1150 RT warning light - question

[Davie Smith]

Morning Folks.

I have just joined the forum and as you can see from the title have a wee question. I recently bought an 02 1150 RT, complete with the servo brakes. Not sure I love them but that is for another day.

The warning light below the abs warning light has started to come on while riding and after I have used the rear brake for the first time. It does not always happen but more ofter than not. The front bake does not cause any problems and once the light is on it does not go out till the ignition has been switched off.

I am sure there will be a thread in here somewhere but not being very good with these things I don't know where to start looking. I had a trawl back through a dozen or so pages but nothing jumped out and bit me so gave up sulking.

Any suggestions chaps?

 

[llotse]

Can't help with the problem but be very careful, I had similar and lost the servo whilst riding, went for the brakes and it was as if I didn't have any. You do actually have perfectly good brakes but with no servo you have to pull the lever hard, very hard, and the brain can't think that quick. I went sailing out into the middle of a junction but luckily nothing coming either way.

Have you had new tyres or taken the wheels off for any reason? Mine turned out to be a nick on the ABS cable on the front wheel.

 

[Steptoe]

If the light doesn't flash but just stays lit it could well be the low brake fluid warning light for the servo units. - these are checked and filled up in the same way as the handle bar reservoir, only they are located under the fuel tank.

One reservoir is for front and one for the rear.

 

[Davie Smith]

Thanks, I will have a look at that Steptoe.

 

[Ian J Hartley]

Does your bike have a twin filament tail light bulb?

I had exactly the same fault on my bike. It turned out to be the tail light bulb. When the brake light filament got hot enough it would sag and touch the tail light filament. Putting on the abs warning. When everything cooled down it reset.

Worth a look.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Your bike May have first generation integral the reservoirs will be the same size

the one marked V or VR is Vorderrad or front wheel, H or HR is Hintenrad or rear wheel

If there is a big reservoir and a little one? the big one is the front system

They got a larger reservoir the 02 / 03 because they were running low on fluid when the front pads were worn down

AS Steptoe says fluid level could be the issue and as it's only on the rear circuit check the rear pads are they badly down

Please Be careful There are 4 circuits Hand and Foot control circuits and the front and rear wheel circuits

You cannot bleed them or change the fluid as you do on any other bike The control circuits are not connected to the wheel circuits directly! So you change fluid as per a procedure

This May Help http://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/service_abs3.pdf It's really really important do not let the ABS wheel circuit run dry It buggers the servo!

They also had a thing if the tail light failed they would feed a low current to the brake light filament but I can;t remember if there was a warning for that?

 

[Davie Smith]

Thanks guys. I had a look at the resevoirs they seem to be the same size and the front one, didn't look for any markings was down a smidge but not a huge amount. It has been topped up. Will need the rest of the day to get the bloody plastic back on, who thought that the mounting system was a good idea??? Once that has ben done I will get back tp you. Thanks for the help so far. Oh for info separate tail light brake light bulbs.

Is there any chance it could be something to do with the battery? It started happening after the bike had been sitting for a couple of weeks. Couldn't get it out of the garage for the snow!! First time out the bike struggled to turn over with the starter being a bit lazy. It has been taken off and some grease put onto the shafts etc. I haven't checked to see what the voltage is on the battery yet but not too big a job to do. Just a thought.

Cheers

 

[Ian J Hartley]

The light you speak of is called the general warning light.

If this is the only light on permanently then the handbook says to check the brake light.

Do both the front and rear brake levers put the brake light on. When you operate either brake lever can you hear the servo running. Does the brake light go out when you release the levers. There's a micro switch at the front lever and at the foot lever. You should be able to here them clicking.

Could you have a foreign object (stone) Jamming the foot micro switch.
Could you have a poor fitting brake light bulb or dirty contacts.
Simple things, easy to check.
Long shot replace the brake light bulb and see if the fault clears. Simple task, minimal effort. Make sure you use the correct wattage of bulb. As the system measures current flow.

If you had a battery voltage problem, the fault would probably be present directly after engine start. The fact that it goes through self test generally points to voltage OK. But you never know, a good battery voltage is always a prerequisite to a fully functioning abs system.

 

[Davie Smith]

Gents

Thanks for your help. Topped up the servo, changed the bulb, just in case, checked all the other bits. Fired the bike up and the oil light wouldn't go out - AAAAARRRGGHHH. Checked the level which was ok and called Motorworks, ordered the pressure switch on Monday got it yesterday, light now out and warning light seems to be ok too so not too bad.

Just need to take her out for a run to make sure.

I hate the man who designed the fairing fixing points with a passion. What a rediculous set up.

Cheers again chaps

Davie

 

[DrFarkoff]

Big Tip You can ride them with the fairings off

just make sure you have no papers in the pocket Don;t Ask! or obviously cover the radio if it's wet

Gents

Thanks for your help. Topped up the servo, changed the bulb, just in case, checked all the other bits. Fired the bike up and the oil light wouldn't go out - AAAAARRRGGHHH. Checked the level which was ok and called Motorworks, ordered the pressure switch on Monday got it yesterday, light now out and warning light seems to be ok too so not too bad.

Just need to take her out for a run to make sure.

I hate the man who designed the fairing fixing points with a passion. What a rediculous set up.

Cheers again chaps

Davie

 

[Davie Smith]

I should. Not sure I could look at the tank without all the palastic. It's bad enough lying on the garage floor. Pretty it aint ha ha