R1100SS "Brake Failure" Warning Problem

[blobcat]

I had to go to a meeting in St Helens last Thursday so considering the M53/M56 & Widnes Bridge I decided on taking the R1100SS rather than the car.

Cold, wet & miserable, although that was just the meeting the ride was great..... apart from "Brake Failure" warning message flashing up along with the Red Triangle warning. This came up after ~50 miles of damp riding although the brakes including servo was still working. I stopped checked all the brakes as best I could at 05:30 and couldn't see or feel anything amiss. I started the bike back up and after the initial 10 yds when the ABS sensor read the wheels turning the warnings went off for ~1 mile then came back on.

I tested the brakes (although not the ABS) and all seemed well so I carried on. When I set off to come home the warning light came on again after ~4 miles. Although the brakes were again fine and I had a very windy but good ride home.

I've since cleaned the bike & there was loads of salt crude in the calipers and ridden it round the block a few times & the warning hasn't come back.

Is it just a sensor/wire that is playing up?

Any ideas as to where the fault lies would be appreciated.

 

[blobcat]

No replies... I thought this maybe similar to the braking on the GS

I went for a 200+ trip around mid Wales last week and the warning stayed off until 174 miles when it popped up again. I stopped for awhile after 190 miles then did another 15 miles and the light stayed off. I think it is wheel sensor related and will take the wheels off and check it all out.

As per previous though any ideas gratefully received.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Hey Blobcat, Yes the system is basically the same

Number one check your pads are they approaching the end of their life?

What it sounds like is that you have a low fluid warning

Pads wear = more fluid required = slave circuit probably incorrectly filled on build up

Remember it's not the Handlebar reservoir you're filling it's the one on the servo block under the tank unfortunately from memory that's where they put it on the 1100S the larger fluid chamber is marked V for Vorder or forward.

Now here's the tricky bit If you top up maybe 30 cc's you may get away with it If you fill the reservoir You will get a fluid mess at the change of the pads as you push them back the fluid is more than the chamber volume so just pushes out the overflow

My advice if the pads are low get a new set and fit them cleaning the pistons and carriers well before pushing the pistons back in.

Have the tank Off

with the callipers back on and the brake fluid level clearly visible.

Turn the ignition on and gently squeeze the brake and move the pistons and pads out to contact the disc Watch the fluid level it "shouldn't go that low but watch it anyway
Once you have them on the disc top the level up and squeeze the brake lever hard to set them in place.

recheck your levels and rebuild While you're at it check the wheel side rear disc pad as it wears excessively more than the outer!

The other thing to check is to pull off your rear lens and check your tail lamp BUt I don't think it flashes a warning for this one

ANd FInally make sure you're front brake lever / switch is returning to it's rest place a partially activated brake while you are accelerating upsets the system and makes it cross