Flashing red triangle and 'brake failure' message

[RedShanks]

Hello, all.

Yesterday I let the bike (R1200GS 2006, with servo brakes) drop and now, having picked it up and started it again, I get the above mystery message.

The bike was at a stand still, engine off and I was manoeuvring it into my back gate when I let it lean too far away from me and the momentum and increasing weight meant that I couldn't hold it up. I was on the left side of the bike so that it fell on to its right side - the brake lever side. I daresay there are few who have had a similar experience. The further it leans away the less chance you have of holding it up and you realise you can either fall in a heap with it, or let it go as gently as possible, which is what I did.

The crash bars did their job, so that not much of the bike made contact with the road and when I got it back upright and started it I didn't expect any problems. When I got the triangle and brake failure message I rode it a few yards and then applied the brake, expecting the message to disappear, but no. So I rode another few yards and braked again. Still the flashing brake message and triangle. The thing is that the brake is working perfectly, with the servo, so I can't make sense of the message.

I've had a similar thing in the past which is usually down to the hand guard having got twisted out of position so that it's touching the end of the brake lever, but that isn't the cause this time. Any ideas?

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Is the hand guard fouling the lever?

Typed by Tittytalk

 

[RedShanks]

Not this time, no. That's happened a few times before and so it was the first thing I checked but the lever is moving freely and unimpeded.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Yes as per Miff, if the brake lever is even slightly pressed you will get the brake warning.

 

[iand46]

Has it got ABS? If it has I think this needs checking out.

All Brake fluid levels ok, reservoirs under the tank?

 

[RedShanks]

As I say it was the first - and only - thing I looked at, and the lever seems to be completely free, but if the bar end impacted with the road (which it may have done, I suppose) then perhaps a bit of jiggling about with the lever might do it. As soon as it stops bucketing down, I'll give it a try. If anyone has any other ideas, all are gratefully received.

 

[RedShanks]

Sorry, that last reply was to Marki GSA. Yes, iand46, it has ABS. I haven't checked the fluids, so as soon as it stops raining I'll see what I can see. But it was a very light tumble. I picked it up immediately and there was nothing on the road. I'd hate to think they're that delicate, but something is obviously amiss.

 

[iand46]

Sorry, that last reply was to Marki GSA. Yes, iand46, it has ABS. I haven't checked the fluids, so as soon as it stops raining I'll see what I can see. But it was a very light tumble. I picked it up immediately and there was nothing on the road. I'd hate to think they're that delicate, but something is obviously amiss.

Have a look on Google, quite a bit on this subject, seems to be a common fault.

 

[RedShanks]

Have a look on Google, quite a bit on this subject, seems to be a common fault.

Thanks. I looked and I've already come across an instance on the Adventure Rider forum, where low fluids were detected and that was setting off the warning. I'm wondering whether the bike going over could affect the sensor's reading and that maybe now the fluid will have re-settled and give a proper reading, which presumably would clear the problem. Unfortunately it's still teeming down in London and since the bike lives outside I think I'll wait for friendlier conditions to check it out.

 

[Steptoe]

Thanks. I looked and I've already come across an instance on the Adventure Rider forum, where low fluids were detected and that was setting off the warning. I'm wondering whether the bike going over could affect the sensor's reading and that maybe now the fluid will have re-settled and give a proper reading, which presumably would clear the problem. Unfortunately it's still teeming down in London and since the bike lives outside I think I'll wait for friendlier conditions to check it out.

Just though i'd point out that the levels you have to check are in the servo unit under the tank, not the brake fluid reservoirs on the bar and the on the rear subframe.

 

[haydw]

I had exactly the same thing the other week, left foot down, nothing there but a pothole, went past the point of no return and down she went. Had the red triangle and brake failure light, everything worked ok, stopped and reset, lights out and no issues. I have put down to low levels in the servo and now its had time to settle the warnings have gone away. Didn't do this when I dropped it with panniers on, but this time it was totally horizontal.

Sent from my RM-875_eu_euro1_211 using Tapatalk

 

[RedShanks]

That's encouraging. It may well be that - as my granny might have put it - I'm crying before I'm hurt. It's been raining for 14 hours solid in London so I haven't had the bike started today. I hope I'll have your experience tomorrow, haydw and that everything will be tickety-boo. If not I'll be back on here, crying again. Thanks for the pointer, Neil. I think it might be time you waved your wand over this one, anyway. I've had it since December 2012 (replacement for the stolen one) and I haven't had anything done to it. Might be in touch shortly.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Sorry our posts crossed, you posted as I was typing.

 

[jogo]

Sorry, that last reply was to Marki GSA. Yes, iand46, it has ABS. I haven't checked the fluids, so as soon as it stops raining I'll see what I can see. But it was a very light tumble. I picked it up immediately and there was nothing on the road. I'd hate to think they're that delicate, but something is obviously amiss.

It might just be that one of the reservoirs in the ABS unit under the tank was a bit low already and when the bike was down just a bit got into the overflow hose. That might just be enough to give you the warning indication.

 

[Nick V]

I'm with iand46 and jogo on this one. Either or both of the wheel circuit reservoirs (on the ABS regulator, under the fuel tank) are more than likely a bit low on fluid.
It's easy enough to check with the tank off. Note that there are two reservoirs - 'V' for Vorderrad ('Front wheel') and 'H' for Hinterrad ('Rear wheel'). With the brake pads in optimum condition, the fluid levels should be just high enough to cover the white plastic level marker.

Also check to see whether the terminal plugs for the fluid-level sensors are secure. If either or both have come adrift, the CANBUS may be getting a false 'empty' signal.

 

[RedShanks]

Wahey!! It stopped raining. I took the bike out and all red warnings disappeared after a few yards/first application of brake. I am hugely grateful as always to the Magi of the UKGSer site, and Nick V, I've stored the document for future use. Thanks, all.

 

[Nick V]

No worries!