ABS lights flashing Quirey

markwin · Post by **markwin** » Tue May 14, 2013 10:33 am

Thought this would be just a matter of time and so it here it is-ABS warning light @4kz and General warning light on-Apparently this combination means "at least one brake circuit in residual braking function mode".The front brakes are still working properly-have servo action and confirmed with normal servo noise when applied and ABS kicks in on loose surface but rear brakes do not make same servo noise and ABS doesn't appear to kick in on same loose surface test and certainly seem to be weak,so-Can I presume this is not just a simple rear ABS ring Sensor failure or wiring connection issue ? A bit of background may be usefull-2002 11500mls ,first noticed this problem after about 15 miles into a ride and pulled over and switched off engine/ignition had a quick check around and as nothing obvious like fluid leak or shot pads(didn't think so as I do check bike regularly) restarted and all normal service resumed so "hoped" just a glitch , did another 15/20mls and same thing again (front brakes def ok both occasions) resolved to investigate further when home.Checked ABS unit itself to ensure no obvious problem-both reservoirs ok and connection block seemed ok BUT battery level very low (I did know the battery was on its last legs) so have now fitted a new one and was hoping this may have been an issue but unlikely as it turned out .So is it time to deactivate the ABS or are there some other checks/reasons to look into first ? must say I have never liked the brakes as they are a bit grabby especially with a pillion but would feel a prat if the occasion arose where they saved me or more importantly the passenger and I had deactivated a working system-Any advise gratefully received.

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Tue May 14, 2013 10:39 am

What bike is it?

Do you know that the errors can be manually cleared?

markwin · Post by **markwin** » Tue May 14, 2013 1:28 pm

r1100r ss 2004 11500 mls.I believe the codes are manually reset by disconnecting the battery? but the rear brake is def not getting any servo assistance.Was wondering whether it is poss to re-route just the rear brake and be able to keep the front brakes as ABS but expect this would really confuse the ECU/ABS system-mind you I don't like the thought of the fronts going AWOL and having no servo like the rears so prob will be "De-activating unless find the reason...

markwin · Post by **markwin** » Tue May 14, 2013 1:29 pm

Doh! 2002 NOT 2004....

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Tue May 14, 2013 1:44 pm

an r1100r ss ??? What's that then

Is it a naked R1100R? Or an R1100RS?

Resetting ABS2 on early bike
• Locate the diagnostic connector under the seat. Remove it from the blanking plug.
• Insert one end of 20 cm wire into the middle socket of this connector.
• Ground the other end firmly to a metal bolt in the area (and keep grounded).
• Turn on ignition. You should see the lights flash alternately.
• Hold ABS button down for about 8 seconds. The bottom ABS light will stay on, and the top one off.
• Release the ABS button. If you have successfully reset the ABS, both ABS lights will come on. If you have failed to count to 8, or your ground is not good, the top ABS light will stay off.
• Turn off ignition, remove wire.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Tue May 14, 2013 1:49 pm

slparry wrote:an r1100r ss ??? What's that then
Is it a naked R1100R? Or an R1100RS?

If it's an '02 it can only be an 1100S (or a variety of) as that was the only bike produced in 1100 form after 2001...unless it was an old bike registered later of course.

All the other, lower class Oilheads went 1150.

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Tue May 14, 2013 1:52 pm

Gromit wrote:
slparry wrote:an r1100r ss ??? What's that then
Is it a naked R1100R? Or an R1100RS?
If it's an '02 it can only be an 1100S (or a variety of) as that was the only bike produced in 1100 form after 2001...unless it was an old bike registered later of course.

All the other, lower class Oilheads went 1150.

I thought the servo brakes were never inflicted on the 11S models tho?

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Tue May 14, 2013 2:20 pm

slparry wrote:
I thought the servo brakes were never inflicted on the 11S models tho?

Sadly they did.

Fortunately they weren't the linked servo - could be wrong on that score though.

markwin · Post by **markwin** » Tue May 14, 2013 2:28 pm

to clarify as I may have been unclear the bike is an r1100s (ss is designation for the wider wheel and a couple of other upgrades) The issue doesn't seem to be with clearing the codes as the ABS and General warning light is reset on each start up when it goes through the initial self test sequence so resetting will not re-boot the actual fault of the servo to the rear brake not working.Assume that the sensor is not the culprit as it would then be a different light code?As the front brakes are normal is it therefore a case of another input that has failed or a connection out of the system or an ECU specific to the ABS itself ?Just looking for the easy things before I rip into it or deactivate.

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Tue May 14, 2013 3:19 pm

markwin wrote:to clarify as I may have been unclear the bike is an r1100s (ss is designation for the wider wheel and a couple of other upgrades) The issue doesn't seem to be with clearing the codes as the ABS and General warning light is reset on each start up when it goes through the initial self test sequence so resetting will not re-boot the actual fault of the servo to the rear brake not working.Assume that the sensor is not the culprit as it would then be a different light code?As the front brakes are normal is it therefore a case of another input that has failed or a connection out of the system or an ECU specific to the ABS itself ?Just looking for the easy things before I rip into it or deactivate.

ah right, I got confused because you said your bike was a r1100r ss

http://www.largiader.com/abs/abs2.html

http://www.largiader.com/abs/absfault.html

any help?

markwin · Post by **markwin** » Tue May 14, 2013 7:18 pm

Thanks for that link .Regarding my thought on making the rear brake independent and keeping the front brakes on the ABS I notice that if BOTH circuits fail to residual braking the warning sequence changes so would therefore be aware of this should it happen-so , is it a feasible course of action to do this ? I can live with the flashing lights telling me what I already know and as I said if the front ones go AWOL the lights change sequence .

The Teutonic Tangerine · Wed May 15, 2013 11:30 am

My electric servo makes a noise if the ignition is on and I use either the brake lever or foot brake. I know the front lever operates a micro switch which start the servo motor so assume that the rear pedal also has a micro switch if that has gone duff this would surely cause the issues you have. or is there no switch on the rear?

timbox2 · Post by **timbox2** » Mon May 20, 2013 4:54 am

I seem to remember Steptoe once talking about this issue , the big clue is that you say the rear brake seems weak? It could be the little filters in the Servo Unit blocked, Im sure a search would eventually throw up the thread with pictures showing how to do it.

Found it for you viewtopic.php?t=13822&highlight=servo+failure

Steptoe does say it doesn't cure every bike mind.

markwin · Post by **markwin** » Fri May 24, 2013 5:34 pm

Thanks for the Tips and Links , have got some time off soon so will have a look at it properly and if as I suspect the ABS/Servo is U/S will go down the deactivating route -at least I can then depend on them-sure don't want to have Residual braking on the front stoppers suddenly .Will post outcome and again thanks for all the responses.

markwin · Post by **markwin** » Sat May 25, 2013 4:16 pm

This might prove to be an incredibly stupid question but on the Absectomy procedural by Dave H , regarding the wiring aspect would it not be better to leave the two halves of the ABS connector together and just cut/reconnect the wires as necessary on the remaining side ?This would seem neater to me but as I say I may well be missing something here -electrics are not my strong point and this may now be patently obvious....