Antilock Brake

[fltemple]

I have a K1100 that has an ABS fault. The lights are blinking alternatively and cannot be turned off.
I took it to the BMW dealer - he ran the diagnositc and said that it indicated a ground fault - something he had never seen. He did some basic checks but said it would take alot of hours to find and it could eventually be the ABS unit itself.
I doubt the unit is bad since I rode it one day, parked it and the next this fault came up when I cranked the bike.
Has anyone had the same problem and found the solution?:dunno

[bmwmick]

Lee,
I forget what year K1100 we're working on here.

Nevermind, I found it, '97 K11LT. OK, go here: http://tinyurl.com/yqzrd

and start reading at page 72. Once you read out the error code (or did your dealer give you one?) you can start troubleshooting.

I've never heard of a "Ground Fault" when referring to the ABS-II system.
Did they attempt to reset the fault?

One important part of your ABS-II is the battery voltage. If your battery isn't really fresh and holding at least a 12.8V charge, you might just need a new one.
This condition should be easy to reset. just by restarting after a minute or two of running.

Also, there is a relay that supplies 12V for your ABS pump. You could remove it and check that the contacts (there are 2 of them to share the load) are clean and adjusted properly. This relay is at the left rear of the ABS pump under a plastic cover. This relay can be purchased separately if needed but comes with a new base. In most cases, you only need to replace the relay. The base is a real PITA to replace.

Mick

[deilenberger]

Originally posted by fltemple
I have a K1100 that has an ABS fault. The lights are blinking alternatively and cannot be turned off.
I took it to the BMW dealer - he ran the diagnositc and said that it indicated a ground fault - something he had never seen. He did some basic checks but said it would take alot of hours to find and it could eventually be the ABS unit itself.
I doubt the unit is bad since I rode it one day, parked it and the next this fault came up when I cranked the bike.
Has anyone had the same problem and found the solution?:dunno

As far as something working - then not.. see:

http://www.eilenberger.net/laws.htm

Law #7

I'd be interested in exactly what fault code the dealer read out. You might ask him this - since you paid for the diagnostics.

Most mechanics are not "electrics" - so problems with electronics on a bike frequently end up with them replacing parts until the problem if fixed. If they replace the entire bike - it's almost certain the problem will be fixed. Just a tad expensive.

So - we need to know what year K11 you have (ABS-1 or ABS-2) and what code the mechanic read out.

You also might want to look at the IBMWR K-tech pages and start reading up on ABS:

http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech.shtml

While most of the diagnostics are centered around ABS-1, we don't know what you have on your K11.. so..

Best,

[fltemple]

After I posted the thread, I knew I should have the fault code - I have a call in to the service tech now.
The first code was low voltage and we replaced the battery - that did not solve the problem. The tech said when he hooked the diagnostic up again that it would not let him reset the ABS. They also put a new relay under the tank to see if that would solve the problem - it did not so they took that back off.
I am trying to get some ideas on where to start to solve the problem - will look at the relays on the pump.
Thanks for the info.

[bmwmick]

Lee,
It's a single relay on the pump. This picture should help....

Mick

[fltemple]

My bike is a K1100LT 1997 model.
I spoke with the tech at the shop and he printed out several pages of the diagnostic work that was done on the bike and the message that kept coming up was Fault code 48 Battery Low Voltage. After that it would ask him to check rear and front sensors, mounting tollerances, etc.
We did replace the battery and checked the altenator (which was good).
I still do not have a good idea of the problem yet but will check the relay on the pump to see if that is the issue. The tech said that he did not pull that unit apart ever and could not help. They only replace the unit.
If I find through the links that I have received here that it is the unit that has gone bad - any suggestions on a used unit - hate to put the money in a new one!
HELP!:confused:

[bmwmick]

Lee,
I'm thinking the tech you worked with is a parts swapper. :) The relay even has it's own error code 6=ABS relay fault
If you find you need a new pump asm. you can always advertise in the IBMWR marketplace Wanted section. These units fail infrequently so the price should be reasonable.
I'm going to dig a little on your 48 code. Is that the only code? How about the low voltage code he saw, was that a code 45?

Mick

[fltemple]

Thanks for the reply - that is the only code that he found on the printout (Battery 48 Low Voltage) - you are probably correct on the parts swapper - I probably need to try another shop - I am going to try some of the fixes that appear in the replies first that I have received , however.

[Ironhorsecowboy]

I have an 03 K1200 LTC with the alternating abs lights flashing also. Battery voltage is 12.6V and the fluid is not low. I have to ride 190 miles tomorrow morning to be in Nashville Tn. (closest dealer) at 8:30 AM. I also have a warranty recall on possible fuel lines being defective and there is a service bulletin out for defective brakes and rotors on my bike as well. The noise from my rear drive is also concerning me. Thank goodness my bike is still under warranty. Hopefully I won't have the bad experience that I have read about on this forum.:yow

[bmwmick]

IronHorse,
Here is a FAQ on the ABS lights for your EVO brakes. http://faq.bmwlt.net/#ABS_flash
But you probably knew this already. ;)

Did you happen to spin the rear wheel and upset the ABS system? This used to happen frequently on the ABS-II systems and required a reset to 'fix' it.

As long as you still have power assist, you should be OK, just remember, NO ABS. :dunno

Mick

[Ironhorsecowboy]

I am happy to report that my problems have been resolved. I went to the Nashville dealer (Bloodworth Motorsports) and those guys took care of all the problems on my bike. The abs problem was 2 things-- Brake pads and low fluid level. I found out that there are two brake fluid resevoirs on an LTC (one you can partially see under right side with seat up) and another one totally inaccessible without removal of body panels and saddlebags. That 2nd resevoir was low enough to cause the abs warnings and my pads were nearly ready for replacement. The dealer replaced my brake pads under warranty due to a service bulletin about excessive noise from some pads and rotors. Also I had the fuel lines recall checked and corrected.

The folks were great at Bloodworth Motorsports and I got to check the new bikes out -1200GS, K12 with the electric centerstand:wow and others.

Also met a great group of folks from Alabama all on beemers except for one and as luck would have it, there was a MSF rider course finishing up and a great cookout and free lunch was available.

Can't beat a deal like I had Saturday: A no cost bike repair, free lunch, and 450 miles of riding pleasure with bright sunny skies and temps in the mid 70's.:bliss