Brake Failure??

[Bairn]

Bit confused by technology at the moment. On start up my 12GS red triangle remains on and the Brake Failure light flashes at a rapid rate of knots. However, I have full servo power on both brakes, don't know about whether have ABS fully functioning. Ride for a while, stop, turn off, have an ice cream, turn on and no red light or Brake Failure light.

I've checked that the brakes are not catching, rear bulb is fine. Could I have a battery that is not holdng enough charge or is it something else. I can't get to a dealer to plug in the diagnostic as overseas but due to ride 'The Long Way Home' to Blighty in about 5 weeks via the former Yugoslavia.

Grateful for any ideas.

 

[Kong]

Brake lights

do you have the brakes when you start it? ie just touching the handbrake to stop from rolling.

I find if I drop it into first - turn the key - let it do its systems check, then pull in the clutch and hit the start.

 

[Pukmeister]

Hi Bairn,
a mates 1200 is presently doing exactly the same thing, dealer didn't find any fault codes and reckons its deffo due to the rear brake lamp circuit (lamp/holder) even though my mate has replaced the rear lamp and the lamp works fine. His bike is now booked in for a dealer check.

I suspect his lamp holder is probably a bit corroded, a known issue on 1200 models as they are open to dirt and water ingress where the wiring enters the brake light housing. The CANBUS system is also a bit picky regarding the resistance of the lamp filaments themselves.

It might be worth you removing your bikes rear brake light cover, taking out the lamp and inspecting the lamp holder for corrosion. Also note that if one of the brake lamp filaments blows the bike cleverly uses the other filament at lower power to simulate tail/stop light functions through one filament only. Check your filaments or fit a new lamp if in doubt.

Good luck with the long ride home.

 

[Fanum]

Battery.
Change it...or optimate it.

It's probably taken over from the porrly seated cables after tank off problem as the most reported problem on GSs now......thanks to the undersized underpowered batteries they insist on putting on the 12's

 

[Barrmill Biker]

Had similar problem just recently went to the dealers (very helpful people Motorrad West) and they thought the speed sensor was cussing the problem and replaced it under warranty but no problem still there the guys found a cable rubbing on the ABS pump under the petrol tank a quick bit of insulating tape problem solved.

Hope this may be of some help.

Ian

 

[Bairn]

Thanks all for the above. I'll start stripping the rear light and then check the wiring round the cabling. I did have the rear tyre changed before I flew the bike out here so maybe I caught/disrupted the speed reader. Check it tonight.

Didn't bring the optimate with me but a quick blast every week keeps it topped up.

Thanks again.

 

[Shep]

I had the rear lamp holder cracked by a tyre fitter when he strapped the rear of the bike up to remove the wheel, he had fed the strap the rear subframe and caught the wires as they entered the rear light

A don't take what fanum says as gospel I've done 45,000 miles with no battery problems at all (i know i'm gonna regret saying that now )

Although most other things have needed work especially on the 04 bike

Shep

 

[bcp]

Here is another thing close to the topic

If your right hand protector touches the handbrake level just 1 - 2 mm the bikes computer system will indicate ABS error and turn the servo system off! Things works as designed you know, hand protectors shall be moveable a bit in when (not if) you drop the bike to prevent them from braking off.

/Christer