Brake Failure Warning Light.

[Farrow730]

It's probably been covered before, but damned if I can find it. A point in the right direction would be handy, thanks.

Just got a call from the bike workshop (non BMW but been excellent and meticulous with all my previous bikes) servicing my 04 GS1200.

He's stripped the brakes and cleaned them within the service and now the 'Brake Failure' light will not stop flashing, even after a test ride. The test ride showed the brakes working fine - not sure about the ABS though as he didn't say.

Any ideas gratefully received?

 

[Slowdown]

Take it back to the place you get it serviced ???

 

[GSmonkey]

Any ideas gratefully received?

Who wants the ideas? You or the mechanic who clearly knows feck all about BMWs?

 

[Tuono1961]

Suggest you two read the original post again before posting

 

[Farrow730]

Here, here Tuono!

It's such a shame...

When you post for help or advice you get sarcasm, and when you post for something real and exciting (like an open invite trip for example) you get endless streams of advice (which was never asked for in the first place) and contradiction of your ideas. Why???

This website could be such a cool place, and valuable resource too, if only people would read a post, think, then read it again before posting a reply (and maybe even ask themselves "if I do send this reply, is it going to make me look like - well a tosser frankly" before they post).

Oh, the problem was sorted before I collected the bike by the way, but thanks for your help.

 

[Pukmeister]

The usual first step is to check the front brake lever isn't fouling the handguard slightly/rear brake pedal microswitch isn't stuck on.

 

[andyclift]

One cause can be the microswitch for the brake light sticking. The bike computer uses the switch to check if the brakes are held on when the bike is started. If this is the case the computer will not complete the start-up brake test. Eventually the bike goes into "residual braking mode" and you see the flashing failure symbol. The ABS will not work and you no longer have linked brakes.

The bike can need a lot of stopping from both front lever and foot pedal when this happens but it may not be immediately obvious on a lightly loaded bike.

If this switch releases while driving the brake test completes and you get full braking back. This can be dangerous if you don't notice the failure light has gone out and pull on the brakes like they are still in residual mode. Happened to me in the Alps and wife on pillion nearly came over my head when I had to brake hard.

An easy check on this (and the lever stuck) is turn on the ignition and look round the back of the bike to se if the brake light is on.

 

[Steptoe]

Oh, the problem was sorted before I collected the bike by the way, but thanks for your help.

And what was the problem ?. You never know it may help someone else with a similier problem and save them the truama you've had to go through .

 

[GSmonkey]

Suggest you two read the original post again before posting

Well, I've re-read it before reposting as you kindly suggested. It still reads that the OP is sitting at home when he gets a call from the mechanic who says .......

"Hello mate, you know that BMW of yours. Well I've stripped and cleaned the brakes, taken it for a test ride, now the Brake Failure light won't go out, anyway it rides OK so when are you coming to collect it?"

So that was my impression of the situation. Hence my dig at the mechanic, who the OP openly admits doesn't specialise in BMWs. Hence may not fully understand the servo/ABS system and could have fecked them up if he bled them incorrectly.

Anyway - as it's sorted now. What was the problem?

 

[Farrow730]

The problem

His explaination was he did the bleed niples in the wrong order (i'm sure someone will know different).

The phone call was to ask if the light had been on prior to service and if i'd had it happen before. "No" I said "but I know where to find out", hence the post - my belief in ukgser.com as a resource was pretty strong back then. Will think twice before posting again that's for sure!!!

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

...........- my belief in ukgser.com as a resource was pretty strong back then. Will think twice before posting again that's for sure!!!

I bet there's a damm good view from up there on that horse of yours

Andres

 

[Pukmeister]

Will think twice before posting again that's for sure!!!

Next time you want my help, ask someone else.

 

[andyclift]

Next time you want my help, ask someone else

Ditto

 

[Fanum]

His explaination was he did the bleed niples in the wrong order (i'm sure someone will know different).

The phone call was to ask if the light had been on prior to service and if i'd had it happen before. "No" I said "but I know where to find out", hence the post - my belief in ukgser.com as a resource was pretty strong back then. Will think twice before posting again that's for sure!!!