Abs light and warning light

[Steven 0001]

So today i managed to get the bike going and went for about a 60 mile run. All good. I stopped to fill up for fuel about 10 miles after that the abs warning light came on and was flashing fast(4 per second) and the general warning light came on. The rear brake lost the abs and left me with very little braking. Got home after a slightly sketchy ride. Looks like the brake fluid in the rear was super low. So i filled it up but the lights still come on and flash. Can i clear them? And was that probably the problem
Cheers
2005 gsa 1150

 

[Ian J Hartley]

Just for clarity, as you are new to the bike.

Are you aware that your bike has a servo ABS system and it has 4 separate fluid reservoirs. The front brake and rear brake master cylinder reservoirs are control circuits which feed to the Servo unit located under the fuel tank. The Servo unit has the other two reservoirs for the front and rear brakes and these are the power circuits.

So for clarity, when you mentioned the rear reservoir was low, are you talking about the control reservoir or the power reservoir.

Is this your symptom…?

Gen ON, ABS flashes at 4Hz =At least one brake circuit in residual braking function mode.

You could try bleeding the whole braking system, I say the whole system, because you have a linked braking system, where the front brake operates both the front and rear power circuits proportionally. Where as the rear brake only operates the rear power circuit.

If that doesn’t clear the fault, then it could be either the ABS sensor, or the Servo unit itself. Either way a proprietor fault code reader would likely give you more in-depth and specific fault details, you should also be able to clear the fault codes and check for recurring fault. However, without a fault code reader once the ABS carries out a successful self test, the lights will clear automatically.

 

[Steven 0001]

Just for clarity, as you are new to the bike.

Are you aware that your bike has a servo ABS system and it has 4 separate fluid reservoirs. The front brake and rear brake master cylinder reservoirs are control circuits which feed to the Servo unit located under the fuel tank. The Servo unit has the other two reservoirs for the front and rear brakes and these are the power circuits.

So for clarity, when you mentioned the rear reservoir was low, are you talking about the control reservoir or the power reservoir.

Is this your symptom…?

Gen ON, ABS flashes at 4Hz =At least one brake circuit in residual braking function mode.

You could try bleeding the whole braking system, I say the whole system, because you have a linked braking system, where the front brake operates both the front and rear power circuits proportionally. Where as the rear brake only operates the rear power circuit.

If that doesn’t clear the fault, then it could be either the ABS sensor, or the Servo unit itself. Either way a proprietor fault code reader would likely give you more in-depth and specific fault details, you should also be able to clear the fault codes and check for recurring fault. However, without a fault code reader once the ABS carries out a successful self test, the lights will clear automatically.

That is correct for the symptoms. I was definitely not aware of the 4 reservoirs. The one i checked is the obvious external one next to the seat lock. That was low.
My word these bikes are super complicated! �� I just gave it a quick spin and the braking still seems pretty naff. Felt like it locked up a bit.

 

[Ian J Hartley]

That is correct for the symptoms. I was definitely not aware of the 4 reservoirs. The one i checked is the obvious external one next to the seat lock. That was low.
My word these bikes are super complicated! �� I just gave it a quick spin and the braking still seems pretty naff. Felt like it locked up a bit.

It doesn’t sound as if the servo reservoirs are low, as you would have a different warning, but it sounds as if you have had a sudden loss of fluid from the rear control circuit to the servo unit, which is unusual and needs investigating. The fluid levels in the control reservoirs never change, where as the power reservoir levels go down as the pads wear. I would be lifting the fuel tank and checking the servo unit for obvious leaks. Then bleeding the system. Because the rear control reservoir sits below the servo unit, a leak could have induced air, which might be your problem.


Have a read of this, it will help you understand the system, and how to bleed it. It’s long winded but comprehensive.

http://users.rcn.com/dehager/service/service_abs3.pdf