1150 GSA i-ABS brake problem (and in Switzerland as well)

[darklord]

Well, now that I've made it to Switzerland and the GSA and myself have made it upthe side of a mountain to the village my mum lives in, it was obviously time for something to go wrong .

Rode down said side of the mountain earlier today when the brake warning light (red triangle with the exclamation mark, not the ABS light) came on on application of the rear brake. Hoh joy. Front brake was still working as intended so I pulled over, turned the engine off, waited a couple of seconds, waited for the ABS light show to finish and started it again. Did it again, oh great, and whatever happened clearly turned off the servo circuit for the rear brake. I tried this a few more times in the next couple of miles but the warning light came back on every time I used the rear brake.

Got to the next town, parked bike, went shopping and rode back - no funny lights, servo for the rear brake is working again but not much braking power compared to normal.

Has anybody come across this before and/or knows if the brake computer stores fault codes so I can have them read? Somehow I'd like to get to the bottom of this before I take a shortcut or two down a pass.

Also, can anybody recommend a BMW bike mechanic in Graubuenden?

Not a happy bunny, me...

 

[Taff]

Sounds like an intermittent problem I had a few weeks ago on my 05 1150 GS Adventure. With me, it turned out to be a partially blown brake light. When I took it out, I noticed 2 filaments - 1 was fine, but the thinnest wire wasn't complete. In fact the wire was so thin, that it was difficult so see if the wire was complete or not. The only way I could tell was by gently flicking the bulb. As soon as I changed the brake light, all was well again.

 

[darklord]

Thanks, I'll check that.

 

[forry]

This isn't much help to you but i had the same problem with mine last year in the end bmw fitted a new servo.They did say it was ok to use it while the ordered one just don't use back brake

 

[darklord]

Ouch. And the warranty runs out in a couple of days...

I'll call the BMW dealer in Chur (nearest to me) tomorrow and see if they can at least check it over tomorrow or Friday.

 

[forry]

They replaced mine free out of warranty and no full service history

 

[darklord]

Well, that is a relief. Anyway, time to call the nearest dealers...

 

[darklord]

Got back from the dealer in Chur - the fault code indicated a non-working rear brake switch. They told me they get this quite often as it's a microswitch that is exposed to the elements. It occasionally gets stuck or jammed in the 'off' position and when the system sees pressure in the control circuit (because you're stamping on the pedal) but no signs of life from the switch, it switches off the servo.

You could get the impression that this bike was built for fair-weather bikers only .

Nevertheless, if you get stuck in this corner of the world I can recommend those guys.