ABS flashing

Grim Rider

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After refitting rebuilt shock absorbers my ABS lights are constantly flashing; must have done something wrong or disconnected something but can't see anything amiss - any ideas what might cause this? Thanks!
 
Is it the general warning hazard triangle light or ABS lamp or both that flash and at what frequency (1hz-slow, 4hz-fast)? Checked your tail/brake light bulb?
 
Ok, Ian has posted useful links so that should help :cool:
 
Checked your tail/brake light bulb?

I've fallen for that one before, and have been corrected.

The general warning light (triangle) only illuminates for brake light bulb failure on K series bikes with ABS2 and the R series bikes with iABS ( sometimes referred to as either ABS3 or Servo brakes).

The OP has an 2001 R1150GS so has ABS2 therefore no general warning for brake light bulb failure.

Ian
 
I've fallen for that one before, and have been corrected.

The general warning light (triangle) only illuminates for brake light bulb failure on K series bikes with ABS2 and the R series bikes with iABS ( sometimes referred to as either ABS3 or Servo brakes).

The OP has an 2001 R1150GS so has ABS2 therefore no general warning for brake light bulb failure.

Ian

Should be a simple fix then hopefully ;)
 
Many thanks for your thoughts guys - much appreciated, shall follow up on your links tomorrow Ian and let you know how I get on :beerjug:
 
Okay - still having problems!

I performed ABS reset by putting a jumper cable across pins 2 and 4 of the diagnostic connector - lights continue to flash (alternating) with ABS button pressed, did not reset.

Tried it by putting a jumper cable from pin 2 to the battery earth - the bottom light only comes on and stays on with the ABS button pressed - when released both lights stay on all the time (I think this means ABS has reset). However, when I remove the jumper cable and turn ignition back on both lights are flashing alternating again.)

The problem would seem to be something which is tested at power up and am wondering if it is something to do with the earth of the ABS? Any further ideas most welcome - or do I need to get BMW to put diagnostic computer on it to test? Thanks again!
 
battery

how old is your battery may seem good but not enough power to set abs nice fresh battery and my lights stopped flashing. :thumb
 
Maybe

If you have have original rubber brake hoses they are breaking down internally.
Check them visually to make sure they are not starting to baloon

Had that trouble on a 99 1100 they would just not reset as you moved off
 
Thanks for the thought - battery is good {6 month old and I have taken it off and left it on Optimate overnight in between testing to make sure okay). Have had similar problem in the past when battery was on its way out but lights always go out if you stop after a while and restart ignition - did 400 miles on Saturday and lights kept flashing all the time (kept turning ABS off but lights came back on after a while).
 
If you have have original rubber brake hoses they are breaking down internally.
Check them visually to make sure they are not starting to baloon

Had that trouble on a 99 1100 they would just not reset as you moved off


Thanks again - did have original brake hoses until replaced them in March after 113k - has been working fine for the 1000 miles covered since replacing them.
 
IT should be Brown wire with blue stripe held to a GOOD earth (battery needs to be well charged as well)

Ignition switched to on Kill switch off and Hold the ABS button down for 20 ish seconds release ABS button then turn Ign off for 10 secs and then back on they should be reset

If the lights continue flashing when you hold ABS button down the switch is fecked or a wire has corroded through in behind

There are ways around it but get back to us on whats happening
 
IT should be Brown wire with blue stripe held to a GOOD earth (battery needs to be well charged as well)

Ignition switched to on Kill switch off and Hold the ABS button down for 20 ish seconds release ABS button then turn Ign off for 10 secs and then back on they should be reset

If the lights continue flashing when you hold ABS button down the switch is fecked or a wire has corroded through in behind

There are ways around it but get back to us on whats happening

Held wire from pin 2 (brown wire with blue stripe) to earth on battery (battery fairly new and fully charged); switched ignition on (lights flashing alternatively) and held ABS button down for over a minute (bottom light only illuminates constantly) released button (both lights on constantly); turned ignition off and left for over 10 seconds; turn ignition back on and both lights flashing alternatively. Tried different combinations of holding button down before turning ignition on etc but always same result. Cannot see any obvious problem in wiring? Interested in ways around it!!
 
Do you feel confident enough in making up a read out light using an LED and resister so you can read the fault codes?

This would help narrow down the fault. Failing that short of replacing components, your only hope is someone who has diagnostic kit.
 
Ahhhhh Replacing Shocks

Any chance you let the back ABS sensor cable get pulled ??? Or Leant on ??

Last few of the 1150's I had in for a problem like this was the rear ABS sensor cable got badly kinked

"If" you park a pals similar age Similar ABS system side by side with yours facing away from each other and right side to right side

You can cross plug their rear ABS connector to Your ABS connector (DO NOT Switch their ignition on whilst the cable is fitted to yours !!)

Switch your bike on and clear faults and see if it resets???

If it does switch off ign and refit your own cable and switch on .... Does it go to fault mode


If so it's the rear sensor Order 2 new o rings for the sensor hole and get yourself a wee tube of red rubber grease from E bay or wherever

Also make sure and check your sensor gap when you refit the new one
 
If you get no joy from the Dr's suggestion then it might be worth checking the ABS relay which sits under a black plastic cover on the side of the pressure modulator.

This guide to overhauling the pressure module will show you how to get to it. Skip down a few pages until you get to the picture of the black plastic cover with FTE written on it. The write up will explain how to get access.

http://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/BMW ABS II D&A.pdf

Good luck.

:thumb2
 
Ahhhhh Replacing Shocks

Any chance you let the back ABS sensor cable get pulled ??? Or Leant on ??

Last few of the 1150's I had in for a problem like this was the rear ABS sensor cable got badly kinked

"If" you park a pals similar age Similar ABS system side by side with yours facing away from each other and right side to right side

You can cross plug their rear ABS connector to Your ABS connector (DO NOT Switch their ignition on whilst the cable is fitted to yours !!)

Switch your bike on and clear faults and see if it resets???

If it does switch off ign and refit your own cable and switch on .... Does it go to fault mode


If so it's the rear sensor Order 2 new o rings for the sensor hole and get yourself a wee tube of red rubber grease from E bay or wherever

Also make sure and check your sensor gap when you refit the new one

Thanks - that would make sense since it started after I replaced the rear wheel. Have ordered O rings and have some red rubber grease in the garage (but no mate with similar bike!)
 
Get a new one or a good second hand one and plug it in to your bikes loom NO messing no stripping bits off (making sure the ignition is off of course)

Switch on and reset ABS and switch off and on ignition ?????

Cured or not ?

That's the easy way or you could pop by and I can plug in my GS911
 


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