"Brake Failure" warning light on start-up

[SpitFire1982]

Hi Everyone!

My '06 1200GS (fitted with ABS) is due for its first MOT this coming Friday at a local (very small) MOT centre. This is my first BMW … after being a KTM enthusiast all my life!!

When I start the bike up (morning, afternoon, evening … whenever basically), the "Brake Failure" red warning light stays on until the wheels start moving. I've been told that this is just the way BMW motorcycle ABS system works.

Can the bike fail the MOT test on this matter?

Regards
+Bernard

 

[AberdeenAngus]

They all do that, Sir.

...so, no, of course it can't.

 

[SpitFire1982]

Thanks for the reply.

Like I mentioned earlier, the MOT Centre is very small, and thus MOT Centre Technician has never tested a BMW before ... so just wanted to check my facts before the actual test on Friday.

 

[EggChaser]

Page 31 of the riders manual states

Self-diagnosis not completed ABS warning light flashes.
Possible cause:
The ABS function is not available, because self diagnosis
did not complete. The motorcycle has to move forward
a few metres for the wheel sensors to be tested.

Pull away slowly. Bear in mind that the ABS function is not
available until self-diagnosis has completed.

As such it it normal operation of the motorcycle and should not fail the MOT - take your riders manual with you and show the tester the relevant section.

NOTE: Page number comes from PDF version of the '08 manual - might be a different page in your manual.

 

[Old Man]

Yup. Explain it to the MOT station by telling them that the system needs to complete a "pull away test". Once it's done that the ABS warning light goes out. At least, that's what it says in my riders manual!
John

 

[h0wz3r]

I was wondering this myself.

Just this minute I've been to inspect the R1200GS I've bought (picking it up on Tuesday.)

On turning the ignition on, the bike performs its self-checks but then the brake failure light stays on (blinking.) The salesman tells me that this goes out once the bike is moving, doing about 5mph or so but he has a bit of a dodgy reputation and wanted to check this is the case.

From reading this it sounds like he is correct but in that case, how do you tell if ABS is enabled or not?

 

[davidgibson999]

From reading this it sounds like he is correct but in that case, how do you tell if ABS is enabled or not?

the light will go out once you pull away letting you know that ABS is working fine.
You can choose to turn off the ABS light in which case the light will remain on constantly.

 

[h0wz3r]

the light will go out once you pull away letting you know that ABS is working fine.
You can choose to turn off the ABS light in which case the light will remain on constantly.

So if ABS is enabled the blinking light will just extinguish once the bike is moving but if it's disabled it'll stay on constantly is that right?

 

[CaptainSlow]

Page 31 of the riders manual states

Self-diagnosis not completed ABS warning light flashes.
Possible cause:
The ABS function is not available, because self diagnosis
did not complete. The motorcycle has to move forward
a few metres for the wheel sensors to be tested.

Pull away slowly. Bear in mind that the ABS function is not
available until self-diagnosis has completed.

As such it it normal operation of the motorcycle and should not fail the MOT - take your riders manual with you and show the tester the relevant section.

NOTE: Page number comes from PDF version of the '08 manual - might be a different page in your manual.

Egg Chaser is correct. My old Suzuki Bandit had a similar light that didn't go out until you reach 6mph. The GS is the same except the light is bigger and actually says brake failure which scares the sh1t out of you the first time you start it after you've forgetten what the dealer told you.....

 

[davidgibson999]

So if ABS is enabled the blinking light will just extinguish once the bike is moving but if it's disabled it'll stay on constantly is that right?

correct. to disable it you have to hold the ABS button while starting the bike.

edit: i realise now that in my previous post I had the word "light" after ABS by mistake

 

[Kremmen]

As the exciter ring passes the hall effect sensor a current is produced which the ABS module pick up... until it receives this input the system will not function as designed.

Regards

 

[ktmmark]

Some of the land rover/range rovers also have to go over 4 mph for the abs light to go out.

 

[cookie]

Some of the land rover/range rovers also have to go over 4 mph for the abs light to go out.

a fair old push then

 

[Wapping]

As the exciter ring passes

Bloody hell, the 1200 has got an exciter ring.....