ABS Warning Light Flashing

[twobits]

Haven't had my 96 R 1100 GS for long but the ABS lights (two) flash in an alternating fashion (back and forth). Been told it's probably a low battery but have taken it out for a 100 mile ride and there was no change. Battery is supposed to be only 1 year old. Any advice? My BMW dealership is 60 miles away and I don't want to spend unnecessary money if it's something simple. Thanks for any help!

[cwilson]

I don't have a GS but my RT had a 'similar' problem with the warning light. The light would flash when I started the engine and the ABS modulator pump was NOT running. My problem turned out to be the rear brake contact switch, the contact was not activating fully and the dealer 'adjusted' the contact. The service manager at my dealership told me about another rider that had the warning light and his problem turned out to be the contact switch - he had hit a coyote and had fur jammed between the activator and the contact on the switch.
In both cases the switch did not need replacing but just a clean up with a little adjustment.
May not be what's wrong with your GS but checking that rear brake switch up close might be worthwhile.

[cb75076]

My experience, for what it's worth ... I bought a used 1996 R1100RT several years ago. The battery would hold a charge for about a week. It showed the same symptoms with the ABS light flashing. The seller purchased a new battery and I replaced it - not very difficult to do, and that solved the problem.

Jerry Holtz
Maplewood NJ

[Vagabird]

Mine would flash until I rode far enough to get a good charge on the battery. Then I had to stop, turn off the ignition, start it up again, and when taking off the lights would finally go out. (I would even get off the bike at the stop because I had heard that the sensor could tell the weight of the load, but I tend to be gullible. :blush )

[bdiver]

My lights flashed after the battery ran down and the place where I got it said to take it to the dealer to get it reset........ Being I was in LA after purchasing it and needing to make some time getting back home (it was after 5 PM) I remembered I had found a page somewhere on the net that tells how to reset the ABS when researching about the bike before I purchased it. When I got home I did the reset and it's been fine ever since.

Do a search for resetting ABS. Even though your battery is only a yr old it could be going bad.... The other thing to do is to ride it for 3-4 min then shut it off and turn the bike back on, usually that will take care of it too (for that ride). I'll look for that tip when I get home tonight.

Best of luck,

[41107]

Haven't had my 96 R 1100 GS for long but the ABS lights (two) flash in an alternating fashion (back and forth). Been told it's probably a low battery but have taken it out for a 100 mile ride and there was no change. Battery is supposed to be only 1 year old. Any advice? My BMW dealership is 60 miles away and I don't want to spend unnecessary money if it's something simple. Thanks for any help!

If you are handy with a solder iron you can do this.
http://www.ibmwr.org/r-tech/oilheads/ABS-II_low_voltage_modification/index.shtml

[41107]

I did want to mention that after this mod. the bike needs to be running to pull any ABS faults since this now is the only way to power up the ABS module.

[OfficerImpersonator]

When my ABS lights flash in the alternating 1 second per flash mode, it means my ABS circuit needs it's fluid topped off.

[41107]

When my ABS lights flash in the alternating 1 second per flash mode, it means my ABS circuit needs it's fluid topped off.

But thats on your 1150 not a 96 1100

[MEM0317]

Performed the ABS modification on my '96 gs two weeks ago. Other than not clearing any faults immediately, it works as designed. The first thing I did was get in loose gravel and test. Thumbs up! This mod was my only solution considering it's not garaged, the Odyssey battery stays on the charger and it looks as if were in mid winter already here in Knoxville.
So to all you 1100 owners thinking about this mod....it works....just have to justify the time and alteration-which can be undone, if you plan for that in the process.

[chrismiii]

Haven't had my 96 R 1100 GS for long but the ABS lights (two) flash in an alternating fashion (back and forth). Been told it's probably a low battery but have taken it out for a 100 mile ride and there was no change. Battery is supposed to be only 1 year old. Any advice? My BMW dealership is 60 miles away and I don't want to spend unnecessary money if it's something simple. Thanks for any help!

Just need to reset your abs brain to get the lights right now -charging the battery will not correct the problem once the brain detects low volts -so reset the abs brain after you charge the battery and try it then -

[norton]

Just need to reset your abs brain to get the lights right now -charging the battery will not correct the problem once the brain detects low volts -so reset the abs brain after you charge the battery and try it then -

That is not true for a low battery. On the 1100 the fault will go away if there is sufficient voltage in the battery when it's started. If the battery is deficient and on it's way out the fault will never go away until the battery is replaced. If the fault is something other than the low battery then it will not go away until the fault is addressed, or reset. Is the battery a BMW Gel battery? If it is then go no further...replace it.

[norton]

I did want to mention that after this mod. the bike needs to be running to pull any ABS faults since this now is the only way to power up the ABS module.
Technically this is correct, but if you have the relay in an accessible location, you can remove the wire attached to the #30 connector and tape it to the wire that was attached to the #87 connector, and voila, the mod is no longer in place. This is very simple and allows quick troubleshooting. Just reconnect the wires to the relay and you're back in business.

[genen8kua]

Look at Anton's article at http://www.largiader.com/abs/absfault.html for a nice explanation. If your ABS lights blink together when you first turn on the ignition but then blink alternately after the bike is started, then you might try the "rolling restart" & that likely confirms a battery that needs to be replaced as the voltage goes to low during cranking.

Another cause of this can be a starter in need of some rebuilding that draws too much current, also decreasing voltage. Dirty, corroded, or loose contacts can also cause this.

But start with the info on the faults.

And if its the battery, spend some time figuring out which battery to get. Odyssey and Westco AGMs seem to be popular. Generic (such as PowerSonic) back-up power supply batteries will fit and look right, but you'll be seeing the ABS fault pretty quickly.

[dhdille]

This sounds silly but.....

I have a 2000 R1100RT and if I turn on the key and hit the starter the abs lights go into spaz mode. Wait for your lights to blink 3 times before cranking over the engine. This gives the digital circuitry enough time to load itself properly.

[Wilmouth]

Ok.....new battery (WestCo) for my05 R1200GS...blinking triangle and brake flashing. Before I take her in for a check up, I'm going to try a rolling reset! I'm hoping that works. Anyone have a similar problem with R1200GS?

[huntrj]

03 1150 RT
mine does this all the time, I think its an electrical loose connection. Real problem is the rear lights, running and brake don't work when ABS light is on. Any help out there for what to look for.