Brake Failure nightmares !!

The story so far...

Changed the rear wheel speed sensor and the rear brake pads, and still the light is on :blast.

I'm thinking now that i'll have to change the front sensor. It seems strange that the sensor would fail given that i've only ever ridden the bike on the road.

Does anyone else have any ideas?

Regards
Baz
 
i just had the same problems with my 2004 gs and it turned out to be the front sensor. I'm not to sure what did the damage but the cable was almost broken just next to the caliper mounts ( sharp bend there with my model ) it could be age or that a branch or twig got at it ...... the problem started a few weeks ago and occurred only after riding in the wet and went again but gradually got worse until the error didn't disappear anymore.

changing it is a bit of a boll.... because the tank has to go....but all is perfect again :)
 
Yes you have the post-07 type of ABS (non-servo) same as mine. :beerjug:

Your ABS warning light just means there is a fault in the system. Thanks to the size of this site you will get dozens of folk with helpful suggestions such as "my light same on at it was my XXX". The only and quickest way to sort out your problem is to get along to a dealer and get them to read the fault code out of the ABS unit. Then at least you will know whats wrong with your bike. Up to you how to fix it after that.
 
Grizzly GS said:
Yes you have the post-07 type of ABS (non-servo) same as mine. :beerjug:

Your ABS warning light just means there is a fault in the system. Thanks to the size of this site you will get dozens of folk with helpful suggestions such as "my light same on at it was my XXX". The only and quickest way to sort out your problem is to get along to a dealer and get them to read the fault code out of the ABS unit. Then at least you will know whats wrong with your bike. Up to you how to fix it after that.
Click to expand...

Or if you know anyone locally to you with a GS911 as that will read the ABS faults as well.
 
beatmeier said:
i just had the same problems with my 2004 gs and it turned out to be the front sensor. I'm not to sure what did the damage but the cable was almost broken just next to the caliper mounts ( sharp bend there with my model ) it could be age or that a branch or twig got at it ...... the problem started a few weeks ago and occurred only after riding in the wet and went again but gradually got worse until the error didn't disappear anymore.

changing it is a bit of a boll.... because the tank has to go....but all is perfect again :)
Click to expand...

Tank off doesn't sound right to me. The wire from the front speed sensor can be unplugged on the right hand side of the steering head. Its visible and reachable from the right hand side of the bike, looking from the top, at the steering head. I use this to disconnect the front speed sensor to permanently disable ABS. Therefore the tank doesn't need to come off to replace the front speed sensor...
 
I had exactly the same issue with my '06. brake light on with no ABS. BMW said it was probably the abs module, turned out to be the corroded connectors on the back of the rear lamp, pain to get to but replaced connectors and works fine.
 
I know what the problem is - you havent taken the bike completely apart and then put it all back together again, checking that everything works as it should by replacing every single component with new original equipment.

This is the modern way of repairing broken modern bikes and cars - guaranteed 100% effective it is.

Of course, the new OE replacement part may be equally defective, so you had best repeat this process two or three times to be sure.

Easy when you know how :thumb
 
Happened to me long time ago-

Worn (thin) rear disk and worn pads meant that reservoir went low and light flash. Did notice significant change in brake operation.

I'd check the front pads as well
 
Brake failure

Cookhouse said:
Hi All

I'm fairly new to the Forum, and this is my first post.

I have a GS1200 07 plate and have recently had the brake failure light appear on the dash. On start up it flashes as normal but when i pull away it goes off then comes back on and stays on solid.

I have tried a new bulb in the brake light, no joy i've sprayed some cleaner into the rear brake switch, no joy.

Has anyone else had this problem and managed to sort it. The bikes well out of warranty now and i don't want to take it to the dealer

Can anyone help :nenau

Cheers
Baz
Click to expand...

Had same problem 2 wks ago on my 2011 R 1200 GS, 19500+miles(ABS equipped)I also noticed the speedo was operating eratically.Bike still under warrantee so took it to the dealer.they replaced the speedo/brake sensor and bike been ok since.
 
I would checkout iHandyman's battery suggestion. Normally if it is the battery you will find that the speedo is also dead after start up as well.
 
The Story so far.......

Still got the Brake Failure light on :tears

Anyway i paid a visit to my BMW Dealer and put it onto their diagnostic machine and it came up that there was no power to the ABS Pump. They took the tank off and checked the connections and still no joy, so, new ABS Pump. The quote is £1230. F**K!

Motorworks can supply me a secondhand one for a fraction of that cost so i'm tempted to fit it myself.

My question is has anyone on here fitted one before themselves, as i'm keen to get any info on this before i break out the spanners and get Tourettes syndrome!

The dealer did say that the pump has to be bled electronically, ie on a diagnostic machine. Anyone heard of this before?

Regards

Baz
 
Can't you get these refurbished?

Alternatively, have it removed and pretend you never had ABS.

Or how much is a new one, and get a 3rd party to fit it. Steptoe perhaps?
 
Well if its going to be that expensive get a second opinion at least.

Very interested in hearing how it works out so do let us know
 
Check out this youtube video it sounds as though you have exactly the same problem as this guy had and he sorted it out in about a couple of hours!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyUvwwBQg0A
if the link does not work search youtube with the phrase BMW 1200 ABS fix and you will get the video.
 
WindyChuffer said:
Can't you get these refurbished?

Alternatively, have it removed and pretend you never had ABS.

Or how much is a new one, and get a 3rd party to fit it. Steptoe perhaps?
Click to expand...

Can't do that on modern ABS systems, the New additions coming into the MOT bikes fitted with ABS after a certain date (Can't remember which but it was mentioned to me when i took fathers GS for MOT last month) will have to have a short run to check calibration on the ABS. IT will probably be done on a rolling road if they have the correct rolling road or a trip down the road.So if it was fitted as standard at the factory it will have to work for the MOT.
My local shop who are susuki dealers said they will probably not buy the box to do the ABS test until it's been established and more bike's have it as standard due to cost. It's part of standardising the MOT, europe doesn't have an MOT but they are getting one soon :JB:JB:JB so ours will be updated and kept inline with th eeuropean one so ours will get more strict over the next couple of years, but who cares there's always ways around thetest and getting the result you want.
 
Feck me. The bastarding things are deliberately designed not to be repaired.
Shouldnt grumble, that's exactly the kind of thing that's going to keep me in beer in my retirement.
 
JASONBC said:
Can't do that on modern ABS systems, the New additions coming into the MOT bikes fitted with ABS after a certain date (Can't remember which but it was mentioned to me when i took fathers GS for MOT last month) will have to have a short run to check calibration on the ABS. IT will probably be done on a rolling road if they have the correct rolling road or a trip down the road.So if it was fitted as standard at the factory it will have to work for the MOT.
My local shop who are susuki dealers said they will probably not buy the box to do the ABS test until it's been established and more bike's have it as standard due to cost. It's part of standardising the MOT, europe doesn't have an MOT but they are getting one soon :JB:JB:JB so ours will be updated and kept inline with th eeuropean one so ours will get more strict over the next couple of years, but who cares there's always ways around thetest and getting the result you want.
Click to expand...

New regulations do not affect bikes...

Mike :cool:
 
More of the same

I have a 07 with 45,000 klm on the clock. Brake failure light came on some times and then goes off. Not happy with this si I took it to my local dealer who ran the diagnostic on it.
POWER SUPPLY FAULT TO THE CONTROLLER.
They are getting more of these faults and it is within the circuit board on the controller. The whole unit needs to be replaced +- $4000Aust.
This is the second bike whose ABS controller gone in 2 months. Mine a R1200gs and my mates K1200gt, Both about the same year and mileage.
This abs unit is called the MK2 model .

THE good news is BMW have come to the party and supplying a replacement controller and I only have to pay for the fitting.

So if you have an ABS controller failure ask the dealer to request BMW replace under warranty.

I have had a long standing relationship with my dealer, I do not know how much this helped.


Safe Riding
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

2014 1200gs rear brake failure
Replies
4
Views
339
bigmo476
scot
Brake failure light
Replies
18
Views
1,569
botus
Brake Failure Warning 2005 R1200GS
Replies
8
Views
1,130
Zag999
Sgt Bilco
Cooling fan failure
Replies
16
Views
458
Littledumptruck
Littledumptruck
Mad Hatter
R60/6 brake failure warning light - what does it do?
Replies
4
Views
509
Posh Pete
Posh Pete


Back
Top Bottom