"Brake Failure" warning light

[Eric_Norman]

Ove the last couple of days after leaving home to go to work, the brake failure warning light and the red tringle have come on but the brake servos are working fine and braking as expected!!!

Stopped switched off reset etc. all ok for a while then it comes on again. Happens twice over a 20 mile journey.
Once again on way home and same the following day.

Today happened 4 times on way in. Bike has now done 4000 miles

Phone dealer suggested check rear brake light not failed ? ( will check tonight when i get home, if not have to get it back to them next week)

Any ideas or anyone had same issue.

Cheers

 

[Tobers]

Rear brake switch getting stuck in the "on" position? Front brake being pushed slightly on by the handguard being out of position?

 

[Andy Michael]

Check the rear bulb had same problem bulb looked ok but on inspection the glass bit was moving on the fitting causing an intermittant fault.

 

[Mouse]

One filament in the rear bulb may have blown. The control unit runs the other filament at a different voltage to simulate the normal operation. So you can't see that the bulb has blown by pressing the pedal, you have to visually inpect the bulb.

 

[Arthurwg]

Check to see if the battery terminals are tight. They may not have been fitted with lock washers as they should be.

 

[MikeHin]

I once had a little bit the same problem (I guess).

More about this:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30885

Mike

 

[Eric_Norman]

I once had a little bit the same problem (I guess).

More about this:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30885

Mike

Thnaks for these posts but my problem seems to be different in that the servos and brakes continue to work fine just the bloody triange and the words flashing.

I did have the brake lever problem early on fixed by adjusting the lever aduster screw thingie !!

I took a good look at all the various bits mentioned above rear bulb is intact both elements working. Rear brake switch fine and cover in right place.

So its off to the dealer this next week to get them to sort.
Will keep you posted

 

[Fanum]

My adv started doing the exact same thing this weekend......the frequency of the flashing dependfs on the type of fault.

How many times a second is the brake failure light flashing???

On my bike, I've got Servo and abs still working on the front, and the back appears to be on residual only...and the brakes are no longer linked.

Very bizarre.

 

[Dr.ABS Brake]

My adv started doing the exact same thing this weekend......the frequency of the flashing dependfs on the type of fault.

How many times a second is the brake failure light flashing???

On my bike, I've got Servo and abs still working on the front, and the back appears to be on residual only...and the brakes are no longer linked.

Very bizarre.

there are two pump circutits. obviously the pump of the rear circuit failed. according to your description you'll need a new I-ABS III unit. (in my case it was the front circuit that failed).

Dr.

 

[Davel]

Ditto - on my 4 moth old GS with 3,5k miles.

Dealer advised me not to drive it and specialist coming out now.

If he can't fix it, then they'll recover it to the dealer.

Bugger!

 

[Davel]

Diagnostic guy couldn't trace it. He had the laptop but was more of a car type and didn't have the software - so they've collected it and taken it away.

The warning trangle just comes on but with no other symbols.

Oh well back to the car for now but bloody frustrating...

 

[Paul Wakefield]

The warning trangle just comes on but with no other symbols.

According to the manual, red warning light and no other symbols indicates "Brake light switch defective or not adjusted correctly".

HTH

Paul

 

[Fanum]

there are two pump circutits. obviously the pump of the rear circuit failed. according to your description you'll need a new I-ABS III unit. (in my case it was the front circuit that failed).

Dr.

Nope.....just a break in the switch wire (caused by the tip of one of the fuse/relay box lid screws cutting into the wire).

Too much exaggeration and scaremongering doesn't do anyone any good Dr ABS......I'm sure there have been a couple of true 'servo failures' as you keep going on about, but I'm equally sure that many of these 'failures' are no more than minor faults in a rather over-complicated but superbly effective system and people trying to raise panic and fear about it doesn't do anyone any good.


IMHO

 

[Davel]

In my case the 'diagnostic expert' had the pc but not the software for a GS.

He checked the rear light too but said it seemed ok.

At first he said ride it to dealer at Crewe, who is talking of being booked up for two weeks, and I said that I'd do this on his recommendation but what if the warning light was significant of something else and the engine failed or something similar.

After much thought, she was recovered last night and I am now bikeless but with the offer of a car for 48 hrs.

I've already got a f***ing car - it's the bike that I want on the road.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Manual implies the switch rather than the light itself. Hope you get it sorted soon.

Paul

 

[Eric_Norman]

Been into Dealers now !!

Fault code reset and level topped up and it seems to have gone away.

Dealer suggested bike had been dropped and thats why the warning light came on with a loss of liquid!!

Did drop it a while back at least 3 weeks before the light problem occurred ??

New question - So if this is supposed to be a bike for some 'off road use' where it is sure to be dropped at some point.
The light comes on as the fluid drops below the sensor and the only way to clear it is to get the dealer to reset it !!! is this an issue or am i being thick ???

 

[ktmmark]

When topped up the system will be reset on start up' it was the fault log that was cleared they can look @ this on service & see if you have had any problems
all modern cars have this system we call it a code read points to apossable cause to a fault

 

[Dr.ABS Brake]

Fanum

Originally posted by Fanum ... I'm equally sure that many of these 'failures' are no more than minor faults in a rather over-complicated but superbly effective system and people trying to raise panic and fear about it doesn't do anyone any good. ...

I think you are right about panic and fear. I would like to call it awareness. It's just a suggestion.

Basically I don't care for the reason the brakes 'failed'. Especially I don't care for true events of 'failing servos'. What do I care for?

I do care for the possibility of switching to backup hydraulic mode with residual braking action, unlinked and without ABS. This is legal, all over the world, I do know that. But I do know the impact of this event in a situation! And thanks to you I do know now at least six reasons this can happen (over-complicated).

Yes - I know that there is a company and a lot of riders that say you always have residual braking action, you just have to squeeze harder and you do have a warning light and therefore everything is perfect.

Dr.

 

[Davel]

For me, it's not trying to raise alarm over something like this - it's genuine concern.

Unlike many of you, I know nothing about engines or electrics and if a warning symbol comes on, I note it and ring the dealer, if it isn't something in the manual.

The risk of engines seizing or brakes failing is a concern, especially reading about things like this happening.

As a responsible(ish) adult and father of far too many children, I like to keep the odds stacked on my side as much as possible.