWS I system was replaced with EWS II. EWS II provides the same protection for the starter and fuel injection and is now controlled electronically through a coded chip imbedded in the key. The drive away protection is active until the key is switched on and the correct code is recognized from the key by the EWS control module.