Brake Failure

[Steve E]

Hi all
Just got the dreaded brake failure flashing away and loss of brakes.

Decided to remove front brake pads to check thickness and to grease the backs as I was getting some squeal from the front pads. Reassembled and turned ignition on to go for a short spin to see if squeal had gone. On turning the ignition on I did not get the usual 'whirr' of the servo starting up but got the normal brake failure icon flashing but at 4 falshes a second no red triangle. Started engine and pulled front brake lever, still no whirr from servo and definately only residual braking.
Decided to ride 'around the block' to see if it cured. Nope.
Noticed that Brake light is permanently on. Using this as a clue I cleaned out both front and rear brake switches to see see if any crud was causing the switches to stay on. All clean and correct.

So at the moment I have the Brake light permanently on, only residual braking and a brake failure light falshing away. (oh and the rear light screw posts have crumbled away so i need a new rear light assy)

Any one got a pointer as to what may be up?

Bike is an 05 with 60k on the clock


Steve e

 

[CuzGS]

Sounds daft but the brake lever isn't fouled on the hand guard is it ?? Happened to me

 

[Steve E]

Brake levers are not fouled as I don't have hand guards fitted at the moment.

Steve e

 

[CuzGS]

Mate give Jono at the ABW a quick bell, he's the man

 

[trainman]

Hi all
Just got the dreaded brake failure flashing away and loss of brakes.

Decided to remove front brake pads to check thickness and to grease the backs as I was getting some squeal from the front pads. Reassembled and turned ignition on to go for a short spin to see if squeal had gone. On turning the ignition on I did not get the usual 'whirr' of the servo starting up but got the normal brake failure icon flashing but at 4 falshes a second no red triangle. Started engine and pulled front brake lever, still no whirr from servo and definately only residual braking.
Decided to ride 'around the block' to see if it cured. Nope.
Noticed that Brake light is permanently on. Using this as a clue I cleaned out both front and rear brake switches to see see if any crud was causing the switches to stay on. All clean and correct.

So at the moment I have the Brake light permanently on, only residual braking and a brake failure light falshing away. (oh and the rear light screw posts have crumbled away so i need a new rear light assy)

Any one got a pointer as to what may be up?

Bike is an 05 with 60k on the clock


Steve e

could it be worn pads giving low fluid level - sure i read that somewhere

brake light would seem to be a clue, surely only comes on if front or rear switch circuits are made (or shorted)

 

[Steve E]

Brake pads are about 50% worn, so I don't think that is the fault.
Its the brake light staying on that I think is stopping the ABS self diagnostic on start up to complete. Have taken the rear bulb out but no change on brake failure.
Do I buy front and rear brake switches to see if that cures it, or get NOG to pick the bike up (not riding it with only residual brakes) and plug it into the computer and see if that cures the fault?
Thinking that changing the brake switches may be the best option.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

You mentioned that the rear lights was a bit corroded, are the connections corded as Well? could be there is a short in the light making the brake light stay on. might be worth disconnecting the whole unit and see if that helps any. Failing that follow the wires from the switches and see if there is any damage. I am also assuming the switches make to switch on so disconnect them. If they break to switch on then bridge out the connector to short it and try again. Pretty sure it's something simple here and not ABS failure. dont suppose you know someone with a GS911? That will tell you in minutes what's going on.

 

[Tobers]

my 1200's servo died due to a corroded rear light cluster. Same symptoms as yours.

 

[Steve E]

All Fixed

After a nights thinking, I have sorted the brakes. Came to the conclusion that it must be the brake switch on the brake lever. Readjusted the switch so that it is pushed all the way in to the lever. Could just here the contacts close. Turn on ignition and the start-up cycle completes, servo 'whirrs' and the brake light is off. Took bike for a spin and all is OK.
Rebuilt the rear light/lens pillars with araldite and aluminium tubing. Will still need to replace rear light assembly as the reflector is peeling and the bottom rubber grommet/bush is split so the light is bouncing up and down.

Steve e

 

[CuzGS]

Great, glad it's sorted