Exhaust Flap servomotor fault

[AustinW]

Hooked up my GS911 after servicing the bike today and saw the following fault report. The bike seems to run fine and the exahust flap appears to move - only tell by touching the cables and it feels like it is being cycled. I could fit the tube thing and remove the flap I suppose.

Fault Codes Report

GS-911 version: 1411.2 Datapack version:1.9 Serial Number: xxxxxxxxxx Registered to: me
Date: 11/02/2015 Time: 14:26:29

Motorcycle VIN:xxxxxxxxxxxx

10313: Exhaust flap servomotor
This problem occurred once.
The fault is not present now.


BMS-K
10313: Exhaust flap servomotor
The fault is not present now.
This problem occurred once.
Logistic counter: 40
Symptom: No signal or value.
MIL set: No
Fault code history:
Engine speed
1360.00 rpm
Exhaust valve servomotor status
160.00
Odometer
47360.0 km
Throttle valve angle
0.00 %
Vehicle speed
0.00 km/h​

 

[autogs]

so whats your question?
the fault occured once so what keep an eye on it and dont worry.
what was the point of getting the gs911 if you cant interpret the info it gives you.

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

what was the point of getting the gs911 if you cant interpret the info it gives you.

To learn perhaps?

 

[Pukmeister]

Is there any advice on the GS911 web forum at Hexcode ? If not, an email to them should reveal what the fault is eg stuck valve or servo motor problem. After all, they wrote the software so should know what the codes mean.

 

[AustinW]

so whats your question?
the fault occured once so what keep an eye on it and dont worry.
what was the point of getting the gs911 if you cant interpret the info it gives you.

Ah yes, sorry was in a rush and forgot to add that if I clear the fault on next start up the fault reappears as above. It seems to only be on initial start up. First time I have used the GS911, so yes learning.

I suppose the questions are: "should I be worried?", "has anyone had this before?", "if so how did you fix it?", "has anyone got a helpful comment that will move me forward to a resolution?" TBH I didn't feel like I really needed to spell it out as there is usually advice and answers to questions that haven't been asked on most threads.

To learn perhaps?

Exactly.

Is there any advice on the GS911 web forum at Hexcode ? If not, an email to them should reveal what the fault is eg stuck valve or servo motor problem. After all, they wrote the software so should know what the codes mean.

Thank you, helpful suggestion. I will have a browse around there tonight and drop them a mail. If I get a helpful answer I will post it up.

 

[Alan R]

The fact that the Bowden cable feels like it is flexing may indicate that the servo is functioning but it does not necessarily follow that the valve is moving through its full range. I removed my flap valve together with the cables and put in place the link pipe. My gs911 now tells me that I have the same fault as you have seen. The bike does not operate any differently to when the valve was in place and functioning correctly. As a new gs911 owner I also had to learn how to operate it and interpreted the fault codes. Most people on this site will help if they can.
Alan R

 

[Hoff]

I had the same fault on my 2012 triple Black, found the exhaust flap was very, very stiff. Tried to ease it up with no success so in the end I removed it and fitted an eliminator tube from Nippy Normans. I did email my friendly dealer and they said it is most likely the flap valve. Once the tube was fitted I removed the cables from the servo motor, reran the diagnostic and no fault code was present. The user forum on the Hexcode site is fine but like any forum you hope some good soul helps you with an answer but there is a lot of useful topics which help all of us to learn!! Hope this is of some use.

 

[AustinW]

Thanks both, there is a thread on the gs911 forum describing the same fault with the solution being remove the valve and fit the tube. A visit to the local metalworkers is planned for tomorrow.

Funnily enough they are called AustinW too.

 

[SteveM]

Junk the flap, it doesn't really do anything anyway, and is a potential problem if it sticks shut. Also, your GS911 will give you the same fault code and at least you'll know the code is correct and it's nothing to worry about. Make sense?

 

[mikeyboy]

my guess,i can check this theory tommorow if needed.
the bike will cycle the exhaust flap servo motor when powered up(ign on)
it not only controls the flap position but also tells the ecu of the flap position.
if, when the ign is turned on the servo,cables and flap do not cycle through the full movement the servo motor will try and fail safe open.
failure to do the test cycle will log the code,
try disconnecting the cables from the servo and see if the code still logs,
or bin the lot as others have suggested.
the 911 diag interface tool is a fantastic bit of kit,ignore any negative comments from twats on here that have no idea themselves how to use it,the biggest challenge is interpreting the results you get,so you need to practice with it,get it on different bikes and record the results, the data is nothing if you dont know what it means.
mike

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

The servo motor can rotate 180 deg, the flap valve can only rotate 90 deg.
The start up cycle let's the ECU know where the fully open and fully closed positions are. If you disconnect the servo you will get a fault code, if you disconnect the valve cables you get a different code. None of which affect the running of the bike.
Strangely there are no error codes if the valve is sticky or stuck?

 

[AustinW]

I took it all off today to have a look see. The flapper valve is seized solid as were the nipples at the valve end of the cable. So thanks for the tips and I never would have diagnosed this without the GS911. Although someone with more experience of GSs might have as what I thought was the fuel pump or injectors cycling every 5 seconds or so when the ignition was on turned out to be the servo motor for the valve in its test cycle. It does it once now. I suppose what I thought was movement in the cables was just the motor trying to turn it all.

Looking at the rust on the cable nipples and how seized the flapper is it looks like its been like this for a while. The exhaust clamps were right bigger to undo - I couldn't believe they are not stainless bolts. Anyway I removed the cables put the motor back, and the flapper valve until I get the eliminator pipe. I phoned half a dozen places but no chance and couldn't get a reply at Asbo exhausts (custom bike exhaust builder) who are fairly local so I bit the billet and ordered the ridiculously expensive tube from Nippy Normans. It will be a 10 minute job now its all freed up and I am going shopping for some SS clamps over the weekend.

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

The flap is sprung-loaded to open position (fail safe?) why not disconnect the power from the servo and leave it?

 

[MattW]

I'd imagine if you disconnected power to the servo, it'd throw a canbus fault and nag you?
If you disconnect the cables from the valve, it'll not see a servo fault and I believe a valve fault, while logged, doesn't cause a dashboard nag?...

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

I'd imagine if you disconnected power to the servo, it'd throw a canbus fault and nag you?
If you disconnect the cables from the valve, it'll not see a servo fault and I believe a valve fault, while logged, doesn't cause a dashboard nag?...

Disconnecting the servo power logs a fault but nowts on the dash, runs just the same.
I would just make sure the flap was in the fully open position, the spring will keep it there, and remove the servo motor and cables.
Cost £0

 

[MattW]

Disconnecting the servo power logs a fault but nowts on the dash, runs just the same.
I would just make sure the flap was in the fully open position, the spring will keep it there, and remove the servo motor and cables.
Cost £0

Good to know
I'm still learning my way round my TC - only got it at Christmas. I'll have to take a look where the servo plugs in - it'd be handy to know if it ever karked on a trip (my bike has the 'approved used' warranty but I've no idea if the valve / servo is covered).

 

[Bendy toy]

The valve exists only to pass EU noise regs. It does nothing for performance. Even if it is replaced on warranty, take it off and fit a plain tube. Then the valve can sit safely on a shelf wrapped in an oily rag until you want to sell the bike in original condition.

 

[Pukmeister]

Depends if you are a purist that wants to keep the bike original. If the valve is seized up with carbon you could try using a strong oven cleaner such as 'oven pride' gel to dissolve any build up, then strip and lubricate with high solids copper grease.

The GS range has worked fine since the 1980's without a stupid flappy exhaust valve until some bright spark decided to fit one. Probably a nice long term workshop earner for the marque, a designed-in guaranteed cause of future troubles. Glad my 2008 bike hasn't got one.

 

[Bendy toy]

Keep simple (at least as simple as the already complex 1200 hex allows).
Fit a tube and pack the whole flappy valve malarkey into an oily rag lined sandwich box. It looks odd anyway.
Caustic doss will be the best shift it cleaner. Just be sure no alloy parts get pickled.
Ferrous bolts are the best option on exhausts. But use lots of anti seize copper grease and use stainless nuts.