General warning light. Red.

[clive916]

The Red warning light on my R1200GS has started coming on after a couple of miles of riding. The self test shows no faults on starting up and when the warning light comes on no other fault is indicated e.g. charging fault or faulty light bulb.
Switching off and starting up again seems OK then the light comes on after a couple of miles again.
I'm riding the bike to Slovenia in two days so only have tomorrow to sort it out.
Any suggestions of the possible fault and solution will be welcome.
I work tomorrow so may not get it to a garage, although I'll phone a BMW workshop for their advice.

Thanks,

Clive E

 

[Jonnybiscuit]

Reading the manual, as far as I can see...

If the warning light is solid red then it's battery charge.
If it's flashing red it's oil pressure

Hope this helps

 

[clive916]

Seems OK now.

Thanks Jonny.
The low charge indicator (the battery sign) never illuminated after the self test displayed it. Likewise the low oil pressure indicator was the same (The oil can sign)
The handbook stated the when the red sign is constant it could be an ABS fault. My model is an 04. Newer models may vary?
Anyway, I deactivated the ABS, ran it, reactivated it and since then the warning light hasn't displayed any fault.
I was suspecting that the warning light system may be the fault and nothing else was actually wrong with it.
The ABS was working as I tried it before and after switching it off and on again.
Hopefully that's the end of the problem.
On a different note, the back wheel locks up far too easily without the ABS. I'll be keeping it switched on.

Thanks again.

Clive E

 

[Moho-ZN]

Hi Clive, Are you still having this issue with the general warning light? I just got an 06 model GS, and have the exact same problem. The users manual states (pg 31) that it is a defective brake switch, and that the brakes could work abnormally. I have not had any problems riding it, but as its my first GS, I would not know any better?!?! Brakes seem to work fine, but I don't want to take any chances, and don't like the fact that I am riding with the general warning light constantly on red. Any help from any tossers would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[Wizard]

99% of the time you can sort it by moving the handguard so the brake lever isn't catching on it

 

[Martyn H]

99% of the time you can sort it by moving the handguard so the brake lever isn't catching on it

I had heard of this, & wondered if it was true or a myth.

However, a colleague rang me last week, having bought a low mileage GS, but with this problem.

And yes, the hand guard was indeed causing the problem. Cheap repair !

 

[juddadredd]

I get the clutch touching the guard sometimes when I have my bar mitts down and I haven't noticed that the levers moved so that's where I start on all clutch and brake issues.

Do the 2008 guards have the same problem as mines an 06 GSA?

 

[Moho-ZN]

Thanks for ideas gents.
I have checked the hand guard and it is definitely not catching. Have adjusted the brake lever anyway, and there is no change. Red light still comes on after a few hundred yards. the switches aren't catching, and all work fine, and the brake light works as normal, as and when you hear the clicking of the switch on both front and rear brake levers.

Do you think I need to physically remove the hand guard anyway, or is this only a problem if it is catching?

From reading other posts, I have a feeling it could be that the dreaded ABS fluid is low. (But then why the hell does the user manual not say something about this? The problem is apparently the "defective brake switch."). Does anyone have some advice on how to check this. I took the fairings off yesterday but at first glance, I was a little lost... I am not a techie, but always keen to learn!

Cheers chaps.

 

[Wizard]

Multimeter on the switch contacts, operate switch.

 

[Bendy toy]

My engine runs fine the oil level is correct but the flashing light will come on at random though more likely if it's rained. I have checked the oil level switch wiring and there might be a problem with one connectors as the ends are exposed. I have not yet got to the oil pressure switch.

 

[Moho-ZN]

Chaps,
Steptoe kindly ran the diagnostics on my GS, and it ran fine, with no faults popping up.
Strangely enough, I have narrowed it down. If you brake gently and with controlled pressure, the bike runs normally, and this is fine even over long distances. But the moment there is heavy traffic, and crossing town, where there is sharp braking, the light pops on. Thoughts were that the ABS fluid was slightly low, not enough to trigger any sensors normally, but during hard braking, when the fluid shifts forward, it would trigger the sensor. So yesterday I removed the fuel tank and topped up the ABS with Dot 4 (that YouTube video really helped), also double checked the rear and front reservoirs. But it is still happening, under the same circumstances.
Light bulb is fine, brake lever is not catching, there is no sponginess in the levers..... that is everything that has been suggested...

I am very much open to new ideas. My first "long" trip on Mayday weekend, and I don't fancy doing 500 miles with the general warning light on...

Thanks for the help.
Moho-ZN

 

[juddadredd]

ONLY caused by HEAVY Braking is 90% Probability of a loose wire, or maybe broken wire that's moving around when your under extreme braking causing the issue. When your standing still or slightly braking then it wouldn't change its position. but I'm only guessing.

 

[Moho-ZN]

Worth a try... I will have a look at the wiring....
Cheers Juddadredd

 

[Bendy toy]

Ive got a new oil pressure switch to fit because the existing one is random though heavy braking has possibly brought it on (oil level is full).

Unplug the oil pressure switch wire and short it to the chassis with some spare wire and PVC tape. Then do some heavy braking and see if the light still comes on. You could also do something similar with the oil level switch. Though that has 2 wires and I dont know if the alarm is open or closed circuit.