another r1150rt abs problem

[belledog]

Hi,my 2001 r150rt has developed a fault with the abs.bike starts and runs fine for about 5 miles then the warning light and abs light (fast flashing) comes on, If i stop,switch off engine and restart it will clear but fault will reapear sometimes after only a few hundred yards or sometimes a couple of miles,but it always comes back, any help much apreciated. James.

[ilkleyal]

Hi,my 2001 r150rt has developed a fault with the abs.bike starts and runs fine for about 5 miles then the warning light and abs light (fast flashing) comes on, If i stop,switch off engine and restart it will clear but fault will reapear sometimes after only a few hundred yards or sometimes a couple of miles,but it always comes back, any help much apreciated. James.

First thing to check is that you have no lumps of mud or other detritus (could be a leaf or anything) clogging your ABS rotors front and rear, this is the disc with the notches that the sensor "sees" put bike on side stand and rotate each wheel thru a full revolution whilst looking at the rotor to make sure the teeth are not soiled.

Al.

[ilkleyal]

Hi,my 2001 r150rt has developed a fault with the abs.bike starts and runs fine for about 5 miles then the warning light and abs light (fast flashing) comes on, If i stop,switch off engine and restart it will clear but fault will reapear sometimes after only a few hundred yards or sometimes a couple of miles,but it always comes back, any help much apreciated. James.

Also check the sensors themselves are not loose (these are the things that point at the rotors) If you look in the bikes tool kit you will find an air gap gauge, Try this twixt the sensor and rotor to eliminate the air gap as a factor.

Al.

[belledog]

Hi Al,thanks, but have cleaned the rotors and the ends of the sensors at the weekend to no avail, problem still exists.

[ilkleyal]

Hi Al,thanks, but have cleaned the rotors and the ends of the sensors at the weekend to no avail, problem still exists.

No worries, as there are no bits stuck in there then I would consider checking battery voltage. as is well known most ABS faults on these bikes are due to a battery on the way out. Mine is doing it since I fitted heated grips and I know that i need a new battery.

Whats the voltage with some stuff turned on?

Al.

[belledog]

I just fitted a new battery a couple of weeks ago ,hoping that would help but has made no difference

[oldyam]

From your description it sounds a little like either a bad or loose connection ( with the timing being variable )

I would check the wiring from the sensors to the controller paying particular attention to the connectors and any tie down points ( cable ties ) perhaps the cabling is pulled tight at some point creating a bad connection.

A common point appears to be the run up the slider on the front forks.

[Clive James]

This may not bring a lot of joy but the fault as you state seems to be intermittent & can be a pain in the a** to locate or pinpoint, it could as some have stated voltage related in the fact that you may have a bad connection in the system. May be worth checking all multi plugs / connectors for corrosion then look along the wiring loom for chaffing etc, is there anyway you could get the stored fault codes from unit to aid in the diagnosis as may help locate the fault area.


Clive

[belledog]

Could be corrosion in the multi plugs, the bike has been mostly laid up for the last couple of years and has only covered about a 1000 mls in that time. Will give her a good check over at the weekend and get back to you, thanks lads.
James

[Bandytales]

Hi,my 2001 r150rt has developed a fault with the abs.bike starts and runs fine for about 5 miles then the warning light and abs light (fast flashing) comes on, If i stop,switch off engine and restart it will clear but fault will reapear sometimes after only a few hundred yards or sometimes a couple of miles,but it always comes back, any help much apreciated. James.

When this happens the General warning light is on and not flashing but the ABS light is flashing (this is the fast 4Hz flashing) - it is symptematic that you have residual braking in either the front or the rear or both abs ccts.
So, when this happens have you tried braking just using the front then the rear brake to identify if either or both ccts have gone into residual brake mode.
You will know, 'cos that cct will feel like you have NO brakes. (of course you have but you will just need to put huge pressure on the relevant pedal/lever).
Having identified this, we could see where to go next.
Andy

[aero]

have you checked the fluid level in the abs unit?

My bike was doing exactly this. Turn the ignition off, then on and the fault cleared, for a few miles. Fluid levels were a little low, topped them up and now fine.

[belledog]

I have checked the front and rear brake fluid levels,is there another reservior in the abs system i am missing?

[Geoff Thompson]

I have checked the front and rear brake fluid levels,is there another reservior in the abs system i am missing?

Yes the bike has ab ABS Hydaulic Control Unit just in front of the battery. This article will give you an idea of what you are up against. http://www.beachbus.net/BMW/diy/Bleed_W ... rcuits.htm

[belledog]

Hi,last weekend i stripped the bike,checked all fluid levels, cleaned and checked all multiplugs cleaned and checked brake switches, checked all wiring for chaffing and loose connections, never found anything untoward. Put it all back together and went for a run, got 15 miles before the dreaded warning lights came on!!
Today i took the bike to motorrad central at Bishopbriggs [only got a mile before warning lights came on] they offered to look at the bike straight away which i thought was very good as i hadnt booked an appointment.They came back to me after about 10mins with aread out saying pressure in front brake high ,pressure in rear brake high and rear sensor fault .After a second check they reported a pressure in the abs control unit of 30.5 [ max pressure supposed to be no more than 30] They advised me to leave the bike for an hour to cool down and they would take another reading. I went for some lunch and came back a couple of hours later to be told that the reading had jumped to 135, indicating that the abs control unit was goosed [failed internal sensors]. Anew abs unit is in the region of £1300 plus fitting at £65 per hour, unless i can pick up a second hand one some where. To their credit they did not charge me for this service.Now im off for a few beers

[Geoff Thompson]

Second hand ones are extremely rare and you can't tell if they work until its fitted. The labour cost of fitting and setting to work will be expensive so unless you are prepared to fit it yourself I would not go for second hand. This is the warning we have on the Motorworks Website: "Please specify chassis number when ordering this item. BEWARE: We are unable to test these before shipping and there is quite a high reject rate. Please bear this in mind if you are paying someone else to fit it. Normal 6 month guarantee applies."

Another alternative is to remove the ABS system. Its not straightforward on an RT as there was never a non ABS version but it can be done using R1150GS brake pipe splitter and brake light switches.

[store]

Darren at Motorworks has been discussing this with customers who are trying to de-ABSed their bikes (R1150 and K12 types) and Ive been formally holding the wiring diagrams he's been working out, so they're available to anyone who requests through MW, with kit lists in Motorwork's system. Its incomplete but ifs a fair start. I'm looking into any internal physical differences to help get the speedos working on R1100S and K1200RS/LT models that use a speedo sensor like an early K bike. From the amount of print outs I've been sending out with orders, it seems quite popular.

[belledog]

As i am not planning on selling the bike ,i think removing the abs unit and servo would be my best option.

[belledog]

Hi, spoke to Darren at Motorworks today, avery helpful and knowledgable chap in these matters , he has made me up a kit and is supplying a wiring diagram to enable me [motorrad central, Bishopbriggs] to eliminate the abs.

[belledog]

Hi,have now had abs unit removed from my bike. Total cost £387.20 (£119.90 for the kit parts from Darren at Motorworks,and £267.30 for having it fitted at Motorrad central Bishopbriggs). I could argue that this mod is an improvement to the bike as you no longer have the overly feirce servo to deal with especially at slow speeds, anyway it is the best option for me. Thanks to all who have replied to this post and hope it can be of help to others suffering similar problems. James

[Mike D]

Are you going to tell your insurance company of the modification?

[belledog]

Of course

[LTTLE KEV]

hi sorry about your problems with the abs.i have a question after having the abs removed whats the braking like

cheers for now kevin

[belledog]

Hi Kev, brakes are excellent,as i said they suit me better as i didnt like the feirceness of the servo assited brakes . Engine braking on these bikes is great anyway and i find the non abs modification more than adequate. Darren at motorworks says he has sold many kits to r1150rt owners.

[torvil]

I am enduring exactly the same symptoms, and had the same dianoses from BMW. (spookily around the same time). I have tried to get support from BMW UK, and have tried/am trying to find somewhere to repair inlcuding the manufacturer FTE automotive, with no luck. I am heading towards full removal like yourself. (Need to get it fixed before our Scotland tour in June)
What was in the kit which motorworks supplied? Did you go for braided steel hoses?

[Geoff Thompson]

.What was in the kit which motorworks supplied? Did you go for braided steel hoses?

Motorworks don't supply a kit per se. Darren has a a good bit of experience in assisting customers to select the appropriate parts to solve their problem; the RT is the most complex to remove the ABS on as there was not a non ABS version to provide the parts.

Darren is on holiday this week but others will be able to assist.