GS 1200 2008 Brakes

[Mike07]

Had the bike laid up for three months, small problem with the fuel guage, I've sorted that. Also brake failure light showing, I took the calipers off had one sticky pad, I gave them a good clean, all seemed well. Re-assembled everything, took the bike for a test run, light went off, Then after a while came back on, the pad is not sticking anymore. Can someone tell me what things can make the Brake failure light illuminate, so at least I have a list to check. It's my first modern BMW so i'm not up to snuff with the system. I'm worried once initiated it needs BMW reset?
Thanks,
Mick.
Sorry, Yes ABS

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Presumably an ABS bike? Get the error codes read either buy a gs911 find a friend with one or at worst get the dealer to read them. A few common issues to check first. Make sure the hand guard isn't fouling the brake lever. Check condition of foot brake switch. Make sure brake light is working properly. I think all 08 bikes had led tail light but if not check condition of rear light bulb holder. Failing that lot something is up with your abs most like.

 

[younger06]

Get it plugged into a BMW diagnostic (or if you know someone with a GS911)


Unfortunately it's probably the dreaded ABS module. How is your battery, a low battery "might" cause the warning light.

 

[Ted]

Faulty tail light bulb, unless LED. Rear speedo/abs sensor, try taking out and cleaning but usually shows up as speedo playing up as well. Check both front and read brake light switches are working and not sticking, front can sometimes catch on hand guard but that may be just earlier ones.

 

[Mike07]

Brake

Just checked the brake lights, switches hand/foot.... All seem okay, Ill look again tomorrow, check ABS sensors, if no luck its plug in time, I didn't even want ABS when I got it..... For years, Went all over the place on my old R100Rt, never fell off because of braking.

 

[Bendy toy]

The front end doesn't dip like a bike with ordinary forks so ABS is handy to have.
Check the rear speedo sensor at the electrical connector and the pick up in the rear hub. Mine worked for a while and packed up a while later. New sensor sorted it but possibly a new wire could have been spliced in.
The 08-09 ABS module is basically the same as used in many cars. The one on my Renault Espace looked identical.
There are instructions for changing ABS motor brushes on YouTube.


Sent somehow.

 

[Delboy777]

Does it show BEFORE you move the bike ? have you tried a few revolutions of the front wheel ? Brake failure always illuminates until the wheels have done a few revolutions.

 

[Mike07]

Well I had a bit more mess about cleaning connections, etc. then I took it for a run, odd thing started to happen when exploring the fault 1/ start bike ride off immediately ... Brake failure goes out after the requisite period, ABS works .... 2/ Start bike wait say 30 secs then move off Brake failure persists, and ABS doesn’t work.
But the good news after 80 odd mile it seems to have self healed, didn't know BMW had that function yet.... I'll ask around to see if someone has a GS911, and hope it was a glitch..
Thanks for the advice chaps, it helped.
Mick.

 

[Bendy toy]

That sounds like a wheel sensor fault. The rear also "drives" the speedo.


Sent somehow.

 

[Khulu]

First run of the year yesterday - a 200 mile spin up to Helmsdale and back; glorious! [2013 TB TC GSA]
Unfortunately, after a long winter rest, 5 miles into my run the "brake failure" warning came on and stayed on for the full duration. Brakes worked fine (although I didn't invoke an ABS requirement) but light stayed on. I'll have to investigate as above because it was all fine when put away for winter.Bloody electronics!

 

[(RIP) orbit]

Looks like the same problem I have on my 2007 GSA

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/445952-Fixing-ABS-with-Fiesta-motor

 

[Bendy toy]

It may well just be the speedo sensor in the final drive casing. Mine failed recently but was intermittent for a while so I suspect the wire more than the actual sensor. However its not really testable so I bit the bullet with a new (used) sensor from Motorworks.

The sensor can work well enough to drive the speedo but when the electronics spot a glitch they switch off the ABS. it wont try again until you restart the bike.

Bikes that are laid up for long periods suffer more with cracked alternator cases, battery cells going down and sometime the ABS motor brushes stick.