ABS FAULTY?

[andy gee]

2000 1150gs

Been trawling the threads but to no avail.....
For seemingly no apparent reason both ABS lights are flashing alternately. I have reset as per the link out of the blue/brown wire, but I'm getting no 'clunk' on pull away?
I have removed and cleaned/set both sensors and have had battery on charge. Am at a loss as to what next! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[paddy dougan]

ABS

What symptoms are you getting??
I had a problem with mine failing leaving me with only residual braking.
BMW said replace the unit as it was U/S. I found out otherwise and have not needed to replace it, still working fine without probs now for 5K miles.
Need to know your symptoms.
cheers Paddy

 

[scrap man]

abs fault

my abs lights started flashing tried the multi plug bridging wires but did not cure ended up havin to to ma local dealer for reset there was no fault found but it sorted the warning lights that was 8 months ago still fine sorry no answer to your problem scrapman

 

[Steptoe]

I had a problem with mine failing leaving me with only residual braking.

His bike doesn't have servo, just plain ABS.

Your referring to the different more problematic servo/ABS system.

 

[andy gee]

Paddy, the only symptoms are the flashing lights and no clunk on take off.The bike seems to be braking fine, starting seems quick enough. I can press the ABS button on the move and it shuts out the top light and leaves the bottom one on for about 5 minutes then both come back on flashing alternately(I think that is normal).
Scrapman it could be my last resort to BWM as Christmas is looming and finances are scarce!!!!

 

[MattW]

Battery.
Loads of ABS problems are related to batteries getting knackered (especially at this time of year). When you start the bike, the ASB does a self test and if the battery voltage is too low (because starting has taken to much out of a depleted battery), then it'll fail to initialise and you get the alternate flashing.

What do the lights do when you turn the ignition on (but before you press the starter button)? If they flash together then there's no stored fault and as long as the ABS self tests it'll initialise. If they flash alternately then there's a stored fault and a reset (and possibly further diagnosis is necessary).

But, pound to a pinch you've got a duff battery.

My knowledge is related to the 1100, but others will no doubt tell me if I'm wrong!

 

[Steptoe]

The bike seems to be braking fine, starting seems quick enough. (

A failed ABS unit will not affect the braking on a 2000 bike.

Turn the ignition on with all other electrical systems turned off i.e no lights on, no heated grips on.

Turn the ignition on, and wait 4- 5 seconds before pressing the starter button, this allows the ABS time to check itself.. If the ABS is checking itself as you press the starter it'll register low voltage and turn off.

 

[andy gee]

Matt,
Damn! both lights flash alternately when I turn the ignition on
What do I do now!!!
Does it look like a visit to ....THEM.....

 

[andy gee]

Steptoe,
I usually do wait a short while before I fire her up.If as Matt states the lights alternate when ignition is turned on would waiting a short while make any difference? I was just surprised the link out didn't work, I suppose if there is a more serious fault then it wouldn't.

 

[MattW]

Matt,
Damn! both lights flash alternately when I turn the ignition on
What do I do now!!!
Does it look like a visit to ....THEM.....

This page is good for basic diagnosis of ABS faults (you've got ABS2):

http://www.largiader.com/abs/absfault.html

I'd try a reset (dead easy - method on the page above) and take heed of Steptoe's advice re starting (in fact take heed of his advice full stop). If a reset doesn't work then you can actually read the fault codes using a cheap analogue multimeter, but try the reset (and make sure your battery is good) first.

 

[andy gee]

Great Link Matt!
Oh yes I always heed the wise sage!!!
I will try the link out again, if that fails then maybe a new battery?

 

[MattW]

Great Link Matt!
Oh yes I always heed the wise sage!!!
I will try the link out again, if that fails then maybe a new battery?

Hmm, only you can decide if your battery is bu**ered - it would be a £100 mistake if you changed it for nothing. However, given the recent cold snap and its effect on possibly marginal batteries, it's got to be a possible....

You've reached the limit of my experience with ABS (gained from my 1100), so I'm going to defer to others (Steptoe?) on this.

 

[paddy dougan]

His bike doesn't have servo, just plain ABS.

Your referring to the different more problematic servo/ABS system.

OOps!!
Spot on Steppers,
should have spotted that!!!
Cheers,
Paddy

 

[andy gee]

Matt,Paddy,Steptoe.
Thanks for your help and advice it is greatly appreciated.
Its so good to know that when things go pear shape there are people (This forum in particular) that are willing to take some time out to helpPaddy

 

[MattW]

Matt,Paddy,Steptoe.
Thanks for your help and advice it is greatly appreciated.
Its so good to know that when things go pear shape there are people (This forum in particular) that are willing to take some time out to helpPaddy

No worries - many others have helped me - if my meagre knowledge can help someone else then it's got to be good karma

Hope you get sorted and do keep us posted on what happens.

cheers
Matt

 

[BrianS]

Battery.
Loads of ABS problems are related to batteries getting knackered (especially at this time of year). When you start the bike, the ASB does a self test and if the battery voltage is too low (because starting has taken to much out of a depleted battery), then it'll fail to initialise and you get the alternate flashing.

Excellent advice Matt - very many thanks

I am in the process of selling my R1150GS. It hasn't been used for a while and when I pulled it out the garage yesterday for a mate to take for a test ride it only just caught on the starter indicating the battery was a bit low. He came back a bit worried that the ABS lights hadn't extinguished - which worried me as well coz I need to sell the bike!

I put it on the Optimate overnight and found this thread about an hour ago. I have just taken the GS out for a test ride and the ABS lights extinguished as soon as I got moving and all seems in order. I wish all "repairs" were that easy

Many thanks again - great forum!!!

Brian

 

[motobiker]

I've found that a very short ride is all thats necessary to give the battery enough 'oomph' to set the ABS on those odd occasions when it fails - like when its very VERY cold. Just a quick ride from my house to the nearest 'stop' - junction (less that a quarter mile) is enough - Key 'off' - then back 'on' and wait for the silence - then start her up. in the dark I just use the sidelight - to minimise drain. As I pull away and the ABS sucessfully engages. flick the headlamp on - sorted.

 

[Stewart H]

I fitted a new battery last year and lost the abs problem for a few months, but recently short runs and little time on the mains charger has made the problem come back, yesterday I fitted one of those jump start posts and whilst the cover was off I took the opportunity to strip, clean and lubricate the starter, nothing was actually wrong in there but the grease was a little old and the clutch dust was making things sticky, half an hour well spent, much smoother in operation, I then gave the battery a couple of hours on my proper charger, jobs a goodun

Stewart