R1100GS ABS light problem

[ZZedd66]

I was on the beach today and ran into some very soft sand. The bike bogged down about a foot but I kept it moving and paddled with my feet until I got to firmer sand, and it pulled out ok. However, as soon as I hit the soft sand the ABS lights started flashing alternatively at about 1 hz, like when the battery is low. I figured the rear sensor was covered in sand as the whole bottom area of the bike was coated in sand. I rode home and washed all the sand and salt off the bike, then flushed plenty of water over the rear caliper, but the damn ABS lights flash still, as soon as I turn on the ignition. The sensors look clean/free of sand. Should I take off the rear sensor (the front was up on top of the sand but the rear was bogged down and the wheel was spinning) and clean the end? Can I do an ABS reset? How do I do this, apart from turning off the ignition and turning back on? The battery is new and not the problem this time.

Cheers,

Z

 

[DrFarkoff]

centre pin of flat 3 pin diagnostic plug to earth ignition on

hold abs button for 30 seconds

release button

ignition off

wait 10 seconds

ignition on ( lamps should blink together )

If its the round type diagnostic socket its the brown wire with the blue trace colour

If it doesnt work first time put a charger (not an optimate ) on for 5 mins and hold abs switch for a minute

if abs lamps don't stop flashing when abs switch pressed the switch is broken

 

[ZZedd66]

Thanks Doc

I'll give that a go. The lights flash alternately as soon as I turn on the ignition, so I think that indicates it's something that fails at power up, so not battery voltage and not wheel speed sensor. I read somewhere that you need to hold down to ABS button for 8 seconds; is that too short? Mine is a '98 R1100GS. So ABS2 is fitted I believe?

 

[DrFarkoff]

Lights flash immediately is an ABS fault end off story

It requires reading the flash codes to determine the exact fault but it code be either sensor or an internal fault

Yes 1100 Were gifted in that they never had that schite Servo ABS

 

[ZZedd66]

Worked a treat!

I did as you said and it cleared the fault and reset the ABS controller.

Located the diagnostic plug just in front of the toolbox under the rear saddle.
Plugged a ground wire into the centre pin, and clipped the other end to the Negative battery terminal.
Ignition on, the lights flash alternately.
Hold down ABS button for 10 seconds. Bottom light only is now lit.
Turn off ignition, wait 10 seconds, turn back on and flashing lights are now gone.
Start bike, ABS lights still on together.
Do pull away test, hear the ABS kick in, lights go out. All good.

Many thanks, good advice given as always. I owe you a chowder!